Dish, Direct TV, or Other

[shiggs68]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

So if you're traveling around the country, changing campgrounds every week, DirecTV will let you change your Service Location every week?

Both Dish and DirecTV will let you do that.

I use Dish, however, I have read that DirecTV has a national East or West network locals that you can get if you are just wanting the major networks.


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[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by shiggs68

Both Dish and DirecTV will let you do that.

I use Dish, however, . . .

I'd like to hear this from someone who has DirecTV and is actually changing his Service Location at will.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

Is there one antenna that is better than another? Winegard, Kingdome, or KVH all seem to be comparable in their ads, but are they really?

1. TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN -- The rooftop Winegard Travler for both DISH and DirecTV (~$1200 DISH, ~$1500 DirecTV). If you have a Travler, you can duplicate virtually any home install in your RV . . . as long as you don't park under heavy tree cover.
   
2. NEXT BEST -- Open-faced tripod, like this DirecTV SWM dish or these two from DISH. These open-faced dishes do exactly what a Winegard Travler can do, but the tripod dishes must be set up manually. That can be a big "gotcha". The open-faced dishes are cheap (~$100), but you should also buy a heavy-duty tripod and a good sat meter.
   
3. 2ND FROM THE BOTTOM -- Carryouts -- Tailgater (DISH SD & HD, 1 receiver), Flex (DISH SD & HD, DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), KING Tailgater (DISH SD & HD, 2 receivers), KING Quest (DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), Winegard Carryout G2 (DISH SD & HD, DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), Winegard Pathway X1 and X2 (DISH SD & SD, 2 receivers). If you're going with DISH, I recommend the Winegard Pathway X2: it supports 2 DISH receivers (the 211) and supports both DISH's Western and Eastern Arc sats.
   
4. BOTTOM OF THE BARREL -- Domes. Why the bottom? If you park under tree cover, you're screwed + domes are more subject to "rain fade" (It rains, you lose the TV signal).

NOTES on #3 (Carryouts) and #4 (Domes) . . .

• While DISH carryouts and domes can get both SD & HD programming, DirecTV receivers can only get SD programs with carryouts and domes.
• Many DirecTV DVRs can be used with carryouts and domes, DISH DVRs can NOT. Well, not exactly, you can use a DISH DVR (like a 211 with a hard drive), but the DVR will be so hobbled as to be useless.

[Betr2Trvl]

I have a Traveler with DirectTV. Wi th regards to local channels, I just use the campground cable for those. If I was to stay someplace long term, maybe would think about calling DTV and have them change my location, or there is always the service they proved with east / west locals for about $15/ mo......

[twinboat]

You don't need the " service " from DirecTV, if you give them a metro NY service address .

Remember, the service address will effect all boxs, on the same account.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by Betr2Trvl

I have a Traveler with DirectTV. With regards to local channels, I just use the campground cable for those.

Originally Posted by twinboat

You don't need the " service " from DirecTV, if you give them a metro NY service address .

So neither of you have not tried changing your Service Location at each new campground?

[twinboat]

I have never changed my service address, I come from Metro NY. I sold the house, and changed the billing address to my daughter, in PA. Sorry

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I have never changed my service address, I come from Metro NY. I sold the house, and changed the billing address to my daughter, in PA. Sorry

No need to apologize -- I'm just trying to see if DirecTV allows frequent changes of locals.

[twinboat]

I don't change my service address, because I never loose the Networks, as far west as St Louis , so far.

The last time I called DirecTV, customer service, it took 1 hour and 3 agents to figure out how to 're-authorize my KVH M1, receiver.

After being told to buy a new system, the tech had to use the "old system"? To get It working. I now 're-authorize on-line.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

1. TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN -- The rooftop Winegard Travler for both DISH and DirecTV (~$1200 DISH, ~$1500 DirecTV). If you have a Travler, you can duplicate virtually any home install in your RV . . . as long as you don't park under heavy tree cover.
2. NEXT BEST -- Open-faced tripod, like this DirecTV SWM dish or these two from DISH. These open-faced dishes do exactly what a Winegard Travler can do, but the tripod dishes must be set up manually. That can be a big "gotcha". The open-faced dishes are cheap (~$100), but you should also buy a heavy-duty tripod and a good sat meter.
3. 2ND FROM THE BOTTOM -- Carryouts -- Tailgater (DISH SD & HD, 1 receiver), Flex (DISH SD & HD, DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), KING Tailgater (DISH SD & HD, 2 receivers), KING Quest (DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), Winegard Carryout G2 (DISH SD & HD, DirecTV SD, 2 receivers), Winegard Pathway X1 and X2 (DISH SD & SD, 2 receivers). If you're going with DISH, I recommend the Winegard Pathway X2: it supports 2 DISH receivers (the 211) and supports both DISH's Western and Eastern Arc sats.
4. BOTTOM OF THE BARREL -- Domes. Why the bottom? If you park under tree cover, you're screwed + domes are more subject to "rain fade" (It rains, you lose the TV signal).

NOTES on #3 (Carryouts) and #4 (Domes) . . .

• While DISH carryouts and domes can get both SD & HD programming, DirecTV receivers can only get SD programs with carryouts and domes.
• Many DirecTV DVRs can be used with carryouts and domes, DISH DVRs can NOT. Well, not exactly, you can use a DISH DVR (like a 211 with a hard drive), but the DVR will be so hobbled as to be useless.

Well said. I agree 100 per cent with this

[Betr2Trvl]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

So neither of you have not tried changing your Service Location at each new campground?

No, I have not tried to change my location with Direct TV to get the local channels.

Regards