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satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
We are trying to decide if we should do satellite on a new LD.  Should we do manual or automatic.  Should we have LD do it or buy one later? 

How much battery power does satellite require?
How well does satellite work in campgrounds and boon docking?
How well does phone and internet work with satellite?
How hard is it to get the Manual Satellite Antenna positioned?
How well does the automatic satellite antenna work?
Does a cell phone work well enough for internet and phone when in remote areas?

Wondering if people recommend skipping Satellite, doing Manual Satellite, or doing automatic satellite.
How much does Satellite TV, internet and phone cost?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
2019 Mid Bath 27’
Bonnie & David Prouty
Full timing since August 2019 when we picked up the LD.
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #1 –
Bonnie,

The following  is just a personal opinion. Our first  LD had a manual dish and the one we have now has an automatic dish. Because of the rain problems I wish we still had the manual dish. We are from Minnesota where rain is not uncommon.

How much battery power does satellite require?
    1) When we watch 4-5 hours of tv, our batteries are at around 80 percent in the morning.

How well does satellite work in campgrounds and boon docking?
     2) The satellite works equally well in the campground or boondocking, its all a
matter of trees blocking the satellite signal. And, of course in a campground you get to use their power.
         
How well does phone and internet work with satellite?
       3) phone and internet  do not work on tv satellite.

How hard is it to get the Manual Satellite Antenna positioned?
        4) With some practice, not hard at all.

How well does the automatic satellite antenna work?
         5) The automatic dish is more susceptible to signal loss during rain and rain clouds because it
              Is a smaller sized dish and moisture can accumulate on the dome. That said, the manual
               Dish can also be affected by the same weather although to a lesser degree.

Does a cell phone work well enough for internet and phone when in remote areas?
           6) Only when you are within range of a cell tower.

Wondering if people recommend skipping Satellite, doing Manual Satellite, or doing automatic satellite.
            7) Only you can know if you need satellite or not. If you stay close to bigger cities or in
                 campgrounds you can use the tv antenna or hook up to cable in the campground.

How much does Satellite TV, internet and phone cost?
             Satellite service probably starts around $40 and can easily get to $250. I think Dish still     has a monthly service while Directv does not, although you can suspend Directv service for 6 months of the year, with qualifications. I'm sure you already have mobile phones. internet probably $50 and up.

Dave And Sandy
2014 Mid Bath

Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #2 –
Dave's response was pretty much on target.  My response is based on 9 years fulltiming, using DishNetwork with manual dish setup using a Birddog meter, lots of boon docking so no shore power, solar panels, and 6 big AGM batteries.

Power - My DVR draws enough to really draw down my batteries to about 70% if it is plugged in all night.  Note that it is drawing power even if you are not watching TV.  Different DVR's draw different amounts.  Determine the power demand of the DVR you plan to use, and look at your battery bank capacity.  TV is less of a draw, but is dependent on whether the TV is on or not.

Satellite in campgrounds - I have ben in some campgrounds where I had to place my dish about 100 feet from the rig to get a signal.  With an automatic system I would have been blocked by trees.

Positioning a manual dish - I use a Birdog Ultra meter.  That usually makes alignment easy if there is a clear line of sight, taking two to three minutes.  Add trees, and I have spent as much as an hour to locate my dish.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #3 –
We elected to go with the automatic satellite though it is very expensive compared the other automatic satelittes available.  We also carry a Dish tailgater that works well when trees are blocking the view of the auto satellite.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #4 –
An automatic satelite without a dome works fine in the rain. (Winegard Traveler).

Those with dome and rain problems can cure it with the spray coating product called NeverWet. I assume it is still made by Rustoleum. Home Depot used to sell it. Maybe they will special order it for you. An application lasts six months. All dome systems have rain issues.

I use the KVH automatic in motion system (with 5" high dome) called TracVision. They have models A-5, A-7, and A-9. I don't recommend them because they are very expensive but the NeverWet works very, very well. I use it.

If LD will install a Winegard Traveler for you, get it. It weighs 65lbs, I think, and they will make sure the roof is properly reinforced.
Harry 2006RB
Harry 2006RB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #5 –
Quote from: hbn7hj  - 
If LD will install a Winegard Traveler for you, get it. It weighs 65lbs, I think, and they will make sure the roof is properly reinforced.

I'm not sure the factory will install the Trav'ler, but I'd certainly let them know that I was going to get one installed so that they could reinforce the roof.

We have a Winegard Trav'ler.  If we didn't, I'd opt for an open-faced, multiple LNB manual dish on a tripod.  More hassle to set up than the automatic Trav'ler, but it doesn't have the draw backs of a dome.
Linda Hylton
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #6 –
When we ordered our 2017 MB, we attempted to get the factory to reinforce the roof so we could buy a different satellite.  They refused our request, and said to either chose the manual satellite or automatic satellite.  When I question them about why not install a Winegard (much less expensive), they said they had nothing but problems with it and decided to go with the one they currently offer.  In our previous 2 Class As, we had zero problems with Winegard.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #7 –
What about a dish that is portable?  Is that a good option.  Store it when not using it and place it where it has good reception?

Thank you all for your helpful responses.
2019 Mid Bath 27’
Bonnie & David Prouty
Full timing since August 2019 when we picked up the LD.
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor  - 
They refused our request, and said to either chose the manual satellite or automatic satellite.  When I question them about why not install a Winegard (much less expensive), they said they had nothing but problems with it and decided to go with the one they currently offer.

As far as I know, the factory's automatic satellite dish is a dome.  We've had a Winegard Trav'ler (automatic roof-mounted open-faced dish) for several years and haven't had a problem with it. 
Linda Hylton
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #9 –
How heavy is their automatic dome install?

We chose the manual dish and put a wifi flat, long distance, 18db, antenna on it's face. Pretty expensive at $1000 for a directional, aimable, wifi system but it works. I haven't seen a Winegard Trav'ler on an LD. Maybe Lynda hylton's is on an LD and the weight is fine.

We intended to eventually install a manual system but never did. The TracVision flat dome is 49lbs over a wide area which we put on the back and have had no problems. It is not HD with Direct TV. The A9 is HD with Dish but at $4k with rain problems is not the best solution. Find a way to get the Winegard. Maybe it can handle the weight, as is. If over the cab shouldn't handle the weight maybe some other location can. Don't buy what you don't want,

For an over the air antenna we are happy with the Winegard Automatic which is different than the Trav'ler. Had a warranty issue with it which they took care of so cannot verify it's longevity but when it works it works very well. 95 stations in Phoenix, 96 in San Diego. (I know they are not all viewable but that is what it came up with.) It works better than the standard Winegard crank up. Wonder what it will come up with on Long Island, next to New York City?
Harry 2006RB
The Winegard Automatic over the air antenna is on a Roadtrek.
 
Harry 2006RB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Dave and Sandy Hasselberg  - 
Bonnie,

The following  is just a personal opinion. Our first  LD had a manual dish and the one we have now has an automatic dish. Because of the rain problems I wish we still had the manual dish. We are from Minnesota where rain is not uncommon.

How much battery power does satellite require?
    1) When we watch 4-5 hours of tv, our batteries are at around 80 percent in the morning.

How well does satellite work in campgrounds and boon docking?
    2) The satellite works equally well in the campground or boondocking, its all a
matter of trees blocking the satellite signal. And, of course in a campground you get to use their power.
         
How well does phone and internet work with satellite?
      3) phone and internet  do not work on tv satellite.

How hard is it to get the Manual Satellite Antenna positioned?
        4) With some practice, not hard at all.

How well does the automatic satellite antenna work?
        5) The automatic dish is more susceptible to signal loss during rain and rain clouds because it
              Is a smaller sized dish and moisture can accumulate on the dome. That said, the manual
              Dish can also be affected by the same weather although to a lesser degree.

Does a cell phone work well enough for internet and phone when in remote areas?
          6) Only when you are within range of a cell tower.

Wondering if people recommend skipping Satellite, doing Manual Satellite, or doing automatic satellite.
            7) Only you can know if you need satellite or not. If you stay close to bigger cities or in
                campgrounds you can use the tv antenna or hook up to cable in the campground.

How much does Satellite TV, internet and phone cost?
            Satellite service probably starts around $40 and can easily get to $250. I think Dish still    has a monthly service while Directv does not, although you can suspend Directv service for 6 months of the year, with qualifications. I'm sure you already have mobile phones. internet probably $50 and up.

Dave And Sandy
2014 Mid Bath
Just curious, but why does rain affect the manual dish differently than the automatic dish?
"Our first  LD had a manual dish and the one we have now has an automatic dish. Because of the rain problems I wish we still had the manual dish. We are from Minnesota where rain is not uncommon. "

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #11 –
Don't have one. Don't want one.
But, FYI
Got the CW sale ad in the mail today.

DISH Playmaker portable satellite TV antenna #89655. $299.
Wally DISH HD receiver #87758 . $89.97

I've seen these portable units mounted on a platform attached to the ladder.

Ed



Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #12 –
Our 2002 has a Wineguard manual dish that I think was factory installed. Is it to old/outdated to use?
Lynn and Lori
 
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #13 –
"Just curious, but why does rain affect the manual dish differently than the automatic dish?"
"Our first  LD had a manual dish and the one we have now has an automatic dish. Because of the rain problems I wish we still had the manual dish. We are from Minnesota where rain is not uncommon. "

That is easy. The automatic dish has a dome. Domes are bothered by rain. The Winegard Trav'ler is an automatic dish with no dome. Rain doesn't seem to bother an exposed dish as much, but wind can.

There are "work arounds" but they require some effort.
Harry 2006RB
Harry 2006RB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #14 –
Quote from: hbn7hj  - 
"Just curious, but why does rain affect the manual dish differently than the automatic dish?"
"Our first  LD had a manual dish and the one we have now has an automatic dish. Because of the rain problems I wish we still had the manual dish. We are from Minnesota where rain is not uncommon. "

That is easy. The automatic dish has a dome. Domes are bothered by rain. The Winegard Trav'ler is an automatic dish with no dome. Rain doesn't seem to bother an exposed dish as much, but wind can.

There are "work arounds" but they require some effort.
Harry 2006RB
Ah so! I forgot about the auto dishes being domed.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Duro  - 
Our 2002 has a Wineguard manual dish that I think was factory installed. Is it to old/outdated to use?

It will have the same problems as a dome:

If you are a DirecTV customer, you won't be able to receive HD programming.  However, most (all?) of DirecTV's SD programming is on one satellite, so you won't have to worry about trying to find more than one satellite (the manual dish you have only *sees* one satellite at a time, just like any dome).

If you are a Dish customer, while your older manual satellite dish should be able to receive Dish's HD programming, programming is spread across 3 satellites.  You'll either have to decide which satellite to watch, or re-aim the satellite each time you want to watch a program on a different satellite -- which, IMO, would quickly become a real PITA!  Many years ago, most of Dish's SD programming was on one satellite (either the 110 or the 119...I don't recall now).  Whether that's still the case, I don't know since we now have the Winegard Trav'ler.  Most of Dish's HD programming is on the 129 satellite (but I don't know if that's true for ALL of Dish's HD programming).
Linda Hylton
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #16 –
Linda,

Prior to your Winegard, did you have a factory original dish? If so, which one and did the footprint of the Winegard match up or were significant modifications necessary?  Hoping to place my order with the Mother Ship in June and trying to plan which option is best (better)...not interested in a portable unit at this point, though I understand the benefits, don't think Im interested in storing/securing and running cable through windows or wherever etc...

Thanks
Sherry
(Nikki's daughter  8) )

Future owner of unknown model LD (looking forward to Morro Bay, open house and getting closer to decision)

Sherry
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #18 –
"don't think Im interested in storing/securing and running cable through windows or wherever etc..."

Sherry,

I have a 2017 Lazy Daze on order (delivery hopefully in May, but possibly first week of June) and I did not order a satellite antenna from Lazy Daze.  I also didn't want to run cables through windows so I'm having them run a cable to the TV cab.  They are charging me $125.  Later, I plan to get a satellite dish that I can move around.

Monica
Monica
2017 MB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #19 –
"don't think Im interested in storing/securing and running cable through windows or wherever etc..."

Sherry,

I have a 2017 Lazy Daze on order (delivery hopefully in May, but possibly first week of June) and I did not order a satellite antenna from Lazy Daze.  I also didn't want to run cables through windows so I'm having them run a cable to the TV cab.  They are charging me $125.  Later, I plan to get a satellite dish that I can move around.

Monica
Monica
2017 MB
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #20 –
Quote from: SherryB  - 
I went to Winegards website and appears the Trav'ler can get DirecTV HD... maybe a new thing?


We're talking two different types of satellite dishes.

I was answering Duro's question and he has the older manual single-LNB satellite dish (which is the only one the factory installs other than a dome).  This satellite dish will not receive DirecTV's HD programming.

The Winegard Trav'ler has 3 LNBs which *sees* all the satellites at once.  If you get the one for DirecTV, then, yes, you'll get HD (as well as the one for Dish).
Linda Hylton
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #21 –
Quote from: SherryB  - 
Hoping to place my order with the Mother Ship in June and trying to plan which option is best

The factory offers two options for a satellite dish:  A manual open-faced, single-LNB dish which I described above (the kind Duro has).  Or a dome (I don't know what brand).

Personally, I wouldn't get either because of the limitations I've already described.  Maybe those limitations aren't important to you (or you watch very little TV).  If not, I'd opt for the dome since all you have to do is push a button and it finds the satellite all by itself.  (I'm assuming that the factory is installing a dome that is capable of toggling between the satellites.) 

We used to have a manual dish when we first started fulltiming and it could be a PITA to tune in the satellite...I no longer have the patience to do so anymore!

If you are a TV watcher like we are, I would opt for the after-market Winegard Trav'ler, either in the Dish version or the DirecTV version.  You can get a similar manual dish on a tripod, but, there again, you have to manually tune in all three satellites...not something *I* want to be bothered with!

YMMV.
Linda Hylton
Re: satellite-yes or no - automatic or manual adjust - phone/internet
Reply #22 –
I use a DishNetwork house-type dish on a tripod that I can place - wherever.  I get 110 and 119, and I get quite a bit of HD with that setup.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB