Community Forums

Cummins Hot Rod · 11-27-2005, 04:56 PM

Not being much of a TV watcher I am way down on the learning curve with all the new technology and language. I do use the internet a lot and am pretty familiar with computer stuff. We are about to go fulltime and trying to decipher what folks are talking about with dish networks and so on leaves me without enough info to catch up to current technology. We would like to have TV and internet access both without spending $5000 on equipment and could use recomendations on your experiences or someplace to get the basics explained.
Thank You
John

Cummins Hot Rod · 11-27-2005, 04:56 PM

Not being much of a TV watcher I am way down on the learning curve with all the new technology and language. I do use the internet a lot and am pretty familiar with computer stuff. We are about to go fulltime and trying to decipher what folks are talking about with dish networks and so on leaves me without enough info to catch up to current technology. We would like to have TV and internet access both without spending $5000 on equipment and could use recomendations on your experiences or someplace to get the basics explained.
Thank You
John

11-29-2005, 02:56 AM

Cummins Hot a good place to start with the internet systems would be a site Datastormusers. Here you will find all types of information in the forums on different types of internet setups. Like you I am checking the different options out myself. For me I think the roof mounted system is the way to go. There is also a tripod system that is less expensive. Both have the capabilities of having TV added to them.

Derek aka Mindcandies

Bob Hatch · 11-30-2005, 04:25 AM

I don't know what happened to the reply I posted yesterday, but it's not here today, so I'll try again.

There are 3 ways to accomplish what you want.

1. A DataStorm dish with a BOW, (Bird on a Wire), for TV. The BOW is an attachment that puts the TV LNB at the proper offset from the Internet LNB so you can receive TV off the DataStorm dish. Cost will be about $4495 or more for the equipment plus install, so the total for equipment could run close to $6000.

Service costs will be $99.99 for Internet and $30.00 or more for TV depending on the package you choose.

2. A tripod setup for the Internet with a BOW. We bought our tripod from Dustfoot, http://www.dustyfoot.com for $1495.00, so the cost will be significantly less than the DataStorm. Monthly service fees will be at least $59.99 for Internet plus TV, again depending on what service level you choose.

3. A roof mounted dish for TV, and a tripod for Internet. The roof mount for TV can be auto seek or manual. The cost of this equipment can range from $159.00 plus install to well over $1000 for a dome type dish setup, plus service plans. I guess I should have added a 4th option of tripod dish's for both TV and DirecWay, but it's pretty much the same as this option.

Our choice was number 3, with a manual dish. It's worked well for us for 15,405 miles, 32 states, 2 Canadian Provinces, and over 90 moves in the last 14 months. I will set the Dustyfoot up if I get into a CG where I'll only be for one night, and I get there early enough to make it worth while to set the system up, and that's 90% of the time.

Dsouthw524 · 12-07-2005, 05:57 AM

A less costly method for Internet communication you might consider is a "air card" from your cell phone company. Several of them have this service (Verizon,Cingular etc.). Search the forum for discussion on this. You can then have the satelite TV service via the antenna system you choose (roof mount or tripod).

Another option is the use of landline connection or wireless at campgrounds for your internet connection.