Portable Satellite Systems

[retiredhappy]

My roadtrek has only one outside connection for a cable but inside I have it connected to a "splitter" that has a toggle between "cable" and "satellite". Hoping this is sufficient. Am checking Ebay trying to find a "deal".

[Bethers]

My roadtrek has only one outside connection for a cable but inside I have it connected to a "splitter" that has a toggle between "cable" and "satellite". Hoping this is sufficient. Am checking Ebay trying to find a "deal".

That should work, Karen.

[BirdbyBird]

I stopped by Camping World this afternoon and checked out the Carryout. The salesman was explaining the system to myself and a gentleman who was also looking and researching. The salesman showed us the Weingard receiver that can be used with ether Dish or Direct. He told us the advantage is that you deal with Weingard to set up your service and it can be purchased month to month rather than a year or two at a time. I tried to look up more information on line tonight but I couldn't get the site to come up.

I did wander through some information about the "Trailgaiter" by Dish. It looks similar to the Qube.... From what I was reading the Tailgaiter and the receiver come in about $300 less than the Carryout and the receiver camping world was talking about. Anyone have any experience with the DIsh portable equipment and receiver?

[mitch5252]

Red, that's what I'm curious about...how easy was it, since you're not a full-timer, to have Directv change your zip while you were traveling? Did you do it more than once? Did it get screwed up (would surprise me if it didn't)? Did you have to explain why you were doing it? How about getting it back to your home zip?

I so want to get the Carryout. Did it latch on the satellites quickly?

[Redwahine]

Red, that's what I'm curious about...how easy was it, since you're not a full-timer, to have Directv change your zip while you were traveling? Did you do it more than once? Did it get screwed up (would surprise me if it didn't)? Did you have to explain why you were doing it? How about getting it back to your home zip?

I so want to get the Carryout. Did it latch on the satellites quickly?

It was easy to change. Just a phone call to DirectTV. Yes, did it twice. No screw up yet. Told them we were traveling and they asked for the address of our vacation location. Gave them the address of the RV park. Just got home tonight. Will call tomorrow to change back to home zip. Will let you know how it goes.

[Bethers]

I've been reading so much lol ... since I'm still not going to do it, but maybe will someday. That said, I know that DISH does month-by-month service. Does Direct TV? That would be the way I'd go if/when I ever do it. And Dish has some good packages available on line with equipment, etc ... to have everything you need as a full-time or part-timer with them ... without needing to have their service at home. If you want local channels, you don't have to call with the zip code, but like Carol said, you need to pay and extra $9.99 a month.

[Redwahine]

I've been reading so much lol ... since I'm still not going to do it, but maybe will someday. That said, I know that DISH does month-by-month service. Does Direct TV? That would be the way I'd go if/when I ever do it. And Dish has some good packages available on line with equipment, etc ... to have everything you need as a full-time or part-timer with them ... without needing to have their service at home. If you want local channels, you don't have to call with the zip code, but like Carol said, you need to pay and extra $9.99 a month.

That's what the DNS is. That is the extra $9.99

[rvgrammy1953]

Since we full time we have that regional programming for network viewing....but occasionally, we like to get local news, etc....this is our set up when "over the air" coverage is available....hook up DirecTV to the usual satellite plug....hook up cable to cable/over the air from antenna plug...run usual cables to receiver from satellite then cable to an "A/B"switch (sold at Radio Shack, Walmart, etc.) then hook up cable/over the air cable to the A/B switch...run cable from A/B switch to TV.....Switch to A or B for viewing of satellite or over the air networks....we've done this even before we got the regional networks as calling to have the "local" TV channels changed got to be a hassle and if you travel alot full timing the satellite companies limit switching (resetting local channels) to a set amount in a given time period....We've had the regional service for about 4 yrs. so forget how many switches they give you.... Just remember to turn on the power switch for the roof antenna... That's the step I forget the most....

[mitch5252]

From the Direct support site:


What is Distant Network Service (DNS)?

Distant Network Service (DNS) enables you to receive ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC channels from New York or Los Angeles. It's a great solution for travelers who want to enjoy these channels on the road in their mobile vehicle. If your main residence is qualified to receive Los Angeles/New York stations, you can also receive them in your RV, car or boat. If your main residence doesn't qualify for DNS, you may submit qualifying paperwork to obtain DNS channels. Please call DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000 for more information.

Please note that a separate DIRECTV account is required for DNS. Mirroring to the home is not allowed.


Red, for the $9.99, do you get all 4 networks from BOTH coasts? I thought each coast was a separate fee??

[rvgrammy1953]

Mitch, I don't think Red has DNS....and I just read her post about no limits to switching local channels, but 4 yrs. ago they were limiting how many switches and we found it to be a hassle so we opted for the DNS....got both East and West coast until 2 yrs. ago when they made us choose and are charging $15 for that service...well worth it for us being full timers...

[mitch5252]

Mitch, I don't think Red has DNS....and I just read her post about no limits to switching local channels, but 4 yrs. ago they were limiting how many switches and we found it to be a hassle so we opted for the DNS....got both East and West coast until 2 yrs. ago when they made us choose and are charging $15 for that service...well worth it for us being full timers...

I believe you're right. I was just defining DNS for people who didn't know what it was.

Having a regular house, I couldn't get DNS even if I wanted it. They require some sort of affidavit that you live in a moving home...

All this stuff is ever-changing...

.

[rvgrammy1953]

Mitch, I don't think Red has DNS....and I just read her post about no limits to switching local channels, but 4 yrs. ago they were limiting how many switches and we found it to be a hassle so we opted for the DNS....got both East and West coast until 2 yrs. ago when they made us choose and are charging $15 for that service...well worth it for us being full timers...

I believe you're right. I was just defining DNS for people who didn't know what it was.

Having a regular house, I couldn't get DNS even if I wanted it. They require some sort of affidavit that you live in a moving home...

All this stuff is ever-changing...

.

Yep, that's right....so we "keep it simple" and it all works for us....

[Azusateach]

Red, that's what I'm curious about...how easy was it, since you're not a full-timer, to have Directv change your zip while you were traveling? Did you do it more than once? Did it get screwed up (would surprise me if it didn't)? Did you have to explain why you were doing it? How about getting it back to your home zip?

I so want to get the Carryout. Did it latch on the satellites quickly?

I used my Carryout all the way from Wyoming to Washington and then down to the Mexican border here in CA and have never changed zip codes. I always get the same channels that I get at home INCLUDING the major network stations, which is fine by me. When we were in Wyoming I had to remember that things came on earlier, but that was no big deal. And yes, it latches on to the satellites quickly. I'm usually up and running in less than 5 minutes once everything is plugged in.

[Redwahine]

From the Direct support site:


What is Distant Network Service (DNS)?

Distant Network Service (DNS) enables you to receive ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC channels from New York or Los Angeles. It's a great solution for travelers who want to enjoy these channels on the road in their mobile vehicle. If your main residence is qualified to receive Los Angeles/New York stations, you can also receive them in your RV, car or boat. If your main residence doesn't qualify for DNS, you may submit qualifying paperwork to obtain DNS channels. Please call DIRECTV at 1-800-531-5000 for more information.

Please note that a separate DIRECTV account is required for DNS. Mirroring to the home is not allowed.


Red, for the $9.99, do you get all 4 networks from BOTH coasts? I thought each coast was a separate fee??

Mitch, I do not have DNS. I have the home base DirectTV and take the receiver in the rig to hook up to the Winegard Carryout portable dish.

[Acadianmom]

There was a story on MSN the other day that Dish Network was the 2nd most hated company in the country.

Martha