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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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