Satellite setup through cable?

[Elf]

I figure this has been asked, but I have looked through a number of threads and am at the point of adding to my confusion.

I purchased a portable Winegard satellite dish and a tripod. It is non-domed and VERY manual. The MH has an outside coaxial connection for the cable. I have not had the opportunity to try it yet but from what I am reading I am not sure that I can run the satellite through that cable to the TVs. Is this correct or not?

I have set the antenna up at home with the receiver and TV in the garage so I could get a clear southern view and it all worked, after a bit of a learning curve on how to find the satellites. I just don't want to be at a campsite banging my head against the side of the RV because it won't set up properly.

[FlyingDiver]

No, you can't use the cable input unless you also do some rewiring inside the coach. That cable goes to your video distribution switch, and then to the TVs. Inputs from the VCR and maybe the output of the satellite receiver also go to that switch.

You need to run a cable from the sat dish to the INPUT of the sat receiver.

joe

[Bill Adams]

Can't is not quite an accurate answer. You can't use it in its current configuration, but you absolutely can use it.
You can use that connection by disconnecting the cable connection where it terminates inside the coach. If you have a video control center where you push Ant, Sat, Cable, etc, you can disconnect the cable connection from the back, move it to the receiver Satellite In and you are in business. You can also install an A/B switch to this disconnected cable and then choose A for satellite and B for cable depending upon what you plug into the outside port.
You can also install a special splitter at each end of this cable and this will detect which connection you are using and send the signal to the appropriate input.
So, yes, you can use that connection, you just can't use it as it stands.

[FlyingDiver]

I did say "unless you also do some rewiring inside the coach."

joe

[Elf]

Thanks. I will put in a switch and give it a shot.

[TXiceman]

As Bill noted, you can ...depending on how the RV is wired.

ken

[wa8yxm]

One other consideration.. on my rig the "Park cable" input has about 50 feet of RG-59 hooked to it. 50 Feed of very lowest bidder RG-59.. My opinion of this cable is ... Not high.

Low cost (Way better than what I got) RG-59 has 4 times the loss of decent RG-6.

So that's like 200 feet of cable,,,, or more...

What I'm trying to say is "Don't do it, Run Good RG-6 instead. Not that hard to do".

[Elf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm One other consideration.. on my rig the "Park cable" input has about 50 feet of RG-59 hooked to it. 50 Feed of very lowest bidder RG-59.. My opinion of this cable is ... Not high. Low cost (Way better than what I got) RG-59 has 4 times the loss of decent RG-6. So that's like 200 feet of cable,,,, or more... What I'm trying to say is "Don't do it, Run Good RG-6 instead. Not that hard to do".

Ok, I can tell the difference between a P-51 and a P-40 but how do I tell RG-59 from RG-6?

Thanks

[FlyingDiver]

Look at the printing on the side of the cable.

RG-6 is slightly thicker than RG-59, but it can be hard to tell without side by side samples.

joe

[wagonmaster2]

I've done exactly as Bill Adams suggested, used a diplexor behind the Selector box so I can use the outside cable connection for the Satellite dish or the campground connection for Cable TV if they offer it. Have used this for over 3 years and it works perfect.

Wagonmaster2