Satellite TV Upgrade

[PLColman]

Rookie Alert!! We're 1st-time RV owners, having just purchased a 2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40QRP (and drove it from Mesa AZ to central MA!). The previous owners didn't leave any satellite TV components in the coach other than the King Dome antenna & control panel. And the antenna isn't compatible with current sat TV signals. So a complete upgrade is required. Reading posts in this Forum has us heading towards DISH. I called DISH and since I don't have a system installed in my house, they weren't able to help a whole lot - need an installer in order to procure the needed hardware. We'll either buy a Trav'ler or RF Mogul antenna, but after that things seem to be a challenge, since we have to get the Hopper 3 (etc.) from a Dish installer but we don't want a Dish system in our house, and I don't trust a 'house' installer to tinker with our coach. Two inside & one outside TVs, and I assume all the wiring (coax cables) is intact. Sage wisdom is welcome.

[emiddleb]

Since you are starting from scratch and prefer Dish, I'd suggest you consider the Dish for My RV system. Pay as you go, you can get a Wally, roof or portable antenna choices. I use the Pathfinder X2 portable myself so I can find sats through the trees. Just MHO though.

https://get.dishformyrv.com/outdoor-...ite-rv-service

[rk911]

and you don’t need to have a system in your home in order to have one in your MH. suggest you contact Solid Signals https://www.solidsignal.com/m/? to discuss equipment options. they may also know of DISH installers that can install in an RV. or google for a dealer who will install in an RV. one other option may be to buy your trav’ler or rf mogul thru an RV dealer. might be an incentive for the dealer to do the install. good luck.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by PLColman

Rookie Alert!! . . . We'll either buy a Trav'ler or RF Mogul antenna, but after that things seem to be a challenge, since we have to get the Hopper 3 (etc.) from a Dish installer but we don't want a Dish system in our house, and I don't trust a 'house' installer to tinker with our coach. Two inside & one outside TVs, and I assume all the wiring (coax cables) is intact. Sage wisdom is welcome.

To summarize:

• You're not sure how to get everything working.
• You don't want a sat installer setting up your RV.

So who's going to do the install?

[PLColman]

No, I don't want a HOME installer to do my coach.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by PLColman

No, I don't want a HOME installer to do my coach.

Good luck finding an RV installer.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

Good luck finding an RV installer.

Easy to do. I had an RF Mogul installed at an FMCA rally earlier this year. Then I cancelled my Direct at home and had Dish install a Hopper 3 and 3 wireless Joey's. I did have to change the LNB and switch
Now I just take equip from home out to the MH and go

[traveldawg]

I do installations (and fixes) a lot in my home park. And I worked on a lot of Tiffins (my favorite actually because Tiffin does a good job with their AV 'stuff'). Anyway - I'd recommend a Winegard Traveler for Dish and go with Dish's Pay As You Go plan; you can turn it off when not traveling. If you travel all the time then find one of their plans you like and use it. Most reputable RV shops can install the satellite antenna and the receiver(s).

When I had my Tiffin '11 Phaeton I replaced the dome with a Traveler, ran the necessary wires over the roof to the area above the AV cabinet above the passengers seat and drilled hole there directly into the cabinet. All the necessary coaxes were there (for front TV and to the bedroom).

Most home installers (heck most installers) are clueless when it comes to RVs.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

Good luck finding an RV installer.

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Easy to do. I had an RF Mogul installed at an FMCA rally earlier this year.

Originally Posted by traveldawg

I do installations (and fixes) a lot in my home park.

So all that OP just has to wait for next year's FMCA rally? Or go to traveldwg's RV park?

Originally Posted by traveldawg

Most home installers . . . are clueless when it comes to RVs.

True, but I believe DISH still requires one for an initial Hopper install.


OP, there's a better solution . . .

(1) Ordinary people have installed Winegard Travlers on their RV roof. I installed two. However, if you're not up to it, you'll have to locate an installer. Just make sure they run all three coax cables from the dish into your RV.

(2) If you're a little handy you can get much of the wiring done yourself. Here's a wiring diagram for 3 TVs -- 1 Hopper 3 and 2 Joeys.

(3) Once 1 & 2 are done, then contact a DISH installer. Then all they do is connect the Hopper 3 and Joeys to wire you already ran. That's what I did.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Paul & Linda! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Noticed you are kinda new on IRV2 and wanted to say hello!

We are in the process of switching from Direct TV to Dish. We are getting the Hopper 3 in the house. For the MH we will have the Tailgater antenna with MB700 quick release mount on top. That will allow us to quickly remove the Tailgater and use it with a tripod when we're parked in the trees. We'll have the Wally receiver with external hard drive and OTA Adapter. We'll use the Dish Anywhere app to access our Hopper 3 to record and play programs wherever we are!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[two-niner]

Give this some thought. RF Mogul @ (801) 895-3390 (Salt Lake City). They can tell you the closest installer. Direct tv east coast and west coast channels. Not once did our RF Mogul fail to receive sat transmissions.
It's up to you, go cheap (Dish) or first class (Direct).