Community Forums

merlins · 11-06-2014, 06:15 AM

We will be getting our 1st RV, brookstone fifth wheel 325rl within the next few months. We sold our house and won't have satellite service at home. We do like to watch tv. We need help deciding what system to get. All suggestions would be helpful.

WagonMaster · 11-06-2014, 07:19 AM

Chevy or Ford? You'll get many different answers based upon what folks have settled with. Personally, I like Directv better.

merlins · 11-06-2014, 07:59 AM

We have a Ford 350

Triker56 · 11-06-2014, 08:09 AM

DirecTV is much easier to find the satellites with, they are much closer together 99/101/103. Much better then Dish to find in a tree area.

**Lt Dan** · 11-06-2014, 08:12 AM

I would suggest doing a search here for threads on satellite service. There are numerous threads and opinions on which is better. I have had both and won't opine on which I think is the best, but there are pros and cons to each.

It all depends on your lifestyle, whether you will be living in the 5W full time, what type of antenna setup you will have, and whether you want HD programming or if SD is good enough.

DISH offers pay as you go RV service pay that you can start and stop with no penalties and will receive HD programming through most antennas. However, you can only watch one channel at a time with the dome antennas because DISH has to switch between satellites.

If SD programming is good enough and you need to watch different channels at the same time, then DirecTV will run two receivers on different channels at the same time. DirecTV will only receive HD programming with the more expensive antennas like the Winegard Travler.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Tom N · 11-07-2014, 08:32 AM

I like and use DirecTV because, with DTV's RV waiver, I can receive the national networks (CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, FOX & PBS) anywhere in the US.

wa8yxm · 11-07-2014, 11:52 AM

Sat 101, THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION FOR EITHER SERVICE.

You have 4 types of antennas,
Roof top domes (In-motion or stationary, though why they even make stationary for roof mounting I can not figure out)

Portable Domes, (Vu-Cube, Travler X-1 and X-2, Tailgator and others).

Roof mounted DISH (only work when stationary)

"Ground" mounted dish (tripod or frame).

Common issues with ALL roof mounts: If parked in the shade of the evil signal eating tree, or blocking building, you are not getting a signal, This can be worked around however by having a ground mount in addition to the roof mount.

Advantages to automatic roof mounts: Easy (usually one button) set up, and in the case of in-motion domes, you can record while driving (or your significant other can watch if the TV is where the driver can not see it).

The work around for the tree: A/B (A for Above, B for Below) switch in the LNB line and a ground mount in reserve.. Hook up and unhook with switch in A then do what is needed to aim and mate the receiver and antenna (Differes depeending on service)

Advantages DISH antennas: You get the dish that matches your receiver, it works, one receiver, 2,3,4 More (with proper switches) or 1 or more multi-channel DVR's no problem. HD, SD, no problem it works, plus the larget dish pulls in a stronger signal.

Advantages DOMES: easy set up, fully automatic.

Disadvantage dome: IF you use DirecTV, they work great, if the dome is a DUAL output, it can run 1,2,more receivers or DVRs HOWEVER NO HD, there is no Dome for HD at this time.

On dish, with a SINGLE receiver, you get everything, HD, SD, everything, (Provided you have the proper dome) but, only one receiver er dome.

Advantage dish or direct (Depending on YOU) the two services have some differing programming, For example one channel I want is only on DISH, some folks like a different channel that is only on DIREC. Clearly we can not both be happy with either service.

Recommendation: Shop the packages, get the one you like the best.