Community Forums

Tom Sauls · 03-31-2007, 07:18 AM

Am a brand new RV'er, have dish networks service at home and an extra Dishnet 500 receiver in exercise room.

What all would I need and how would I get it in my coach.

I know I will need another dish, and maybe a tripod for it or a way to mount or have it mounted on roof..

Can it replace my Winnegard antenna?

All help and suggestions are appreciated

Tom Sauls · 03-31-2007, 07:18 AM

Am a brand new RV'er, have dish networks service at home and an extra Dishnet 500 receiver in exercise room.

What all would I need and how would I get it in my coach.

I know I will need another dish, and maybe a tripod for it or a way to mount or have it mounted on roof..

Can it replace my Winnegard antenna?

All help and suggestions are appreciated

GaryKD · 03-31-2007, 08:42 AM

Hi Tom,
Since you have the receiver and a 2006 coach, this should not be difficult. I will assume your coach has an external connection for cable TV. You'll need a portable satellite dish, cable (50' - 75' should be fine), tripod, mast, and a satellite signal finder. The signal finder is not mandatory. For me it is a big convenience click here for sample Satellite Signal finder. Camping World also sells the dish, tripod and cable. You will also need something to hold the completed assembly in one spot. Several gallon milk jugs, filled with water, on a bunge cord should to this job nicely.

I am a DTV customer. DTV offers a kit that has a dish, tripod, mast and cable for about $70. Consider calling Dish and ask if thy have a portable Dish kit. I have a satellite dome on my coach roof. I also have a portable dish setup like mentioned above. I use the portable setup when the dome is blocked from receiving a signal. This is about 10-15% of the time.

For where to put the receiver, I hope you have some sort of A/V distribution box. If you do, then hook the receiver into the back of the box so it will receive the signal from the cable TV connection on the outside of the coach.

If you have no outside cable TV connection or A/V distribution box then your in for some wire running and making your own connections. Before we get into the details of that exercise, please let us know if you have the connections in your coach.

John Hilley · 03-31-2007, 09:16 AM

You will want to retain your winegard antenna for off air channels. I would also maintain the cable connection for use in campgrounds with cable. If you put a diplexer at each end of the cable TV cable in the motorhome, the existing cable will support cable and satellite. There are many dish kits on eBay with all you need from about $40 - $70. Here is a link to diplexer installation Diplexer installation

GaryKD · 03-31-2007, 12:23 PM

John is correct, I use a diplexer in my coach. You can buy them at Radio Shack.

Dsouthw524 · 04-03-2007, 03:39 AM

If you choose to make your choice fr a rooftop antenna you can select either a manual location of the satelitte or automatic. The mmajor manufacturers for the equipment are Winegard and Kingdome. The antennas for the sat. viewing are additional antennas and the off air antenna you already have is retained.

I have had the manual and I chose to upgrade to the automatic installed on this coach and am very glad.

the only restriction is that one chooses sites with an open view to the South sky.