Community Forums

JDT · 07-14-2018, 08:03 AM

We've had our Trav'ler with Dish Network for a few years now and it works great, when it can. It seems like more often than not trees are an issue in the parks we frequent most often. Like on this trip, we back in to our spot and the Trav'ler is blanketed by trees. I try to ask for more open spots but sometimes that doesn't work.

Our annual month long trip to Colorado comes up in September and I don't want to miss some of my football games like I did last year when we could only get a partial signal with just one satellite. I am assuming the only work around is a portable. We had a Tailgater which I sold when we got the Trav'ler because it was pretty finicky with a signal. Just wondering what others do or suggest.

Forgot to say we have 2 211Z receivers that I activate during our travels, if that makes any difference.

scrowell52 · 07-14-2018, 08:39 AM

We have a Trav’ler and also have a Pathway X2 that we carry just for that reason. It works using the 211 receiver, automatically tracks and uses all three satellites, and is capable of using either the west or east arcs.

BillJinOR · 07-14-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveCrowell

We have a Trav’ler and also have a Pathway X2 that we carry just for that reason. It works using the 211 receiver, automatically tracks and uses all three satellites, and is capable of using either the west or east arcs.

Same setup
We Rarely use the x2 but I ask for sat friendly sites and don’t stay in private RV parks , mostly. Stay out of heavily treed parks if you want satellite tv reception ..... The x2 is backup
As you noted it can be finicky.. small reflector = poor signal. But it’s all you can do . The x2 has the largest reflector
Any dome can be an effective backup but you will need to figure out how to bypass the traveler coax to the tuner with a separate cable to the tuner .. even if it’s just running a cable through the window to the tuner.
A 211 ( or Wally) is ideal for this as it has the internal ability to “see” its connected to a dome and “run” it.

rk911 · 07-14-2018, 10:31 AM

before going to a park i’ll use google earth to check tree cover in general. i’ll also call the park and ask for a spot with no trees. it’s not been a problem. thought about getting a portable butvour receiver (vip722k) is not compatible with any automatic carryout...or so i’m told.

scrowell52 · 07-14-2018, 10:58 AM

We have Hopper w/ sling receivers in our rv. When I use our X2 (not often), I simply use our 211 which I connect via HDMI two the aux port on our AV receiver. We installed a satellite splitter behind the cable/antenna switch the give us the satellite connection.

FatChance · 07-14-2018, 12:35 PM

When our old Carryout became obsolete with Dish, I removed it and got a Pathway X1. I was going to mount it (permanent mount) on the roof but finally decided against it. I have it on the tripod for when I have to avoid tree cover, but if there are no obstructions I put it on the roof and secure it while it is up there with a couple straps so it is out of the way.

If I had it over, I would get a Tailgater and use the removable roof rack they offer so it could be roof mounted or tripod mounted. I like that flexibility.

mjeffrey · 07-14-2018, 07:36 PM

You can point your Dish Travelr to individual satellites in the east, but only one sat. on the eastern arc, not all three. See the manual for the instructions for single satellite mode.

You will have to do a Check Switch, but if the show/ game you want is also on satellite 61, 72 or 77 and you can lock on it, problem solved.

JDT · 07-15-2018, 09:11 AM

TV is not a big part of our lives but we do enjoy certain shows from HGTV, Science, Discovery, Travel, etc. I also enjoy watching our local college teams and the OKC Thunder during the various seasons. Anyway, I think I'll just watch for a good buy on a Pathway X2, even used. I know it's larger than a Tailgater type but I have plenty of room in our bay storage. I'll have to check for sure but our 211Z's should work fine with it. I will have to figure out the connection part. Thanks for the info.

MSGulfCoast · 07-17-2018, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rk911

before going to a park i’ll use google earth to check tree cover in general. i’ll also call the park and ask for a spot with no trees. it’s not been a problem. thought about getting a portable butvour receiver (vip722k) is not compatible with any automatic carryout...or so i’m told.

We've used a 722k & 211K receiver with a Dish Tailgater for years - works fine.

oneknight · 07-19-2018, 10:30 AM

These days, there are generally "ways to make it work".

We're currently under trees and our trav'ler is blind.
Last night I wanted to watch the NCWTS race on FS1. After some messing around, I was able to log in to fox sports go with my dish login and stream the race live.

Dale & Mark Bruss · 07-19-2018, 10:55 AM

We started putting up a tripod dish for over 4 years because the option of single LNBF dome dis not meets our needs of watching and recording on different channels. A typical year for us is 40 moves and 40 setups.

We used a VIP 622 with the equivalent of a dome automatic roof dish. It would works as longs as the viewing and recording channels were on the same satellite. That lasted less than a month before the tripod.

When we got the Trav'ler, we kept the tripod. For the times we encounter tree, the tripod solved our needs. When the EA satellites came and we use PTAT with a Hopper, the need of HD locals became an issue, we used the tripod with an EA LNBF head when we were in the east.

You can believe that any Dish DVR receiver will work with a dome but it is fun to watch the dome beat itself to death trying to get through a Switch Check. Maybe a Tailgater because it only responds to one tuner.

A tripod breaks down into a pretty small package.