Community Forums

SarahW · 12-04-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Yes...there is some set-up when switching between SAT Antenna.
The receiver will always need to run through a set-up routine. The Pathway X2 is automatic when used with the ViP-211 (series) and will only take a few minutes when you first set-up at a new destination.

I switch between a Winegard rooftop crank-up (manual) dish to a Tailgater sometimes...there are 2 different firmware routines loaded on the ViP-211k for when flipping between a manual aim vs. automatic aim antenna.

I use a simple A/B switch to flip between the rooftop vs. the tailgater feed. The switch cannot have any amp or electronics that impact the raw SAT feed.

Now notice - The Winegard Pathway X2 is a 2 receiver dish:
Winegard Pathway X2 for DISH - DISH HD Portable Satellite TV Antenna
If you only have 1 ViP-211k receiver in the RV, then that portable antenna is a waste of money over the Tailgater...

...Unless, there is some reason you think you need eastern arc SAT's (Tailgater is western arc only). -BUT- western arc (110, 119, & 129) covers most all of the US.

See:Attachment 51276

Attachment 51277
This map shows how eastern arc coverage (61.5 shown) differs from the western arc "birds."

At $499 for the Pathway vs. $350 (or $300 refurb) for the Tailgater, the decision is easy IMHO.

Best luck

Thanks for the info! I am leaning toward the Pathway x2 because I like Winegard products. Also, a forum vendor "TVformyRV" is having a sale on the Pathway for $404 and no tax or shipping.

(I could also purchase a "bundle" with a VIP211Z receiver for $444.)

johnhicks · 12-04-2013, 04:38 PM

When you switch to / hook up the X2 you'll see a screen that asks you to choose one or two receivers (211-series or 411-series required), eastern arc or western arc, and the state you're in. Just make those choices, click "scan" and go away for 10 minutes or so.

The big advantage of the X2 is that at the park we've been at the past week the western arc couldn't be seen (trees) and now in a different park the eastern arc can't be seen. Being able to switch sat groups is great and sure keeps the DW happy. And of course being able to string out a couple 100+ feet of cable if need be helps a lot.

Scarab0088 · 12-04-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Thanks for the info! I am leaning toward the Pathway x2 because I like Winegard products. Also, a forum vendor "TVformyRV" is having a sale on the Pathway for $404 and no tax or shipping.

(I could also purchase a "bundle" with a VIP211Z receiver for $444.)

Well...that bundle is a pretty good deal and that would give you 2 receivers (record and watch different channels)!
Winegard Pathway X2 and Receiver for DISH - PA6002R

Now you would just have to figure out how to wire it all up

Best luck

P.S. Remember the ViP-211z doesn't have an internal Over The Air (OTA tuner - it's an additional cost "dongle"). So, you would want to hook-up the batwing to your existing 211K to see OTA channels and program info on the SAT Program Guide - very nice option to have

SarahW · 12-04-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Well...that bundle is a pretty good deal and that would give you 2 receivers (record and watch different channels)!
Winegard Pathway X2 and Receiver for DISH - PA6002R

Now you would just have to figure out how to wire it all up

Best luck

P.S. Remember the ViP-211z doesn't have an internal Over The Air (OTA tuner - it's an additional cost "dongle"). So, you would want to hook-up the batwing to your existing 211K to see OTA channels and program info on the SAT Program Guide - very nice option to have

I was thinking the bundle might be the way to go, even if I just put the 211z away as a spare. When I get it, I'll PM you for the wiring diagrams.

bdickson · 12-04-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

So, you would want to hook-up the batwing to your existing 211K to see OTA channels and program info on the SAT Program Guide - very nice option to have

I just figured how to get this working. Where we are parked the local channels only transmit HD on Eastern Arc so no HD on our Tailgater. I hooked up the batwing and pulled in ABC, CBS and NBC in HD. They appear in the Program Guide highlighted in yellow, with full program information. Very cool.

SarahW · 12-04-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

When you switch to / hook up the X2 you'll see a screen that asks you to choose one or two receivers (211-series or 411-series required), eastern arc or western arc, and the state you're in. Just make those choices, click "scan" and go away for 10 minutes or so.

The big advantage of the X2 is that at the park we've been at the past week the western arc couldn't be seen (trees) and now in a different park the eastern arc can't be seen. Being able to switch sat groups is great and sure keeps the DW happy. And of course being able to string out a couple 100+ feet of cable if need be helps a lot.

Thanks, John. So you are using the Pathway x2 now? I haven't talked to anyone who actually owns one yet! I notice that the Pathway comes with a 25' cable, so I was wondering about that.

SarahW · 12-05-2013, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdickson

I just figured how to get this working. Where we are parked the local channels only transmit HD on Eastern Arc so no HD on our Tailgater. I hooked up the batwing and pulled in ABC, CBS and NBC in HD. They appear in the Program Guide highlighted in yellow, with full program information. Very cool.

So how did you get this working? Is it as simple as attaching the batwing coax to the receiver input?

bdickson · 12-05-2013, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

So how did you get this working? Is it as simple as attaching the batwing coax to the receiver input?

Sarah, basically you just hook the batwing cable to the Antenna In coax jack on the back of the 211K. I found after a false start that the signal needs to have gone through the antenna preamp first. Then on the 211 remote go to Menu, System Setup, Local Channels, Scan Locals and follow the prompts. The off-air stations will show up in the program guide with a yellow background.

SarahW · 12-05-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdickson

Sarah, basically you just hook the batwing cable to the Antenna In coax jack on the back of the 211K. I found after a false start that the signal needs to have gone through the antenna preamp first. Then on the 211 remote go to Menu, System Setup, Local Channels, Scan Locals and follow the prompts. The off-air stations will show up in the program guide with a yellow background.

There you go, getting all techie again.

What the heck is "antenna preamp" and do I need treatment for it??

Oh and one more question...when I connect the batwing to the 211K, will I select OTA (switch in the overhead compartment) or leave it on satellite all the time?

John Hilley · 12-05-2013, 09:26 AM

Leave it on satellite all the time.

MSHappyCampers · 12-05-2013, 09:29 AM

I have a KVH R5 dome on top and also use a basic DirectTV portable dish when I can't get signal on the dome. I connect the dish to the cable connector outside in the wet bay. That cable goes to a "A/B" switch inside where I route it to either the satellite receiver or the cable input on the switcher.

I don't have to change any settings on the Direct TV receiver to switch from the dome to the portable. Guess I'm just lucky!

bdickson · 12-05-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

There you go, getting all techie again.

What the heck is "antenna preamp" and do I need treatment for it??

Oh and one more question...when I connect the batwing to the 211K, will I select OTA (switch in the overhead compartment) or leave it on satellite all the time?

Hmmm, lets see. Our coaches have very different A/V setups. Let's try this: I am assuming your 211K is connected to your TV with an HDMI cable. Pull the coax cable from the back of the TV and connect it to the "OTA Antenna In" connector on the 211K. Run the setup procedure I described above and see if the 211K finds any channels. Optionally you can run another coax cable from "Antenna Out to TV" on the 211K to the TV. This should allow you to watch OTA TV with the 211K powered off. I have not tried this last step, so let me know how it goes. Also let me know if none of this works and I'll scratch my head some more.

SarahW · 12-05-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdickson

Hmmm, lets see. Our coaches have very different A/V setups. Let's try this: I am assuming your 211K is connected to your TV with an HDMI cable. Pull the coax cable from the back of the TV and connect it to the "OTA Antenna In" connector on the 211K. Run the setup procedure I described above and see if the 211K finds any channels. Optionally you can run another coax cable from "Antenna Out to TV" on the 211K to the TV. This should allow you to watch OTA TV with the 211K powered off. I have not tried this last step, so let me know how it goes. Also let me know if none of this works and I'll scratch my head some more.

OK, right away we have a problem.

The 211k is in the compartment over the driver's seat, and the TV is mid-ship and on the opposite side of the RV.

Back to the ole' drawing board!!

TVforMyRV · 12-05-2013, 11:33 AM

Wow, this thread grew diversely and quickly...

Lot's of things to try to clear up here.

Dish created a new version of software for the 211 and 411 receivers in the "Solo" family for lack of a better term and it seems that it is called "Mobile Protocol". The 211z ships with the new "Mobile Protocol" firmware and the older 211k and 411 models can be upgraded to include the "Mobile Protocol" while connected to a properly aligned antenna.... The special setup menu you see regarding the Pathway is "for" the Pathway, but not "in" the Pathway, it is in the firmware of the receiver. If you attach a 211z to a Carryout, or Anser antenna you will NOT see the "Mobile Protocol" menus.
NOTE: If you attach an older 211k that does not yet have the "Mobile Protocol" to a Pathway antenna, it will not work. No damage done, it simply won't work.

There are several differences between the Tailgater, and the Pathway antennas

1. Reflector size - The Pathway has a much larger reflector which gathers significantly more signal than the Tailgater. More likely to have good signal in bad weather with the Pathway.

2. Ability to use EITHER the Western Arc or the Eastern Arc satellites. The Tailgater is western arc only.

3. Pathway is a dual LNB unit supporting two tuners, the Tailgater is a single LNB antenna......