Using a Direct TV antenna with a Dish receiver

[Clark Savage Jr]

I am hoping someone can give me a simple answer to my dilemma.

I have an oval-shape Direct TV antenna with three LNB's (garage sale - $5) and a tripod (also garage sale - $3). There are four coax connections to the horn. This antenna came with a ten-foot length of dual coax which was disconnected. I don't know which of the four connections to use.

I have purchased a 100' length of dual coax, appropriate for this use, along with the tools and connectors to hook up several lengths of coax to reach from the dish and tripod to the RV. I was thinking of making a fifty-foot piece, a thirty-foot piece and a twenty-foot piece. With the existing ten-foot piece, I could select whatever length(s) I need to hook the dish to the RV.

Also, I purchased a new, Dish network, HD, VIP211K receiver. It was my intention to hook this all together and then activate the receiver with Dish network on their RV month-to-month plan.

Now I see the VIP211K receiver has but one input connection. I only intended to feed one HDTV receiver with this antenna and receiver and may add a hard drive in the future. If we like the system and spend more time on the road, I could entertain (pun intended) the idea of adding a TV in the bedroom and even a DVR. But that is after I get the basic system working.

I have the tools (protractor level, compass and signal strength meter) to point the antenna. What I am concerned about is the coax cable hookup. Did I waste money buying the 100' of dual coax? I haven't opened it, so I could return it. Or, did I purchase the wrong receiver? I thought this one was advertised to supply HDTV to one monitor and SDTV to an extra one, in case I should want to add one in the bedroom.

Will the Direct TV dish work with the Dish satellite and receiver. From what I have read (extensive reading, believe me!) there are divided opinions on this, but most seem to believe that it will work.

Please don't confuse me with additional explanations of satellite numbers and the programming exuded by them. I am really hoping someone can "tell me what time it is" instead of explaining "how to build a watch".

If I can use the components I have:

1. Which of the four outputs do I hook the two coax to?
2. I don't intend to use my existing rooftop dish, so I would have two coax cables running to the receiver which has only one inlet.
3. Believe it or not, I am an old Ham radio operator, but I'm lost at sea when it comes to this technology. I'm too old to want to learn the theory, I just want to be able to hook it up, pour a rum and Coke, and watch a program or two when we're in an RV park somewhere without a cable feed.

Do I need new (single) coax? Do I need to send this receiver back and get a different one? Will this (it's in really nice shape) dish antenna work?

HALP !!

[FlyingDiver]

The oval multi-LNB receiver will NOT work properly with your Dish receiver. The small single LNB units were generally compatible, but the multi-LNB dishes are not. The LNBs are lined up wrong (DirecTV uses 101/110/119, Dish uses 110/119/129), and the method the receivers use to select the correct LNB is different.

joe

[kjburns]

No, the DirecTV dish won't work with the Dish receiver. DirecTV uses Ka band for some of their satellites and the LNbs aren't compatible with Ku band that Dish uses. You can find a Dish 1000 for little or no money so you're only out the $5 you spent on the dish. You might get one satellite with that dish, but the Ka LNBs won't do anything for you.

To feed a single Dish receiver, you only need a single coax. The only time you might use the second coax line is if you run a second separate receiver. If you upgrade to a 722 receiver, a single coax will feed the dual tuner/dual output receiver and would not need the second coax feed.

[Clark Savage Jr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjburns No, the DirecTV dish won't work with the Dish receiver. DirecTV uses Ka band for some of their satellites and the LNbs aren't compatible with Ku band that Dish uses. You can find a Dish 1000 for little or no money so you're only out the $5 you spent on the dish. You might get one satellite with that dish, but the Ka LNBs won't do anything for you. To feed a single Dish receiver, you only need a single coax. The only time you might use the second coax line is if you run a second separate receiver. If you upgrade to a 722 receiver, a single coax will feed the dual tuner/dual output receiver and would not need the second coax feed.

That make sense. So, even to receive HDTV for this receiver, or to feed the 722, I only need a single coax. I guess I should have spent the extra couple of bucks for the 722. It seems I went off half-cocked and need to return both the coax and the receiver. Also, need to 86 the antenna and get a Dish (with a capital "D") antenna.

I can keep the Angle protractor and Signal Strength meter along with the coax tools, though.

Have I got that right?

Thanks for the clear info, guys.

[kjburns]

If you have a smart phone, you might look into the dishpointer app. It shows the satellites through the camera, which is handy for finding a good spot to setup when trees are in the way.

The TV4RV tripod is good for uneven terrain. The legs are adjustable, so you can get it level. Getting the tripod level is essential to getting the dish aimed.

The 722 is good if you want to record and feed two TVs with different programming. The primary output is HD, with SD for the secondary output.

[Clark Savage Jr]

After thinking it over last night, I'm going to hang on to the receiver and use it. I really only want one TV in the coach. I'm just going to order a 100' reel of single coax and find a new dish.

Thanks, but I can't imagine spending $110 for an adjustable tripod.

[Don/Lou]

Thanks, but I can't imagine spending $110 for an adjustable tripod.

It is probably the best $110.00 you could /will spend
Sure makes set up a cinch!!

[kjburns]

The reasoning for the $110 tripod gets apparent after a few times of trying to setup in less than ideal conditions. The adjustable legs and pointed ends make it easy to level. The ability to tie it down with the stake makes it stable in the wind. The top of the tripod is marked in degrees to make aiming easier. Setup the tripod aimed south, then set the dish and then aim to the correct mark.

It isn't as important when setting up a DirecTV single LNB dish. You can just get lucky and find the satellite. Trying to get three satellites means that everything has to be right. Level the tripod. Set the elevation and skew. Aim to the correct azimuth and peak the signal...done.

[Clark Savage Jr]

I guess I'll have to learn the hard way. I have been used to the (old) automatic dish antenna on the roof of my rig. It is set up for Direct TV, though, which I am not going to use. Since I have cable at home (I can't receive HD satellite TV due to trees) and the cable gives me TV, internet, and phone, I don't subscribe to a satellite provider. I had Direct TV just for the coach, but they are a bit testy about starting and stopping service. That's why I am going for the Dish monthly plan.

The automatic dish mounted on the roof works in conjunction with a matching (old, but matching) Direct TV receiver that controls the dish. I wish it was a manual dish, but it's not. I think the tripod will work for me. The simple tripod which I have shouldn't be that difficult to level. In fact, I just had a thought. Why not string a plumb bob down through the center mast? I could even make up a plumb bob which would beep when it is precisely vertical. Hmmm - sounds like a fun project for a rainy day.

I can stake it down or hang a milk jug when on hard ground. Since one must align the adjustable tripod with South, it would seem at first glance that setting the azimuth of the dish to the satellite heading is just as easy. But, I don't doubt your advice, it is likely easier. I like home projects though. I see heavy-duty video tripods quite often at garage sales for give away prices. They have adjustable legs. Modifying one of those might be fun, too.

Thanks for the words of wisdom (Been there, done that). I'm off to the Borg store to pick up some RG-6.

[kjburns]

Your existing dome may be reprogrammable to work with Dish. The tripod is a more complete solution, but you might also look into whether the dome would work for your new receiver. Many domes will work with either service.

[Clark Savage Jr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjburns Your existing dome may be reprogrammable to work with Dish. The tripod is a more complete solution, but you might also look into whether the dome would work for your new receiver. Many domes will work with either service.

Well, it isn't a dome. It is a motorized dish, circa 1999. It must be used with the matching Direct TV receiver, which provides the satellite signal detection. You can manually set the elevation or let it search the entire sky. Then you hit "locate" and the dish erects to the set elevation and begins a 360° search of the sky for the primary Direct TV signal. It rotates a few degrees, then searches up and down along that azimuth , a few degrees each side of the set elevation. Then it advances a few more degrees azimuth and repeats the elevation search.

When the signal is detected, it searches around the coordinates to peak the signal strength, then locks in. This satellite location may take twenty minutes or more.

I am told this unit goes haywire easily and that it's worth more for parts (if it still works) to those folks who repair them for a living. I've never liked it much. If it was a manual dish, I might try to convert it for Dish network, but as it is, it is pretty much useless.