Satellite service

[shovelhead]

What prevents one from getting a satellite service for your travel trailer?  I know the "local" channels would be a problem but then you have a standard digital TV external antenna.   I'm thinking of having Dish or Direct TV install a system, plug into our external jack with the dish on a tripod. I cant see any legal ramifications? 

[david]

It can be done with a little hassle perhaps. I did it 12 years ago and I am sure it works the same now.

I bought a DirecTV system from my local Best Buy- satellite dish and receiver. Then I hooked it up temporarily at home and called up DTV to register it. At first the person I talked to didn't know anything about RVs. But I persisted, asked to talk to a supervisor and finally got it all registered. While talking to the rep I was able to see the receiver display the DTV guide and finally my selected channel.

RVs are unique. The RV industry had a good lobbyist and a sympathetic congressman that exempted them from local channel limitations. When an RV moves from place to place it can receive the local channel in that place. It doesn't work this way for boats- they had a lousy lobbyist. You have to send DTV your RV registration in the mail. But after they get it, you are set up to view all of the local channels in your area. You also get the east coast- NYC and the west coast- LA feeds.

I used a sturdy photographic tripod to support the satellite dish. I also bought an inexpensive signal strength meter to help me point it. You need to point it within about 2-3 degrees of the satellite before you can use the on screen signal strength meter to align it spot on. It helps to be able to read signal strength at the dish which might be 100' from the RV while you are aligning it. It sounds a bit difficult, but usually only took 10 minutes or so.

There are automatic dish pointing antennas that avoid this pointing stuff that mount on the top of your rv. KVH and others make them. But they cost a few thousand $.

David

[drdave]

You mean like this?  Nothing as far as I know.   They are common on high end boats and RVs.


http://www.amazon.com/Directv-Inch-Satellite-Dish-Tripod/dp/B0051126KU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1411768448&sr=8-4&keywords=rv+satellite

or like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Dish-ViP211Z-Tailgater-Bundle-Receiver/dp/B008BQI7WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411768448&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+satellite

another option:

http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RM-4600-Crank-Up-Digital-Satellite/dp/B002N5S0CK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411768448&sr=8-2&keywords=rv+satellite

Then use these to find the best signal:

http://www.amazon.com/WINEGARD-SC2000-Satellite-Alignment-Compass/dp/B0002F67MI/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1411768448&sr=8-9&keywords=rv+satellite

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZOM1G6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1411768765&sr=8-3&keywords=rv+satellite+signal+strength+finder

At the Hershey RV show there was a whole section on satalite systems.  I'm guessing Dish or Directtv have a RV package of some sort. I skipped that area as I don't have any interest.    Just contact them for details.

[shovelhead]

I think I'm going with Direct TV. No need to buy a system. At least I dont think so.  Buy a tripod and a signal strength meter.  The initial install setup in my driveway on the tripod.  Future campsites hopefully just setup the tripod find the birds and watch TV.  I also dont really care if the dish picks up any local channels.

[shovelhead]

In my search for more info, I found out that Dish Network offers a "Pay as You Go" plan.  If you are already a Dish subscriber you just add your RV setup to your equipment, activate with Dish for an additional $7 a month.   If you are not a subscriber you can purchase a complete dish setup hardware for around $275 to----$1000.  Select a subscriber plan and activate the equipment with Dish.  The Pay As You Go plan is monthly, no contract, no charges to start and stop service.  I'm seriously thinking of going with this.  The most economical hardware is a tripod mounted Dish 1000 antenna a VIP 211Z STB that is
DVR capable by adding an external hard drive (1 TB < $75)  I have to have my Living Dead even if I'm boondocking :-)

[shovelhead]

Thanks Tlbones. I went with the Dish Tailgater. My son has Dish Network so it's like a second receiver $7 a month.    If you arent a Dish subscriber you can activate and pay as you go monthly.  $409  at Amazon (Prime)

[admin]

Will there be any problems with no internet access?  When I had direct TV it required internet access to correctly use all the guide features.

[shovelhead]

No internet is required.    I did a test run today of the Dish Tailgater. Took all of 20 minutes to setup and another 20 to get authorized with Dish. $8 a month added as another receiver is all.  The dish is self contained.  You set it on a level surface with the handle pointing North this aims the actual antenna South to the birds.  I used an iPhone compass app. Sat the iPhone on the dish and got it locked onto the South. Plugged the dish cable (supplied 50')  into the 21RBS cable outlet and connected the VIP 211Z receiver inside the Camplite.  I get the same reception and programming as if I'm in my living room.  The beauty of it is being simple to setup, fully supported by DISH network .  Direct TV doesn't have a product like this.   You can go a little cheaper if you just use a manual (Dish 1000) antenna with a VIP211Z receiver. Total for that is less then $300.  Tailgater from Amazon Prime is $409.  OBTW you can do "Pay as You Go"  monthly charges if you dont already subscribe to Dish.  So what ever camping season you do at a monthly rate with no start/stop fees.

[pinstriper]

Saw one of these Dish tv thingies for $4xx at Costco today.

[shovelhead]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008BQI7WI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I should mention it is Dish Network proprietary.  Noworkie with DirectTV