Television and Cell Phone Reception

[debpet]

Looking for product that will give us better television viewing when in more remote areas. should we subscribe to dish satellite or is there a better thing out there??? Also any advice for actually getting better cell phone coverage-saw the threads on Max Signal, seems really expensive at $650. only would like to send and receive text messages and pictures, not so much for talking.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by Max Signal

Sending and receiving texts and pictures actually requires a better signal than voice transmissions .

This hasn't been my experience. I have been able to send text messages with zero -1 bars of signal strength, when it was impossible to initiate a voice call.

[Scarab0088]

"Remote Areas" is a relative term for TV.

In the Southwest, we lose broadcast TV signals at a rather short distance from broadcaster's tower...but in the flat lands of America, your BatWing or similar TV antenna might make you happy.

Streaming TV on-line requires too much/too expensive cellular data for us (away from a fixed home internet connection).

So, because of our situation, SAT TV is a must.

About Cellular phone connections, there are a wide variety of boosters from simple stick-on window panels to amplified signal repeaters...let your wallet be your guide.

Best luck

[bruce91]

We have had the Dish Tailgater for 5 years now and love it. I've also had Dish network at home for longer than that. Adding the Tailgater receiver to my home account only added $10 a month to my bill and I get all the channels I subscribe to at home. All I need to do when in a new location for their local channels is call dish and ask for a refresh with our current area code. Always awesome customer service. We use the RV all year at least once a month and sometimes in the Keys for 5 weeks. I've had more questions about my Dish while in the Keys with NO over the air reception. Only time dish doesn't get a signal in the southern sky is when we're in parks with heavy tree cover.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by Max Signal

Let your wallet be your guide? Not all solutions are created equal. Not even close.

Sorry to confuse...totally agree that cellular booster solutions vary in ability, and the cost seems to be directly related to ability.

But, not everyone has $500 or more just to increase their cell phone reception in the RV. They might be able to afford adding a simple remote antenna (about $50). And when that doesn't work, they might be walking away from the RV to send/receive messages and make a call. We've been in that situation several times.

Safe travels

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by Max Signal

There are still many people that continue to work on the road and have to be connected data and voice wise all the time . For them the cost of a good unit is the cost of continuing to be able to supplement their income no matter where the location.

Couldn't agree more...well said
Each of us let our wallet decide

[JMonroe]

Text would take the least band width, voice a bit more, photos more, video/movies a lot more.

If moving all about our great country you'll want a cell provider with the best overall coverage. While others are closing the gap, posts in similar threads seem to confirm that Verizon will still provide the best overall coverage. That said, they suffer from weak or no signal areas too, just like all others, even if they are fewer. Especially if you're doing a lot of western travel, a signal booster may be a good idea. So far we've done well without one, but there were a few stops along the trail where a booster would have been nice.

As for TV/Movies, streaming services eat up a ton of data. I'd definitely plan on a satellite TV set up, which one and using what equipment is a personal choice. We've used Direct TV for 20 years and not that we've never had our issues, overall we've been very satisfied. We have a roof mounted full HD dish which usually works great (especially if you ask the campground/resort for a sat friendly site), but yes, there will be occasional sites where a portable receiver dish would be useful, just be advised that those small dishes limit what you can receive.

[Scarab0088]

Everything Jay wrote...except the portable SAT Antenna part...
DirecTV portables can be limited in what can be received. Dish portables are not limited.
It's caused by the different Tech used by the company's.

Best luck