Community Forums

PatMann · 04-25-2021, 11:05 AM

I have put a deposit on a 2014 Anthem DLQ. Because the sale isn't final, I don't have access to manuals, etc. Reading the spec sheet the 2014 standard satellite is the Winegard in-motion dome. Optional was the Trav'ler dish, but I don't know if that option is on the coach. Will trade my Allegro Bus, and my question is whether I should have the DirecTV dish moved to the Anthem. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Pat

Gary.Jones · 04-25-2021, 11:15 AM

Pat

Depends on if you really want or care about in motion. Most Entegra's since 2014 had come with Winegard Trav'ler sat dishes installed. Virtually all of them were for DirectTV, which is pretty terrible customer service. Many of us got rid of DirecTV LNBs and changed our systems to Dish, which is a much better company.

Gary

MRUSA14 · 04-25-2021, 12:14 PM

If you want in-motion reception, you need to have the dome and use Dish, not DirecTV. However the signal reception on a dome antenna is not as reliable as the Travler, and the Travler is more capable of multi-channel reception. Personally I found the in-motion feature to be relatively useless as trees, bridges and hills kept interrupting the signal as you drive. I would far prefer a Travler for its better reception in rain and dew conditions.

Having a Travler does not automatically mean DTV, as there is also a Dish configuration of the Travler. So you need to ask the seller if it has a dome or Travler antenna, and whether it is configured for DTV or Dish. If you have a DTV Travler, it can be converted to Dish for about $300. You cannot easily convert a Dish Travler to DTV.

schad · 04-25-2021, 02:09 PM

For what it's worth, after having done the DirecTV-to-Dish conversion, I'd recommend swapping from the Trav'ler to something like the RF Mogul instead. Turns out that the Trav'ler will only target the western arc sats, which is pretty useless for me here in New England. I don't regret the conversion, because the one eastern arc sat I can target has most channels, and an RF Mogul would've been quite a bit more expensive and difficult than just $300. But if you are converting from an in-motion sat, I would strongly recommend against the Trav'ler.

mike625 · 04-25-2021, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatMann

my question is whether I should have the DirecTV dish moved to the Anthem.

If the dealer is not charging much to move it & your coach has just the in-motion, I would, but we do watch / have movies / News in the background all day long.

Our 18 came with the Traveler install & was pre-wired for adding an in-motion, so the wiring was already there for be there both.

We have both installed because it was one of the DW requirements.

Also one more note - The in-motion dish can be SWM also, I had it setup that way on my prior motorhome.

Nowabeachbum · 04-25-2021, 02:49 PM

At this point, you might consider investing in a robust exterior cell/WiFi antenna and 1 or 2 cell services then forgo the satellite system. I have both and really use my dish tv to get mostly local stations that I would probably get over the air. That’s pretty expensive for just that.

PatMann · 04-25-2021, 05:31 PM

I recently read that domes didn't perform well. Seems that many have switched to Dish b/c of poor customer service. I have DTV in my home, and apparently I have been fortunate not to have issues. I have no interest in the in-motion feature - my sister sleeps most of the time while I drive.

If I understand correctly, if the dome is on the coach, I should replace it with my SWM. If it is the Travler, but set up for Dish, I should replace it with my SWM. If it is the Travler and set up with DTV, keep it. Is this correct? Any opinion which is better - Travler or SWM?

I replaced a Kingdome that died with the SWM a number of years ago, and I have no complaints with it.

Installing cell/wifi antennas is something I should do for many reasons, but my eyes glaze over with all of the information I have read. That is on my short list to learn before a big trip planned in August. There is so much to know and learn that I end up completely confused. Satellite isn’t always the best option, but the learning curve is non-existent.

I was not familiar with RF Mogul. If my Tiffin didn’t already have a SWM dish, I would definitely consider switching, but for now I need to go the least expensive route.

Pat

schad · 04-25-2021, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatMann

I was not familiar with RF Mogul. If my Tiffin didn’t already have a SWM dish, I would definitely consider switching, but for now I need to go the least expensive route.

If your new coach (congrats, by the way!) doesn't already come with what you need, I suspect your cheapest option is going to be one of the portable dishes that you install on the ground. We pay a lot for convenience.

Prairie Dog · 04-25-2021, 05:49 PM

Looks like the Direct TV receivers are on back order too

PatMann · 04-25-2021, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schad

If your new coach (congrats, by the way!) doesn't already come with what you need, I suspect your cheapest option is going to be one of the portable dishes that you install on the ground.

What I meant by the least expensive route was to either move the SWM from my Bus or keep what is currently on the Anthem (if it's a Travler set up for DTV), rather than buying a new satellite dish. I just can't justify replacing it if I already have something that will work out.

Gary.Jones · 04-25-2021, 07:33 PM

IMO, don’t even consider dealing with Direct. DISH is so much easier to deal with direct is TERRIBLE!’

Gary

MRUSA14 · 04-25-2021, 07:44 PM

Until you ca; tell us what dish is on your new coach it is hard to advise you with any specificity.

What do you mean by your SWM dish? Is that a manually operated ground dish? What receiver do you have in your current coach?

PatMann · 04-26-2021, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

Until you ca; tell us what dish is on your new coach it is hard to advise you with any specificity.

What do you mean by your SWM dish? Is that a manually operated ground dish? What receiver do you have in your current coach?

I emailed the salesman for specific information on what is currently in the coach. The Bus has a fully automatic DTV slimline (I think) dish. Can't answer your question about the receiver - just know that it is at least as old as the dish that we had installed at least 5 -6 years ago, and frankly I don't remember if it was in the coach when we bought it.

mike625 · 04-26-2021, 05:35 AM

My 2 cents -

I recently read that domes didn't perform well.
- I've had the domes on both RV's and not had any issues & both perform well

I have DTV in my home, and apparently I have been fortunate not to have issues.
In the same boat & have had them for over 20 years, but we do not change our local stations when we travel, we just use the campground or OTA.

If I understand correctly, if the dome is on the coach, I should replace it with my SWM. If it is the Travler, but set up for Dish, I should replace it with my SWM. If it is the Travler and set up with DTV, keep it. Is this correct? Any opinion which is better - Travler or SWM?

SWM is the technology DTV has been using to pipe the signal to the receivers - It will work with the in-motion or Traveler. It splits the signal so everything does not need to be run to the Dish. see the pic below - the SWM is an external box in red or built into the LNB