With satellite TV in your RV or camper, you can be sure to enjoy your camping trips a lot more. Dish Network has equipment for RVs that include portable satellite dishes and receivers to ensure you can watch your preferred programs as you travel. The process of connecting a Dish Network satellite system to a camper is not very complex but has some specific stages. Here is a guide on how to hook up Dish Network to your camper:
Choosing Equipment
The first step is to identify the type of Dish Network hardware compatible with your RV. The main pieces you need are:
- Portable Satellite Dish: The dish has small flat dishes that can easily be installed and are available in sizes 19’’, 24’’ in diameter, and above. It has a low-profile dome design and can be folded to make it easier to store and transport them from one place to another. This suggests that the 24” dish is best suited for the highest signal strength.
- Mounting Base: This strong portable base enables you to place the satellite dish outside the RV and properly orient it to receive the signal to the south. Buy a model designed for RVs to make sure it fits and works properly.
- Receiver: Dish RV receivers are different, and they are much smaller and have a simplified design. Two of the best options include the Hopper and Wally systems, which let you freeze live TV and schedule primetime programs to download. An HD model is recommended.
You will also require about 50 feet or more external coaxial cable running from the dish inside the camper to the receiver. Ensure that any cable or accessories you buy should be rated for RV use.
Installing the Equipment
Once you have the equipment, you can install it in your camper:
Satellite Dish:
- Position the portable base firmly on the top or rear side of your RV outside. Make sure that it has been secured well and firmly.
- Construct the three legs of the tripod and fix the Dish satellite dome firmly on the base according to the user manual.
Cabling:
- To bring the coaxial cable inside, you need to drill a small hole in the RV exterior wall for the cable passage. Close all the gaps that can be used by pests.
- Screw cable TV wall plates inside and outside to attach the cables.
- Pull the cable through the exterior of the RV, down the side, and through the hole for the inside wall jack and receiver.
Receiver:
- Insert the Dish receiver into the RV and connect it to your TV(s) if you have not already done so. According to Dish’s setup instructions, it is necessary to select appropriate satellites and create an account.
Power Source:
- For power, hook up the dish base and the receiver to the RV electricity system. You can directly connect them to a separate dual outlet or through a mounted power inverter attached to your batteries.
- TIP: Low clearance RVs may require either the tripod dish mount or the roof mount of the dish. Wiring and cables should be properly installed and fixed.
Locating the Satellite Signal
Before enjoying Dish TV, you need to acquire the satellite signal after parking at your campsite:
- If you are in an RV, make sure to level and stabilize it on the ground. For the signal to be received, the dish has to be oriented in a vertical manner perpendicular to the plane of the signal.
- Switch on the Dish receiver system and television.
- Turn the adjustment bolts on the dish base counterclockwise so the dish base can rotate horizontally and vertically while aiming.
- Turn to the signal strength guide on your receiver and bring the Dish slowly up and down and side to side to get the strongest signal, then snug down all bolts.
- You may need to move around the campground a bit and clear obstructions such as trees. Savor satellite TV with perfect picture quality!
Dish Anywhere App in the United States.
One advantage of Dish Network for RVs is that you can access your subscription anywhere in the continental U. S. thanks to state-of-the-art satellites:
- But when you are going about your camping activities such as camping trips, follow the above signal locating steps whenever you want to camp.
- The Dish satellites cover the lower 48 states, so there are no gaps in the service area. Some limitations are true but there are; for instance, areas like National Parks are off-limits.
- The benefits of the Dish receivers such as Hopper 3 include; customers being enabled to view the live or recorded programs on internet-connected devices like smartphones, tablet computers, and computers through the Dish Anywhere mobile application.
TIP: Use the Hopper GO mobile device by Dish to watch recorded shows on WiFi-capable tablets and smartphones while on the go.
That would be all the important procedures on how to install and use Dish Network satellite TV while RV camping. It is advisable to follow Dish’s official setup instructions carefully depending on the model of your equipment. If you take the right equipment and have the right setup, Dish programming with such options as up to 4000K video quality, 200+ channels, sports packages, and much more will make your stay in your camper much more enjoyable. Watch your favorite movies, events, and shows from wherever your family travels to in your camper!
Ready to upgrade your TV experience? Call us now at (877) 471-4808 to find the perfect Dish Network plan for you! Don’t miss out on great entertainment—our team is here to help you choose the best package and get you started today.
