Hi Folks,
Well, I did it!
I didn't listen to my pioneer gps.... I waffled my satellite dome real bad..... I'm up in Livingston N.J. and just 2 miles from my destination,
I went under a train overpass and just ruined my dish. The bridge was not marked for height and I figured I would fit. Bummer.
It's now one of those 5" high ones...Lol I guess I have to bite the bullet now and get the KVH A7.
Lesson learned, the hard way!
Nick-
I guess I have to bite the bullet now and get the KVH A7
Oh you poor thing! ;)
Paul
Sorry about your mishap; bummer for sure. Speaking of gps's...gee pee esses?? Anyhow, I'm fixin' to buy one (how do you like that, yankees? I'm afixin' to...
I'm planning to buy a gps; Magellan, Tom Tom, or Garmin 330, something basic. Is there an upgrade I really need to consider, such as one that will give info re. low clearances? Is there such an animal? I really don't want to subscribe to a monthly thing to get live traffic updates, etc., but if there is a facture I might wish I had considered...suggestions?
Thanks,
Dennis
What GPS was it that warned you?
I feel your pain about having the get the new A-7, its already 5".
Yeah, Nick,
I guess that's really what I'm wondering, too. What kind of gps warned you? Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Sorry.
Dennis
This sort of parallels something we were talking about at the airport the other day, Nick. With airplanes there are "those who have landed with their wheels up and those who will...sooner or later." Something tells me that it's almost the same with buses....'those who've tried tried to raise the height of a bridge...and those who will...someday'.
Sorry for your mishap...thankfully it was only your dome and ego that was damaged and not you or your family. Just chalk it up to another "oops" and blame the voice on the GPS. :D
NCbob
Nick, Good thing you didn't take off a roof raise!!! ??? :'( ;D may have to reward yourself with an upgrade
Hiyo, I bought a laptop and and a delorme, dont have quite portability but for about the but i do read the busboard from the bed
i also wanted something I could see while driving the bus since im not quite as old as JR :D
it my stereo and DVD player since i had some old computer speakers laying around.
and you know the other stuff it'll do
got laptop on sale for 500 at comp usa and 100 for the delorme + tax etc. still learning the software.
Hi Guy's,
The GPS was trying to get me back on the Garden State Parkway and use the next exit, [which I ultimately did] and
my wife's cousin was the one trying to talk me through another way to his house via cell phone..... CRUNCH!
Surrrre... he goes that way all the time in his Lamborgini. [which is about 9' shorter]
Jim, My GPS is the Pioneer AVICN3 all in one with XM navtraffic
Last night I tried to bend all the parts back into shape but, it didn't work...
Nick-
OUCH! Nick, sorry about that crunch. How is the surrounding roof? Is the roof still intact around the satellite dish area? Rivets & seams OK?
Please do keep us posted on the low profile satellite dish search. That is what we're going to install at some point.
Kind Regards, Phil
Hey Nick, that was taking your Do-it-yourself attitude a little too far! Better leave the Satellite dome modification to the pros! ;D
Jay
87 SaftLiner
Anyone ever stuck a camera up at roof-height in a look-forward configuration, so you can see how close the overpasses are going to be?
When they make a GPS that has bridge/overpass clearances, I sure hope they include Doppler radar on the screen so one can watch for rain conditions. That would be cool.
We have a Garmin which periodically invokes the GRRRR and @#%&* vocalizations in our coach as we travel throughout the summer, but my brother says his recent issue of Consumer Reports rates the Garmin higher than the others.
Even with a GPS, we've learned that one has to be aware and watch over it because it does still get confusing, especially in cities. Nevertheless, we'd truly be lost without it.
Linda
Now that you've made it public, you'll probably get a bill from NJ for scratching up the roof of the bridge :P
Hi Guy's,
I'm pretty sure I found the most reasonable supplier of the KVH A-7.
Anchor Express . com lists it with free DHL next day delivery. I should have it Tuesday.
I ordered a roof mount Black unit that comes with a 12v Direct TV reciever.
Nick-
Quote from: Len Silva on September 09, 2007, 07:31:41 AM
Now that you've made it public, you'll probably get a bill from NJ for scratching up the roof of the bridge :P
Len,
Knowing New Jersey, They will probably bill me for the scraches to the bridge and bill me for the damage to my sattelite too...Lol
New Jersey and You, Perrrrfect together!
Nick-
I'd have to clean out my pants after something like that! 'Course, I'd have lost the sat dish, two ACs, and various assorted other antennas.... ???
Glad nothing else was damaged!
Now that you mention the GPS talking...mine chatters incessantly, but since I don't hear very well, I ignore most of it.
I do plan trips on it...then it'll show any bridges that would be problematic. So sez the instructions..it has never warned me of an impending low bridge..but, so far haven't hit one. Could see how easy that would be up in the NorthEast. Ya'll have too many low bridges.
BTW, JON...I can still see well enough to find the valvestems on your tires!
Just wait.. you'll see just as bad as I do, eventually...well, a really long time I suppose...if you're lucky! ;)
JR
Nick,
Double Ouch! :'(
Low bridges are always one of those things in the back of my mind.
Hopefully they will be in the front if when I encounter one!
Glad You and the rest of the coach are OK.
That must be a terrible noise just over your head..... :o
Cliff
Hi Cliff,
Hitting the low bridge was the easy part, backing out an almost 150 yard's to the intersection with
a line of cars behind me was the hard part... What can you do, just put the back-up beeper on and start creeping back.
Most people moved, there was one A**hole that thought I was unconvincing him too much and decided to play chicken
with a 44,000lb bus. I went slow and steady, through the back-up camera, I saw he waited until I was 3-4 feet from him
before he darted back into a driveway. Smart choice, since I had no plans to stop for such a large Ego... in a small car.
This guy didn't realize that I just destroyed a 1700 dollar satellite and I think it was worth way more then what he was driving.
Nick-
Nick,
Are you willing to share what all that cost? ;)
Paul
Nick,
Sorry to hear of the demise of your satellite dish. I wouldn't be to quick to jump into one of the low profile dishes though. Check their coverage maps before making the commitment. You've had a dish that certainly outperforms the A7. The KVH A7 isn't the only ultra low profile dish, you might want to look at Raysat too, they do claim better coverage in northern areas. I'm probably going to use the Raysat but I haven't taken the 'plunge' yet.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120
Thanks Jerry,
KVH boasts that they have the best coverage of any other sat co. ??
http://www.kvh.com/pop_ups/a7_specs.asp
Here is their maps of the US
Nick-
I guess I'm the guinnie pig for you guy's.....
I'm suppose to have it tomorrow and if so, it will be in before the weekend. I will give a report!
A brief from the site:
Low-profile in-motion satellite TV system for RVs with low-clearance requirements
Leave the DVDs at home when traveling in your RV, truck, or bus. Instead enjoy more than 300 channels of DIRECTV service on the open road. Ideal for in-motion applications and vehicles with height restrictions, the ultra-low-profile TracVision A7 sets a new standard for fun on the road with live DIRECTV programming right on your RV's video screens.* All-new for 2007, the TracVision A7 has multi-satellite capability providing the broadest selection of DIRECTV programming available on the go! Don't miss that big game, traffic report, or breaking local news story again. Traveling has never been this much fun. It's true...the best seat in the house is now in your RV!
Highlights:
In-motion reception of local programming along with more than 300 channels of DIRECTV satellite
TV programming and 70+ channels of XM Satellite Radio
5-inch high, patented dome available in either a high-gloss black or silver automotive-grade dome
Compatible with virtually all standard factory-installed and aftermarket video systems, including those with S-video inputs
Includes exclusive compact 12V DIRECTV receiver that retains the program guide for the fastest start-up available.
Easy system control thanks to onscreen messaging and a backlit RF/IR remote control that allows you to change channels even if you can't see the receiver
Nick-
We've got the KVH A7 ourselves, and we've been pretty pleased with it so far. By adding it to our home account, the service only costs us an extra $4.99 per month!
We chose it because we needed something very low profile to to fit TempBus inside our garage. . .and when we move into BigBus, you can bet it's coming with us, even though the garage door on that side is taller. I wish we could have purchased it for the price you found, but we were on vacation and decided to have it installed for us.
Now, the local channel thing. . .my experience is that you can only get your local channels if you are in close proximinity to the original area. I was told that they only beam the channels to a specific area and if you get away from that geographic area, you won't receive them. So, when we're in Dallas, we can't receive the OKC channels. Has anyone else been able to get around this? Christy Hicks
Hi Christy,
Yes, just call Direct TV and they will shoot you the local channels for the area you are in. Just have a zip code ready.
I do that every year when I'm in Florida. My local channels are able to follow me from N.J. to Virginia, and From N.J. to Ohio.
Nick-
How weird. . .I guess I just got a bad guy when I called and asked about it. I'll try that again next time we head south. Thanks, Christy
Nick,
KVH has hidden in their owner's manual/installation that the A7's minimum elevation angle is 31 degrees. With their maps and that angle you see what you're getting. The large domes all have minimum elevations near 20 degrees, that's what you had. Raysat is an almost unknown company that offers an antenna much like he A7 but with a 20 degree minimum elevation and support for either Dish network or Direct TV.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120
Hi Jerry,
The A7 is equiped with the Hybrid Phased Array tech from the millitary tech, it looks up to the sky differently then a normal sats.
If you can picture a funnel that curves horrizonal after it shoots up a distance, then you can picture how it works. The need for
less then 31 deg. is not required for the A7. That's one of the selling points that turned me to it. Tall trees next to you are most likely not a problem.
"so they say" we will see!
Nick-
Nick,
'Less than 31 degrees not required' is a fine example of the marketing proverb " if you can't fix it feature it". The Direct TV satellite set allows some coverage throughout the US without looking below 31 degrees but it certainly doesn't guarantee that what you want to see is on a 'bird' the A7 can see. The Raysats also use 'hybrid phased array' technology, that's how both get the low profile. I'm looking forward to your evaluation.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120
Quote from: NJT5047 on September 09, 2007, 06:41:10 PM
Now that you mention the GPS talking...mine chatters incessantly, but since I don't hear very well, I ignore most of it.
I do plan trips on it...then it'll show any bridges that would be problematic. So sez the instructions..it has never warned me of an impending low bridge..but, so far haven't hit one. Could see how easy that would be up in the NorthEast. Ya'll have too many low bridges.
BTW, JON...I can still see well enough to find the valvestems on your tires!
Just wait.. you'll see just as bad as I do, eventually...well, a really long time I suppose...if you're lucky! ;)
JR
I've got MS street Atlas and I'm not seein bridge heights,
I might need you to see my valvestems sometime when i get stuck under a low bridge :-[ :D,
-anyway JR why would you want to see my old valve stems when you have such a lovely misses to look at! ;)
Nick
"Includes exclusive compact 12V DIRECTV receiver that retains the program guide for the fastest start-up available" Is this a HD receiver? Is this antenna capable of receiving HD programming?
Jon,
There is a web site (which I have saved, but can't find right now) that allows you to download height restrictions with several height options, as well as Cracker Barrel, WalMart, and a host of other databases. The site has these data bases in the language for M&S Streets, DeLorme, and others. Maybe Dallas or someone else can post a link to the web site. Jack
Jon,
Here are some GPS update files:
http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm (http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm)
Hi Jack,
The 12v reciever that comes with the unit is Not HD. The unit IS HD..
My 2 HD recievers will be running from this antenna [LR & BR] I will install the 12v reciever on the bay TV.
This antenna uses 1 coaxal cable to the 12v reciever and I had to purchace a "destacker spliter" to run my HD recievers.
Nick-
Ok, Nick, I need more detail. ??? Since I have the same unit, tell me how to send the HD signal back, because I was under the impression that everything had to go through the front receiver. . .the 12v one, and no, it is not HD :-\ .
Inquiring minds. . . which is really so silly ;) , we spend all these gobs of money and 1/2 the time don't even turn the tv on for more than a few minutes, but I do like to hear the news right before I go to bed so I can pretend I know what's going on. :D
We've got TempBus about ready to head out to the Texas Rally this weekend. . . only by the hair of Larry's chinny chin chin :P. It'll be a whole new look for her. . . we'll see what people think. :o Christy Hicks
P.S. I used the files Jack mentioned and yes, they are very handy and easy to use to layer various truck stops, campgrounds, Wally Worlds, etc. Do keep in mind, the newest information is still available on their websites, so you might want to use several sources to play it safe.
Hi Christy,
The front, or 12v unit uses a stacked signal in the coaxel cable to also control the antenna. To add additional recievers with either standard
or HD, you must purchace a destacking splitter from KVH. The destacking splitter is installed between the antenna and the 12v reciever to allow you
to feed another, or multipal recievers to recieve what the antenna is locked onto. The 12v reciever must be inplace for the antenna to work.
Hope this helps
Nick-
Quote from: Dallas on September 11, 2007, 05:55:29 AM
Jon,
Here are some GPS update files:
http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm (http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfolinks.htm)
thanks Dallas and Jack,
interesting link, I'm gonna have to try to figure it out, do you just open the zip files in a certain folder wher the software is? i'm testing out on the hot springs one.
I'll have to check out setting it up one of these days. . .right now, we just have a splitter that splits the signal between the tv's off of the 12v receiver, and if the door is open between the bedroom and front, I can "hit" the channel changer from bed. We haven't put in any HD tv's so far, but I'm sure BigBus will get better ones, as the LCD ones are OK, but not great.
So, do you have a separate mobile programming package or are you just doing like we did, and adding the receiver to your home package? I was surprised they let us do that, but I sure wasn't going to argue with them, since paying a monthly fee for a complete package with the little traveling we have time to do. . .well, that was going to hurt my feelings. Thanks, Christy
Jon, just go to the main page of the discovery owners site
http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfo.htm (http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfo.htm)
Hi Christy,
I have the same as you, home subscription and the bus recievers are add on's.
I'm in the middle of installing my A7 today. Hope to have it all wired up by tomorrow.
Nick-
Hi Guy's,
First test of the A7....
Turned the system on after properly hooking all componets up and it took 7 seconds to lock in onto the satellite... Wow! I'm impressed allready.
So far all my programming is AOK. Next test will be on the road tomorrow.
Nick-
Hey Nick - was nice talking to you today - so as not to start a new thread (and I love hi-jacking others) - FYI the reason your insurance is so much better priced is because your MARRIED and I'M NOT - I told the Insurance Co. that I WON'T get married just to lower my rate, but I asked if I could borrow your wife - So what do you say? are you willing to loan your wife to another busnut in need? I'll split the savings with you - LOL - thanks for the info and help - Niles
Now that's funny, you have to be married to save money! And who says, insurance people don't have a sense of humor!
Quote from: niles500 on September 12, 2007, 10:37:19 PM
Hey Nick - was nice talking to you today - so as not to start a new thread (and I love hi-jacking others) - FYI the reason your insurance is so much better priced is because your MARRIED and I'M NOT - I told the Insurance Co. that I WON'T get married just to lower my rate, but I asked if I could borrow your wife - So what do you say? are you willing to loan your wife to another busnut in need? I'll split the savings with you - LOL - thanks for the info and help - Niles
Sorry Niles......
I love my Busnut friends but, not that much!
Maybe you can get one of thoose e-mail wife's...... Cheap!
Nick-
Quote from: Pat Bartlett on September 13, 2007, 02:45:24 AM
Now that's funny, you have to be married to save money! And who says, insurance people don't have a sense of humor!
Insurance stats show that married folk are in general more responsible and less likely to engage in actions that will trigger insurance payouts. This is one reason why males pay more until age 25 unless they get married.
My insurance costs are through the roof in part because I've never been married. I'm paying about $2,600 a year for coverage on my bus, a VW Golf, and a house. I do have the maximum coverage on my vehicles and a $1 million umbrella liability rider. I get a substantial discount for good credit or I would be paying over $3,200 a year. I have no tickets ever and one single vehicle accident in 2003 due to an icy road that is now off my insurance.
Quote from: belfert on September 13, 2007, 07:52:15 AM
Insurance stats show that married folk are in general more responsible and less likely to engage in actions that will trigger insurance payouts.
I think it has more to do with by 25 you may actually have something worth being sued for and you don't want to lose you stuff, thus triggering the I will be more responsible gene.
I guess that racing around the go-kart track at 50mph after a few beers may cause me to be just outside the statistical average. ;D
Cliff
Quote from: Dallas on September 11, 2007, 06:05:34 PM
Jon, just go to the main page of the discovery owners site
http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfo.htm (http://www.discoveryowners.com/cginfo.htm)
Done it!! :) Thanks for the hand holding, Dallas ;), I didn't even know what to look for.
Thanks for sharing Nick, I learned about the GPS, you may haved saved me a roof air. or a trip for JR to come air down my tires to drive out :D
Gary, The GPS says there is a low bridge in Piedmont on 86, Lookout?
Nick,
I haven't seen anybody step up and want your old satilite dish!
Got any pictures?
Skip
Well, it happened again. . . got set up here, called Direct TV, and they told me the same thing, even the 2nd person I talked to said it, that they could give me New York East coast feed, and West coast feed, but could not give me my own local channels from OKC, OR the channels from Dallas!
I hate not getting OKC, but I hate it even worse not being to at least get channels from the closest large metropolitan area! So, what phone # do you call and exactly what do you say to get your local channels instead of East Coast & West Coast? Thanks, Christy
Christy,
First, great to see ya back on the BB. When the tech came to our place last week to replace our antenna with the new one for HD, I had a chance to ask him a few questions. Per this tech, the local signals are sent in what they call a spot beam. This signal only covers the area around the city. Once you are out of the spot beam area, there is no way to get that signal. As far as Direct TV allowing you to get the local channels where you are located, I don't have an answer. I am sure the signal is there, it is just a matter of them allowing your receiver to process it.
We still have the Winegard batwing antenna on our bus and use it for the local channels when we are traveling. When we were in Huntsville, AL last month, we found that we could receive local channels in HD over our batwing using our new LCD TV.
Hi Everyone,
I am confused (yes I know most of my posts start that way). I thought I understood Nick to say you can get the local channels ( with local being where you are physically sitting at the time). I think Christy is asking if she can get her local channels from home no matter where she is?
Are we talking about two different things here or am I just geezing again. Since I don't have an satellite service it is all over my head anyway.....
Frank
You know - there is a similar thread running on Rec.outdoors.rv-travel & the two threads have really opened my eyes. I thought that the CRTC (Cdn Radio Television Commission which is the federal body that regulates all broadcasting in Canuckland) was the most screwed up organization of government but I am coming to believe that they are maybe just the norm in their field. Talk about clinging to outdated modes of thinking. In a mobile world with people communicating around the globe and travelling just about as freely, what is the big deal about "local" feeds. Its all about advertising of course but what business is that of the regulatory body?
And FWIW on the Canuck model I *CAN* get a pseudo-local feed anywhere I am. I can get the CTV or CBC feed from Regina just by scrolling through the list of channels until I find it - the same as I have to do when we are "at home". The next question is why anyone would want the local feed given that it is taken up almost entirely with what is going on with the hometown hockey or football team but that's a whole other discussion. I do notice that all I get on the US channels is the national network feeds.
Hi Guy's,
Frank is correct about the local channels. The channels in the area that you are in is what you will recieve.
For me, just to recieve the big "3" networks is what I need for sporting events and such.
I'm on the road now with the bus sitting at the Cape May Ferry and the A7 is working just great.
The only thing I had to do since I fired it up the other day is calabrate the gyros as per KVH's instructions to oriate the unit.
I now have 3 recievers operateing in the bus.. I know, go ahead and laugh!! All working great.
The old L2 inmotion unit can be repaired, so KVH has told me. It needs a new curved dish and a new dome.
Nick-
Ok, I get you now Nick, I misunderstood what you were saying earlier and thought you were able to receive your LOCAL channels when in Florida, but I just read it wrong. I know it sounds corny, but I like our local people from the OKC area. . the weather guy we watch each morning is just a hoot, and well, I like to know what's going on at home, even if I'm not there.
If I've good reception, I can go online and read the newspaper, so that's good, but it just seems like when we travel, the local newspeople in other areas are just a bunch of "yay-hoos", ha ha. I know that probably, when people come to Oklahoma, they think the same thing!
When I get the paperwork turned in, we'll get the west coast and east coast feeds, and that will just have to do. Most of the time, if we're watching TV, we watch the history channel anyway. Does that make us sound old? ha ha, Christy Hicks
Quote from: Christyhicks on September 14, 2007, 10:29:00 AM
. . . . if we're watching TV, we watch the history channel anyway. Does that make us sound old? ha ha, Christy Hicks
Us too, but the kids ask "how come you don't remember seeing it on the news?" :D