Satellite pre-wiring; SK-1000 install

wingnut60 · 02-23-2018, 07:19 PM

Tried to search, can't come up with what I am looking for.
My '15 38RSSA is pre-wired? for rooftop satellite, so I understand, and have read that the wiring is hidden under one of the fake vents on the rooftop.
There is a wall opening with a coax labeled 'satellite' in the front closet/pantry/electronics areas--assume this is the connection to the rooftop unit when installed?
Planning on getting a Winegard SK-1000 and Dish receivers to allow watching both TVs/different channels/record in background--would appreciate advice on what I need to do to connect antenna to the TVs/receivers.
Have been using a Carryout for years, now full-timing and want better TV access for recording.
Saying I am electronically challenged is an understatement....
Thanks for any/all help.
Joe

dapperdan · 02-23-2018, 09:26 PM

Joe, your unit is DEFINATELY prewired, especially if you have that hook up in your cabinet. I have the same trailer, I had DRV install my Winegard. According to the tech it went easy. I know it sure didn't take long at all.

The wiring will be under one of those fake vents. I know when I put my solar panels up on the roof I had to use a piece of stout wire to "fish" for the pre-exsisting wiring for that. Took me a while but I found it.

Good luck getting that Winegard up on your roof buddy, they're heavy. That was my "excuse" to have DRV install it for me.

Dan

wingnut60 · 02-23-2018, 09:37 PM

Thank you, Dan. I passed on the offer at purchase, but now wish I had gone ahead with it.
There is a coax in the front closet, in the cabinet above the cubby next to the pantry, and one in the ent center area--couple or three cables as I remember, won't be home to the trailer for a month yet and trying to get things rounded up to do the install.
What sat service do you use?

dapperdan · 02-23-2018, 09:44 PM

We have Direct TV. we LOVE the easy of use!

Dish and Direct Winegards are essentially the same, but different

Dan

Porthole · 02-24-2018, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dapperdan

We have Direct TV. we LOVE the easy of use!

Dish and Direct Winegards are essentially the same, but different

The Direct version antenna costs more, about $100. IIRC it is easier to have a Direct antenna and then change to Dish down the road then the opposite.

Dish you can get month to month, Direct you are locked in.

That said. We initially got Dish and the customer service lived up to every nightmare I had heard about them.

Bought the portable unit at a NASCAR race on Wednesday and by Monday I had everything boxed up and on my way back to a camping world to return it. (CW used to have stores at the races).

We use DirecTV at the house. When we go away I take the DVR and put it in the trailer. Never had an issue.

In the trailer I have everything I need to make the switch the DVR unit only. Trailer has a extra "genie client" in the bedroom and several extra remotes.

Porthole · 02-24-2018, 02:44 PM

And with either service you can get an OTA "over the air" box that plugs into the DVR.

That way if you are in an area where you can't get a SAT signal you can run the OTA channels though the DVR and record as normal.

dapperdan · 02-24-2018, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porthole

And with either service you can get an OTA "over the air" box that plugs into the DVR.

That way if you are in an area where you can't get a SAT signal you can run the OTA channels though the DVR and record as normal.

I did not know that....

Thanks, I'm going to have to look into that. We've been with Direct for a long while and the sat box goes with us when we leave the sticks & bricks.

Dan

Porthole · 02-24-2018, 06:58 PM

This is the one I purchased for my HR34 system. Not sure if the newer DVR's need something different.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

wingnut60 · 02-24-2018, 09:12 PM

No S&B any longer--whatever I come up with has to work with the fiver as the home base. Got the ant/switch and mounting plate on order--it will all be at the fiver when I get back home 3/10 and will see how much trouble I can get into trying to install it.
And we are Dish customers already--the Carryout has worked well, just can't do what the wife wants to do to watch/record. Plan on a Hopper for the receiver and Joeys if that will work.

Cummins12V98 · 02-25-2018, 03:47 PM

We have the Hopper and only can watch one channel at a time. No biggie to us. If we wanted to watch separate channels we would need to add the Joey.

Crappy thing is DRV did not run a HDMI cable from entertainment system area to bedroom TV so no HD. I have been tole HD is not that noticeable on a 32" TV.

Porkchop · 02-25-2018, 04:07 PM

I asked drv once why no hdmi to a certain spot. Their answer makes sense. He said "you want hdmi, Jerry wants componate, Larry wants composite, and the next guy wants coax. Hard to run them all to all spots." You think the entertainment area is confused now? Add all the others in and see what it looks like.

Bill

dapperdan · 02-25-2018, 05:39 PM

I agree with what Bill says, makes sense to me. Ron, you're right, HD on a 32" isn't that noticeable. Especially for those among us that may be a tad sight-challenged.

I know for me HQ sound isn't a big deal, I'm a tad bit hearing impaired so "perfect" sound isn't any issue in our trailer. Volume is tho!

Dan

wingnut60 · 02-25-2018, 07:09 PM

Dan,
What can I expect to find as cabling when I take the vent cover off?

Cummins12V98 · 02-25-2018, 07:12 PM

I am NOT a "teckie" I did have to run a HDMI from my Hopper to the 55" TV below.

Really not a big deal to me on the HDMI to the bedroom 32" TV.

MnP · 02-26-2018, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Dan,
What can I expect to find as cabling when I take the vent cover off?

You will have 5 cables hidden in the insulation under the vent cap. One control cable for the Winegard controller and 4 coax cables (2 for the entertainment center tv and 2 for the bedroom tv) You may have to fish around a bit to find them all and don't count on them being labeled (none of mine were). I had to run an HDMI cable from entertainment center down to the big TV. I used wireless Geni client for the bedroom. The biggest challenge is getting the darn Antenna up on the roof and toning out the cables. Luckily The DirecTv Antenna only requires one Coax from the roof so I didn't have to chase all of the other coax cables.

wingnut60 · 02-26-2018, 03:54 AM

Mike,
Thank you.

dapperdan · 02-26-2018, 12:57 PM

Thanks MnP, for that info for Joe. Joe, I had DRV install my Winegard so I hadn't even checked out the wiring. Ed told me the needed wiring was pre-installed at build so for me or their techs it wouldn't be an issue.

My bigger concern was getting the Winegard up on the roof, they are hefty and bulky making lifting and climbing a ladder rough. I would image at DRV they simply hoisted the unit up to the roof using a pallet with their forklift.

Dan

Cummins12V98 · 02-26-2018, 05:09 PM

When your Dish Tech comes out have him check the coax connections on the roof, mine were PIZZ poor! He fixed me up at no additional cost. He said hey I want it to be right for you.

wingnut60 · 02-26-2018, 11:50 PM

Ron,
What exactly was wrong with the coax connections?

Cummins12V98 · 02-27-2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Ron,
What exactly was wrong with the coax connections?

Honestly I don't specifically remember. Something did not look proper with the connections. I will climb up there and take a pic of what he did.

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