MaxwellSatellite

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Has anyone purchased and is using Maxwell Satellite's HD PortaKit system?

I'm thinking about getting one to use my existing fixed DirecTV Slimline HD Dish. What I'm primarily concerned with is the quote: "ease of alignment" of their system.

[Don/Lou]

Have you looked at this
TV4RV: Satellite - Tripod - Slimline - Dish - DirectTV: satellite and Internet for RV - Recreational Vehicles - RVers - DishTV - Satellite Dish - FTA - Tripod
It works excellent
FWIW Don

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Don, are you on DirecTV and are you receiving Directv HD? You say it works excellent. Realistically, how long does it take you to set it up? I have heard that normal non-HD, is pretty easy to do, but because of HD requiring the additional TILT adj. it can be a bit more exasperating.

[Don/Lou]

Yes I am on Directv & receive HD
The receiver takes longer to set up than the tripod
It is dispite what you have heard no harder to set up as long as you input settings from Dishfinder.com
just the same only difference is the skew
I have used it coast to coast in Canada as well as USA
Just use these set up instructions
http://www.tv4rv.com/HEAVY-DUTY-TRIPOD-INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

If you click on my member picture you will see the tripod on right side of m/h receiving direct in mountans of BC Canada
the wineguard on the roof is receiving Bell -our Canadian sat provider
IF you need more info send me a pm
Don
ps . It takes about 10-15 min to set up

[Don/Lou]

Sorry
In previous post I said Dishfinder.com
It should be dishpointer.com
Don

[Happy Prospector]

I used one of those before I got my roof mounted system. The setup was fairly easy. For the final tuning in to the satellite I used one of the Swift Hitch Wireless Camera aimed at the TV setup screen. With this setup it took about 15 minutes.

Kevin

[captgadget]

This works exactly like Don/Lou says it will. I was in doubt since I've messed with many systems over the last several years. I ordered the kit set it up and within 15 min I had picture. I'm using Directv with a slimline 5lnb with SWM. Works perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once you buy from them they will give you service above and beyond what you will ever get from anyone else.

[Don/Lou]

Bob, I was sure it would work for you!
Glad all is working as I stated
Don

[LOUSAARE]

I'm looking for a dish to get HD in my RV. I bought a 3LNB DH dish on eBay that gets sats 101,110 and 119 and a tripod from TV4RV.com. The tripod made easy to dial in all three sats however I was unable to get any HD. Directv support told me that I needed a Slimline dish that will get sats 99,101 and 103. My question is, has anyone used a slimline 3 sat dish for a portable dish?

[captgadget]

I just set up a Directv slimline 5 with SWM and I'm gettting the HDs. Only difference between a 3 and 5 is that the 5 will pickup my locals when I'm home. Isn't that a slick tripod from tv4rv.com? I just love mine. Do you have your settings right on the Directv setup? I know mine is set to hide SD channels. Don't know if you can set it to hide HD channels or not. Might be worth checking out in your menu.

[Don/Lou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUSAARE I'm looking for a dish to get HD in my RV. I bought a 3LNB DH dish on eBay that gets sats 101,110 and 119 and a tripod from TV4RV.com. The tripod made easy to dial in all three sats however I was unable to get any HD. Directv support told me that I needed a Slimline dish that will get sats 99,101 and 103. My question is, has anyone used a slimline 3 sat dish for a portable dish?

WE use a SL3 for ourTV4RV tripod when travelling non swm -Works Great!!
See photo in signature at right front of m/h
Don

[LOUSAARE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don/Lou WE use a SL3 for ourTV4RV tripod when travelling non swm -Works Great!! See photo in signature at right front of m/h Don

Thanks for your reply.
I have 1 more question; when you connect your SL3 to your receiver do you need extra power as in the SWM configuration. Also Directv told me that I may not be able to get some local channels with 3 sats. Have you found any channels you are unable to get?

Jim R

[Don/Lou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUSAARE Thanks for your reply. I have 1 more question; when you connect your SL3 to your receiver do you need extra power as in the SWM configuration. Also Directv told me that I may not be able to get some local channels with 3 sats. Have you found any channels you are unable to get? Jim R

Without SWM no extra power is required
U must change your receiver set up to #3 -sl3 Dish and multi switch
You may not be able to get your locals depending what sat they are on
I am lucky as my locals are from LA and they are on conus beam so will come in anywhere ( think 103)
Only ch I can not get are some of the LA locals (not big 3)
Hope this helps
Don

[LOUSAARE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don/Lou Without SWM no extra power is required U must change your receiver set up to #3 -sl3 Dish and multi switch You may not be able to get your locals depending what sat they are on I am lucky as my locals are from LA and they are on conus beam so will come in anywhere ( think 103) Only ch I can not get are some of the LA locals (not big 3) Hope this helps Don

Thanks again for your response.. I bought a Slimline 3 on eBay yesterday and set it up last night. It has much better capabilities for fine tuning.
I set the receiver to 3 slimline s and to multiswitch. I have good numbers on 99, 101 and 103, however I can only get HD on 254...
There are other sats that come up in signal strength, but I would need slimline 5 to these. Is ther something I'm missing.