Community Forums

DKRITTER · 11-24-2021, 10:55 AM

My OTA antenna has quit working.

We have an 8 year old DS with Dish and the adapter to run OTA channels though the Hopper. This is the 3rd RV we've had this setup on.

When we bought the DS 2.5 years ago we had the dealer install a Trav'ler, our Hopper2 with the OTA adapter. The OTA has never been really good but OK.
I did replace the power booster some time ago with little effect.

Yesterday we lost all local channels.

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it might be to run new coax from the antenna to the booster and then from the booster to cabinet above the drivers seat? Suggestions?

That would be my step one then replace the antenna as my step 2.

Thanks

DKRITTER · 11-24-2021, 10:58 AM

BTW yes, I do know I can move my local service to where I am (did that yesterday) but I would prefer to use the OTA antenna and not mess with Dish Support.

HarryStone · 11-24-2021, 12:59 PM

I had to replace the coax that was external to the motorhome, the one going up to and thru the antenna itself. It wasn't too bad. Had to remove the plate that covered the connection on the roof, and then reseal. That's likely where your issue is.

lrwinddancer · 11-25-2021, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

BTW yes, I do know I can move my local service to where I am (did that yesterday) but I would prefer to use the OTA antenna and not mess with Dish Support.

When I installed my Dish Satellite, I was told I could get local channels, but have never been able to actually get that to work. If I am within a couple hundred miles of home base my local channels come in. Can you tell me how you got local to your location channels from Dish. BTW, yes I pay the extra amount to get them. Thanks

DKRITTER · 11-25-2021, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrwinddancer

When I installed my Dish Satellite, I was told I could get local channels, but have never been able to actually get that to work. If I am within a couple hundred miles of home base my local channels come in. Can you tell me how you got local to your location channels from Dish. BTW, yes I pay the extra amount to get them. Thanks

It's a little bit of a dance with Dish.

Go to Mydish.com
Sign In
Go to the chat in the lower right corner
type; service address (I hadn't done it in a while and was able to do it all through chat before but not now)
It popped up a window with a number to call.
I called the number and I told the lady we were traveling in our RV and would like to change our service address. She was very nice and said no problem.
I gave her the complete address of the RV Park and she said it would take a few minutes. call completed
I checked the guide about 10 minutes later and we were good.
I'll do the same when we get home.

Word of caution, this will change all of your Dish devices, so if you "have the game" setup to record at home on local channels Saturday it probably won't record it.

Steele · 11-27-2021, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

BTW yes, I do know I can move my local service to where I am (did that yesterday) but I would prefer to use the OTA antenna and not mess with Dish Support.

You can use the phone app to move to the local, it takes about 3 minutes and you don’t have to deal with phone non support!

🤪

🤣

Steele · 11-27-2021, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrwinddancer

When I installed my Dish Satellite, I was told I could get local channels, but have never been able to actually get that to work. If I am within a couple hundred miles of home base my local channels come in. Can you tell me how you got local to your location channels from Dish. BTW, yes I pay the extra amount to get them. Thanks

The locals are on “spot beam” transponders and have a smaller cone on the ground then that of the wider spots the upper channel have. The coverage area also vary slightly in different parts of the country depending on home markets. In the East they are fairly small and out west they appear to cover more ground.

As mentioned above the phone app is easy to use and takes minutes to change from one local package to the next. We’ve been using this for almost 5 years of FT travel.

DKRITTER · 11-27-2021, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steele

You can use the phone app to move to the local, it takes about 3 minutes and you don’t have to deal with phone non support!

🤪

🤣

Specifically, which app are you speaking of?

Thanks

Clemson · 11-28-2021, 06:19 AM

Download the My Dish app; establish your account; log in and go to “Manage My Channels

DKRITTER · 11-28-2021, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clemson

Download the My Dish app; establish your account; log in and go to “Manage My Channels

Is this by chance for a Dish Outdoors account?

I have a residential account and did not find "Manage my Channels" in the app.

bigb56 · 11-28-2021, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

My OTA antenna has quit working.

We have an 8 year old DS with Dish and the adapter to run OTA channels though the Hopper. This is the 3rd RV we've had this setup on.

When we bought the DS 2.5 years ago we had the dealer install a Trav'ler, our Hopper2 with the OTA adapter. The OTA has never been really good but OK.
I did replace the power booster some time ago with little effect.

Yesterday we lost all local channels.

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it might be to run new coax from the antenna to the booster and then from the booster to cabinet above the drivers seat? Suggestions?

That would be my step one then replace the antenna as my step 2.

Thanks

Did you check for 12 volts at the antenna first just to verify that the replacement booster has not failed?

lrwinddancer · 11-28-2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steele

You can use the phone app to move to the local, it takes about 3 minutes and you don’t have to deal with phone non support!

🤪

🤣

Thanks I will give this a try. I just tried it away from the Coach and it looks like it wants my TV/Receiver turned on? I did have to do a little digging to find the page to manage my local listings, but it sounds like it should not be a big deal.

lrwinddancer · 11-28-2021, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

Is this by chance for a Dish Outdoors account?

I have a residential account and did not find "Manage my Channels" in the app.

Yes it is a Outdoors account just in my Coach.

bentjm · 11-28-2021, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

Is this by chance for a Dish Outdoors account?

I have a residential account and did not find "Manage my Channels" in the app.

Yes. It is available for Dish Outdoors accounts only.

You can move from a Residential account to Dish Outdoors. When I did it several years ago, it required creating a new account.