What do I need?

[Bannon]

Ok, got the rv, got the tv, now what sat or antenna do I need. I have DirectTV box. oh yeah, something that doesn't cost 800 bucks! Thanks!

[RickO]

Hi and welcome to the forum! You've asked a question with a wide range of answers.

Assuming you already have DirecTv service and have a receiver to take with you in the RV, you could get away with a manual, carry out dish for a bit less than $100 I believe. May even be able to find them for much less on ebay, craigslist, etc. You'll have to stow it when you travel and then when you arrive at the CG, enter your zip code to get dish alignment coordinates and then set up your dish and test for sat signal strength, etc.
We used to carry one for when we were in the trees and our roof top dish couldn't get a clear view of the birds.

The other end of the spectrum includes a high definition, roof top, automatic dish which will lock on to 5 satellites and feed HD DVRs in the rig. These dishes are around $1800 installed.

There are several different offerings in between including dishes built into "cubes" that you can carry out which will find the satellites automatically but I think those are closer to your $800 figure.

Best of luck...

Rick

[HD4Mark]

If you don't mind aiming it every time a crank up dish works Amazon.com: Winegard® RV Digital Satellite System: Sports & Outdoors

Even less expensive is a tripod Amazon.com: WINEGARD TR-2000 Tripod Antenna Mount: Electronics Just get the dish from Craigslist or Ebay

If you go the tripod route a signal meter is very handy Amazon.com: WINEGARD SF1000 Satellite Finder: Electronics

There is a learning curve to aiming a dish but after a few tries you will have np. If you got the receiver by subscribing to Directv that will be all set. Otherwise they will need info off the box and you will need to buy a new access card for it. If you are interested in a mobile account meaning you get L.A. or N.Y.C. for local channels they will want you to sign a waiver and provide a copy of the registration for your RV.

BTW I'm not pushing Amazon, just a handy reference.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark If you are interested in a mobile account meaning you get L.A. or N.Y.C. for local channels they will want you to sign a waiver and provide a copy of the registration for your RV.

Excellent point Mark.

To keep from pulling your hair out, be sure to search the forum to understand how your network coverage/local channels (abc, nbc, cbs, pbs, fox) will be affected when you travel out of your home area. Bottom line is that you'll lose them as you get a few hundred miles from home. What Mark is talking about provides those network feeds from either LA or NYC... for a price.

Rick

[Bannon]

OK, so no one said anything about an antenna, can you still receive UHF with the new antennas? And do you just get "local" channels?

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bannon OK, so no one said anything about an antenna, can you still receive UHF with the new antennas? And do you just get "local" channels?

Antenna like the bat wing crank up will do a great job of pulling in local channels... even in HD where available. There are some add on's to improve it's effectiveness too and they're pretty cheap.

Rick