Some of the newer RVs probably have two jacks, one for Cable TV and one for Satellite. The reason for this is as follows:
If your RV has one Cable in jack (coax, RG-56 or RG-59 etc.) then you CAN NOT ATTACH A SATELLITE cable in to it. Why? See the diagrams on the left and examples below
This is the basic way of hooking up satellite to TV. The receiver is between the TV and the Dish and has to be as the receiver powers the dish with about 16 volts DC to operate a small amplifier in the LNB (Low Noise Block)
If you try to hook the dish to the cable in on the RV it will not get the 16 or so volts DC to power the amplifier. The Cable connector has an amplifier in it to allow 12vdc to power the broadcast antenna that came with the RV.
When you push the little button on the panel, the TV antenna is powered up and TV signals get stronger, If you are attached to a cable outlet at an RV park the signal from that will be lost UNTIL you press the little button and turn the TV antenna off.
CABLE/ ANTENNA JACK ON RV WILL BLOCK VOLTAGE FROM RECEIVER BECAUSE OF ITS INTERNAL AMPLIFIER FOR THE BROADCAST ANTENNA
I have both in-motion and portable dish antennas because in wooded or visually obstructed locations, the in-motion might not get a good signal. Then, I use the portable dish and hook it to the custom connections I made on the side of my RV. I Hope this helps a little for your type of connection.
FIG. 1 STANDARD CABLE IN JACK
BROADCAST ANTENNA AMPLIFIER BUTTON AND LIGHT(GREEN ON )
AMPLIFIER TO POWER BROADCAST ANTENNA.
THIS WILL NOT ALLOW
SATELLITE POWER TO
GET TO THE DISH
THESE ARE FOR THE CABLE IN ANTENNA IN AND 2ND TV OUTPUT AND ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNAL WIRES OF THE RV USUALLY IN THE WALLS
THESE ARE THE SAME AS
THE STANDARD JACK
THIS IS FOR SATELLITE IN AND WILL ALLOW THE POWER TO GET TO THE DISH. ITS JUST A PASS THROUGH.
FIG. 2 SATELLITE AND CABLE IN JACK
THESE ARE THE SAME AS
THE STANDARD JACK
The most often asked questions about satellite hookup for an RV is where and how. Most if not all RVs will have one or two connections at the rear or rear side of the RV to connect to Cable television service at RV parks that offer it.
The easiest way to have all work is to install a second jack (FIG. 2) dedicated for satellite. This will entail a little work such as cutting a hole for the jack/mounting plate and routing new coax cable. This may be more work than one would want to take on.
An even easier way is to have about 50' of coax and a tripod or some method for the antenna to sit level and hook the antenna directly to the receiver in the RV. This might be the easiest way to go.
There is a product available which will allow the coax cable to be attached to a flat adaptor and then passed through a window allowing the window to close and still get satellite signal to the receiver, I tried it but it broke at the end on me. I have since used other methods.
The information here is what I have done to my RV to receive Satellite Signals. My experience is with DirecTV and RCA receivers. I don't have first hand knowledge of Dish Network and their receivers but I think they are similar in function.
Satellite Connections in an RV
Top Satellite Questions from RVers
1. Can I take my receiver from my house and use it in my RV and does it cost more?
Yes you can. You need a spare dish and no it doesn't cost more
2. Do I need to plug a phone line in constantly?
No. Only to order Pay Per View
3. Can I hook up two receivers to one antenna wire?
No, You need a dual Dual LNB with two connections
4. Can I hook up two TVs to one receiver?
Yes, You need a splitter to send the TV OUT signal to the two TVs
5. I have my local channels on my satellite service. Will I get them all over the country?
No, Local market signals are spot beamed from the satellite in about a 300 mile radius from your location.
6. I was told I can't get a signal in a forest. Is that true?
Yes and No, If you can find a "hole" between trees you can get a signal. If there is DENSE canopy then read a
book or bring videos. The angle the dish points is deceptive as to the actual angle the satellite beams the signal.
It might look like trees or a building might block the view but in reality it won't.
7. Will clouds and rain block the signal
Yes, if you are in a thunderstorm the thickness of the clouds along with the rain will cause signal loss and if your antenna
is not secured to the ground, well it won't matter 'cause the antenna is gone with the wind! Heavy snow will do the same.
8. Will the satellite signal hurt me if I am between it and the dish?
No, completely harmless
9. Can I run my receiver from my 12 volt battery?
Only if you have a 12 volt receiver or a DC to AC inverter
10. Can I mount my dish on my RV and get a signal when we are moving?
No, the antenna is a fixed base device. The signal is so narrow that the dish would loose it when you would start to move.
The only way this can be done is to have an In-Motion antenna that mounts on the roof and tracks the signal.
These start at about $1000 and go up in price. They use to be A LOT more.
11. Can I use a DirecTV dish on a Dish Network Receiver and Vice Versa?
Yes, The dish is the dish unless you have High Definition and then you need a different type of receiver.
DirecTV standard analog signals are sent by one satellite where Dish standard analog signals are sent by two.
Some Dish systems have two "horns" to get both satellites without having to move the dish to get the other channels.
Now, both companys are offering "High Def" and the dish is kind of an oval dish with up to four horns in order
to pick up all the signals they transmit.
12. Can I take the access card out of my home receiver and put it in one I bought at a yard sale and use that in my RV?
No, The card is married to the receiver via the serial number and the activation done by the satellite provider in order
to curb piracy and theft.
13. I don't have satellite service but my friend does and he said I could borrow a spare receiver and dish. Is this legal?
It's his service. legal??? How would the provider know??? What would happen if caught???
