Community Forums

MoHoGo · 07-19-2019, 08:55 AM

We have been in several parks where our Winegard roof dish cannot connect to the Direct TV service because of the trees.

Looking for a recommendation for a portable dish for Direct TV that would connect into the port currently being used by the existing roof dish and power supply.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Sbrownstein · 07-19-2019, 08:58 AM

Depends on which Winegard you have. SWM or Multiswitched, 18", 20", 1 or 3 lnbs.

MoHoGo · 07-19-2019, 09:29 AM

SWM with 3 lnbs on Direct TV

Sbrownstein · 07-19-2019, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoHoGo

SWM with 3 lnbs on Direct TV

Here you go:https://www.solidsignal.com/c.asp?c=...ishes-and-LNBs

450Donn · 07-19-2019, 10:14 AM

Cost wise I would go with a standard oval dish/tripod package and a 25 and a 50 foot coax. This gives you virtually unlimited opportunities for setup. To find birds there are a few smart phone apps that will aid you in finding an open spot. You can find new Directv signal meters for around 300 dollars on ebay. This is the same one Direct installers use so finding the correct elevation, angle, and skew is pretty simple.
None of the portable automatic domes will get you all three Direct birds out of the box.

Mwoodofd · 07-19-2019, 12:16 PM

I use one of the Tail-Gate units if necessary. Not sure if they have the Direct TV fixed so that the HD channels work with it (I have Dish).

Sbrownstein · 07-19-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

I use one of the Tail-Gate units if necessary. Not sure if they have the Direct TV fixed so that the HD channels work with it (I have Dish).

No HD on DirecTV on 101 until the end of 2020. If you use the same style 3 lnb SWM antenna then you don't have to adjust the setup between the roof and the portable unit, just have to switch the antenna connection leads on the SWM power inserter.

philnail · 07-19-2019, 12:25 PM

The portable units will not work with direct tv anymore as they are going to all HD and getting rid of the standard definition tv

We n the meantime when you go to the guide do you have 2 listings of each channel? One would be high definition and the other standard definition?

RichnSue · 07-19-2019, 12:42 PM

I did what 450DONN suggested. Bought a dish and LNB, made an aluminum post, stuck it an office chair base attached to a 50' RG6 cable. Works great and like he said many apps to find the birds, I use the android dishpointer app. I take it all apart and put in a large vinyl zippered bag and store the bay. The blue pool corner water bags are for those windy days to hold it in place

Sbrownstein · 07-19-2019, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philnail

The portable units will not work with direct tv anymore as they are going to all HD and getting rid of the standard definition tv

We n the meantime when you go to the guide do you have 2 listings of each channel? One would be high definition and the other standard definition?

Well, that is actually not entirely true. Dropping one standalone SD broadcasts in favor of HD/SD broadcasts. Small dishes will still work (and get HD) but they will not necessarily get all local HD channels.

MoHoGo · 07-20-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichnSue

I did what 450DONN suggested. Bought a dish and LNB, made an aluminum post, stuck it an office chair base attached to a 50' RG6 cable. Works great and like he said many apps to find the birds, I use the android dishpointer app. I take it all apart and put in a large vinyl zippered bag and store the bay. The blue pool corner water bags are for those windy days to hold it in place

This is the direction I am leaning. I have heard that alignment of the SWM dish is a bit difficult...any input on that and how long do you find to get it pointed and setup.

Sbrownstein · 07-20-2019, 09:08 AM

Naw, not much harder than a standard dish. You have to pre-set the skew (angle) but once you do that just go for a good signal on 101 and you will be there. Big dishes have nice adjusters, better than the old 18 inch units.

jherrin99 · 07-21-2019, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoHoGo

We have been in several parks where our Winegard roof dish cannot connect to the Direct TV service because of the trees.

Looking for a recommendation for a portable dish for Direct TV that would connect into the port currently being used by the existing roof dish and power supply.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

If you want a top quality tripod, this place sells one- www.tv4rv.com It will work on any surface and is very sturdy. It is easy to set up. They are very knowledgeable and have all the accessories to go with it. I don't need to use mine very often, but it is worth it weight in gold when it is needed.