Community Forums

df1210 · 06-11-2019, 06:49 AM

We currently have Directv at home. I have an HR44-700 receiver. What satellite antenna will work best with that receiver? I have no clue but want to keep my better half happy.

docj · 06-11-2019, 06:55 AM

The HR44 is a SWM-only DVR/receiver. None of the portable antenna (dish) devices are designed for SWM use but most can be easily converted to SWM with the addition of a SWM8 switch and a power inserter. How to do this is described in this document: https://docplayer.net/23804085-Guide...-antennas.html

Altenatively, you could invest in a Winegard Trav'ler SK-SWM automatic rooftop antenna but I doubt you were planning to make a ~$2k expenditure.

Beau388 · 06-11-2019, 07:18 AM

Winegard and RF Mogul both make roof-top automatic systems for your SWM receiver. Winegard and King make carry-out, automatic antennas for DirecTV, but both of these systems have a single galaxy limitation. That said any Slimline 2 antenna with suitable LNB will also work fine with a HR44/700 receiver. If you use a manual, carry-out antenna, you will need a good sat signal meter for the best HD reception. I use a Satlooklite from Solid Signal. A good carry-out, manual system is about $130 including tripod and coax. (Amazon)

df1210 · 06-11-2019, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beau388

Winegard and RF Mogul both make roof-top automatic systems for your SWM receiver. Winegard and King make carry-out, automatic antennas for DirecTV, but both of these systems have a single galaxy limitation. That said any Slimline 2 antenna with suitable LNB will also work fine with a HR44/700 receiver. If you use a manual, carry-out antenna, you will need a good sat signal meter for the best HD reception. I use a Satlooklite from Solid Signal. A good carry-out, manual system is about $130 including tripod and coax. (Amazon)

Thank you for the information.

df1210 · 06-11-2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

The HR44 is a SWM-only DVR/receiver. None of the portable antenna (dish) devices are designed for SWM use but most can be easily converted to SWM with the addition of a SWM8 switch and a power inserter. How to do this is described in this document: https://docplayer.net/23804085-Guide...-antennas.html

Altenatively, you could invest in a Winegard Trav'ler SK-SWM automatic rooftop antenna but I doubt you were planning to make a ~$2k expenditure.

Thank you for the information.

450Donn · 06-11-2019, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

The HR44 is a SWM-only DVR/receiver. None of the portable antenna (dish) devices are designed for SWM use but most can be easily converted to SWM with the addition of a SWM8 switch and a power inserter. How to do this is described in this document: https://docplayer.net/23804085-Guide...-antennas.html

Altenatively, you could invest in a Winegard Trav'ler SK-SWM automatic rooftop antenna but I doubt you were planning to make a ~$2k expenditure.

Sorry doc your wrong.
None of the portable domes will work
You can use an open face dish/tripod setup will work just fine. As will the horrible Winegard Travler or the RFMogul. Both of which are fully automatic roof top open face dishes. And there is their major downfall. Being a stationary roof top dish if you park in or near trees you may not get a signal. With a portable open face dish/tripod setup you most of the time can find an open spot to get a good signal. Besides it outrageous cost of the automatic dishes maintenance can be really expensive when it breaks down. With Winegard your forced to take it off the roof, box ot up and spend hundreds of dollars to ship it to them. RFMogul can be repaired right on your roof.
For around 300 dollars you can buy everything you need include a decent tripod to setup your RV.
As for alignment, there are lots of gadgets. The best is the current Direct meter. You can find them off ebay new for around 300 dollars. Add one of the sat pointer apps for your smart phone and you can be up and running pretty quick. Personally I really like the Align A Site. The base mounts to your dish thus eliminating the need to level the dish first.

Bob_C · 06-11-2019, 03:17 PM

Just a little more info....SatPro's web page has a lot of info.......doesn't cost a thing bto look...

docj · 06-11-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

Sorry doc your wrong.
None of the portable domes will work

The document I had linked to it was written by Winegard and it gives specific instructions regarding how to use the non-SWM portable devices such as the G2 (and G3) with DirecTV SWM-only receivers. I, myself, am using a non-SWM Trav'ler SK-3005 with a HR44 using the information contained in the document.

Using these instructions you will only receive from the 101 satellite, but once DirecTV makes its upcoming changes you will be able to receive HD from 101.

Sbrownstein · 06-11-2019, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 450Donn

Sorry doc your wrong...

...and you read this where?

Doc is not wrong. Portable auto systems will work and can be converted to SWM if required for a receiver. Old 18 " dishes will work as well and some receivers will even handle both SWM and multiswitch antennas...of any size or age.

Any rooftop dish can be blocked by trees. I stand by my good, old trusty Winegard crank up with digital elevation sensor, but unfortunately they are now out of print. Under $250 and I can set it up in less than 1 minute, in a pouring rain...and never get wet! I only care about national channels and soon will get them in HD. Same is true for the small carryout systems. Elevation sensor is the key.

Sure you can get a nice big slimline with triple lnb and set it up on a tripod but you are going to need a signal meter since you can't see the signal meter on a receiver. Better be a good tripod and tie it down since Slimlines are big dishes.

Bigbird65 · 06-12-2019, 03:45 PM

We use this system regularly when camping where there are few good local stations. It is easy to set up and align. Less than $200 total cost when using our HR-44 from home.

Beau388 · 06-13-2019, 06:21 AM

It should be noted that the coax from the SWM LNB to the receiver carries 9 to 21 different channels simultaneously depending on the LNB. You can tap in to the signals with an approved splitter and a client (RVU equipped TVs or mini genies) so you can have four TVs displaying different live chanels. With a wireless bridge, you can connect up to three TVs all wirelessly.