DirecTV Satelite Channel Assignments

[Mr_Bill]

I am going to have to replace my old auto Winegard roof mounted dish that is on it's last legs, so am trying to determine what with and when.

I have read where DirecTV is in the process of moving all their channels to 3 satelites and that we will need a 3 LNB dish, instead of a 5, to receive all the channels. I can't find this as a consistant story however.

What is the opinion, or do any of the experts have inside knowledge, if this is true? And, if it is, what is the projected timeframe?

[ernieh]

The Winegard SK 3005 is a great product. They also have a 3Ku LNB version as well as one for Dish. The current Dtv version has 5 LNB's but if you check on SolidSignal.com you will see that they offer an LNB that only receives the 99, 101 and 103. That LNB fits the Slimline dish. I don't think that there is much on the 110 for most of us and if you don't want Spanish language the same for the 119. You may need the 119 for local channels, I'm not sure about the 110.

I would just install the 5 LNB version and be done with it.

[FlyingDiver]

In other words, the 5 LNB is a superset of the 3 LNB, and you won't be missing anything if you have it. DTV is moving to the 3 LNB because it's cheaper than the 5.

joe

[Bill Adams]

With the automatic antennas from MotoSAT and Winegard you will be getting the SL5 antenna/LNB setup. Whether DTV uses 3 or 5 satellites to provide their programming these dishes will get all of the programming. At this time MotoSAT requires the 119 LNB to locate the proper satellites and establish the correct skew. I am not certain what satellites Winegard uses to peak the signal but since the signals are there, there is really no concern.
If you happen to have a Winegard open faced dish model AS-2003 you might want to call Winegard and let them know that you are interested in their trade-in program. You may well be able to save some money on your new purchase. You will love the Trav'ler!

[Max Hubrich]

Quote:

You will love the Trav'ler!

I double ditto this comment from Bill Adams. In May I will have had the "Traveler" for two years. It has been flawless. I have had high winds (50 mph) move it slightly, but all that you have to do is press the control button and in two minutes or less, your back in business. We will be living in the Motor Home almost 10 months this year. When folks pass by and stop in, their comment on the Sony Bravia HD picture is "WOW"!!

[Pigman]

We have DirecTV HD programming and use a Trav'ler 3005. When in Alaska this summer while camped in Valdez, we could not see 119 due to mountains. The Trav'ler would tune 101 and 110 and notify us on the display panel. When trying to tune 119 it would not get a signal and subsequently stow. I found that when we got a good tune and ID on 101 and 110, I could pull the power on the Winegard system and the dish would show programming on DirecTV. I was able to get standard programming and HD programs on the set for the standard setup, and DNS channels. Of course locals were out. We do not subscribe to premium movie channels or sports channels. We didn't need 119 to show any of our programming. Worked that way most of the summer, and all the way down in September.

John

[Bill Adams]

Wow, a double ditto! That's got to be really good!
As a MotoSAT dealer (and former Winegard dealer) I just had to giggle when Winegard came out with the Trav'ler. It was just a matter of time...OK, just a matter of time...any minute now....well, maybe....OK, I am coming by the factory! Prove it! They did and we are once again very pleased to be a Winegard dealer.

[Mr_Bill]

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I wanted to make sure that if I get the 5 LNB dish that it won't be obsolete because of DirecTV going to using 3 satelites. I will be calling Winegard to see about their trade-in policy. They don't have any electronics available to repair mine even though it is only 5 years old. I'm not very happy about that! Wonder if they plan on having better long term support for the new Traveler?

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Bill Thanks for the feedback from everyone. I wanted to make sure that if I get the 5 LNB dish that it won't be obsolete because of DirecTV going to using 3 satelites. I will be calling Winegard to see about their trade-in policy. They don't have any electronics available to repair mine even though it is only 5 years old. I'm not very happy about that! Wonder if they plan on having better long term support for the new Traveler?

Prior to the the mess the Winegard created with their line of 2003 antennas they had supported their antennas for many many years and I would expect that they will support these new line of antennas for many many years to come.

[Mr_Bill]

That sounds good Bill. I'll go with that and expect for the best.

[Bill Adams]

Let us know if you have any luck getting a trade-in value with Winegard.

[SCVJeff]

I got in on the AS-2003 trade-in program and got (IMO) a swingin' deal on the 3005. Winegard told me flat out they don't fix them and want them off the street. I don't know what the ownership time cutoff period is, but it's definitely worth calling.

As for the 3 vs.5 LNB, the Dir. of Engineering at Direct is a friend and says don't count out the unused sats as "nothing you'd want" As more and more HD becomes available and bandwidth is chewed up, you might be surprised what might move over there.

BTW- I read a post from a guy in Alaska having the same issues with alignment due to angle. I don't remember what he used to prop up the feed an inch or so, but the net effect was that the dish was able to look lower on the horizon and did it's alignment nicely. Genius!

[Pigman]

Jeff, thanks for the inside info on Winegard and DirecTV. You can't get that kind of info on just any street corner. Invaluable!!

I used a penny in the 3005 pinch point to bring the LNB's up so we could view in Alaska. I wasn't sure how much was too much, when the LNB's would interfere with the incoming signal to the dish, and the penny worked fine for Valdez and Glennallen. We didn't get a chance to try it further north. I found that an electrical box cover was almost exactly the same thickness so I cut a strip from it and zip tied it to the antenna. Then I didn't lose my penny every time I folded the antenna. Just cheap I guess!! LOL.

John

[Mr_Bill]

I talked to Windgard today and they made me an offer. They will sell me (and I assume anyone else with an As-2003) a refurbished SK-3005 for $790 plus tax and shipping. Probably would be cheaper for the non HD model.

My experience with referbished equipment as been really good. Generally it is at least as good as when it was new. I have bought several computers that were referbed and have never had a problem. So, I took the offer and ordered one.

Now all I have to do is install it, or get it installed. Bill, you going to be in Nashville, TN anytime soon?