Satellite Dish

[CoreyinWP]

Just ordered Aspire 42RBQ. Don't want the inmotion sat but rather the Traveler so we can have HD with DTV. I am told if you do not get the inmotion, the wiring is very difficult to do after market. On the Entegra website, under standard interior options is "prep for satellite dish for roof". Does anyone know about this and have you utilized this "prep" for the traveler?

Thanks

[Steve N Sal]

I don't know if it would be a specific installation for an in motion system. I know our coach has the satellite prep installed which is no more then a RG6 cable sent to our bedroom and one sent to the forward control box area for the tv. There is also a 12volt feed at the roof and front compartment.

[Cruzer]

One thing with the Trav'ler is, because it accesses up to 5 satellites at once, there are four coax cables plus one cat5 communications cable that passes through and into the coach. With a dome you don't have that many because they don't look at that many birds at the same time and are limited to SD (talking DirecTV here, not Dish).

However, you can add a SWM-8 adaptor to compile all that signal onto a single coax by using seperate channel IDs. The SWM-8 is waterproof so you can mount it on the roof and feed that single cable in through the roof. You then install a SWM capable 1x4 splitter and power inserter inside the coach to break it out into separate coax runs for each receiever or DVR. That stuff runs about $150. Of course you'll still need the communications cable and I don't know if that's the same as what comes on the pre-wire setup.

Running cables through the roof can sometime be a challenge. I had to do that on our Allegro Bus when I replaced my KingDome with a Trav'ler. Fortunately, there wasn't any insulation in the roof for the first few feet so it was easier to fish the cables through. Entegra does a much better job of insulating their coaches and have more structural members in their roofs so it won't be as easy.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Cruzer

One thing with the Trav'ler is, because it accesses up to 5 satellites at once, there are four coax cables plus one cat5 communications cable that passes through and into the coach. With a dome you don't have that many because they don't look at that many birds at the same time and are limited to SD (talking DirecTV here, not Dish).

Even without an SWM adapter, the Trav'ler definitely does not require 4 coax cables between the roof and the satellite receiver. We have two cables connecting the Trav'ler to our DirecTV DVR. The two cables provide the two inputs the DVR needs in order to record on channel and watch a different one. The additional connections to the Trav'ler are only needed if you wish to connect additional receivers. Using SWM avoids the need for extra connections for extra receivers.

[Pusherman]

The Winegard SK3005 does have 4 coax connections to the coach, each of which are used to feed a non-SWM satellite receiver. You only need 1 coax to feed any 1 receiver, which will simultaneously see all satellites.

Reason for multiple coax/receivers, is to for example, have a DVR and receiver working simultaneously in front (requiring 2 coax's). If you want 1 or 2 more receivers operating the back TV or underneath, watching separate channels, then you need another coax.

SWM technology precludes all this, but requires additional equipment, as Mark stated above. But not related to the # of satellites the satellite dish can see at any one time.

I highly recommend the Winegard Trav'ler over an in-motion dish. Don't know too many people who actually use in-motion satellite TV.

[f14av8r]

Well, not to derail the thread but I would suggest that you carefully consider passing up the in-motion system. I REALLY wanted to get HD with my DTV system but wanted an enclosed dish. We all know there is no such thing at an affordable price.

So, I went with an in-motion (King Controls) system and have to tell you we've been very happy. We have all the advantages of in-motion and when we get where we are going most of the time I can get the major networks in HD using the over-the-air antenna.

There are some advantages to the in-motion system / dome system that I didn't fully realize until I used it for awhile. Obviously, you can watch TV while underway if you choose. I also like that I can ensure I have a satellite signal as I position the rig in the campsite. Sometimes a few feet forward or back makes a big difference.

I also just like a dome better than an open face. I think it looks better and it is better protected from the elements, campground tree branches, and birds.

To each his own certainly. If we used our coach differently I might prefer a different system. We travel a lot though and I wouldn't be without in-motion satellite now.

Good luck with your decision!

[Robert L]

We have the standard in motion system that came with out 13 Aspire. We get HD all the time.

Winegard system

Nice about the in-motion...When you stop for a quick break, you can watch the weather channel or other channel, IMMEDIATELY, without waiting for the system to aquire the sats

On our 7700 mile summer trip, it performed flawlessley..All HD channels

I don't understand why someone would want something else on a motorhome at this price point?

And your passangers can watch TV LIVE TV as you drive...






[QUOTE=f14av8r;1399865]Well, not to derail the thread but I would suggest that you carefully consider passing up the in-motion system. I REALLY wanted to get HD with my DTV system but wanted an enclosed dish. We all know there is no such thing at an affordable price.

[CoreyinWP]

you utilize dish network?

[hdgoldie]

I don't pretend to understand all of the technical aspects but we use Dish in our coach and never had a problem picking up HD signals whether moving or parked (well...except for one campground that had a beautiful oak tree between us and the signal). We haven't used the sets constantly when rolling but when we did turn them on, the signal worked fine. Sitting up front I could hear the sat tracking as we rolled down the road. We do not use Dish at our stik house, just purchase the RV package when we are traveling. No complaints on signal or service.

[YC1]

Domes can provide Dish HD, they do not provide Direct HD. They did for a time.

As for in motion, I just removed mine after four years because I prefer HD and wanted more than two coax outputs. Disadvantage is, can't test for a clear sky as fast. Probably takes 3-5 minutes for the Travler to lock. Never used it in motion other that to test it.

The Travler was extremely easy to install. The most difficult issue was following the existing coax and control cable route. It was actually nearly impossible. I own a business that does custom installation work such as police and fire vehicles and command vehicles so I am very good and finding ways to get cables through closed up vehicles.

Installing a Travler from scratch would be much simpler especially if a prep package is installed. You may find a sticker on the roof or diagram showing to drop down a light fixture for example. The travler comes very complete. The cable entry is a nice flat piece.

What Travler needs to supply is a tilt switch so it can be run inside. My crank up antenna has one so I installed my own switch on the new dish. The dash alarm will show if either is left up.
When the dish is down it is probably lower than my low profile KVH5 dome is. When it is up it takes up a bit more space of course. The other advantage is how it is less suseptible to rain fade. Not a big issue with the dome in Sunny kalifornia but probably a bit more of an issue in the monsoon areas.

Funny thing about Travler warranty. They say painting it voids the warranty. Maybe they are worried about the effects on the cables or springs or something. Painting the dome and feed arm would be fine.

So, if anyone needs a nice KVH5.... I know where to find one.

[Cruzer]

I did install the optional Auto-Stow cable on my Trav'ler. It connects to the controller inside and can be set to automtically stow the dish when the brake is released or the key is on, depending how you set it up. In my case I didn't do that but I did hook it up to an alarm. If the dish is up when the key is on, a red dash light flashes and an audible alarm sounds.

Actually, I can also visibly see the dish. I have the typical Sony 3 camera monitor in the dash but I replaced my stereo with a Kenwood navigation/entertainment system which also has capability of a camera or two. My Tiffin came with a roof spotlight so I just mounted the camera to the backside of the light and added a rocker switch to send power to the stereo to make it think it was in reverse. Whenever I flip the switch on the camera is displayed on the Kenwood and I can see the Trav'ler. I can also use the spotlight control to pan and tilt the camera so I can see anything on the roof or aim it at any low hanging branches. It's not exactly the most usefull thing on the coach but it was fun to add and I like to tweak things.

[Robert L]

Yes

Originally Posted by CoreyinWP

you utilize dish network?

[YC1]

Well I missed the auto stow option. Going to check that out.

[CoreyinWP]

Has anyone installed the Traveller in an Anthem? How much was the installation? Any specific issues with the install?