We leave soon for 6 months and think we have the FT mechanically "ready". AT&T Mobley and Unite Explore internet and internet ready TV & Apple TV. Verizon for cell.
Winegard Traveler dish on top and Direct TV non-DVR receiver ( 👍 J & C) ready to activate.
Should I activate? What will we gain over OTA and internet? 2-3 months out west mostly boondocking.
Thanks
Randy
NASCAR, don't leave home without it!
You gain more channels to choose from...some of them where they actually speak English.
We have
only our OTA antenna, but often find too few good stations. Our solution is to carry a big box of DVDs (movies and multiple seasons of our favorite TV series). If you already have the satellite hardware, activation seems (to me) a no-brainer. It's only money.
Um, enjoy the great outdoors possibly, it's not like a Florida or Houston steam bath every day. Have fun!
So far I'm been getting by with the AT&T Mobley and the OTA antenna. With the Mobley we watch Hulu and Netflix with not much issues.
Steve
Randy, if you plan on boondocking you will be out of OTA tv most of the time, internet and phone can be shakey as well, with respect to streaming video.
Bruce, that's what we're wondering. Our camping over the years in the southeast has almost always had lots of OTA and internet in most places.
Certainly enjoy reading and excited to be in a "new to us" outdoors...even looking forward to fewer hours a day of TV.
OTA TV is good up to 50 miles without obstructions. Nirmally less. Somehow PBS is usually the easiest to get. Cell service is much better than it was 7 years ago and getting better. But if you are pretty far from a cell tower or that tower is servicing many users your speeds will get pretty slow. Keep your expectations low.
We have streamed all of our TV for the last 2+ months. This just wouldn't have been practical/possible even 2 years ago. DirecTV sat is great, just remember to bring your receiver. 📺
If you turn on the Directv receiver, do it before you leave. You can register the receiver to your Mo Ho, by sending in a form (DTV will email it to you) with a copy of the rego. That way you can pay a extra $15.00 and have the distant networks (either east coast or west coast) they are on the same satellite as all the other programming . Otherwise once you are couple of hundred miles from home, you'll loose your locals.
Have fun
Chris
Randy,
How important is TV to your daily routine? If it's a crucial part of the day/night routine then activate it. If not, then try it first without it and see if you notice it not being present.
Regarding internet/cell...
Cell service out in the mountain states is not like on the east coast. It can get very spotty and the level of service (3G, 4G) is not uniform.
Here's how I have come to view it from our time trying to work on the road.
Internet with a 4G cell signal is nice and like being in our home offices. You can stream video at a good resolution if the cell tower isn't overloaded. As the space/bandwidth on the tower gets filled the resolution will drop.
Internet with 3G is like using an old school telephone modem. We haven't had much luck streaming with 3G. Web surfing is slow because web pages these days have so much stuff on them. Email works well, but slows down the weaker the signal.
In areas with 1x cell service - use a carrier pigeon. Typically voice calls won't go through.
One thing to remember is that with modern TVs OTA stations can take a while for the TV to "search" for and lock in. We had a TV that would scan for analog, then digital, then cable. It took a long time. It can get annoying to do this every time you turn on the TV if you are covering distances each day.
Chris
In the areas we boondock in Az, Nv, Mt,Id you ca get between lost and found quickly. We are currently in Caliente Nv nearest Wal-Mart or chain grocery store 175 mi to Vegas or 120mi to St George Ut. 10 miles out of town no phone or internet. The morel of the story is the west is a big place. We find a lot of great spots, but as we are fulltime phone and internet are a must. We go so far as to use 2 different phone providers ATT and Verizon.
We use OTA antenna when possible but we have 300 hours or so of favorite shows etc. that we never get a chance to watch recorded on the home DVR. I just unhook it from the house connection and put it in the coach. All high def and 1 HDMI cable to hook up. Easy and a good way to catch up on favorite shows. Have to say however when out on the road TV watching goes way down. Rather play cards, dominos, etc out on a picnic table if weather permits.
One more point. If you are in an area with no cell reception and are concerned about communication, ( who isn't ). Get your ham radio license. It is easy to do and I have 2 meter and 440 gear in the coach. You can buy a dual band handheld unit for less than $50 on Amazon. I have RARELY not been in an area not covered by repeaters on both bands.
Steve good idea, We have the on board CB rado and a portable handheld CB to feel more secure when traveling, knowing we could possibly raise a trucker in an emergency. The ham radio would be more dependable.
I have a CB, but hardly ever use it, keep it on the truck channel . Traveling a back road, up a steep hill and a 18-wheeler came up to pass. Another semi was coming the other way, balls out, looked like a bad collision (with us in the middle!). I grabbed the CB and yelled out "don't pass me in the motor home", hoping he had his CB on. He did, and we all avoided a nasty wreck! Phew!!!!!!
We have the Winegard traveler mounted up top and and a non– DVR receiver that was gifted to us by another member. I stopped at AT&T today to investigate DirecTV service and found that regardless of the package you choose, it comes with New equipment. They indicated that it included both a dish and DVR receiver. I assume this is for standard home installation but I was told there is no savings if you use your own equipment.
Since this is primarily a cell phone store I was disappointed that the representatives were conversant with RV use. They're only RV related question was whether we would use in motion DirecTV service or not. But indicated that we would need to deal directly with DirecTV if we were interested in the in motion equipment. I was disappointed that the representatives werent conversant with RV use.
Other than this equipment related issue the packages and pricing seem pretty straightforward. Because we have AT&T unlimited plus service on our unite explore hotspot we can save $15 a month. The service also includes lifetime HBO at a $200 gift card. The pricing is a bit dodgy because it requires a two year contract with the first year of the least expensive package at $35 a month and the second you're at $78 a month.
So, my question is less about packages and more about equipment. If they're going to give me a DirecTV home dish and installation, I may will drop cable at the house and simply move the DirecTV DVR to the coach when we travel. It's just hard to believe that the recent song discount for service on way and the leading of the equipment.
Thanks for the insight.
We sold our Tailgater (Dish) as there was not much programming we liked. We use an internet connection for our communication and streaming (unlimited grandfathered MiFi), antenna for OTA or have a FTA (free to air) satellite to take along if we are out of the country or staying at a campground without OAT or WiFi.
Pierce
I think Directv [AT&T] is feeling the pain of streaming. Every year they try to increase my rates, every year I call the "retention manager " and threaten to cancel my subscription, and every time they find a new plan that will lower my rate for another year. Right now am paying about $60 a month for 3 receivers with equipment and wiring warranty, and HD service. They will upgrade for free the non recording receivers when a new one comes out. Includes HBO.
.
Hello Randy, I hope you are able to take some short 100 mile or 2 day camping trips before you take off in 6 months, nothing like use to give experiece.
Something I considered was music. Which Directv can help with. I'm not nor have I ever been conventional in my musical tastes. So I don't do top 40, rap, new country. I'm into jazz, Classical, Prog Rock, Jam bands. Which pretty much rules out commercial radio. So D-tv can certainly help with that. The 5,500 songs on my I-pod helps as well. ^.^d
Have you tried Sirius XM? We get our choice of 50 stations (A La Carte) for $11.30 per month. Seems like they would cover at least some of your eclectic musical tastes. Our Stratus 7 receiver is simple to add on to any existing in-dash AM-FM-CD receiver, and gets excellent reception every place we have visited. When we are at home, we move the little receiver inside and plug it into our speaker dock for in-home use. Very versatile!
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/siriusxm-stratus-7-satellite-radio-with-powerconnect-vehicle-kit-black/1489733.p?skuId=1489733&ref=212&loc=1&gclid=CPH0yvflyNoCFV6VxQId92kIzA&gclsrc=ds
Amazon.com: SiriusXM SXSD2 Portable Speaker Dock Audio System for Dock and... (https://www.amazon.com/SiriusXM-SXSD2-Portable-Speaker-System/dp/B00M0FDN9I)
Just tell DirecTV that your "SERVICE ADDRESS" is New York City. Be prepared to give them the county of the address you use.
You will then get the NYC locals (the network stations)
wherever you are without registering as an RV and save the extra $15.
I didn't see anything on dish network pay as you go no contract-- has anyone tried dish network and how is the reception
Also, what is best satellite, Mounted or tailgater, personally I would prefer mounted to conserve storage space but I can adapt
Thanks
Chris
http://www.slingbox.com/en/DiscoverSling.aspx
Another way to get your home channels when travelling, must have wifi, [I use my mobley] to get it.
Chris on Dish's web page look for Dish for my Rv. I use it it is pay as you go, no problem so far. I use a portable auto dish Tailgater. There are options out there for other Dish portable antenna's Wineguard playmaker is one.
Yes. I've had XM. I was an early convert and bought an XM system for my 18 wheeler before they even launched their satellites in 2001. XM told me I was customer #500. But cancelled the service when we moved to Europe in 2010. Now I have Pandora running through a Sonos setup in my S&B.
I bought 3 lifetime subscriptions to Sirius 2 for $399. and one for $299. many years ago when they first started. The have paid for themselves many times over by now.
AT&T CEO Announces /Month 'Watch' TV Streaming Service While Testifying... (https://www.droid-life.com/2018/04/20/att-watch/)
Just posted by someone on RV Network, could be interesting.
Or L.A zip code....They are on 101 sat also. I believe some Texas ones are also on 101 sat.
But our zip is Spokane, we use those when home, pay for LA as "distant networks" for RV...Our receivers are rego'd in our RV, but we spend more month's in Spokane. Can't get all of them with OTA ant.
If you stream and have a Roku enabled TV or buy an inexpensive Roku stick, you have a choice of an amazing amount of TV stations. Pretty easy to find one close to your home town. Once you have a Roku account (free), you have a choice of pay services or free . Most are free and all of the TV stations are free. How to get local TV: Roku (https://blog.roku.com/watch-local-news-without-cable-on-roku)
Pierce
Streaming seems to only be an option for those that were lucky enough to have signed up before the unlimited data went the way of the Dodo. AT&T did away with their unlimited wireless router. They stopped offering it about a month or so back.
All that streaming works great IF you have enough internet service to support it. If you
plan on staying at forest campgrounds, or truly boondocking more times than not the phone service is not that good.
Quite correct. Many NPs, campgrounds, BLM land have no connection and no OTA reception. An inexpensive solution is FTA (free to air) satellite. The receiver is less than $50 but you need a slightly larger 90 cm dish compared to Dish/Direct TV. It has a limited number of English language stations but will get you the news, etc. Totally legal and free. Here is a primer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EigrAX4yE3I. Ebay receivers: fta satellite receiver | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR4.TRC1.A0.H0.Xfta+satellite+receiver.TRS0&_nkw=fta+satellite+receiver&_sacat=0)
A 100 cm dish will get other FTA satellites. I purchased a digital readout meter where I could enter the satellite data, etc. Was much more time consuming without it.
Pierce
Router
Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot Router - AT&T (https://www.att.com/devices/netgear/nighthawk-lte-mobile-hotspot-router.html#sku=sku8820339)
Unlimited plans
https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/wireless/KM1182926
Will 1.5 mbps get good video?
FYI. Our coach came installed with a Winegard Travel'rdish up top and, thanks to a forum member, an H21-200 DirecTV receiver. AT&T was useless, trying to sell me a home dish receiver and didn't seem to know anything about RV use. Winegard was helpful, but said we must have a new receiver and quoted monthly service for the least expensive package 50% greater than what I had seen advertised online.
A call to online retailer Solid Signal determined that the receiver and access card could be used requiring only a new account and monthly fees of $35 for the first year for the same basic package that Winegard quoted $50. Further, solid signal indicated that they could deliver whatever additional DirecTV bundle packages were available , including discounts for existing AT&T cellular service.
With this information we plan to head off on our six month trip without DirecTV, knowing that a simple phone call can activate service as described.
Thanks also to Roger for helping us understand the basics of DirecTV service.
Yep, seems to take extraordinary effort to find that knowledgeable person, but I guess it's always been that way, somewhat. Glad you got fixed up.
I sold my satellite system because it was too expensive and complex for me. Installed a Winegard Sensar Pro 3 OTA (Over the Air) antenna system. Between that, Netflix, Youtube and Amazon Prime Video, there is way to much content.
See the photo for all of the content we have recorded on our Windows Media Center OTA DVR (Digital Video Recorder) system. No monthly charges.
Roger. I just signed up at ATT not a month ago and pointed to the router on the counter. I was told by the manager that they were no longer selling those with the unlimited higher speed net. They stated the reason as being that many folks were using them outside their homes.
Of course me being the trouble maker that I am. I asked what difference would it make as to WHERE I was using it and It would likely get heavier use at home than on the road. I then asked if ATT would cancel my cell account if they found I was using my cell phone at my home and not mobile. I was met with a shoulder shrug and an agreement from the manager that it was silly. But the directive came from the ATT mothership.
You need to find a corporate store with a manager who cares about customers. This one obviously does not. It too us several tries to find one who understood the 250gb HomeBase program and was willing to do the little bit of work required to get it to work. I now have three of these devices in the last four months as well as an iPhone from ATT. We are consuming more than 400 GB every month with absolutely no throttling on the internet access devices anywhere we have used them.
Don't give up. Find a willing ATT partner.
Not to be biased, but how does one identify " that" employee. Clues? Or do you just ask for the manager?
Here is a site that lists the corporate AT&T stores. AT&T Corporate Store Locations (http://att.whereimat.com/) I guess one would need to start at the closest and go from there.
What would help is for those that have trod before us might post a sticky coaching those new to the crazy world of mobile services in what/how to ask. There are many threads on this site concerning wireless. It's easy to get lost in that jungle looking for the exact wording one needs to get good results.
So are the ATT Homebase plans still only available in certain states or areas?
I'm assuming they would not be available where ATT or other internet services are available?
Shame, I'd love to have that many GBs available for when we travel.
Both the HomeBase and the Netgear Nighthawk internet access devices are still on the ATT official website. We got our first Homebase at an ATT Corp store in St George UT. Andther Forum Member got theirs in Lincoln, NE. Neither of us lived in these spots ... just found a willing store person to help. Sometimes it tales a manager to get things started. These devices can connect 15-20 devices. The ZTE Mobley devices are good for 5 as I understand. The HomeBase and the Netgear Nighthawk internet access devices added to your account are $20/mo.(plus taxes and fees of course)
We have an Unlimited Plus plan. They have a couple new plans now with different names, prices are about the same. Throttling appears to take place on individual phones and tablets on the plan after 22 GB on each when you are in a congested area. Our plan does not throttle the intermet access devices. The newer plans may when ypu are in high congested areas.
DirecTV Now use does not count against your data plan and appears to never be throttled.