I got my in motion sat dish - pretty cool but a couple of questions

[Paladin]

So I got my Winegard RoadTrip Minimax and ran it last night. Even though it was on a slight slant it locked on pretty quickly, a minute or two I guess and I got a fairly strong signal (~80) and all my channels. I did however notice that after it locked on and the power switch was still on it seemed to be making some small adjustments and made semi rapid chattering sounds like an old dot matrix printer.
It never changed the signal strength and I turned of the switch and all was fine.  Do they just do that? would it have settled down if I gave it longer?


Also, I'm thinking I'd like to mount somewhere in the middle of the roof line of the bus or even nearer to the rear but I wonder why so many are mounted near the front? I don't think I've ever seen a new MH with it not on the front. I'll have to look at the upcoming rv show.
Is it with the thought that maybe the front of the coach might be less obscured by trees when parked thus a stronger signal? I seem to recall reading a manual a few years ago for another brand, Kingdome possibly, not sure but I think it recommended mounting forward on the roof but didn't say why. I kind of don't like the idea of a huge black bump on the front of my bus sitting up there like a wart.

I can't imagine the dome knows where it is on the roof nor cares really except for possibly overhanging shade while parked. What has been everyone's experience on their placement and parking? If the tree thing is significant then I guess I'll have a wart!

[JackConrad]

     Anything that causes the coach to move, even slightly, causes the antenna to move to compensate.  On some coaches this can be wind, a person entering or exiting the coach, air suspension settling, etc. 
     We mounted our antenna towards the front of the coach.  We find we usually have more trees/branches over the rear of the coach when backed into sites at campgrounds. We aqlso carry a portable dish antenna for those times when there are too many trees/branches in the way to use our roof mount antenna.  YMMV  Jack
     

[eddiepotts]

I know everybody says they look like a wart but only if you have one. If your wife had a 10k diamond on her finger everyone would say it was gotty. They would all still be jealous as hell. I wish mine worked. I would have an arrow pointing at it.  I would agree fewer obstructions on the front of the rig when parked.

[Paladin]

Well I hooked it up again and this time with two receivers and all was good. Made the same sounds for a while but it finally stopped after I just let it go. Now I can't wait to try out the in motion part. I wanted to run down the street carrying it on my head but my coax and power cords aren't long enough. 

Since we're planning a short trip coming up I might mount it on the luggage rack of my Navigator and try it out if I can figure a really secure means to mount it to the rails. 

[Dreamscape]

Ours will keep searching when we reach our destination, just short movements. We just turn off the 12 volt feed until we move again, so it keeps tracking while in motion. Our book says when we are parked to turn it off so we do.

We do need to get a portable for those times when we can't see the bird. Other than that we're happy campers!

[JackConrad]

Paul,
   Try to find a local DirecTV or Dish installer (whichever brand you have). When the installer put the new HD dish on our place, I asked if I could keep the old dish. He gave me the one he took down and another one he had in his truck.  I think I have already given them both away to be used as portables when traveling. Can't check until we get get home mid-november.  Jack

[Paladin]

I was sort of thinking of one of those Vuecubes down the road....wayyy down the road after I've taken care of many other more important things and the prices are cheaper. I don't think we really need HD so what I have plus that would be great.

A gimme would be better though, I might need to look around.


VuQube Portable Satellite

[steve wardwell]

we have an older unit that we up graded (new brain box)it's smart not HD but not an in motion type. when tuned in we shut it off so every time a rain cloud comes over it doesn't go crazy trying to find the sat then it gives up and goes to sleep and then we have to do a reset sequence to make her happy again.easier to turn her brain off, less hassle.....our unit is 2/3 from the front and yes we also have a free standing tripod............s..............
another note we had dtv set up HD dishes at both of our owned lots for free  so we really  go dock to dock for the HD. and no HD in route

[eddiepotts]

I got boyh of my portables of CraigsList for $20 each brand new. It came from an installer selling out of the back of his truck. I got the tripod for another $25 at Radio shack.

[Dreamscape]

Jack, Thanks for the offer! I'm sure there is another busnut that lives closer that will take you up on your offer!

I have thought about getting a used one from an installer, should be a bunch of them out there. We have DirecTv, I just haven't gotten around to asking anybody yet. I know there will come a time when we'll need one. Good idea!

[robertglines1]

have it on boat ..did donuts and it stayed locked on,,why? just had to try..powers on when tv is turned on...Bob

[PP]

Paladin, I mounted ours up front because that was the closest to where I needed to run the cables in through the roof without adding new holes. We disposed of the old crankup and one of those round things and they were fed in through a single hole. Works great, but we still carry a stand and a dish for when we're stuck under trees or some other obstruction. Enjoy, Will