Community Forums

carwash2 · 05-24-2017, 06:02 AM

Hello all, I'm looking for any new/updated information on my options for using satellites with Directv. I have Directv HD at home now, I would like to have it in our TT. We're new to camping, so we don't have passed experience with using portable sat. Using it at most camp grounds isn't our concern, our concern is we'll be setup at a camp in the hills of WV for several months. This area has no over the air tv or cell phone service. A few of the permanent camps have mounted dishes that seem to work fine. What options do I have?

MRUSA14 · 05-24-2017, 06:11 AM

Take your receiver from home and get a portable DirecTV antenna to hook it to. Everything will work as at home except no local stations if you get far from home. No phone or internet is needed. See antennas at Winegard Company: TV Antenna, RV Antenna - USA.

Fiesta48 · 05-24-2017, 06:24 AM

Our problem with Sat TV is getting a clear shot at the Sat's. With our roof mounted dish it is 75% of the time NOT in a clear shot. Setting up a non auto seeking dish is a PITA.

okcnewbie · 05-24-2017, 06:33 AM

If you don't bother with satellite tv during your normal camping trips. You may find that a used slimline dish is not that difficult to setup for an occasional long stay.
You can get a tripod and slimline dish for under $100. You have to set it up manually but you can practice at home. Use the directv box as your meter if you want to keep cost down.

JohnBoyToo · 05-24-2017, 06:46 AM

HaHa, you mean the portable divorce dish ?!?

I sold my portable dish. [mod edit]

We use ours enough that we just got two more receivers and pay $6 more per month for use in the rv.

carwash2 · 05-24-2017, 07:15 AM

I see there is a Technology forum, I probably should have posted this question there. Still feeling my way around on this site.

Triker56 · 05-24-2017, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

We use ours enough that we just got two more receivers and pay $6 more per month for use in the rv.

You may want to check your DTV bill. Extra receivers are now $7 a month each plus any tax if due.

Two extra receivers are $168 a year plus any tax.

jimallred · 05-24-2017, 08:26 AM

i have both the portable dish on a tripod and the King Quest. Tripod antenna works fine but is more of a hassle to set up. I paid $69.00 for mine. The king Quest is more expensive $395.00 at PPL and very simple to use. It can be mounted on the roof or just sat on the ground or tripod outside the coach. The mounted option will often be unable to connect because of trees etc. The ground option can be moved to a location that it can receive a signal. It is very simple to use, just push a button and it is all automatic. Be aware it is easy to steal sitting on the ground outside the coach. Download the app "Satfinder Lite" to your cell phone, you can see the location of the satellites and any obstruction that might be in the way. Place the antenna in the best spot, run your coax cable to the exterior satellite plug on the outside of the coach. A device will come with the King Quest that you plug into the back of your Directv receiver box and screw into the connection in the coach for Exterior Satellite. Plush the button on the device and it will find your signal. This unit is not HD, we use the non-HD box in our motorhome, HD is at home. Hope this helped jim

Bob_C · 05-24-2017, 08:48 AM

The King Flex is also a portable, and automatic, and does have an alarm on it....works with Direct, Dish, and Bell.......have used mine all over the US....and will support two different receivers....

Bob_C · 05-24-2017, 08:53 AM

Mr_D · 05-24-2017, 09:11 AM

So far I've gotten by with just the MotoSat dish on top of the MH but I did have to go without TV one night over Christmas. Need to investigate a portable unit. Main problem with mine is the connections inside might not be compatible and could take some recabling each time.

J Birder · 05-24-2017, 09:16 AM

There several easier ways to set up a portable dish.The easiest, is probably an app called SAToolz for DirecTV. It uses your phone's camera. You point the camera in the general direction of the satellite, and the app superimposes red dots marking the locations of the satellites, onto the scene that the camera is seeing. There is also a version for Dish.

That way, you can find the one spot in the area, where you can put the dish, so it can point through that tiny hole in the trees.

Joel

carwash2 · 05-24-2017, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Birder

There several easier ways to set up a portable dish.The easiest, is probably an app called SAToolz for DirecTV. It uses your phone's camera. You point the camera in the general direction of the satellite, and the app superimposes red dots marking the locations of the satellites, onto the scene that the camera is seeing. There is also a version for Dish.

That way, you can find the one spot in the area, where you can put the dish, so it can point through that tiny hole in the trees.

Joel

J Birder, will this app work if you in an area that doesn't have cell service?

J Birder · 05-24-2017, 11:04 AM

No cell service is required. It knows the location of the satellites, and just uses the phone's camera. None of the other phone functions are used.

Joel