Community Forums

Retchp8143 · 09-28-2016, 11:45 AM

What sat ant is best, dome or dish?

okcnewbie · 09-28-2016, 12:23 PM

I went the cheapest route and just put a dish on a tripod and set it up manually.

It sure would be nice to have something that is automatic.......only cost money.

MSHappyCampers · 09-28-2016, 01:11 PM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I assume you are referring to a dome antenna mounted on top of the RV as opposed to a portable dish antenna. The performance should be the same if both are HD or both SD. There will be times that trees will block the signal to a top dome, but you might be able to move a portable dish around until you find a clear view of the satellite.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Selah · 09-28-2016, 03:16 PM

The dome type antennae has a small reflector dish as compared to an open reflector type dish. The larger the dish the less interference from rain, leaves, etc.
You can get both types as portable. Most, if not all, open face portable dishes are manual.
Fixed units, either Dome or ones like the Winegard Trav'ler are very convenient and fully automatic; push a button and watch TV. Portables will allow you to place the antennae where you have a better shot at aquireing a satellite when parked around trees.
I have both a Trav'ler and an automatic portable (Wingard X2) as we like state and local parks that usually have trees. If I could only have one it would be the automatic portable.

Scarab0088 · 09-30-2016, 04:52 PM

The BEST is the Winegard Trav'ler...fully automatic, all SAT birds at once, multi-receivers supported, and self folding for travel.
But it is about the most expensive, and does not do in-motion (while driving) SAT tracking.

Next BEST is the in-motion dome types...fully automatic, always tracking.
But rather expensive, track only 1 SAT at time, and have a small reflector - making them more vulnerable to storm signal fade.

Third BEST is any of the carry-out portables...getting rather affordable, can support multi-receivers, and auto-aiming.
But not capable of in-motion, smallish reflectors, and need to be stowed for travel.

Least BEST - IMHO - Any manual aim, fixed (tri-pod) or folding (rooftop) antenna...VERY affordable and can support several receivers.
But no in-motion, are hard to aim, and require stowing for travel.

We have one each of the bottom 2 in this list...covers all the bases for us. The easiest and most used by us, is the carry-out portable. It can sit anywhere (never blocked), was rather affordable, and is totally automatic.

Best luck