Community Forums

SewBzzzy · 06-09-2008, 09:05 AM

I've read and READ the forums on satelite TV, Dish Network, etc. ......and I still have a couple questions. We currently have Dish Network (3 receivers) in our house and are thinking about adding satelite TV to our 2005 Winnebago Sightseer. We know NOTHING about how this process works! I see in camping world, they sell a Winegard Portable Satelite antenna for $115.49. We can't afford the $1,000 plus to have one mounted on our MH, so am looking for a portable one. My husband mainly wants it for sport events, but some occasional "good TV" in the evening for me would be a bonus! What would all be required for a portable dish? Do we need to purchase a receiver from Dish Network? What other equipment would be needed? Would this dish serve our purpose? Would we receive all the channels we receive at home? HELP!!

SewBzzzy · 06-09-2008, 09:05 AM

I've read and READ the forums on satelite TV, Dish Network, etc. ......and I still have a couple questions. We currently have Dish Network (3 receivers) in our house and are thinking about adding satelite TV to our 2005 Winnebago Sightseer. We know NOTHING about how this process works! I see in camping world, they sell a Winegard Portable Satelite antenna for $115.49. We can't afford the $1,000 plus to have one mounted on our MH, so am looking for a portable one. My husband mainly wants it for sport events, but some occasional "good TV" in the evening for me would be a bonus! What would all be required for a portable dish? Do we need to purchase a receiver from Dish Network? What other equipment would be needed? Would this dish serve our purpose? Would we receive all the channels we receive at home? HELP!!

diandtom · 06-09-2008, 11:46 AM

I have the same setup at home with Dishnetwork. I got a 500 dish from ebay for around $75.00 with shipping. It came with 100 feet of cable and a meter to help with setup. I have a 322 receiver in the spare bedroom that I took with us. It requires two inputs or a separator which i got and could not get it to work. I could only get one or two channels. It failed test also. I just happen to have a older receiver (i think a 311 not sure) and it will work after calling Dishnetwork and giving them the serial numbers and smart card numbers. They said only $5.00 per month would be added to my bill, but when I got home $24.00 was added to the bill. I have not called yet to find out why, but I plan to call. Hope this helps.

I wrote splitter and should have said separator
Tom

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 06-09-2008, 12:33 PM

I don't think you can split the signal with a splitter. You need a Diplexer. If you just use a splitter you'll only be able to watch / record only even or odd transponders but not either or.

Bill Adams · 06-09-2008, 01:40 PM

If you will only be traveling locally you can just take one receiver out of the house and put it in the RV where the Video Control Center is located. You may have a "satellite" connection in the same compartment that your cable connection lives but if not you can just run a cable through a window or route it through the grill/floor/sidewall to this receiver. You will then learn how to properly point the antenna to the correct satellite(s) with the help of the RVer next to you. Just stand there and look pitiful. An RVer will be right along!

diandtom · 06-09-2008, 06:17 PM

Rick, this is where I got my information for use with my 322 receiver. www.dishretailer.com/dpp/dpptwin.pdf
It said I should use a splitter to start with and then add the separator 123254.

RVJeeper · 06-10-2008, 03:10 PM

SewBzzzzy: You can get Dish working in your MH relatively cheaply by buying a used dish. I saw several on Craig's List for about $35.00. For a mount you can either get the regular tripod or splurge and get a Bullseye mount. If you don't want to take a receiver out of the house for your RV trips, you can buy one of those too for under $50.00 and have Dish activate it for you. After that it's just cable and maybe some devices to help you aim it.

If your Sightseer is like my Sunova all you have to do to use it is connect the antenna coax to the "Portable Satellite" connection in the utility bay and turn off the rooftop antenna power booster.