BajaNomad - WANTED - portable satellite dishes.

WANTED - portable satellite dishes.

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 10:02 AM

I've about got things ready for an extended motorhome-boondocking-fishing expedition around Baja Sur.

Most important...I have just now packed the blender.

I need these things yet:

- a portable satellite dish and tripod, etc...for Hughes.Net internet with all attachments.

- a portable satellite dish with tripod for television (DirecTV subscription), arm with LNB, etc. Largest dish for this motorhome application is best..say 4ft and bigger. Is 1.8meter too big? What size has worked for your RV in southern Baja? (talking DirecTV here only..I realize Starchoice is better reception,etc.)

Anybody got any of these items for sale? Or know where I can buy them? At the moment I'm back in San Diego and have not had much luck finding either of those dishes...YET..however, I am determined. :rolleyes:

I would appreciate some recent experiences/input on mobile internet and tv use from you veteran Baja RVers. :yes:

This recent photo shows the small television sat dish on roof..too small for southern Baja use...although works as far south as Catavina.

While RVing in USA I use Verizon aircard for my internet..which will not work in Baja Sur.

Above: Hughes.net satellite dish for internet.

A typical portable sat. dish for television..with LNB,etc.
.
.

It's Baja....I NEED internet and television!!

Muchas gracias.

[Edited on 10-17-2010 by Pompano]

motoged - 10-16-2010 at 10:14 AM

Pompano,
Is this model too big?

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 10:16 AM

..I LIKE IT !!

I can talk to my home planet again...

[Edited on 10-16-2010 by Pompano]

Bob and Susan - 10-16-2010 at 10:19 AM

roger
here is the source in san diego

talk to bob dudley

http://www.digitaldishnet.com/

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 10:24 AM

Thanks, Bob...I'm calling Bob now. I remember him.

motoged - 10-16-2010 at 10:25 AM

P.
Glad to help out

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
..I LIKE IT !!
I can talk to my home planet again...
[Edited on 10-16-2010 by Pompano]

shari - 10-16-2010 at 10:27 AM

Da Da Da Da Daaaaaaaaaa! Whhoa...that first picture is right out of Close Encounters...did you start making little drawings and sculptures of that rock landing marker???

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Da Da Da Da Daaaaaaaaaa! Whhoa...that first picture is right out of Close Encounters...did you start making little drawings and sculptures of that rock landing marker???

So you recognized Devil's Tower, shari...? I had some very close encounters while there, indeed. Like running out of olives for my martinis, etc..

bufeo - 10-16-2010 at 10:49 AM

Pompano, have you considered a Motosat/Datastorm dish? We sold ours with the trailer, but while we had it (four years+) we, or rather, I, since spouse is not addicted to this web stuff, really liked it.

The dish also had a BOW for DirecTV. Pretty good setup, and the new owners, who've now had it for a few months and several overland trips love it.

I never took it any further south than Pta Bufeo, but it worked fine from there to the Arctic Circle.

Allen R

comitan - 10-16-2010 at 10:56 AM

I have a 1 meter dish complete for direct TV, no stand just post mount. It worked here in La Paz.

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bufeo
Pompano, have you considered a Motosat/Datastorm dish? We sold ours with the trailer, but while we had it (four years+) we, or rather, I, since spouse is not addicted to this web stuff, really liked it.

The dish also had a BOW for DirecTV. Pretty good setup, and the new owners, who've now had it for a few months and several overland trips love it.

I never took it any further south than Pta Bufeo, but it worked fine from there to the Arctic Circle.

Allen R

Thanks for the Motostat info, Allen, but I had one on my last Fiver and didn't like the problems with raindrops and overhead obstructions...trees, etc. Plus I am trading off this motorhome this winter, so no permanent addtions and costs needed...but gracias anyway.

comitan...I had a 1 meter dish for my Fiver also. Worked fine back in 2000 to 2002. No experience since then with such a small dish. Does yours get good reception NOW?? If so, then I am interested. I can make a tripod mount easy enough.

vandenberg - 10-16-2010 at 11:35 AM

I gave two 1 meter dishes to our gardner.
They don't work here in Loreto.

comitan - 10-16-2010 at 11:52 AM

I guess I"m outdated.

bufeo - 10-16-2010 at 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano...Thanks for the Motostat info, Allen, but I had one on my last Fiver and didn't like the problems with raindrops and overhead obstructions...trees, etc. Plus I am trading off this motorhome this winter, so no permanent addtions and costs needed...but gracias anyway...

I can relate to the problems you mention. I see on another forum I frequent several internet/sat-tv setups involved with overland expeditions, but I don't know the specific names of any. I'll bet there are several options for you. I've sent a PM to you.

Good hunting!

Allen R

LaTijereta - 10-16-2010 at 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
I gave two 1 meter dishes to our gardner.
They don't work here in Loreto.

Your a little south of Loreto..
But my one mtr dish still works in Loreto for DirectTV..
Channel selection has been limited over the years

Keri - 10-16-2010 at 01:20 PM

Pomp, I have a hughes 7000 I bought here off nomads and I have never used it. It doesn't have a tripod it has an arm, but I have the box too. I don't know much about this stuff so the best you can do is call me and ask me questions I'll answer what I can. I'll send a u2u with my magicjack number,k :yes:

[Edited on 10-17-2010 by Keri]

capt. mike - 10-16-2010 at 04:53 PM

just finished the design for my new neg edge catch basin yard fountain which uses my old 6' spun aluminum c band dish as the vessel.
i'll post pics when it is done, ought to come out really super. i have stored it for years ever since i got the directv 18" system.
i was going to bring it to baja since at 2 meters and with the right LNB it would be good for lower latitudes, now i'll just buy one there.
it will be nice to be at Lorenzo's when i am ready to plunge to the pac side for digs.

comitan - 10-16-2010 at 07:06 PM

For everyone's information "C" Band will be obsolete after the first of the year.

mulegemichael - 10-16-2010 at 09:13 PM

two years ago we brought a brand new dtv system down to mulege, had it all rigged up and ended up getting 3 stations...that's the norm here now for dtv...seems like starchoice,(shawdirect) is now the tv of choice here; we get 200 channels or so

Pompano - 10-16-2010 at 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
two years ago we brought a brand new dtv system down to mulege, had it all rigged up and ended up getting 3 stations...that's the norm here now for dtv...seems like starchoice,(shawdirect) is now the tv of choice here; we get 200 channels or so

Ouch! Only 3 channels on dtv in Mulege? Something is very wrong there...I get 40 or so channels via DirecTV at mi casa a few miles south of you, Mike.

Some off the top of my head from last May......CNN, most Showtimes, Western Movies, either AMC or A&E?, Discovery, ESPN, E, USA, Spike, TNT, TBS. TCM, NGC, Comedy, WE, Gay Fisherman, Action Movies, Mystery, SUND, Intrnatl Movies, scads of religious and product shows, informercials..lotsa MUSIC!... and..drum roll, please!!.... Fox News., :saint:

Bob and Susan - 10-17-2010 at 05:08 AM

"dish" still works here and
you can get usa news

240 channels and "pay-per-view" movies

maybe a bigger dish for "direct" reception?

"fta" is up too but doesnt get
fox, abc, cbs, nbc

capt. mike - 10-17-2010 at 05:23 AM

"Gay Fisherman"
hahaha WTF - are you serious? or is it Happy Fisherman?

Steve&Debby - 10-17-2010 at 08:29 AM

Bob and Susan,

I had a Dish 1000 system put on our motorhome and could not get anything at Santispec.What size dish do you have?

Bob and Susan - 10-17-2010 at 08:33 AM

6 foot

you need to log onto sat 119

remember "dancing with the stars".... :saint:

Pompano - 10-17-2010 at 10:09 AM

I use an 8 foot. I get 'the stars.' :yes:

bajaguy - 10-17-2010 at 11:10 AM

Pomp.....what type of setup do you use when on the road in the US

Pompano - 10-17-2010 at 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Pomp.....what type of setup do you use when on the road in the US

bajaguy, I just use the normal rooftop 18" sat. antenna with a DirecTV subscription. Works great everywhere in USA, most of lower Canada.

I tried the automatic sat. system, but went back to manual type. Quick and easy.

You should have a good compass.

Determine NORTH.

Follow the setup menu prompts and type in the local ZIP code..and the machine gives you compass point direction..and azimuth (upward angle of the dish)

For example: San Diego (Santee Lakes) for dtv co-ords are 137 degrees (south-southeasterly) and 47 degress azimuth (angle).

I have a simple digital number gadget that registers degrees of azimuth...but you can guess this yourself with practice.

-- So you crank it up to 47 (for San Diego) and leave that setting alone.

- Now, you know the compass point of the satellite was 137 degrees. So...you rotate the satellite round to 137 and ..presto..the damn tv starts beeping loudly to let you know you are on target. DONE DEAL. So easy even Sarah Palin did it for me. No..wait..it was Pulosi. No..wait..it was an Italian chief cabin attendant... :yes:

It usually takes about 1/2 beer to being watching the tube.

ArvadaGeorge - 10-18-2010 at 10:12 AM

I have the same 18" direct tv dish with direct tv box--i'm hoping to use down to Loreto this winter--I hope it will work down south I get several 100 channels in the US . It only takes 10 15 minutes to set up.

gnukid - 10-18-2010 at 10:17 AM

I have a 1.2 new dish and mounting setup, box of cable, coaxial connectors, dual or single LNB for sale in la paz, many campers use a similar setup with a tripod or pole. u2u if interested

Pompano - 10-18-2010 at 11:33 AM

Gnukid..I U2U'ed you.
Thanks.

LaTijereta - 10-18-2010 at 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ArvadaGeorge
I have the same 18" direct tv dish with direct tv box--i'm hoping to use down to Loreto this winter--I hope it will work down south I get several 100 channels in the US . It only takes 10 15 minutes to set up.

George,
Think you be in trouble with 18" dish in Loreto.. Roger has the right idea looking for a larger dish to travel around BCS while he takes in the sights...

Keri - 10-18-2010 at 04:50 PM

Pompano, Check your email I sent you the pictures,k

ArvadaGeorge - 10-18-2010 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta

Quote:

George,
Think you be in trouble with 18" dish in Loreto.. Roger has the right idea looking for a larger dish to travel around BCS while he takes in the sights...

Will the 18" dish work down to Mulege ?

comitan - 10-18-2010 at 05:45 PM

George, Pompano on earlier post says 18" works to Catavina.

My findings on LARGER PORTABLE satellite dish research in San Diego area:

Pompano - 10-19-2010 at 06:17 AM

In case anyone else goes down this road, here's what you can expect to find for larger 'portable' satellite dishes for Internet and Television in the San Diego area.

Most of this info is from Craigslist & other internet advertisers, newspapers, and Yellow pages.

SATELLITE INTERNET
new dish - $350 Hughes.Net (from Ameristat)
used - $150 Hughes.Net dish
used - $100 Hughes.Net dish and #6000 model modem
used - $40 Hughes.Net #7000 modem only

SATELLITE TELEVISION
new dish - $99 1 meter - (Ameristat)
new dish - $290 1.8 meter - private
used - $50 sat. dish w/stand/2LNBs(95W & 101W)..small @ 18"

TRIPODS (for TV dishes only)
new - $39 - (Ameristat)
used - $25

Note: Tripods are very easy to make for any sat tv dishes. You can sandbag your homemade tripod in case of heavy winds...plus use a patio umbrella stand base, the round concrete with pipe/wingnut type. INTERNET dishes are heavier and require a stronger tripod. Improvise!!

The only difference between new and used dishes is the price...IF it has not been through a tornado. :rolleyes:

..and the search goes on. This is FUN. It's all about the journey, not the destination.

[Edited on 10-19-2010 by Pompano]

Pompano - 10-20-2010 at 06:26 AM

For your information...FYI?...(gawd, how I HATE abbreviations!)

STARCHOICE satellite television is now called SHAW.

....so I told by the nose who knows.

comitan - 10-20-2010 at 07:35 AM

Not just Shaw its Shaw Direct!

redmesa - 10-20-2010 at 08:30 AM

We are bringing down and our Shaw satellite and receiver for the first time to Bahia Asuncion. What should be know? Any special gadgets and cables needed for the set up. We are satellite novices and always just have the guy come by and fix things for us. Once again, any nomad help is appreciated.

comitan - 10-20-2010 at 10:05 AM

If you had the unit working in Canada it should be no problem. If new unit make sure the LNB Matches the dish, 60E LNB for 60E dish it says so on LNB, The 75E dish will work better but for asuncion the small dish will work.

ArvadaGeorge - 10-20-2010 at 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta

Quote:

George,
Think you be in trouble with 18" dish in Loreto.. Roger has the right idea looking for a larger dish to travel around BCS while he takes in the sights...

Does the 21" direct tv dish work any better?

LaTijereta - 10-20-2010 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ArvadaGeorge

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta

Quote:

George,
Think you be in trouble with 18" dish in Loreto.. Roger has the right idea looking for a larger dish to travel around BCS while he takes in the sights...

Does the 21" direct tv dish work any better?

Using a 1mtr dish, and get "limited" channels in LTO..

Pompano - 10-27-2010 at 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
If you had the unit working in Canada it should be no problem. If new unit make sure the LNB Matches the dish, 60E LNB for 60E dish it says so on LNB, The 75E dish will work better but for asuncion the small dish will work.

comitan, Starchoice (ShawDirect) has so many good choices for southern Baja viewing that I'm thinking of getting a subscription. This may be the last year for DirecTV in Baja Sur.

Starchoice
Sky
Dish
Direct

What other providers are out there for Baja Sur?

LaTijereta - 10-27-2010 at 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano

Quote:

With the internet speeds now in BajaSur..Why not go with Hulu+ or NetFlix ... They have the selection of TV shows/ moivies..just not the sports and Fox News :cool:

[Edited on 10-27-2010 by LaTijereta]

Bob and Susan - 10-27-2010 at 05:34 AM

you can't stream music or watch tv with a sat link

too much bandwith

Pompano - 10-27-2010 at 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta

Quote:

With the internet speeds now in BajaSur..Why not go with Hulu+ or NetFlix ... They have the selection of TV shows/ moivies..just not the sports and Fox News

FOX News? Hmm...FOX News?

I never heard of it..where can I see it?
Is it better than CNN? ABC? NBC? CBS? MSNBC?

I'll give it a try...because I'm desparately looking for a fair and balanced news source. :rolleyes:

comitan - 10-27-2010 at 08:01 AM

Mexican dish TV is not what you want but has quite a bit of US programming and very small dish and 174 pesos per month. Shaw is the only way to go at least for me. If you want a Canadian supplier of the dish that will ship to you in So. cal. let me know approx. $150 with shipping.