Quote:
Originally Posted by Centex10
It seems like there are a ton of options and variables along with a wide range of expense. Everyone appears to accomplish similar results in different ways. I had no idea this could get so complicated...
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agreed
but, let me tell you our progression as newby Satellite tv owners back in 2014
After our purchase of our Palazzo, we watched local Antenna stations, Cable tv if at a park that provided it, some DVDs, and even some Chrome movie streaming when a park had Wifi. For me, though, that got old as I wanted to always watch certain shows without regard to whether Antenna or Cable was available...
I researched the two providers and felt that DISH was the better option to start with. While parked at an RV park in Florida, I called DISH and told them that I wanted a portable 'tripod' mount satellite for 3 tvs in my coach so that I could take it with me when I traveled. They said it would be a $49.99 service/installation charge, and the techs would be scheduled to install in several days.
The techs came by, set up the Satellite 1000.2 tripod mounted Antenna, ran three coax cables from the satellite to the inside of the coach(I had them run them through a window for the time being), set VIP211k receivers at each TV, connected everything, and ran the setup and Acquiring Signal screens to get everything working properly. I had started programming with the 120Channels package, which had a beginning monthly cost for the first year of about $51. They NEVER charged me for the Antenna, tripod, cabling, connectors, or the Receivers! Sweet!
The monthly cost breakdown was:
$50 for the channel selections
$7 for each 'additional' receiver (x2)
$8 for the 'service protection plan' (waived during the first year)
some state and local taxes
[this does not add up to the $51 since Dish gives you certain 'discounts'
during the initial period]
Our current monthly cost, with now 250 Channels:
$113 monthly
We are full timers, so we never turn 'off' our service, we pay a monthly bill just like anyone at a house does. Interesting, though, we moved into a mountain cabin temporarily last summer and now use our TVs, Receivers, and Satellite antenna from the coach for our cabin. It makes no different where you use it, it works!
now... PORTABLE Satellite Antenna...
after moving around the country for a while with the tripod mounted manual antenna, and learning about setting it up and pointing it correctly at each location, I felt like having a Portable Automatic Acquisition antenna would be very nice, less aggravation, and less time involved.
I researched the DISH portable antenna options and decided on the KingTailgater2, which was relatively new to the market, and provided 2 outputs, rather than the older models with only 1. I ordered it online for $349 with free shipping, and it arrived in several days. I had already purchased additional lengths of coax cables and connectors for those instances where I might need to set the 'old' antenna out a fair way from the coach because of trees, etc.
The receivers use a slightly different, but easier, on-screen 'Acquiring Signal' screen for the portable unit versus the manual antenna since it points itself automatically.
What I love about this unit is that I can place it on my roof, move it around if needed, place it on the ground, on the roof of the car, or even run it 100' away in a clearing if needed. And, i installed several 2" 'studs' that protrude from the rear of the coach roof, near the ladder, that this portable unit can be 'mounted' on when traveling. Now, most of the time when traveling, I don't even have to leave the coach or move the unit to get my satellite signal.
Differences with a manual 1000.2 Antenna, and a Portable antenna:
- the 1000.2 'standard' antenna you see on most homes as 3 'eyes' that see all three DISH satellites... 110, 119, and HD 129. This means that 3 different receivers/tvs can view any channel, any time, on any tv simultaneously.
- the portable antennas have a SINGLE 'eye', which moves to each different satellite needed as your change channels, and therefore not only takes a second more to change channels(at least for those on a different satellite), but also limits the output to a single 'Main' receiver/tv, and a 'secondary' signal to another receiver/tv. This 'Main' tv will see channels as normal, but the 'secondary' tv will only see available channels that are on the Satellite that the Main receiver was tuned to at the time the secondary receiver 'acquired' it's signal. In other words, the second tv can't see channels on a satellite that the main tv is not tuned to at that time.
You'll get used to this option for a second tv, and it's quite enjoyable, it just takes some understanding.
Having the portable does not cost any more from DISH, they don't care how many antennas you have, only the number of receivers.
and, when traveling, chat with DISH online and give them your new 'Vacation' address so that they can send you the LOCAL CHANNELS for that area, such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. You can do this as often as you travel!
enjoy ! : )