Bikeswimlaugh
Los Angeles
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I want to bring one of my satellite receivers with us when we travel, so I'm going to need a satellite antenna installed on my Class C RV
We don't watch a whole lot of TV so I'm inclined to try to save money and not run with the $1,100 fully automatic set-up. I've heard very good things about some of Winegard's crank-up units that have a meter (digital magic).
One unit is just a plain Satellite dish, while the other has some kind of over-the-air reception and the description shows it taking 12vdc and a few other things. Difference in price is only $30, but I'm not sure the entire assembly cranks-down.
Guys...what is the primary difference between these two antennas? I believe one gets UHF while the other doesn't. I'm fairly certain VHF are like regular channels (2,4,5,7,9,11,13) while UHF are those freaky-useless channels?
Here are the two antennas...any insight or help would be appreciated!
Here are the TV's I plan to run, I believe they have built-in tuners and since they are hi-def, they shouldn't need a converter box. Btw, this is the largest size LCD TV that runs on 12vdc and this is the absolute best price I could find on new units!  ttp://www.jr.com/naxa/pe/NAX_NX563/#productTabs
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=06&p=SRM46DE&d=Winegard-RM-DM46-CRANKUP-RV-Digital-Satellite-Dish-with-DigitalMagicTM-Sensing-Unit-(RMDM46)&c=Satellite%20Dishes%20for%20RVs&sku=615798317164
http://www.summitsource.com/winegard-rmdm61-roadstar-rv-satellite-dish-omnidirectional-tv-antenna-camper-outdoor-combination-offair-vhf-uhf-crankup-digital-local-signal-broadcast-combo-travel-aerial-with-digital-magic-and-lnbf-part-rmdm61-p-4598.html
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Joined: 07/28/2006
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With Links:
I want to bring one of my satellite receivers with us when we travel, so I'm going to need a satellite antenna installed on my Class C RV
We don't watch a whole lot of TV so I'm inclined to try to save money and not run with the $1,100 fully automatic set-up. I've heard very good things about some of Winegard's crank-up units that have a meter (digital magic).
One unit is just a plain Satellite dish, while the other has some kind of over-the-air reception and the description shows it taking 12vdc and a few other things. Difference in price is only $30, but I'm not sure the entire assembly cranks-down.
Guys...what is the primary difference between these two antennas? I believe one gets UHF while the other doesn't. I'm fairly certain VHF are like regular channels (2,4,5,7,9,11,13) while UHF are those freaky-useless channels?
Here are the two antennas...any insight or help would be appreciated!
Here are the TV's I plan to run, I believe they have built-in tuners and since they are hi-def, they shouldn't need a converter box. Btw, this is the largest size LCD TV that runs on 12vdc and this is the absolute best price I could find on new units! :
TV
Antenna 1
Antenna 2
* This post was
edited 03/11/10 01:18am by SCVJeff *
Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350
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SCVJeff
Santa Clarita, CA.
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Now that that's all straightened out...
There are no "freaky" UHF channels anymore as most of the over the air channels you now watch are on UHF regardless of what channel they indicate they're on.
Do you already have a hole in the roof that you're intending to replaced with this, or is it a new install? Personally if I were just putting up an occasional use DSS antenna, I would just buy a portable antenna and call it a day.
As for that combo antenna, it's really useless if you think about it. You have an omni-directional off-air antenna, so you already are at a disadvantage, THEN it just so happens your off air transmitter is located behind the metal reflector. Now what? That's why there are very very few of these around.
If you're going to buy antennas, but something that works, even though it may look conveient.
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RJsfishin
Winston Or.
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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I wouldn't have either of those !
And for double that price you can go fully automatic,.....referbished Dome.
Not much tv,..I'd go w/ a free portable dish, then buy a tripod.
Rich
'98 Flair, 454, Onan Microlite 4k, Intel PD 9155 w/ wizard, Sta-power 1500 watt Inv, 2 6v batts, ammeters, KingDome/sat, Two Oly Cat heaters, and towing a '05 Jeep Liberty, or sometimes towing a New Lowe fishing boat.
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BublHead
Bremerton, WA
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I would also go with a free dish and tripod. First off its cheaper and secondly if you find yourself in a place with trees you are able to setup the tripod to lineup between the trees. Just my 2 cents.
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4X4, LTZ, D/A, Sheer Silver Metallic
2006 Sprinter 314BHDS
TTN/LTR
Wife, two girls, and.........Me
QMCS(SS) USN, Ret.
Lower all mast and antennas.
If you don't care where you are, you are not lost!
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Bikeswimlaugh
Los Angeles
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Joined: 01/05/2010
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Guys, thanks for the reply.
I spoke with the tech guy at the RV shop and he told me to stay away from the crank-up Satellite antenna; while it sounds great in concept, it's linkages, elbows and all that mechanism tends to have too much play in it. He said he tried it and was unhappy. He said either go with the Kingdome or better yet, just run a portable (as many of you echoed in response).
I'm gonna do the portable...it's just too easy to plug into the side of the RV as RF input. Also, the kids will likely watch mostly from the DVR (as they can skip commercials and watch the programs they want)...we'll have limited need for live-feed. I found a portable dish and signal meter package for just $132 on Amazon. Oddly enough, when I went back to site the link, the price had jumped up to $186..weird! I didn't know Amazon was like the stock exchange with fluctuating prices!?!?
The portable dish, as pointed-out, also allows you to account for trees or other issues that may block the Kingdome. Can't go wrong for $132 and I can always upgrade down the line.
As usual, THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP! 
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wxtoad
Sturbridge MA
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Joined: 06/23/2004
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You can find an old dish in a junk pile, at a yard sale, or on eBay, and pay not much at all, if anything, for the dish. For $5-10 in parts, you can make a simple stand for the dish. See here for details.
Ted H.
2005 Lazy Daze 26.5 Rear Bath
NE13
Toad Hall
The Ultimate US Public Campground Project
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kjburns
Prescott, AZ
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Joined: 07/13/2008
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We do watch a lot of TV and a tripod setup is a good choice for us. We have an automatic dish, but use the tripod anyway. With a Dish 1000 satellite dish and 722 dual tuner receiver, we can watch different channels when we want, HD, DVR...just like at home.
Sure, it's less expensive, but it's a better option anyway. We go out in the winter, and it's nice to be able to just walk out and brush off snow with the tripod mounted dish.
2011 Winnebago Tour 42QD
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