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Topic: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV? (Read 1152 times) previous topic - next topic

Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Thinking of switching off cable and going with Directv.  Cannot get anyone at Directv to confirm if the Directv receiver they install in my home be able to be switched back and forth with the coach?  I currently have an in motion satellite antenna and an old Directv sony receiver installed that has been inactive for a number of years.  Is anyone sharing the same Directv receiver in their home and the coach?
Fiddler
1959 Parris Island grad
40' 2001 U320 Build 5875
1999 Suburban K1500 toad
1986 Corvette Pacecar
ssoftail@comcast.net

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #1 –
It depends on what in motion sat you have on your coach. It sounds like it is an old one. My first guess would be no.  If it needs a communication cable attached to a receiver most new ones do not have that connection on them any more.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #2 –
I have Direct TV and take a small older unit from my kitchen and put in the motorhome.  Model D10-300.  Have TracStar sat dome.  No HD but the picture is just fine.  Local channels work as long as I am in this zone.  Some say you can call Direct TV and change address for local channels but I never do.  Hooks up with the old cable style connector.  Would need to change sat and receiver to get HD.  I may do that sometime in the future but not on my list of necessary items right now.  Have small sound bar under rear side cabinet so sound can be heard over Air Conditioners when in the kitchen of the coach
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #3 –
Good Morning Fiddler,

I have A DirecTV Genie that I move from the coach to the house.  It works great in either location.  I got a second power supply for the house so all I have to move is the Genie box.

I have a fixed satellite dish on the house and a Winegard Travl'er on the coach.  There are other coach dish options, the Travl'er is pricy but it works very well.  It automatically finds the satellites (3) in usually just a few minutes.  Sometimes a bit longer.  The locks onto three satellites at the same time. Full HD.

I installed all of this myself.  It was not hard to do any of it but it involves being up on the roof of both. 

I bought the Travl'er, the Genie, the fixed dish, the extra power supply, an extra remotte, the TV cable and the ground wire (for the house) from Amazon.  The Travler and the Genie were cheaper there by far than any other place I checked.

I Set up a mobile account with DireTV.  I can suspend service for up to 6 months a year If I want to but we don't.  If we are elsewhere for more than a few days we call and spchange our service address and get local TV where we are.

You can get a wired or wireless mini Genie for another TV if you want.

Installing all of this can be more than some want to do.  Most big RV dealers/service centers can install the Travler for you but they want to sell it too you as well.  Winegard may be able to help you find an installler where you are. 

DirecTV won't install their stuff in a motorhome.  But they will come out and install everything in your house and supply the equipment.  That works if they will will set you up with the mobile account.  This is not the easiest thing to do.  A call to Winegard might help.

Send me an email if you have more questions.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #4 –
Yes, I also switch a box back and forth.  Actually, I used to.  I finally just decided to pay the extra $5 per month, to keep the one box activated in the FT, so I don't have to switch it anymore. 
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #5 –
Great idea to use Directv at home and on the road.  Directv will not support or answer your questions about mixing mobile with home.

If the coach has the right satellite antenna, just move the home receiver to the coach and hit the road.  When you come home again, move receiver back inside.  Receiver does not care where you are located as long it is in the US 'footprint'  This includes DVRs.

Things to think about and learn about:

Normally Directv sets up account as fixed home or mobile, not both.  Mobile may be eligible for extra cost Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS) that can be watched all across the US (Distant).  Fixed homes usually have networks that can only be watched within about 300 miles of your home town (spot beamed).

Home installs will probably use SWM technology (single wire multiswitch).

Directv HD is only available with open dishes.

DVRs are wonderful, but the new Genie 5-tuner DVR will only work with SWM.  Many other DVRs and receivers will work with SWM and non-SWM, but the receiver setup screen will have to be changed if not consistent SWM at coach or home.

All receivers have a monthly cost and must be 'registered' to get any programming, and usually do not have a 'purchase' cost, so no reason to use an old receiver.

Some older RV antennas need to be connected to old receivers that had a special output connection to tell antenna how to search for satellites.  No current receivers have this feature anymore.  And all recent and new antennas know where to search without any help from receivers.

Some set up their Directv as mobile with Distant Networks.  And when back at home they use off-air HD locals with an separate antenna.

It is possible to switch between an in-motion Directv antenna and an open antenna.

Roger and we were able to figure out the maze of details and the results are quite satisfying and worth the effort..

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #6 –
Forget a fixed roof unit, a Direct or Dish Tailgater is the only to go because of trees in most RV Parks.

Re: Home Directv satellite receiver shared with RV?

Reply #7 –
If you want Directv HD, only an open dish will work.  Dish HD will work with Tailgater (mfg by King Dome company).