[MudMover]

My father and mother will be transitioning to DirecTV soon from Dish. Actually they are coming back to DirecTV. They have a fifth wheel travel trailer they routinely travel in (especially when hurricanes force them to evac). He can set up the dish network dish he has with no issue....but my question is:

How hard will it be for him to set up a DirectTV dish every time he sets up?

Should he only go with One LNB Direct dish? Or is it really hard to point a Slimline provided he has a good plumb mount on the travel trailer....he can fabricate anything to mount a good mount so that's not an issue. He doesn't have an HD TV in the travel trailer (and I don't know his intentions on that....so I doubt they'll get one there..that's what made me think one LNB dish to start out with.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jdspencer]

If all the programming on the 101 sat is enough, then go with the simple round dish. It shouldn't be a problem. The Slimline is a bit more complicated, but can also be done.

 

[ptalbot]

The 18" round dish is a snap. I can usually set one up in well under 5 minutes, and the toughest part for me is getting a level spot to place the tripod. I will eventually go with a HR21/AM21 combo in the fifth wheel and will likely need some add'l tools for getting alignment done in a short timeframe.

 

[MudMover]

Thanks guys....I may add...I'm probably buying him a signal meter for Christmas so it'll make things easier for him to set it up.

 

[Grentz]

The other thing to remember is that you can just align the slimline for 101. If you do that it is a snap as well.

 

[davring]

The other thing to remember is that you can just align the slimline for 101. If you do that it is a snap as well.

Except if it is not roof mounted it is much harder to store and carry around than the little round dish.

 

[Grentz]

Except if it is not roof mounted it is much harder to store and carry around than the little round dish.

True, just thought I would throw the option out there. That way if you do need the HD sats in the future you have the option right there

 

[curt8403]

things to consider.

automatic system runs around 2000 to 3000 dollars. manual systems run around 300 or so.

Dishpointer.com is a good site for getting directions for aiming dish.

if the system is setup with only the RV on the account, you can file a Motor Vehicle Affidavitt, that will allow you to get east and west coast feeds

HD almost needs an automatic dish for most people

 

[MudMover]

Thanks Curt. However the acct will be the same as their household acct so theres no need for the MV affidavit (but a good idea)...but he's got a dang good OTA antenna on the 5th wheel already....he can really pull some stuff in....now...if it's HD...that's another story.

I'm probably thinking something like a Slimline mounted on a piece of conduit...that way they don't have to worry about remounting it all the time (he's got the storage space...so no issue there). And slipping it either into or over another piece of conduit that will be attached to the bumper (again removable as required)....and set with set screws/bolts so it doesn't move. That way all he's got to do is put the dish/pipe into the bumper mount....and set the skew and elevation...and rotate until he's got it locked up.

We'll work on it together...between my engineering mind..and his practical knowledge...we can come up with something.

Thanks to all those who responded.

 

[1948GG]

My father and mother will be transitioning to DirecTV soon from Dish. Actually they are coming back to DirecTV. They have a fifth wheel travel trailer they routinely travel in (especially when hurricanes force them to evac). He can set up the dish network dish he has with no issue....but my question is:

How hard will it be for him to set up a DirectTV dish every time he sets up?

Should he only go with One LNB Direct dish? Or is it really hard to point a Slimline provided he has a good plumb mount on the travel trailer....he can fabricate anything to mount a good mount so that's not an issue. He doesn't have an HD TV in the travel trailer (and I don't know his intentions on that....so I doubt they'll get one there..that's what made me think one LNB dish to start out with.

Thanks in advance.

'How Hard' is a personal thing.

I've had a portable single-LNB (16") portable dish for well over 14 years. Biggest thing is GET A GOOD BASIC COMPASS (cost: <$10). One short look at it will give a good idea of where the 101/Ku sat is, second, GET A CHEAPO in-line signal meter (cost: <$20). This system served me well for both RV and motel/hotel up through last year; of course, one needs to make sure (with the motel/hotel) to get a room with southern exposure, and get a couple of those 'flat coax' pieces to go through the sliders and such.

With the RV, get a couple good hunks of decent highly flexable RG6 coaxes (keep away from the standard semi-rigid types). That type is available from any good on-line cable store, get a couple of 50+' sections.

I started moving to HD last year, bought a Slimline with a tripod, and upgraded to a HD DVR for the 5th wheel. In doing 'testing' in my driveway, I found that the OLD meter I had used for years for Ku was 'good enough' to point the dish for what is, in reality, a non-permanent installation. I've found that getting 101 peaked up will get the 99/103 sats fairly well set in (sigs at least 70+), with 110/119 at the same level at a minimum. I thought at first that I'd have to pony up for one of the expensive meters, but it simply isn't needed, again, for temporary use.

The only bit*h is running the dual coax runs; but now that the SWMLNB is 'available', I've got that one my 'xmas wish list'. I'll see what the price is doing around the end of the year. BTW, I did buy an 'extra' standard LNB assembly 'just in case' one of them went out on me 'on the road'. Different make/model.

Again, the key for those who've never set any of this up, is to do it a few times in the driveway at home before heading on out. But except for the obvious increased size (and weight) of the Slimline, it's worth it to do HD. At some point, the 'new' 99/101/103 Slimline will become available, but of course if any locals are on 110/119, it won't get those. But like I said, it simply IS NOT THAT HARD to set up and get 'good enough' signals doing this on the road.

Total Cost (less the reciever/DVR of course): <$300 for dish/tripod/LNB's for Slimline system

Single LNB system, virtually free at this point. There are tons of 18" dishes out there, with single or dual LNB's, for next to nothing. Bash together a 'mount' and you're good to go.

The thing to keep in mind, THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT WHATSOEVER! All the threads you read here about poor installations is simply because the level of 'tech' the companies hire to do the work are usually about one step above (or below) folks that mow lawns for a living.

The biggest thing I've found that can confuse folks, especially up north near Canada, is the power level of the Nimiq sat is so strong, that one sometimes 'zeros in' on it (at 91deg) rather than DirecTV at 101. But down south (I used to live in Pensacola and St. Petersburg 10 years ago) it's not a problem whatsoever.

If SD is all they need, go ahead and pick up one of the old 18" dishes and 'play around' with it. Get the simple $20 in-line meter. Hook it up to your receiver. Play around with aiming it. You'll be surprised at how easy it is.

Of course, this is for SD only. But the HD Slimline is a pretty simple step up, and having a DVR 'on the road' is really REALLY nice.

 

[curt8403]

remember, spot beams do not reach. other than that. good luck

 

[1948GG]

remember, spot beams do not reach. other than that. good luck

That's 'yes and no'. The Ku spots are at least 2-300 miles, so if one is talking about someone in, say, Mobile, moving up to Birmingham or something like that, it will be a few points lower, but still well within receiveability. The Ka spots (from the Spaceways or DirecTV10/11) are variable, but again, 100-200 miles it will be a bit lower, but there is no 'absolute cut-off' point, it all slowly fades down, and where one might get 100 on the signal meter at home, 100 miles away that might be 80. Still well above the digital RF 'threshold' of 40 or so.

Sure, less rain fade. But again, we're talking temporary here.

If you have a DMA 'next door' to your own, one can get an idea on how the spots operate. The Ku spots next to me, Spokane, Yakima, and Portland OR, are all well above 50 and the 'boresight' on those are well over 150-300 miles away. The Ka spots from both Spokane and Portland (Yakima has yet to get Ka/HD) are around 20+, below threshold, but as I travel with my 'rig', once I get within 150 miles or so the signals are well above 50+, and if I had permissions for them I would get the reception.

Of course, as I move away from Seattle, which I do have as my 'locals' of course, it takes at least 200 miles before the signals are starting to get too weak to 'lock in' on (on Ka). Another 100 or so and the Ku's are dropping out.

Also, one has to also figure that my DMA is VERY large next to a lot of the eastern cities, and reaches from the Canadian border to just a few miles north of Oregon, and east/west wise is pretty 'fat'. So local conditions do come into effect, but there isn't a 'stone wall' out there RF wise that stops the spot-beams right at a county line or something.

As anyone gets familiar with the system, they can eventually figure what can, and cannot, be expected. Of course, being an RV, they can always apply for the RV exemption (which I had for years), and get the national networks. But I gave them up several years ago as not really worth the expense.

 

[66stang351]

My father and mother will be transitioning to DirecTV soon from Dish. Actually they are coming back to DirecTV. They have a fifth wheel travel trailer they routinely travel in (especially when hurricanes force them to evac). He can set up the dish network dish he has with no issue....but my question is:

How hard will it be for him to set up a DirectTV dish every time he sets up?

Should he only go with One LNB Direct dish? Or is it really hard to point a Slimline provided he has a good plumb mount on the travel trailer....he can fabricate anything to mount a good mount so that's not an issue. He doesn't have an HD TV in the travel trailer (and I don't know his intentions on that....so I doubt they'll get one there..that's what made me think one LNB dish to start out with.

Thanks in advance.

Not much hard to set up the Slimline. I have used the single and triple LNB dishes and now use the slimline on a tripod. The slimline is actually the easiest to set up because of the fine tune adjustments.

Thanks guys....I may add...I'm probably buying him a signal meter for Christmas so it'll make things easier for him to set it up.

If you are thinking about spending on a good signal meter you can get one that sees the KA band signals so it is easier to peak a slimline.

 

[jimisham]

Check out this forum.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/38.cfm
I've seen some great ideas and pictures regarding mounts for satellite dishes.