Satellite Dish Outdated?

[LSepulveda]

I recently purchased a 1998 Dutch Star Motor Home. It has a satelite dish on top. I was told by a dish dealer that dish installed is too old and will not be able to pick up local channels. He suggested I purchase from him a updated dish I can mount on a tripod. He will sell me one for $75.

I have two questions.
1. Is his suggestion a good one?
2. Will I have any issues at RV parks or campgrounds using a tripod mounted sat dish?

Thank in advance,

Lou

[Hitchhiker]

I've never had an issue with a CG on setting up my DishNet tripod. I always try to keep it on my designated site when possible or, if it must encroach on another site or community area to get a signal, I always ask first.

[doc]

Never heard of a dish being too old. You can change the LNB if that is a problem. Try it and see if you can get a signal. Might have a problem with your satellite provider. Now the Dish Network requires a skew to locate the satellite. Our previous coach, a 2000 Itasca Horizon, had the crank up dish, but it would not (or at least I could never find a satellite) using Dish. When we switched to Direct, which did not require skew, It was a snap to find the signal. I actually got a better signal by tweaking the antenna than I get now with the Dome, auto finder.
Like Richard says, ask before you go setting up on someone else's site.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Local channels often require a multi-LNB dish to receive everything from Directv and the dome-type satellite receivers are single LNB. So are older open dish types. Lou didn't say whether the satellite recive on the roof was a open dish type or a dome.

Whether you need locals in addition to the networks is for you to decide

[GaryKD]

Hi Lou,
My thought is the same as Gary (the other Gary). Can you help us understand your concern about local channels being received via Sat TV? For me, that is what the off air antenna is for. In addition, if you have the newer Direct TV receiver, the weather channel will allow you to input cities and/or zip codes. You can then get the local weather very quickly and anytime you want.

[LSepulveda]

I have an open dish. I guess I shouldn't worry about the local channels as I do have a local antenna on the roof as well.

Lou

[doc]

While we are talking about local channels, let me ask this about East/West feeds from Direct. We have the King Dome on an 08 Damon Essence. Ms Carol wants to see network TV (dare I mention Idol and Dancing ?) Anyway, I have ordered it about a week ago. I read some place that you might have to turn the dish toward 101 west. I thought that is were it is setting now. Will I be able to get these or will I need to do another dish?

[John Hilley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc While we are talking about local channels, let me ask this about East/West feeds from Direct. We have the King Dome on an 08 Damon Essence. Ms Carol wants to see network TV (dare I mention Idol and Dancing ?) Anyway, I have ordered it about a week ago. I read some place that you might have to turn the dish toward 101 west. I thought that is were it is setting now. Will I be able to get these or will I need to do another dish?

You won't have to do anything. You should have them by now. Did you send in an RV Waiver?

[wa8yxm]

First. on a motor home or trailer (either kind) who needs LOCAL channels. Local channels are "Spot Beamed" (Think of a spot light. same thing exactly) to your neighborhood. and if you camp outside of the spot. Just like the actor on the stage who is standing outside of the spot light. You will be in the dark (Been there, both there's in fact) You want Distant Network Service

If you have DIRECTV Standard (4x3) service, then if the antenna on your roof is the proper one. NO questions about it. If you have DISH, well.. that's another issue, and if you have HDTV, well then age is an issue, but save for a very few rigs which have giant "C" band antennas, every regular size dish put on the roof of a motor home or trailer, every dome, can do DirecTV Standard def. EVERY one, no exceptions.

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I recommend puting a very low cost A/B antenna switch in the LNB line near the receiver. A goes to the roof, up A-bove, B to either a basement compartment, bulkhead connector or on my Class the Bracket (you notice they all start with "B") that holds the Brake (Another B) Master cylinder.

Then get an antenna (Dish) from Craig's List or E-bay (Check the FREE listings 1st) and a tripod from Lowes, Home Depot or Radio shack, why spend 75 bucks

Why both? Well.. I've been known to park under the evil signal eating tree