Community Forums

PandS · 12-06-2019, 03:34 PM

We have a DirecTV Winegard Trav'ler on the roof of our motorhome, but there are times when it's blocked by trees. We're considering adding a portable dish. What are our options for an HD DirecTV portable dish? Is our only option a dish on a tripod that will need to be manually set up for the satellites each time we use it? It seems like there are many options with HD channels on Dish portables, but less so for DirecTV.

Susan

litzdog911 · 12-06-2019, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandS

We have a DirecTV Winegard Trav'ler on the roof of our motorhome, but there are times when it's blocked by trees. We're considering adding a portable dish. What are our options for an HD DirecTV portable dish? Is our only option a dish on a tripod that will need to be manually set up for the satellites each time we use it? It seems like there are many options with HD channels on Dish portables, but less so for DirecTV.

Susan

Right. You'll need a Trav'ler or DirecTV Slimline+tripod to receive all of your DirecTV channels from the 99, 101 and 103ºW satellites.

Bob_C · 12-06-2019, 04:38 PM

Check SatPro's web page....but beware of their tripod....was made to be used with an 18" round dish....for a quality tripod, TV 4 RV.com

Flyerone · 12-06-2019, 05:38 PM

Second vote for TV 4 RV.com, quality tripod.

litzdog911 · 12-06-2019, 10:42 PM

You can also get a sled mount for the dish and use some water bags/cans to weigh it down.

PandS · 12-07-2019, 05:39 AM

Thanks for the replies! How "portable" is the portable dish? Does it break down into smaller pieces?

Susan

**Lt Dan** · 12-07-2019, 07:13 AM

The Winegard Carryout options are quite good. They are automatic and all you have to do is place it and turn it on. I have a Carryout G3 that I use when my Trav'ler is blocked. The only downsides are you have to run the check switch routine when you change antenna types and it can only "see" one satellite at a time. It will work with two receivers but both have to be tuned to channels on the same satellite.

Mark- · 12-07-2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

I have a Carryout G3...

SD only, yes?

TXiceman · 12-07-2019, 10:19 AM

None of the automatic portable antennas will provide HD service on Direct. You will have to use a tripod mounted home type antenna which can be a bear to aim.

Ken

450Donn · 12-07-2019, 10:33 AM

Where are you located? I have a dish tripod setup sitting in the shed since I sold our fiver. It comes with about 50 feet of coax, and for the right price I would include the Align A Site, basically everything you need. Used the setup for years, nothing wrong with it except a bit of use.

litzdog911 · 12-07-2019, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

None of the automatic portable antennas will provide HD service on Direct. You will have to use a tripod mounted home type antenna which can be a bear to aim.

Ken

I guess we can't call the Winegard Trav'ler "portable"

PandS · 12-07-2019, 04:14 PM

Thanks, all. Finally got to a campground where there is no doubt the rooftop dish has a clear shot at the satellites, and it still can't find them. We'll replace cable as Winegard suggests, but if the dish is dead I'm not going to put anymore money into a DirecTV dish and will probably switch to Dish. Winegard replaced the rooftop unit under warranty in 2018 when it was less than a year old. Not too pleased we seem to be having trouble again.

Flyerone · 12-07-2019, 04:19 PM

If you replace your Trav'ler I would go with the RF Mogul, a little more expensive but supposed to be a lot nicer.

PandS · 12-08-2019, 09:33 AM

Update: We replaced the cable in the Winegard rooftop dish this morning and the dish found the satellites! Now that the rooftop unit is working again, we'll wait for the Tampa RV Supershow next month and see if anyone is offering "portable" DirecTV dishes there, knowing that our only option will be a dish and a tripod. Between now and the show we won't be in any sites that will be blocked by trees.

Thanks to everyone who responded!