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We have an Autotrail Apache new shape and would like to use some sort of satallite system. Dont want to spend thousands as telly is not that important, but am wondering if a portable dish would do, or can we fit something in the same position as the existing aerial.
You probably could fit it there - but - that would mean giving up your existing aerial - sometimes you can find yourself with no line of sight to a sat. (under trees, near an escarpment or high building)
A free standing sat dish may give you more flexibility in positioning the dish.
Hi
I would start with one of the portable suitcase type systems from Maplins, Aldi, Lidl etc. at a cost of around £50-60 for everything you need. Perhaps get a tripod. I adapted quite easliy the tripod from a Lild laser level and its looks the bizz.
A portable system has advantages over a fixed system in that you can sometimes (if space on your pitch permits) move the dish to get a clear view of the satellite which you could not do if it was bolted to the van.
The suitcae systems are quite easy to set up once you have the hang of it and is a cheap and good way to start up. You can always sell it on if you decide to buy a more expensive option
Phill
______________________________________________________________ Just when i found out my dad was right I had a son that thought I was wrong.....Henry winkler.
It depends on where your existing aerial is, in my opinion you would need a minimum of half the diameter of the dish you fit, away from the side of the van, so it dose not hang over the side of the van in the down position.
this is a thread I started a few weeks back - I plumped for a <a href=http://www.outdoorbits.com/product_info.php/cPath/11_60/products_id/486>Maxview Crankup</a> sat system - in total about £400 (inc decoder) and fitted myself.
Funnily enough i was looking at one of these at Elite Motorhomes today, might have to invetigate further. Would prefer something fixed to the van as it saves messing about with a portable one. Cant wait to drill a hole in the roof.
I have found it useful to have both systems in place just in case that the wind is too high for 'dish' erection or that the only pitch left is surrounded by trees
______________________________________________________________ Richard
Happy Holidays to everyone for 2012
The above is only a personal opinion
Would prefer something fixed to the van as it saves messing about with a portable one. Cant wait to drill a hole in the roof.
Hi Knobs
They are very good, and with a bit of familiarisation (not much in fact) you will be getting a lock onto the satellite faster than the nodding and pirouetting auto jobbies.
I reckon about a minute - rarely longer.
No dashing out into the blizzard to twiddle and listen for the crystal clear instructions from the wife!!
Drilling the hole in the roof is dead easy. Making sure it's in the right place is the trick, but not too difficult, and a tiny pilot hole is the answer. Easy to seal up if you have made a cock-up . . . perish the thought!!
As I tell everyone, dont ever get rid of your back up! Also, as Charlie rightly said, most status type roof aerials are fitted in a cupboard, so you have two issues:
1) The hole is normally too close to a cupboard wall for the ceiling control rose on a crank up.
2) The hole is normally too close to the side of the motorhome, leaving you with not enough room on the roof for when the dish is wound down.
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