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Topic: Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option (Read 946 times) previous topic - next topic

Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option

I know a number of us have upgraded our roof satellite systems to Winegard's Trav'ler and found it to provide the best rooftop reception of the options.

That said, sometimes folks don't want to go to the expense of the Trav'ler.  Sometimes, a portable dish is the best option, especially if you have to move it to "shoot through the trees".

An option we found (and have on our new "rigette", as a dear friend calls it), is King Controls Quick Release roof mount paired with the King Tailgater.  This is a simple mount that lets you carry your portable dish on the roof, yet take it off and use it in portable mode if you wish.

Amazon.com: KING MB700 Roof Mount: Automotive

Amazon.com: KING VQ4500 Tailgater Portable/Roof Mountable Satellite TV...

Granted, these small domes don't get the reception that the large, open ones do, but for less than $500 you can have a pretty decent "best of both worlds" option.

The only downside we have run into (and understanding that the dish isn't true 360 degree due to the handle) is that the satellite does actively "search" every few minutes if the receiver is off.  When it's on the roof, you can hear it doing this (and it can wake you at 2AM).  We got around this by setting our receiver timeout to a long enough to make it to morning and leaving the receiver on.

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option

Reply #1 –
Rather than dragging out our NORAD dish for improved reception, a neighbor turned us on to a tripod made for the DISH Tailgater. Amazing how a few inches helped!  ^.^d
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Re: Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option

Reply #2 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Rather than dragging out our NORAD dish for improved reception, a neighbor turned us on to a tripod made for the DISH Tailgater. Amazing how a few inches helped!  ^.^d

Yup.  The nice thing about that new Quick Release bracket is that you can carry the dish on your roof if you want, freeing up bay storage space, and many times you won't need to set it up on the tripod.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option

Reply #3 –
We have the Gen2.  Once we have acquired the signal we turn the power to the dish off.  It holds that position and for an early riser no tuning in the AM makes for a happier late riser.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
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Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P
 

Re: Low cost HD Dish Network roof satellite option

Reply #4 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
We have the Gen2. 

We didn't see any quick-release roof mounts for the Winegard portables, that's why we opted for the King.  We wanted the option to easily use it as a portable dish if needed.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320