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smiller · 12-01-2013, 08:51 AM

I just purchased an used RV with a Winegard SK-3005 Trav'ler auto-seek satellite dish. The purchase was from a dealer who didn't seem to know anything about it, in fact I'm not sure they even knew it was there

. There is no receiver but the controller and antenna itself seem to work OK (antenna raises itself and searches for a satellite lock when powered up.) The SK-3005 model is intended for use with Directv but it apparently can be converted to a SK-1000 model (designed for Dish Network) using a conversion kit at the cost of about $400 (this seems to include an entirely new reflector and feed assembly.) I would prefer to go with Dish instead of Directv because our usage will be light and Dish will allow you to purchase monthly service while Directv has all sorts of restrictions on when and how you can suspend service. So my question is this: per the operator's manual, in addition to automatic acquisition the unit can also be manually commanded to search for a satellite at a specific position. If I have a Dish Network receiver can I simply manually command the unit to a Dish satellite locations of 110 or 119 or 129 degrees (these are listed as available locations in the controller menu) and receive a signal? I realize that with the 'wrong' reflector/feed arrangement I might be giving up simultaneous access to all the birds, but if I am content to use one satellite at a time is there any reason I cannot use a Dish Network receiver with the SK-3005 (i.e. are the LNBs compatible, etc.)?

Thanks,

Seth

docj · 12-01-2013, 09:10 AM

Someone may tell me I'm wrong, but I think your idea will work. The two systems use different satellites at the 110, 119 and 129 positions but they are very close together and aiming at one will, most likely, give you decent reception on the other. The frequency bands are the same, so there's no LNB issue. I hadn't realized that the Winegard would search for a 129 satellite, but I looked in the manual and it clearly can. It's definitely worth a try. All you would lose is the ability to automatically change satellite when you changed channels.

TechWriter · 12-01-2013, 11:39 AM

Spend the $400. I've used manual mode and it's a PITA.

smiller · 12-01-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter

I've used manual mode and it's a PITA.

Can I imply that you've done it and it does work?

hogdriver · 12-01-2013, 02:42 PM

I was told by Winegard Tech support all you need to do is change the antenna reflector and feed arm assembly. About $300 in parts. Then connect to your Dish receiver and it will work. You will need to run the "check switch" menu in the setup for Dish, but other than that the receiver will drive the antenna to where it needs to aim.

brobox · 12-01-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogdriver

I was told by Winegard Tech support all you need to do is change the antenna reflector and feed arm assembly. About $300 in parts. Then connect to your Dish receiver and it will work. You will need to run the "check switch" menu in the setup for Dish, but other than that the receiver will drive the antenna to where it needs to aim.

X2 on what Dave said. I have also confirmed with Winegard and the kit is available. Call Winegard and they will have you ready to change over. Reprogramming the control box they said could be done over the phone.

smiller · 12-01-2013, 03:00 PM

Thanks, I know I can convert the antenna and if I decide to go with Dish Network in all probability that's what I'll do. My real question is as described in the OP... has anyone manually pointed an SK-3005 at a Dish sat?

brobox · 12-02-2013, 05:04 AM

I have not manually pointed a Traveler for Direct TV to Dish birds, but have pointed a lot of other dishes and converted them during my hobby of Free To Air Satellite. It can be done to hit one satillte, take your pick of 110, 119 or 129. However it is NOT going to be easy, You will have to figure out how to change the skew and elevation on the Traveler. Maybe you could call Winegard and asked for the Dish control box reprogramming instructions. That would make it easy. Good luck and let us know how that works out.

docj · 12-02-2013, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

It can be done to hit one satillte, take your pick of 110, 119 or 129. However it is NOT going to be easy, You will have to figure out how to change the skew and elevation on the Traveler.

When you use the Trav'ler to aim at one dish there is no skew! Skew is something that comes into play when you're aiming at more than one satellite. No, you do don't have to "change" the elevation, when you go into manual mode you are "telling" the Trav'ler which (DirecTV) satellite to look for. If you tell it 119, for example, it will find the proper elevation for it. Since the DTV and Dish satellites are in the same orbital position, once you find one have probably found both.

If you have access to a Dish receiver it sounds as if this would be pretty easy to test. You would have to decide if you can live with manually repositioning the dish to point at the different satellites as you changed channels.

smiller · 12-02-2013, 06:32 AM

I'd like to test it but unfortunately I do not have access to a Dish Network receiver. I'd expect the pointing to work as docj described, was mostly concerned about whether the LNB would pass the correct frequency range but from what I read this doesn't seem like it would be a problem.

Anyway, thanks to all for your comments and in case anyone who has ever tried this sees this thread please leave a note regarding your experience.

docj · 12-02-2013, 06:50 AM

There definitely will not be an LNB problem. You can use the same round dishes for either network. The only different frequencies being used are those employed by DirecTV for its HD channels; the rest are all the same.

TVforMyRV · 12-02-2013, 09:04 AM

TechWriter is correct in that it can be done. I also agree with him that you will most likely find it to be too big of a pain to do repeatedly.

Dish receivers are finicky enough even when things are just right....

smiller · 12-02-2013, 09:32 AM

Actually I'd be fine with just sticking with Directv but their 24-month contracts and service suspension policy makes it economically impractical as my usage pattern just doesn't fit... I'd be using the service a fraction of the time I'd be paying for it. But others in my suitiation need not worry, Directv will relax their policies about 1 month after I perform the conversion...

brobox · 12-02-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

When you use the Trav'ler to aim at one dish there is no skew! Skew is something that comes into play when you're aiming at more than one satellite. No, you do don't have to "change" the elevation, when you go into manual mode you are "telling" the Trav'ler which (DirecTV) satellite to look for. If you tell it 119, for example, it will find the proper elevation for it. Since the DTV and Dish satellites are in the same orbital position, once you find one have probably found both.

If you have access to a Dish receiver it sounds as if this would be pretty easy to test. You would have to decide if you can live with manually repositioning the dish to point at the different satellites as you changed channels.

You are much better than I am at hitting the birds. After all these years, I didn't know it was that easy.