Last changes 7/12/2007
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We planned ahead for satellite Internet and for using a
ground satellite TV dish by adding three coax feeds on the
outside of the trailer. This is in addition to the normal
satellite and cable feeds that came standard.
When we received the trailer, we found that the feeds from
our roof mounted
Winegard AS-2003
satellite TV dish went one to the living room and one to the
bedroom. We needed both in the living room for our
Dish VIP622 DVR satellite receiver. The Winegard dish
cannot have a splitter in its feed from the receiver to the
dish.
While the VIP622 wants two inputs, it will operate with just
one in a severely limited mode. One of the functions lost
with just a signal feed is the ability to record a program while
watching another.
If we had known this, we would have had some extra coax cabling
installed to give us configuration flexibility. |
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We eventually solved the coax feed issue by installing a conduit
from the bedroom to the living room under the trailer belly We can now route the
bedroom signal to the VIP622 in the living room so the VIP622 has
two feeds.
We used the same conduit to run the Cat-5 wiring for our WISP
radio. |
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This is the cabling for our TVs. To facilitate moving the Dish 622
between the Winegard AS-2003 and the ground
Dish 1000 Pro, we used a set of switches
designed for satellite level signals (same as below). |
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The VIP622 can drive a second TV, each watching its own programs. We took the second TV output of the VIP622 and
ran that to a coax switch. The other leg of the switch came from the antenna/cable connection for the bedroom TV.
Now the coax that used to carry antenna/cable to the bedroom can also carry the second TV output of the VIP622 depending on
the switch position.
There is a provision to run the antenna/cable signal through the VIP622 but we choose not to do that for simplicity reasons. |
Click on images to enlarge |
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We carry a Dish 1000 Pro dish mounted on a tripod. This replaced the
original Dish 500 Pro.
When the VIP622 is connected to the Dish 1000 Pro dish, we have full flexibility of programming.
We use the roof mounted AS-2003 for quick overnight stops where we don’t want to spend the time to setup the tripod.
The tripod setup also gives us flexibility when we are parked in trees. There is a chance that the tripod can be located
clear of the trees.
For the setup procedure, see TV Dish Setup. |
Click on images to enlarge |
We bought a 500' spool of dual RG6 coax cable with solid copper core. This costs a little more than standard RG6 coax
which has copper plated iron core. It looks the same, check the label to be sure. Home Depot and Lowes usually
carry the plated core wire.
We cut the wire into 100' foot and 50' sections. We already had a 25'. We use the same sections for the TV
ground dish and the Internet dish. The solid copper wire should be good for up to 250' from the RV. We only have
had to go 150' to get a clear shot at the satellite because of trees.
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You should also plan on replacing the ends of your coax cables. You rely that the cables ends will wear out or become
damaged. An initial investment in a few tools makes life a lot easier.
For cable ends, the only thing to use is compression fittings. They make better contacts than the screw on type
and are far more weatherproof.
A coax stripper means you will get the proper removal of outer cover, the shield, and the inner insulator. This can
be done with regular wire strippers but the results are rarely correct. |
