Question about satellite dome installation?

[nodine]

Our coach does not have a satellite dome and we are considering installing one ourselves. I know I can call the 24/7 Monaco line and get some kind of answer but just thought I would find out what you folks know first.

On the roof there is a label indicating the position to install the dome. What can I expect to find there? If I remove the label are there holes or cables underneath? I know the dome will need a coax feed and 12 volts.

Any suggestions on mounting hole placement, drilling, sealing, braces underneath, etc.

Bob

[nodine]

Our coach does not have a satellite dome and we are considering installing one ourselves. I know I can call the 24/7 Monaco line and get some kind of answer but just thought I would find out what you folks know first.

On the roof there is a label indicating the position to install the dome. What can I expect to find there? If I remove the label are there holes or cables underneath? I know the dome will need a coax feed and 12 volts.

Any suggestions on mounting hole placement, drilling, sealing, braces underneath, etc.

Bob

[ronboc]

Hi Bob -

Good question.

When I had my done installed, the dealer (DeMartini) ran the external wiring forwards almost to the cap before poking the hole. I was kinda upset that they didn't use the "LOOK HERE FIRST" decal, but they told me (and I've heard basically the same thing from several other installers too) that they've found too many times that the wiring isn't where it's supposed to be, or that there was only one coax when there shoulda been the two - And then they'd have to poke that second hole anyways. They said it was much better to go as far back as they could internally and then simply run the cables outside from that point.

That made sense to me, and made more sense the other day when I had pulled out the tv to tilt it down a bit (subject for another story). I noticed this huge bundle of wiring all coiled up nice and neat in the overhead. I stuck my hand up and followed it back as far as I could (still itching from the fiberglas) and found that it was easy to get quite a ways back before any obstructions. The other ends of the cables were snaked thru the electronics cabinet over the driver and mounted to the wall. The power switch (I have KVH) is also nicely mounted but out of the way.

I now feel better about the install as all parts/locations could be easily accessed if needed (run additional wiring, replace defective wires, etc) and it still made for a no-see-um job.

As far as actual location, mine is maybe a foot forward of the roof-decal. Don't know about any ribs or structural members under the roof as I wasn't up there when they drilled, but I'd say the dome is light enough that the layers should support it well. Monaco may have some ideas as to where the ribs are, however. You could also tap and feel around for the hard-spots maybe.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.


Thanks!
Ron


PS - I have a spare KVH L3 (in-motion type, black dome) with all wiring, etc if you're interested. It worked when i pulled it off.

[JC2]

Here is a previous discussion that might be of interest. Installing a Sat Antenna- Lessons Learned

[MonacoMama]

Nodine...
If you camp or live with any type of moisture in the air.. then I am ging to tell you to NOT invest in a "domed" satellite!
We have a KingDome...and we lose the signal ALL the time. It does not help to "wax" the dome either. (Fog, rain, sprinkles...everything effects it!)


MM

[Route 66]

I understand there are a few products available to spray on, or wax on, and some folks apply Rain-X regularly, but no one reports good results with any of these.

I don't think anyone is interested in climbing on the roof periodically to coat the dome.

I recommend a MotoSAT fold down dish, as they are the best, IMHO.

[JamieB]

Bob.

I must agree with Mama and Dirk. Unless you need the ability to watch television while driving, I don't think a dome is your best option. Aside from the problems they experience with dew, and light rain, they also have other limitations.

With a MotoSAT dish that Dirk mentioned, you can view all of the satellites at one time. There is no switching between birds to watch different programming. You can run multiple receivers and even multiple dual-tuner or HD receivers. You will get better quality. And you can get all of that for less than some domes cost. With the MotoSAT, you just push a button and the dish raises, locates all of the satellites (up to 5 with DirecTV), and then you watch tv.

Again, I would really only recommend a dome if you must watch tv while driving.

Jamie Billingsley
Satellite Internet Solutions

[Frankie]

I have a Winegard movin view in motion.I do not have any probs with rain,only once during severe thunder storm. Inmotion is great on the road for sports and the xm radio,but I could live without it.I may have to,with all these new HD ready set ups coming out,none of them being in motion. Almost all installers will bypass factory pre wire,too much of a pain fishing for wires.

[LindaH]

Like Frankie, we also have the Winegard Movin' View dome (stationary, not in-motion as it's name might imply). We have no problems with rain, dew, fog, mist, or anything else. The only thing that knocks out the picture is when a large storm passes directly between the dome and the satellite. And then the picture only goes out for a few minutes until the storm clouds move off.

When DirecTV gets through with all of their HD changes, we *might* consider moving to HD programming (which we don't currently have). If we do, at that time we'll consider changing the dome out for either the Motosat or Winegard roof-mounted dish with multiple LNBs. Until then, we're happy with our Winegard dome.

[Bill Adams]

One of the biggest considerations in buying a dome today is where you might want HD programming tomorrow. NO dome on the market is going to be able to pick up the 2 new KA band satellites that DTV is/will be using for the HD programming. The domes only have 1 LNB and it can only pick the the current KU band signals. Dish Network will continue to utilize their 3 KU band satellites so as long as you get a dome that can switch between multiple satellites they will still work with Dish Net.
As to rain fade, ALL domes will suffer this problem sooner and more often than ANY open face dish. The domes contain a smaller dish to start with so the signal will always be lower and then when you add a sheet of water on top of the dome this reduces that signal even more. I am not against domes, but they have more limitations than the open dishes.

[Sixpack98]

When we purchased our coach I balked (read cheapskate) when the dealer told me how much the dome sat would cost. I figured I could do it myself and save a bunch of $$. Happy I did, I learned that current domes cannot receive the DTV KA sats and receive only one sat at a time. So, I will continue to use a portable dish until the open dishes come down some in price or the domes figure out how to immediately switch between multiple sats and offer KA capability.

[rvtips]

That is what I thought untill I was parked next to a guy with the MotoSat and the wind came up,guess what no signal,It would do the same this the crank up dish does it the wind.
I guess ther is no perfect system.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Route 66:
I understand there are a few products available to spray on, or wax on, and some folks apply Rain-X regularly, but no one reports good results with any of these.

I don't think anyone is interested in climbing on the roof periodically to coat the dome.

I recommend a MotoSAT fold down dish, as they are the best, IMHO. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[crudeman]

Don't have many issues with our KVH dome, do use rain-x from time to time when on the roof.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">So, I will continue to use a portable dish until the open dishes come down some in price or the domes figure out how to immediately switch between multiple sats and offer KA capability. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
So you are going to need to plan on using that tripod for MANY years to come. If anything, the open face dish prices have had to go up due to the multiple LNB configurations and the possibilities of getting a dome to receive both KU and KA at the same time is fairly remote.
Don't confuse the ever lowering price of electronics with anything having to do with this teeny tiny market known as RV satellite TV. It's a niche market with antennas hand built by folks right here in the good 'ole USA. That costs big bucks but it's good for us and good for our economy!