| Author | Message | ||
| Mark Karlsson (Flying_fishbowl)
Registered Member Username: Flying_fishbowl Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 76.103.164.73 Rating: N/A |
I want to get satellite TV and internet connection for my bus. What do you people recommend for the best provider & service, and what should I do about a dish? Buy my own equipment, or are there better options? Anybody to absolutely avoid?? And for the dish, what's the best way to have a permanent mount on top of the bus? Or is it better to have one set up outside to aim at the satellite? Thanks! | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 476 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 173.4.138.119  Rating: N/A |
We purchased a used Tracvision in motion system from a fellow bus-nut using Directv and it works great. He switched to Dish service because of the ability for receiving local channels. We opted to add a Winegard Batwing with Wingman for local digital reception in Abilene TX, and while we are in Breaux Bridge LA for the Eagle Rally both have performed well. We do not have a portable dish yet but might get one just in case we can't hook up to the 101 bird with our roof top unit. The more choices you have the better chance you will have to receive a good strong signal. For internet service we are using a Sprint Air Card while traveling, you can also use Wifi where ever it's available. I was told we can also get internet service through our Directv dome/dish, have not tried that yet. Or you could tether your cell phone if you have that ability. Good Luck with you choice, ~Paul~ PS - When we moved from the house into the bus, Directv told us to just take the two receivers with us and send the other back, they had to set it up just the first time and now we are getting the signal where ever we have gone so far. (Message edited by dreamscape on May 04, 2009) (Message edited by dreamscape on May 04, 2009) | ||
| Larry Nelson (Larryn4106)
Registered Member Username: Larryn4106 Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 173.30.230.77 Rating: N/A |
Wow, other than staying with Directv, I have the same setup, including the Sprint aircard. I was in a campground in Nebraska (Two Rivers), alongside the Platte River (10' away). I needed to take some "online" courses for a license, and I had broadband speeds. Of course, futher into the boonies, those speeds will be greatly reduced. I recommend you check out the Escapees forum. They have several on-going threads on this subject. | ||
| Darren Upfield (Mwerx)
Registered Member Username: Mwerx Post Number: 72 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 66.82.9.83 Rating: N/A |
We have Directv plus hughes net for internet,about 30mins to set up had it since 04.Darren | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 383 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47  Rating: N/A |
We have a Datastorm (Hughes Net) SAT system for highspeed internet anywhere and a bird on a wire, an offset LNB on the same dish for SAT TV. When the Datastorm SAT locks on to the internet SAT it also locks on to the tv SAT, take about 5 minutes to be online. (Message edited by prevost82 on May 04, 2009) | ||
| Jim Shepherd (Rv_safetyman)
Registered Member Username: Rv_safetyman Post Number: 278 Registered: 1-2004 Posted From: 67.142.130.49 Rating: N/A |
Paul, you can't get the internet from Direct TV. You need either a datastorm dish and Hughes modem ($4-5K) or a tripod Hughes system $1-2K). Hughes Internet seirvide is $79.99 per month with the datastorm and $59.99 with the tripod. Air cards are less expensive initiialy (about the same monthly cost), but can be without internet in lots of "boonie" places. Jim | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1042 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139  Rating: N/A |
We use a Millenicom air card and a permanently mounted Wilson roof antenna for a stronger signal.we have never been any place that we could not get online, although a few places in the NC mountains were a little slower. We are planning a trip up through the Midwest this summer. Hopefully, I will be able to report good high speed connections. we use a Winegard satellite antenna on the coach and carry a portable for when under trees using DirecTV. Have only camped one place in a valley amongst a lot of huge trees, where we could not get a DirecTV signal. Jack | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 478 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 173.96.243.68 Rating: N/A |
Jim, I'll check it out again, but last time I asked they sent me an email and said that internet service was available, I'll let you know. I just checked and it's through WildBlue, and they have dealers in the Abilene area. (Message edited by dreamscape on May 04, 2009) | ||
| Larry Higuera (Larryh)
Registered Member Username: Larryh Post Number: 38 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 148.78.52.146 Rating: N/A |
Paul and Jim; The Wild Blue system is known as a spot beam and very limited in scope and only available in populated areas. I use Star Band Satellite and have Sat TV through Dish Network and Internet service whereever I travel as long as can see So sky takes 20-30 minutes to set upand known of the setup hassels you have with Hugs net. Larry Higuera PS leaving for NW this week and then to East coast with new wife been married 2 weeks now. Quartzsite will be back in October | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 161 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 206.58.200.38  Rating: N/A |
I run the KVH Trackvision in-motion sat. and simply take two of my home recievers (Directv)when we go on a trip. Satisfied with the performance so far. For internet, we have two laptops, connecting through a Cradlepoint MBR 1000 router and Verizon USB 727 modem. The signal is enhanced by a Wilson Electronics cellular amplifier system consisting of hard mounted antenna (10") on the roof, the amp, and an internal flat panel antenna which is mounted on the inside of a cabinet door. The Verizon service is 60 bucks per month and the modem is free with a two year contract. VERY satisfied with our service and performance so far. This equipment can be purchased at 3Gstore.com; I highly recommend them. Good luck. | ||
| Mark Karlsson (Flying_fishbowl)
Registered Member Username: Flying_fishbowl Post Number: 21 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 76.103.164.73 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for all the replies, everybody! I'll take them under advisement. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1044 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139 Rating: N/A |
Mark, Do you use both antennas at the same time? How do you connect both antennas to the USB 727? Do you see a big improvement in signal strength with the amplifier? Thanks in Advance Jack | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 206.58.200.38 Rating: N/A |
Jack, the incoming antenna is the one on the roof. As you know, Wilson makes several "Trucker" models. Mine is a short one that is about 10" long and mounted to the roof amidships for a good ground plane. The other one is a flat panel antenna that is about 8" square and is normally used in small office applications to distribute the amplified signal. I mounted it on the inside of a cabinet door so I can just open the door if the signal is marginal. The USB 727 plugs into a USB port in the back of my router, thereby creating a wireless network. It works great in the bus and for instance if you are sitting on a picnic bench near the bus but I have not tested just how far away my network will work. Previously I just had a Verizon broadband card that plugged into my computer. I don't have any real world numbers on speed because I never check those, and added all this latest stuff at one time. But it works great and is very rare that we can't get online anyplace we go. Wilson Electronics claims that their cell amplifier will boost the range from a given tower up to 50 miles. Don't know if that's a valid claim or not. Too many variables. Hope this helps. | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 340 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 99.0.41.3  Rating: N/A |
I wanted to put a Wilson amp, outside high gain antenna, and indoor antenna onto the bus to expand our usable range of cellular signals around the country. So said Wilson in their marketing literature. As it happens, cell coverage at our house with either Verizon or AT&T is only 2 bars at best -- standing outdoors. Zero to one bar inside. Totally unusable. I looked through the Wilson offerings and got a 40db dual band amplifier, an external spring loaded slightly shorter than normal trucker type antenna, and a 5db indoor panel antenna. I put the external antenna on the eve of the house at the same height it will be mounted on the bus. The indoor panel antenna went to the center of the house. Used the same low loss cable I will install into bus. Now in the house we have consistent 4 bars on both cell phones. We don't have to walk out onto the deck to use them. Their are a few technical placement issues you have to contend with that are mentioned in the instructions. I'm not easily impressed, but this impressed us and confirmed it will be an asset when we full time. Note one amplifier can accommodate multiple cell phones and/or USB or PCMCIA cellular data cards. | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 200 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.90  Rating: N/A |
A question for both Boomer and Chuck. What model Wilson amp are you using? Single or dual band? Just bought a new place and need to set up something similar. Thanks Don 4107 | ||
| Mark Renner (Boomer)
Registered Member Username: Boomer Post Number: 168 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 75.221.142.30 Rating: N/A |
Don, I am using the Wilson dual band amp (801245), the dual band rooftop antenna (301104), and the dual band flat panel antenna inside (301135). |