Thinking about installing satellite in my Challenger 37TB for the upcoming season. I've been researching the different antennas, but can't seem to get the answer I'm looking for. I know that I want DISH network. I know I want roof mount. However, I have a family of 4 and don't want to watch the same channel or have to walk into the RV to change the channel. Here is optimally what I would like to be able to do, if cost allows:
1. Watch up to 4 different channels on the 4 different TVs. If it's too expensive, we can get by with 2. But no way am I watching Spongebob . . .
2. Have a remote for each TV and be able to change the channel without moving to a different location in the RV and aiming the remote at a box.
Now this is all dependent on cost. I don;t want to break the bank for TV. It's not that important to me, but would just be nice to have on rainy days and evenings.
So, could someone write a few sentences and educate me on this stuff?
Thanks so much everyone!
Bill
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Bill Tozzo
New Fairfield, CT
2016 Challenger 37TB
You will have a central Dish receiver and then satellite boxes for each tv. You will need cable from each tv to a central location for the primary receiver. Being able to have different programs on different tv's will depend on which antenna you buy, some will only see one satellite and others all of them. The Winegard fold down antenna will give the best reception in bad weather due to the dish size, had one on our Tuscany and loved it, can't be used on the road. A tracking dome will let your passengers watch tv while on the road but it's interrupted by bridges, trees, and anything else that may temporarily block the signal.
Check with Dish for program options for RVs since it is different from home pricing. I know you said you want Dish, but I would compare prices with DIRECTV also.
the easiest and cheapest starting route would be a standard tripod mount DISH HD antenna, as you see on or near most homes, called a 1000.2 unit. it will support up to 3 different Receivers(VIP211k or VIP211z are the most common), and each tv can then watch whatever Satellite or Channel they wish.... this unit requires you to manually set it out to view the satellite locations, and zone it in to the correct angles to see all three satellites, which can be a little time consuming. Once you get the hang of it you can do it fairly quickly, and all three receivers will have both SD and HD channel choices.
like us, if you also wish to have an additional 4th Receiver and TV for it's own channels, then you could also purchase an additional Portable Antenna, like the King Dish Tailgater or King Tailgater2(two outputs) for the 4th tv. The portable unit is a small unit you can easily store and set out on the ground or on your coach roof. It acquires the signal itself within a few minutes and supports the same receivers.
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
I am set on a roof mount and auto setup. If I use a 2 receiver system such as the Pathway X2:
1. Can I watch different channels with each receiver?
2. Can 1 receiver be connected/split to 3 TVs so I can watch my outside TV as well?
Thanks guys,
Bill
1. Yes, as long as they are on the same satellite. The dome type sat dishes can only get one satellite at a time. Once you have the main receiver set up on a satellite, the others will automatically also use that sat and you will have to go through a process to change satellites if you want to watch programming on a different sat.
2. Yes, but you will get the same channel as the inside TVs do. We use an HDMI switch box to send the signal to all 3 TVs from a central receiver.
We have a similar setup but for DirecTV. We have the Winegard Carryout G2+ antenna (can be used with either Dish or DirecTV.)
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John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
I am set on a roof mount and auto setup. If I use a 2 receiver system such as the Pathway X2:
1. Can I watch different channels with each receiver?
2. Can 1 receiver be connected/split to 3 TVs so I can watch my outside TV as well?
Thanks guys,
Bill
As I stated before, only a fold down Wineguard antenna will receive all the satellites. Once you're parked, turn it on and it will automatically locate and aim in correctly. If you only have a single receiver you can send it to all tv's but it will be the same channel. To get different channels on each tv you will need a small genie box on each tv that connects to the main receiver, just like at home.
I used my Wineguard for 6 years, four of which were full time, never had a problem. Lost reception in heavy storms but home units do too. Nice thing about roof mount is no setup, aiming, or hooking up anything, turn it on, wait a minute and it's ready.
That winegard SWM3 system is IMO the very best way to go, but not inexpensive. I know that satellite is a multiple LMB system, meaning it will support more than one direct receiver box, and with that system you are limited to only direct TV. I believe it will support 4 boxes, so you are in luck that way, but you will need 4 receiver boxes, and individual wiring from each box to the TV it is assigned to. As far as changing channels etc. again you are in luck, the newer direct boxes work with RF not IR, so line of sight is not required to operate them, and each remote is programed to one set and its matching receiver box, so someone in another room won't change things on the wrong set. The winegard dish is not an in motion, so it must be folded down when you are underway, but its all controlled from a satellite control box inside, very easy, though it can take up to five minutes or so for it to find all the satellites when you deploy it. No problem, I just let it go through its thing, while I am setting up the coach, connecting water, electric, and sewer, when I'm done its ready. In my case, I only use one direct box so all three TV's will receive the same satellite channel, but if someone wants to watch something different, there is always cable or antennae TV. The down side is, these systems are not given away, and can cost a few dollars to buy, install, plus the direct TV charges for the boxes and setting them up. I also had to get creative to even fit one direct receiver box in our Gemini, though I could probably fit a second one in, I'm sure four would be a no go, at least for me.
BillT - we originally had the 1st generation Tailgater. We bought the new model Tailgater 2 and installed it on the roof. In our 37TB the box is mounted directly above the fireplace and TV, along with the HDMI splitter box and DVD player. I took the HDMI into the HDMI splitter as HDMI input #2. The cable goes out to 4 TVs (out of the 5 TVs). I found the HDMI Red output cable and used another splitter to enable all 5 TVs. I used a the Next Generation remote extender to replace the standard remote for the VIP 211 Z Dish receiver. I considered the new Wally but decide for sure NOT. If my VIP 211 Z doesn't find all 3 satellites it starts up with what it has. If the Wally doesn't find all satellites, it won't complete setup and consequently won't receive any signal. NOT GOOD. The VIP 211Z and Tailgater 2 receives 1 channel at a time. No big deal for us - we have an older Unlimited Data Hotspot and have Fire TVs on all TVs. Grandkids watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube etc. No problem.
Anyways - just the way we did it. Not sure of the other dish antennas and receivers. Our setup cost about $400 complete.
Thanks so much everyone! I think I'm going to go with a Pathway X2 system and two Wally's. It's a bundle for $647.
I have a 2016 Challenger 37TB and now I need to think about the best way to set up this system.
Could anyone point me toward a resource specific to my Challenger that will help? I have an HDMI splitter for one of the Wally's. Then I'd like to put the other in the Bedroom. I'm wondering how much prewiring is done by Thor to make my job easy? Is there a specialist that I can speak to? I get no response at Winegard and I was on the phone with Dish people last night for an hour and still haven't received my call back from a "TECH." Clueless. . .
Bill
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Bill Tozzo
New Fairfield, CT
2016 Challenger 37TB
BillT - we originally had the 1st generation Tailgater. We bought the new model Tailgater 2 and installed it on the roof. In our 37TB the box is mounted directly above the fireplace and TV, along with the HDMI splitter box and DVD player. I took the HDMI into the HDMI splitter as HDMI input #2. The cable goes out to 4 TVs (out of the 5 TVs). I found the HDMI Red output cable and used another splitter to enable all 5 TVs. I used a the Next Generation remote extender to replace the standard remote for the VIP 211 Z Dish receiver. I considered the new Wally but decide for sure NOT. If my VIP 211 Z doesn't find all 3 satellites it starts up with what it has. If the Wally doesn't find all satellites, it won't complete setup and consequently won't receive any signal. NOT GOOD. The VIP 211Z and Tailgater 2 receives 1 channel at a time. No big deal for us - we have an older Unlimited Data Hotspot and have Fire TVs on all TVs. Grandkids watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube etc. No problem.
Anyways - just the way we did it. Not sure of the other dish antennas and receivers. Our setup cost about $400 complete.
Bigben, can you tell me how and where you installed the dish ? Did you have to run new cable from the dish to the receiver or was there already existing wiring there?
I have the King Dish Tailgater II. I have one Wally receiver. Mine is setup to play all 3 TVs at one time on the same channel. The Tailgater is automatic and has an auxiliary hook up to add another receiver if I want. Not sure on the remote if IR or RF but I just walked 45' from my RV and could still control all operations of the receiver. In the picture I am 45' and still using the remote. It will operate further if needed. Not a problem operating it from the back bedroom when we go to bed.
I normally just set the dome on the roof when camping. If my site is under trees or I can't get a clear shot, I just move it out and set it on the ground.
can you utilize the existing cabling (sidewall camp/park cable tv connection or roof mounted OTA antenna) for routing your portable Dishnet satellite signal to boxes at the HDMI switchbox or directly at the TV locations?
can you utilize the existing cabling (sidewall camp/park cable tv connection or roof mounted OTA antenna) for routing your portable Dishnet satellite signal to boxes at the HDMI switchbox or directly at the TV locations?
You can but you will need to do a slight mod to your cable box in the tv cabinet. I just did mine. Sattelite has a problem with going through the existing hook up box. I'll try to find the link I used to do the mod. It's very easy.
Here it is. http://www.modmyrv.com/2008/06/17/rv...cable-rewiring
You can but you will need to do a slight mod to your cable box in the tv cabinet. I just did mine. Sattelite has a problem with going through the existing hook up box. I'll try to find the link I used to do the mod. It's very easy.
Here it is. RV Satellite Cable Receptacle Rewiring | ModMyRV
so you bypass the amplifier, I was going to add a question regarding that.
Does the amplifier function as a switch between the amplified antennae signal and the side "cable" signal?
so you bypass the amplifier, I was going to add a question regarding that.
Does the amplifier function as a switch between the amplified antennae signal and the side "cable" signal?
The amplifier switches between over the air and park cable tv. The satellite for some reason needs a direct connection the the cable hookup on the outside of the rv bypassing the amp.
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