Taking the Plunge to Satellite TV

[RJay]

I never had satellite TV but I'm thinking of taking the plunge. I have somewhat of a plan but would like some input on carrying it out. The motorhome has a KVH in motion dome antenna but I would also like to get a tripod antenna for those situations where I can't get a signal because of trees.

I am thinking of going with Dish TV because as I understand it, Dish will allow me to get HD programming on the dome, also Dish offers a duel tuner receiver which will help with my crowded electronics cabinet. What I would like to do initially is to pre-wire the motorhome for the tripod. The plan for that is to install a connection point in the front generator slide tray compartment and run the cable up to the electronics cabinet. The problem is I don't know how many wires to run and I want to run enough so if I want to change satellite companys in the future I won't have to run additional wires. I assume I will need to run CAT 5 cable.

As for the dome, it seems that all I have to do is install the receiver and connect the dome and tv's to it and turn it on??? Also there looks like a KVH data port on the front of the electrical panel, is this to upgrade software to the dome???...Thanks!!!

[John Hilley]

I would go with DirecTV because you can get all the programming on the 101 satellite. For your portable dish you will want to bring in two RG6 coax cables. Check out this thread

HD Dome

Here is what satellites can be tuned with the King Dome

King Dome Specs

[TN Bill]

I vote for Direct also. Have seen the problems trying to pick up 2 satellites. If the dome could get a signal all the time that would be ok but there is going to be times when you have to use a portable dish to get around trees.

[Bill Adams]

Wow, I don't get what's going on above. The poster said he wanted to go with Dish so he could get HD. The next poster recommended DirecTV as being able to get all of the channels and then links to a discussion where the fact that you CANNOT get HD with any dome from DirecTV. The next poster totally ignores the HD issue as well.
If you want HD and you must use a dome, you must use Dish Network. Dish Network is also the only service the offer the dual output receiver option.
There are no CAT 5 (or any other Ethernet connection) required for satellite TV. The connection you will want from outside to the receiver is either 1 or 2 RG-6 coax cables. If the antenna has a DPP LNB you should be able to run one coax and then add the special splitter that allows you to connect 2 tuners.
The possible complication would be the KVH antenna itself. It's quite possible that the antenna/software combination that you currently have will not support being able to move between 110, 119 and 129 so you may have to contact KVH for an upgrade. The other complication with Dish Network is that since you can only point to one antenna at a time, you cannot watch 2 different channels that are on 2 different satellites. If you are on the 129 satellite watching HD programming the second tuner will have to be watching something on that satellite as well.
Finally, not all KVH antennas will work with that kind of a receiver so, again, you might want to contact KVH to see if you can do what you want to do.
Lastly, if you have never used your antenna it is likely programmed for DirecTV and you will need to contact KVH (or a local dealer) to have the antenna reprogrammed for Dish Network.
Now, if you can get by without any HDTV programming I would recommend that you sign up for DirecTV!

[LindaH]

The OP said he was interested in HD programming which is not possible with DirecTV and a dome. Unless he's planning on using the portable satellite dish 100% of the time, if he plans on ever using the dome at all for HD programming, he'll have to go with Dish Network.

[kjburns]

With a Dish 1000 dish, you'll only need one coax to the external dish connection to feed a dual tuner receiver. If you're considering running DirecTV with two receivers (or a DVR receiver), then you should run two.

[RJay]

Thank you all for your responses, I'm now rethinking which service provider I will choose. Assuming I go with DirecTV and a DVR I would have to run two wires but if I get a SWM antenna can I use the CATV connection in the power bay and use a diplexer to feed the DVR and the second reciever or will the DVR split the signal.

Also, what equipment will I need for an antenna and reciever/DVR for Dish and DirecTV.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay Thank you all for your responses, I'm now rethinking which service provider I will choose. Assuming I go with DirecTV and a DVR I would have to run two wires but if I get a SWM antenna can I use the CATV connection in the power bay and use a diplexer to feed the DVR and the second reciever or will the DVR split the signal. Also, what equipment will I need for an antenna and reciever/DVR for Dish and DirecTV.

If you want HDTV you must use Dish Network. It makes no difference whether you sign up with Dish or Direct on the number of cables you run. With the right receiver, both are capable of getting the signal through 1 wire. However, if it were me (and it is not) I would make arrangements to run 2 new cables to the location where you intend to install the receiver. No switches, SWM's, diplexers, just easy.
Contact the provider of your choice for the current hardware available to meet you needs.

[RJay]

Bill, thanks for your help. I'll be moving to a new location shortly and will be getting in touch with a provider as soon as I'm settled. Initially I was thinking of using the KVH as my primary source for TV but thinking about it further I decided to use the KVH while in transit between destinations or for short stays and use the tripod for my extended stays. So it doesn't matter whether I get DISH or DirecTV except for the duel tuner from DISH and since everybody recommends DirecTV I guess that's who I'll be contacting.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Bill, what you are saying is true, IF he only wants to utilize a dome. However, he asks,

Quote:

Also, what equipment will I need for an antenna and reciever/DVR for Dish and DirecTV

maybe I missed something, but shouldn't he realize that by changing out his dome to a conventional dish he can indeed get HD on DirecTV?

[RJay]

Hi Bob,
I'm not looking to replace my KVH dome. I initially thought I could get more from the dome than I can. I realize now that I can get more complete programming from a tripod arrangement than the dome so I'm not concerned about being able to get HDTV on the dome.

[94-Newmar]

I just installed Satellite in our 94-Newmar. Mounted a GOOD quality weatherproof jack inside the front access compartment door near the air tanks - EZ access to my electronics overhead cabinets up front. Make sure to use RG6x cable, it has a much heavier duty covering, much better shielding. Might get up to 100' of it.. i've had several instances of needing almost all 100' too.

We have DirecTV. Make SURE you get a good quality tripod, not that cheap lightweight junk they advertise for tailgaiters. I got a Tripod from an old roof antenna and this thing is very very heavy duty, about 4' tall and will accept masts from 1 1/2" to 2 1/4". Anything else just blows over with the slightest wind. Also make SURE you get the Slimline-3 antenna with the single LNB housing, NOT the housing with 3 separate housings (which is a slimline-5). Otherwise you'll need to tune on the 119 satellite for your guide info from DirecTV.. and 119 is going away soon since it's a lease from Dish Network for their latino programming. Plus the single housing triple LNB is much easier to aim with the most basic compass and signal meter. Good luck!

[RJay]

Hi 94-Newmar,
Thank for the post. I'm assuming when I contract with a satellite dealer that he will supply the proper antenna for my application. So if I need a slimline-3 single LNB antenna then that's what he will provide, do I assume correctly? Also if I won't be tuning to the 119 satellite what will I be tuning to?

[94-Newmar]

Rjay,

You may be able to use your coach's park cable inlet. Ours has a whole-RV type connection on the one side where you can hook up things like phone, cable and ethernet, for like if you were parked semi-permanently at one of the nicer RV parks If you run your dish from there you may very well already be wired sufficiently for all this without running any new wiring or external jacks. Your DirecTV installer may or may not be competent in doing this - when you order make SURE you ask for one of the DirecTV company employees and not a subcontractor.

IF you have an HD receiver, like the H(R)20/21/22/23/24 from DirecTV then you'll use the Slimline-3 SINGLE HOUSING LNB. Keep in mind the only difference between a Slimline-3 and Slimline-5 is the LNB housing. The Slimline-5 has 3 separate LNB housings - very hard to aim. I attached a picture of the SL-3 LNB which is the one you want.

If you are just going to go standard definition and will never do HD then you only need the standard 18" round dish, also, picture attached. It won't hurt to get the Slimline-3 even if you are going to do just standard def, as it will pick up the normal non-HD channels just fine. Then perhaps at some point when you're ready to do HD you'll be all set with the proper dish. If I were you, I'd just get the Slimline-3 HD dish.

DirecTV's standard def programming is on their 101 satellite. The Slimline-3 is capable of seeing the 99, 101 and 103(ca/cb) satellites for all the HD channels they offer. You don't have to worry about switching satellites or re-aiming the dish to get certain channels, it will stay stationary, all the satellite switching is done automatically by the receiver and is nothing more than internally switching between LNB's.

I suggest also getting a small inexpensive signal meter and compass. It takes me literally 45 seconds to find signal once I get my dish out, tripod opened and leveled. On my tripod I mounted a small bubble level on it so I can level easily. Once leveled, I set my dish to the proper elevation and tilt (which is marked on the DirecTV mounting head) then all i need to worry about is azimuth, which I can find with my compass instantly. Hook the signal meter in line, fine tune for maximum signal. It may sound complicated, but from the time I open the basement door to get the dish and tripod out to walking back inside with a cold one it takes less than 5 minutes. To find azimuth, elevation and tilt the DirecTV receiver will tell you the proper numbers based upon your current zip code that you enter from the remote.

I suggest this signal meter kit, same one I have:: SF95LK DSS DBS FTA satellite Signal Meter Kit with Battery Pack
(works with just a single 9v battery.. OR you can temporarily put it inline with your DirectTV receiver for power)

If you need any help just let me know.