Newbie Questions...About to take the plunge

[madavis3]

Hello Everyone,

I am getting ready to make the switch from my current cable provider (Insight) to D*. I’ve gained quite a bit of information from reading this forum so thanks to everyone for contributing.

Here is the setup I have come up with.

Pole mounted (5lnb)dish and another dish to receive local channels
1 HR20 for my HDTV
2 R15’s
1 Standard Receiver
1 6x8 Switch

After talking to one of my local providers here is what they want to charge me.
$50 – Pole mounting dish
$200 – HR20
$200 – R15’s
$0 – Standard Receiver
$180 – 6x8 Switch

I’m okay with everything other than the switch. It would seem to me that this should be thrown in with the deal. Worse case I can buy one off eBay for $25.

Another thing is I have an RV. Should I bargain for some sort of portable dish? I would think this is something that would be relatively inexpensive to get but would save me the $80 or so bucks that camping world wants to charge me for one.

Installation Questions

1. Should I expect the installer to run new lines to each of the DVR receivers since they are dual tuner? (All TV’s but one already have one RG6 cable running to them)

2. When mounting the dish on a pole…should I expect it to be mounted in concrete?

3. The pole will be about fifteen feet from the house. How should I expect the cable to be ran to the house? Buried? Or is this something that I’ll need to take care of?

Any help/guidance you could provide me would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks everyone!

[kevinturcotte]

I'd call Directv. You can probably get a much better deal than that.
Also, is a pole mount necessary? If it's necessary, they should do it for free.
They should be running 2 lines to each DVR (At no extra cost).
You can get a regular, 1 LNB dish online for cheap (MUCH cheaper than $80).

[cnmsales]

Uh, you are getting ripped off it sounds like to me. I agree, I would call D* direct. I bet you get off much cheaper.

[JeffBowser]

Gad, by all means call DirecTV - as a new customer\new install the switch and pole mount should not be charged, at the very least.

[veryoldschool]

Pole mounted (5lnb)dish and another dish to receive local channels
1 HR20 for my HDTV
2 R15’s
1 Standard Receiver
1 6x8 Switch

After talking to one of my local providers here is what they want to charge me.
$50 – Pole mounting dish
$200 – HR20
$200 – R15’s
$0 – Standard Receiver
$180 – 6x8 Switch

Why two dishes? Do you local SD channels come from the 72.5 SAT?
I'm not sure a pole mount will be free. Some installers will do it for free, others want to just drill & screw the dish.
Yes the 2" pole should be [needs to be] mounted in concrete.
The digging of the trench might be better if you do it. It might make the pole mount more attractive to the installer if you've helped him out.
The Zinwell WB68 multi-switch should be free since you need it for the receivers.
If the RG6 is in good shape, it should be fine to reuse.
Do call D* and see what deals they can offer.

[joe diamond]

Also try,
American Satellite & Entertainment.....1888-999-3151-------I am affiliate 3363-----and I know they can do better + they will have a local installer to whom you can show the work. You are a little out of the free installation mode but they are honest and will advise you even if you sign up through some one else. Make DTV last.

Joe Diamond
3363

[Stuart Sweet]

If you are prepared to spend some time on the phone with DIRECTV, you should be able to walk away with a much, much better deal. I've known people to get everything you're describing, for $99 with a 2-year contract. Just be firm and spend the time you need.

[madavis3]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm going to look into some different options and see what kind of deal I can swing.

[mjgolli]

If they are charging you that much for a WB68, then run, don't walk to a more reputable dealer or to D* direct.

Also, if you are in an RV, they will probably make you get a separate account without any sports channels. Heaven forbid you would want to watch in a blackout area. You could just use an already activated receiver and set up a dish temporarily. Might be a pain to align the 5-lnb every time, but the 1 and 3-lnb dishes are pretty easy once you get used to them. This would, however, would probably be naughty in the eyes of D*.

- Mike



After talking to one of my local providers here is what they want to charge me.
$50 – Pole mounting dish
$200 – HR20
$200 – R15’s
$0 – Standard Receiver
$180 – 6x8 Switch

I’m okay with everything other than the switch. It would seem to me that this should be thrown in with the deal. Worse case I can buy one off eBay for $25.

Another thing is I have an RV. Should I bargain for some sort of portable dish? I would think this is something that would be relatively inexpensive to get but would save me the $80 or so bucks that camping world wants to charge me for one.