Old style satellite dish

kartvines · 09-03-2010, 06:00 AM

Quick question regarding the older style satellite dish on our motor-home.

Do they work anymore since the conversion to all digital?
It still has a converter box, but I still have not had the chance to even test it, and wanted to know if they are basically worthless these days. The previous owner said he regret even having it installed.

tomgagne · 09-03-2010, 06:16 AM

Satelite dish will still work. Switch over to digital did not effect satelite.

garym114 · 09-03-2010, 06:21 AM

The satellite dish is digital and will work just fine. The converter box is not needed for the satellite. The converter box is needed when you use the antenna and a TV that is not digital.

WindsorDave · 09-03-2010, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garym114

The satellite dish is digital and will work just fine. The converter box is not needed for the satellite. The converter box is needed when you use the antenna and a TV that is not digital.

If you have a brand-specific (DirecTV, Dish, etc) receiver AND a subscription to the company's service, your satellite dish antenna should work - assuming it's not broken.

The "digital converter box" is required for older TV's to receive the over-the-air signals transmitted by local stations that are being picked up by "rabbit ears" or roof-top multi-element antennas. In RV's this is often referred to as a bat wing antenna and usually has to be raised via a hand crank inside the RV then rotated to maximize received signal strength. The "digital converter box" connected to this antenna has nothing to do with satellite TV.

FWIW

Jestme13 · 09-03-2010, 07:38 AM

Your satellite system has always been DIGITAL, nothing has changed with it.

wa8yxm · 09-03-2010, 09:22 AM

Satellite did not switch to Digital

It has always been digital.. Thus it did not have to switch.

Clay L · 09-03-2010, 11:26 AM

The only problem you face with the old dish it that it won't pick up DirectTv HD ( high definition) channels. They are broadcast on the higher frequency KU band from the 99 and 103 satellites..

It will work with Dish HD but you have to align it to one of three different satellites as you change channels.

The info above assumes you have the proper HD satellite receiver for your service.

hamguy · 09-04-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartvines

Quick question regarding the older style satellite dish on our motor-home.

Do they work anymore since the conversion to all digital?
It still has a converter box, but I still have not had the chance to even test it, and wanted to know if they are basically worthless these days. The previous owner said he regret even having it installed.

Did he say why he was sorry? Sounds like someone who hasn't a clue as to what he had and how to use it.

idenphones · 09-04-2010, 09:29 AM

When I first saw this thread, my thoughts went back to my first dish. You remember that one. The 10 footer!

kartvines · 09-04-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy

Did he say why he was sorry? Sounds like someone who hasn't a clue as to what he had and how to use it.

Yes he said that he was never able, to get a channel. But then again he said a few things that ended up being not true.
Also when I said converter box, I was referring to a device the operated the dish, and I think it must bring in the channel. It looks something like a old cable TV box.

I have not even found what wire it connects to, I know I also have a antenna on the roof, would they be connected to the same cable or would they be different?

All I can see as far a cable the cable wired units on the wall and under the dash. I only assume these of one and the same.

Once I get into the motorhome this week end I will get the name of the cable box. If that will help get the right anwser.

So what you are telling me if I can get it up [wife's laughter

] and pointed in the right direction I should be able to pull in more channels than I could with the normal windgard antenna.

My TV used in the motorhome is still analog, so regardless I will have to attach that to the digital converter correct?

So if I went so far as updating the TV to a digital I will no longer have to use the converter box to draw a signal in.

kartvines · 09-04-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idenphones

When I first saw this thread, my thoughts went back to my first dish. You remember that one. The 10 footer!

Yes I remember them I had on on the roof of my house, of curse remove it once we got Dish TV, it too never drew in any channels that was worth watching.

10 foot dish compared to a 12" dish the smaller one looks much better up there.

**RickO** · 09-04-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartvines

Yes he said that he was never able, to get a channel. But then again he said a few things that ended up being not true.
Also when I said converter box, I was referring to a device the operated the dish, and I think it must bring in the channel. It looks something like a old cable TV box.

I have not even found what wire it connects to, I know I also have a antenna on the roof, would they be connected to the same cable or would they be different?

All I can see as far a cable the cable wired units on the wall and under the dash. I only assume these of one and the same.

Once I get into the motorhome this week end I will get the name of the cable box. If that will help get the right anwser.

So what you are telling me if I can get it up [wife's laughter

] and pointed in the right direction I should be able to pull in more channels than I could with the normal windgard antenna.

My TV used in the motorhome is still analog, so regardless I will have to attach that to the digital converter correct?

So if I went so far as updating the TV to a digital I will no longer have to use the converter box to draw a signal in.

I suspected you might be talking about the dish control box instead of a converter box. Do you know the make of the old dish? Is is 18" round and white? If so it's most likely the Winegard ASC 2003. If it works, great. If not, I don't believe parts are available for them anymore.

To be clear... do you have either DirecTv or Dish Network service at home and do you plan to take one of your home receivers with you in the motorhome when you travel? If you don't have one of these services you won't get anything from the dish.

With satellite, your TV doesn't have to be digital since you're only using it as a monitor. The receiver you use (the part which has to be digital) is in the box from DirecTv or Dish. So... under no circumstances which I can foresee will you need a converter box for your satellite hook up. Picking up channels over your crank up Winegard Batwing antenna is another matter though and with an analog TV you will need a converter box.

kartvines · 09-04-2010, 11:55 AM

Correct, it is a Uniden satellite receiver model UTA2200, and would guess the dish size is a 24" to 48", I can measure it if that helps.

hamguy · 09-05-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartvines

Yes he said that he was never able, to get a channel. But then again he said a few things that ended up being not true.
Also when I said converter box, I was referring to a device the operated the dish, and I think it must bring in the channel. It looks something like a old cable TV box.

I have not even found what wire it connects to, I know I also have a antenna on the roof, would they be connected to the same cable or would they be different?

If you mean a normal Over the Air (OTA) antenna, no they do NOT use the same cable.

All I can see as far a cable the cable wired units on the wall and under the dash. I only assume these of one and the same.

I don't understand your meaning.

Once I get into the motorhome this week end I will get the name of the cable box. If that will help get the right anwser.

You are correct there. It is necessary to get the right answer.

So what you are telling me if I can get it up [wife's laughter

] and pointed in the right direction I should be able to pull in more channels than I could with the normal windgard antenna.

I can only say. a 5 inch pole is not likely high enough.

My TV used in the motorhome is still analog, so regardless I will have to attach that to the digital converter correct?

The signal from the Satellite receiver is analog so you won't have to have a converter. If you use the rooftop crankup wing antenna, you will need a converter.

So if I went so far as updating the TV to a digital I will no longer have to use the converter box to draw a signal in.

If you use a digital TV, you still have to use the satellite receiver to receive sat. signals.

I hope this helps.