Winegard CarryOut and DISH TV - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Winegard CarryOut and DISH TV

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would not recommend any kind of a domed antenna for this setup. The problem is that the dome (Carryout) only has 1 LNB so can only point to one of the 3 Dish Network satellite required to receive the full range of programming. If you try to watch a program that comes from the 110 satellite but someone watching the other receivers wants to watch something that is coming from 119 or 129 you are dead. The same would apply is you are trying to use a DVR. Additionally, the Carryout would only support 2 of your 3 receivers and only one if any of those receivers is also a DVR.
You should consider using a manual tripod mounted antenna with the Dish 1000.2 antenna which will receive all 3 satellites simultaneously and can power up to 6 receivers/tuners. The other option (my personal recommendation) would be to install a roof mounted automatic antenna. The Winegard Trav'ler is the best for that and costs around $1500 - $1700 installed.

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok, Bill

I was thinking of getting the winegard carryout, but from what you are saying it will not support the DVR on my DISH HD DVR box, nor will it support two tv's trying to watch 2 different channels.

Is that correct?

The reason we were looking at this is because we DO have a DISH 1000.2 super dish but can never find the signal and DH is getting frustrated with it. We also have a vucube, which came with the purchase of our 5er, but we don't seem to have much luck with it either, tho better than the big one.

We have 2 TV's and a DISH HD DVR box. Is there something we can do or buy that will help us set the dish? We ARE fulltimers and move pretty frequently.

Thanks!!

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are correct about the first part of your post. DVR/multiple receivers and any dome.....bad!
The only setup that will allow what you want is the tripod mounted unit or the automatic roof top units such as the Trav'ler. You can buy a Birdog meter (Google that) for around $400 and this will help you get a tripod mounted antenna pointed in 15-30 minutes without too much trouble. Otherwise, you are correct that pointing one of these beasts can be a real challenge. Dollar or dollar I would invest in a roof mounted automatic (by that's me) unless you frequently camp in the trees (State Parks, etc.) where a roof mounted antenna would be impractical.

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Bill!

I think we are going to get a birddog meter, since we already have the tripod mount dish. the automatic rooftop dish would be nice, but shelling out an additional $1100 or more is not equitable right now...and since we already have the tripod mount dish.......

You are ever helpful...thanks!

Doris

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

My question might be a little off-kilter. Are you dedicated to HD? Can you live on regular definition? If the answer is anywhere close to yes, why not reduce to standard definition? Then the dome antenna will work fine, and all three TVs can watch different programs. Your problem arises in the HD. HD requires three different LNBs on the antenna dish, where std definition only requires one LNB.

Most people, me included, have a hard time seeing the difference in HD and std definition.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ken,I THINK you are confusing Direct TV and Dish Network.Some of Dish SD is on 110 and 119 both with HD being on 129.In my eyes there is a world of difference between HD and SD.My wife is in your camp though smile .If I am wrong Bill can correct me as he is the expert. With a good meter the 1000.2 is easy to set up when you make absolute sure your dish is plumb.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Doris, I am glad I was able to help.
Racerguy, that's about as right as it gets!

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

As this forum offers many opinions, I will give mine. There is a HUGE difference between High Definition and Standard Definition pictures. If the TV is anything close to 30” or above, the difference, especially on the satellite feeds, is well worth the cost and the trouble; especially for those of us older than 29. But, as I said, that’s an opinion but coming from someone who’s been in the TV biz a very long time. So maybe I’m sort of spoiled to have great pictures and graphics I can actually read. But that’s just me.

One of the advantages of the Wingard Trav’ler antenna is how easy it is to get the HD feeds on Direct TV. I know Bill Adams may cringe when I say this, but a good trick for Direct TV when you have a lot of trees is to just tell the antenna to “find” just one satellite - number 101. While 101 is the SD satellite for Direct TV, the two HD satellites are at 99 and 103 degrees. Because the 101 “bird” is right between them almost all the time you will get all three satellites; 99 – 101 – 103; maybe not perfectly “peaked” on the 99 and 103 birds, but usually good enough for perfect reception. I do this many times. So if you under a bunch of trees, just forget about the 110 and 119 birds. They aren’t need for most all Direct TV programming. This antenna, which admittedly Bill Adams sells, is just a great product and it will feed two receivers, including a dual recording DVR without any switching, waiting or fiddling around. I push the button the minute the rig is level, continue setting up and by the time I am finished it is peaked and working.

As I said, we all get an opinion. That’s mine.

Bill

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill must spend most of his time near the Central US!!!!! In these areas the 101 trick mentioned above can/will work. However, if you are on the West Coast or the NE or SE I would not expect you to be able to receive much of anything in the way of signal strength from 99 and/or 103.
Love ya Bill!!!

mailman01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

53 MERC, I am totally with you. HD is definitely better, but since I never got my tastebuds accustomed to it, the old Standard is just fine with us. Lot less complications in setup.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh yeah, I didn't get into that can of worms but I will now. I have 22 and 20 inch TV's in my coach. HD? Not until it's free! 30" TV? Maybe if your chair is pretty close to the TV. 40"+ TV and maybe the HD difference would be worthwhile. The problem for me is that crappy TV is still crappy TV in HD. Food Network in HD? Who cares! The Andy Griffith show in HD? Not happening!
So what do you like to watch? NASCAR in HD? Still cars driving in a circle. Want to watch the Super Bowl? Is this a pivotal event in your life? Get to a "real town" and crank up your Winegard Batwing antenna. The very best (bar none) HDTV signal is available from the over the air broadcasts (fully uncompressed).
So, what's that extra $10/month going to get you? I can't answer that but you should consider the reality before you make the decision.

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks to all for your thoughts/opinions/advice. We currently have the tripod mounted Dish. It is a pain in the butt to aim, but if we're staying in one spot at least for a week we do set it up. It's just too much of a challenge to aim for an overnight or couple of day stop.

I guess we'll wait till we upgrade to the motorhome and go with the roof mounted Traveler.

Thanks again!

DorisandDave · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am with the "there is a big difference" from SD to HD camp. I forget which promotion I took advantage of, but we get free HD for life. We own our box and we own our dish and if I have an HD capable TV I'm darn sure gonna use it to its full advantage. And Bill...I LOVE watching anything in HD ... I am a SCI FI junky, I love HGTV and watching NASCAR in HD is the bomb!

Now with all that said, we have not used our DISH TV dish in over a month, because of the aforementioned problem of aiming, but we will be ordering the birddog and I'll be much happier.

TV is a cheap entertainer for us, so after dinner, after we walk ourselves and the dogs and on rainy days, it's great. I love to read and I love movies but i'm not quite willing to give up some of my tv programs.

I can only spend so much time on the computer!

This has been a great thread....and very helpful.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

You might want to give a pointing trick a try for that antenna. Cover the 2 outside LNB's with foil, set the receiver to the 119 satellite and the transponder to 12. Set the skew and elevation as indicated on the receiver setup screen and be sure that the antenna mount is straight and level. Now go out and lock onto 119 and peak the signal. Uncover the other 2 LNB's and see if you have enough signal to watch TV.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill Adams wrote:
You might want to give a pointing trick a try for that antenna. Cover the 2 outside LNB's with foil, set the receiver to the 119 satellite and the transponder to 12. Set the skew and elevation as indicated on the receiver setup screen and be sure that the antenna mount is straight and level. Now go out and lock onto 119 and peak the signal. Uncover the other 2 LNB's and see if you have enough signal to watch TV.

My friend uses that method to set his up. Still takes him about 30 minutes and either he is in the sun or the skeeters are consuming him at an alarming rate. Me, I just hook up my Wineguard Carryout, throw it down and go inside. Takes me about 2 minutes total time. Of course, I am watching SD, but my eyes must not be as good as a ot of folks, because I am still ok with SD.

jb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:

One of the advantages of the Wingard Trav’ler antenna is how easy it is to get the HD feeds on Direct TV. I know Bill Adams may cringe when I say this, but a good trick for Direct TV when you have a lot of trees is to just tell the antenna to “find” just one satellite - number 101. While 101 is the SD satellite for Direct TV, the two HD satellites are at 99 and 103 degrees. Because the 101 “bird” is right between them almost all the time you will get all three satellites; 99 – 101 – 103; maybe not perfectly “peaked” on the 99 and 103 birds, but usually good enough for perfect reception. I do this many times. So if you under a bunch of trees, just forget about the 110 and 119 birds. They aren’t need for most all Direct TV programming. This antenna, which admittedly Bill Adams sells, is just a great product and it will feed two receivers, including a dual recording DVR without any switching, waiting or fiddling around. I push the button the minute the rig is level, continue setting up and by the time I am finished it is peaked and working.

How do I tell it to find just 101? Do I select that on the receiver?

-- Edited by jb on Wednesday 4th of May 2011 09:48:28 AM

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

You use the Select and Enter button to get into the menu options. The button Select (or Enter) button must be pushed within 5 seconds of powering on.
In the menu you will find a Manual option. Select 101 and save this option. Power off and when you power back on the antenna will only search for 101 (that's how I have mine currently configured). Complete instructions are in your owners manual or the manual can be found online at http://www.winegard.com .

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Wednesday 4th of May 2011 03:17:19 PM