FOLLOW UP
Last month we addressed the problems
involved in receiving satellite signals beyond the US borders. I read a blog entry
about this subject last week and thought I would pass along the hands-on experience of
this RVer:
"We were
able to get about a 55% signal in San Carlos (about 250 miles south of the US). Geo
satellites can be placed in other locations other than over the equator and the TV signal
does NOT get stronger the farther south you go. Satellite 101
(the DirecTV regular non-HD bird) has a "footprint" that covers the continental
US and not Mexico or farther south. It does "bleed over" a ways, but will fade
even with a larger dish. I know one other camper who was using a 3/4 meter dish and only
got a few points stronger signal than we did with the standard 18' dish at the same time
and place."
INTERNET
SERVICE
I've gotten
frequent requests for information regarding internet access (via satellite) while
traveling. Our equipment is not intended to support the larger internet dishes, such
as Hughes Net. These dishes tend to be larger and heavier in the front (LNB area)
than the TV satellite dishes. This requires using an offset mount to distribute the
weight evenly. Internet satellite dishes are also more difficult to set up than the
TV dishes and mobile use is discouraged by (and not supported by) Hughes Net.
When I RV I also
need internet access, as I take my business with me and ship from our RV when on the road.
I choose RV parks that offer free WiFi service and have had very few problems
connecting. I do understand that some RVers would prefer not to be restricted to
these type of parks. For them, I recommend using a Sprint (or similar) card that
just plugs into your computer and connects to the internet using cell phone technology.
This type of access works better in more populated areas (just like your cell
phone) and sometimes does not work out in rural areas. There, you will need the
satellite internet service to connect.
RG-6
CABLE TO RECEIVER
Many first-time
satellite users try to connect the line from the LNB to the cable connection of their RV
and then to the satellite receiver. Depending on how your RV is wired, this may or
may not work. Most RV's are wired with splitters to re-route the cable signal to
different sections of the RV. Some also run the line through signal amplifiers.
Both of these diversions will play havoc with the satellite signal. The line
from the LNB to the satellite receiver MUST be direct, with no splitters or amplifiers.
It can use RG-6 couplers to join lines together and switches to combine LNB heads.
So, how do you add a second TV in your
RV? The diagram below details how to add a second TV to your system using the
existing wiring in your RV.
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