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06-18-2013, 10:20 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 33
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New to satellite while camping
I've had DirectTV for just over a year now and never considered bringing it camping. I have been able to get my hands on a dish and a tripod. From what I understand all I need from there is to bring my direct tv receiver and I have what I need to get started. My question is... Is there a how to guide or a step by step on setting this up. Where to point what satellite to aim at anything special I should know. I'm a first timer with this and looking for a satellite for dummies guide. Thanks in advance for the help.
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Viz+wife= 2 boys, 1 girl
Toby our boxer
2006 2500HD LBZ CC LB 4x4
2011 Keystone Passport 3050
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06-18-2013, 11:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: near Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 227
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If you do a google search, you'll get a bunch of tips and tricks for setting up a portable dish. There is a screen in the directv set up that will allow you to put in the zip code you are in and it will tell you the coordinance you need to aim the dish.
From there, I just use the on screen signal meter to dial in the signal.
I have a Vue Cube with a remote. It's far easier to set up.
Good luck.
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Scot
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie
2014 Raptor 27FS
2016 Polaris RZR S900
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06-19-2013, 02:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 297
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Satellite TV in Campers
You are probably going to have to make some coax modifications to get it to work successfully. Take a look at other posts on this forum for satellite TV.
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06-19-2013, 02:32 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PA
Posts: 30
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If you have a smart phone, several apps are available that can display the satellite positions on your screen. This provides you with the proper direction and you can determine if trees or other obstructions will block the view. I used a manual dish but would sometimes spend way too much time getting it setup. I got a Winegard satellite gm 1518 automatic dome. It will only receive the standard definition signal, but all you do is sit in a location that can see the satellites apply 12V power and the coax wire and in about 2 minutes you are watching TV. I use a 12V vehicle jump start unit that take a cigarette lite type plug and supply power to the dish. After the dish locks on the signal the 12V power can be disconnected. Then it off to roughing it around the fire with the TV.
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2011 F-250 Lariat Crewcab 6.2 gas
2013 Fuzion 300
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06-19-2013, 04:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwhit
If you have a smart phone, several apps are available that can display the satellite positions on your screen. This provides you with the proper direction and you can determine if trees or other obstructions will block the view. I used a manual dish but would sometimes spend way too much time getting it setup. I got a Winegard satellite gm 1518 automatic dome. It will only receive the standard definition signal, but all you do is sit in a location that can see the satellites apply 12V power and the coax wire and in about 2 minutes you are watching TV. I use a 12V vehicle jump start unit that take a cigarette lite type plug and supply power to the dish. After the dish locks on the signal the 12V power can be disconnected. Then it off to roughing it around the fire with the TV.
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I did the same, mine though is attached to the roof and I have a switch in side. Once I have my RV level and jacks down I turn the TV on, flick the switch inside and usually have signal by the time the slide is out. If not its always going by the time I get the mats out, beer fridge open and other odds and ends.
Although the phone apps and on-line videos are a huge asset when trying to do it yourself. As well with the manual of your receiver their should be a long list of directions and elevations you can go off of if your ok with a compass. As well there are little satellite finders you can purchase that you hook in, my experience with them they were not as good as the phone app as they would pick up any satellite out there. The only thing they were good for was if you had no one to watch the built in satellite finder or could not here it.
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06-19-2013, 07:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Posts: 196
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I take an HD box with me when I camp too. I have tried several apps that are suppossed to help you find the satellite you are suppossed to use but found they are not perfect. Sometimes I can get it right sometimes not.
What I found works the best is when you get where your going turn on your box and go into the satellite setup and punch in the zip code of where you are. It will give you your azimuth skew and elevation. Then switch to satellite signal meter in your box. Then go outside and adjust your dish. Once adjusted you can use a simple compass to find your azimuth and either you or you can have.someone else watch the signal meter on the TV to get the highest signal. I can usually get mine up to 95% or so.
I used a HDMI cable to get the input to the TV and just switch sources when I want to go back and forth from satellite and antenna.
The only thing you need to add is a SWM box if you have the newer Directv and have HD. Directv gave me everything for free. I installed my SWM box in the utility closet outside.
This is my setup. I can take a pic of the SWM box if you need it.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
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2016 3500HD Silverado Duramax LTZ
2012 Keystone Avalanche 341TG (Sold)
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06-19-2013, 03:10 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 859
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I have the VuCube 2000 that is a automatic satellite finder but you also have to have a clear view of the southern sky and of course up here in the North West we have a lot of trees in campgrounds therefore I need to know approx. location of satellites so I use (Dishpointer.com) All you have to do is type in the address, then choose what satellite company your with and what satellites you are looking for, click on the map where your camp site is and the green line will point to the direction of the satellite. In the last 2 1/2 years of owning the VuCube, I have never been without my DirecTV...
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Ron
99 Freightliner FL70 Western Hauler CC 300 HP Cat/Chipped/ Allison Auto
12 Montana 3800RE/Level-Up Auto Leveling/Slide Toppers/MorRyde Hitch/VuQube 2000
01 F350 7.3 PSD Crew Cab DRW 4X4 6 Speed/Chipped
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06-20-2013, 12:22 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bridge, Oregon
Posts: 399
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No TV
I know I'm going to "pinch some nerves", but I enjoy getting away from the TV. We take along a few DVDs in case we get shut-in due to inclement weather. It's hard to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors when you are glued to the "Tube"
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06-20-2013, 01:03 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suza
I know I'm going to "pinch some nerves", but I enjoy getting away from the TV. We take along a few DVDs in case we get shut-in due to inclement weather. It's hard to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors when you are glued to the "Tube"
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Where we camp, there's no electricity, so using the TV requires either the generator or the inverter. Either way, it's a "conscious awareness of electricity useage" and we tend to only turn it on to catch the weather and the national news. Lately, with the world like it is, we only watch the weather.... It's easier to sleep that night LOL
Any more, it seems that the only time we get away from that "TV intrusion" is when we're camping or when the power goes off for a while. Either way, it's a welcome change from the noise and commercials.
There's another thread going about TV in the 50's and 60's. One comment was that now, with satellite and cable TV, there's 200 plus channels and still nothing worth watching......
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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06-20-2013, 02:05 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bridge, Oregon
Posts: 399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
There's another thread going about TV in the 50's and 60's. One comment was that now, with satellite and cable TV, there's 200 plus channels and still nothing worth watching......
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That was my post
Glad there is someone else who likes to "get away" when camping
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06-20-2013, 04:50 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 620
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Some Andy Griffith rerun DVD's are good enough for me when the weather is bad......I laugh out loud at Barney every time....and I've seen the episodes more times than I'd like to admit.
I should have lived thru the 50's.......instead of being born then. Classic TV or now METV works for this guy and his DW.
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk 2
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Chris and Patty
2015 Keystone Montana 3791RD Legacy Edition, MorRyde 4000, Dual pane windows, Goodyear G rated tires.
2013 GMC Sierra 3500HD, Duramax, SLE, SRW, Crew, Hensley Trailer Saver hitch, Blue Ox BedSaver.
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06-22-2013, 06:08 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Huntington beach
Posts: 11
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I have it installed on my truck I have the ability to just plug the trailer in when we want to watch it.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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06-22-2013, 03:41 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 199
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I have Dish net for the house, With an extra receiver for the RV as of yet I haven't taken it out of the box. The regular RV antenna gets about 8 stations, so like most I try to spend my time outside. and really when we are at home we watch the same stations the RV antenna gets anyway. so the receiver might just go back.
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2012 Mountaineer 346LBQ
MOC Member
4 slides. Weber Baby Q100 grill, Red solo cups.
2008 Ford F250 Super Duty Crew Cab 4x4
V10 Engine, axle 4:10 ratio
8ft box SRW
10x10 Screen room.
Let It Happen Campin.
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06-22-2013, 03:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bridge, Oregon
Posts: 399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michael
I have Dish net for the house, With an extra receiver for the RV as of yet I haven't taken it out of the box. The regular RV antenna gets about 8 stations, so like most I try to spend my time outside. and really when we are at home we watch the same stations the RV antenna gets anyway. so the receiver might just go back.
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Haven't been anywhere yet where the RV antenna has reception. Happy with the outdoors and a few DVDs Why take the time and spend the money on gas to go camping when you can stay home and watch TV on your Big Screen?
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