12volt satellite TV system & ISP

[lizzyhermit]

two questions:

1. does anyone know of a 12volt satellite TV system (not a 120 using an inverter)?

2. does anyone know of a satellite TV system that includes an ISP (Internet Service Provider)?

 

[TowPro]

I have not seen a 12V sat system, but the receiver only draws like 60 watt or so. You can (and I have) run it off a cheep $25. 00 inverter.



Now the ISP dishes (that I have seen) are all bigger, and much more critical to aim (read harder, sat puts out less power then TV sats) . I had an AOL DirectPC where you had to also use a phone line, not much good in a camper.

 

[klenger]

DirecTV is starting to promote their internet service. Cost for the equip. is about $600 and $60 / month. To much for my tastes. I don't think it would be practical in an RV as setting up the system is critical, and must initally be done by a professional. I use Verizon cellular for internet access when camping. DirecTV for entertainment (115 vac and inverter).

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

The world is your Oyster!

Originally posted by lizzyhermit

... ... . does anyone know of a 12volt satellite TV system (not a 120 using an inverter)?

When I got over to Europe last year, I upgraded my satellite dish on the Lance camper to Oyster.

The unit will run off a regular DC/AC invertor but for a nominal extra amount, I sprung for the auxiliary 12vDC input for "silent" operation. The system works very well, and when it fires up, it automatically locates and locks onto the satellite inside 3 minutes.



The satellite footprint from Sky Digital in Europe covers an area from the lower half of Scandinavia right down to the Mediterranean coastline and from the UK all the way over to Italy, broadly comparable with satellite footprints in the continental USA. Apart from some minor changes to LNB etc - Euro compatibility - it works fine, so I guess it should perform as expected in your part of the world; only drawback is that the AC operating mode is 220vAC not 115vAC, so the PSU would need changing.



Might be worth dropping them a quick email? Hope this helps... ...

 

[Dane]

Lizzy,

The DirecTV and DirecPC use different satellites. Also, you would need a local dialup account or you'd be paying long distance fees for the Internet access because your reguest (url) goes out over a phone line and the web pages come back via sat dish. There is now a two way sat Internet access but it is not easy to set up. The TV part is not hard if you get a good sat meter and compass or buy one of the expensive ($600) find the bird automatically dishes. Good Luck! If you have any questions give me a buzz, I install DirecTV and Dish Network sat equipment for a living.

 

[rlafferty]

I have talked to both DirectTV and Dish about 2 way internet connections. Both of them have told me that it is not available for RV's because of the requirement that it be "professionally" installed and aimed. Both said it is a government requirement.



If something has changed I would sure like to hear about it. Or does someone know a way around it? Even if it were a bit expensive it would be worth it to me. I would be willing to go a few hundred, but not the $6,000 for the one mobile system I did see being marketed.

 

[klenger]

You could have the DirecPC system installed professionally at home, then pack it up and go on the road. I suspect that if aiming the antenna is critical, simple antnenna mounting methods that we use for TV service may not be sturdy enough for the data service. On the other hand, the professional install requirement may just be smoke. I think one of the reasons that the pro install is required is that there is a microwave transmitter as part of the system, and someone coud be physically harmed if installed improperly. For the TV only systems, it's only a receiver.

 

[rlafferty]

I thought about that, but my 5'er is my home. Maybe the installer won't notice the wheels!

 

[lizzyhermit]

check this out. real intersting:

http://www.starband.com/index.htm

 

[LarryB]

I'm considering a DirecPC with satellite return so I can take it south with me next winter. My understanding is that once it is installed professionally you can move it but re aligning it can be a chore. Can anyone elaborate on this?

 

[rlafferty]

There are good discussions about this on IRV2 and on the Escapees boards. Here's a quote from someone with much more experience than me:



Tis a very murky area at the moment. FCC doesn't seem to care, but Starband, and others, have "claimed" they do as rationale for not supporting installations that are mobile. I was a Starband subscriber for a year, and a certified installer. If you move outside the footprint of your transmit delay parameters you must get assistance from their technical support folks to reset them (aiming the dish and getting a good signal was never a problem for me - getting parameters reset could take from 30 minutes to 3 days!). I was never challenged the few times I moved. SOME WERE! Some folks had their service disconnected when Starband discovered they were in an RV . Their $600 investment became useless . I think you could get by with a twice-a-year snowbird situation, but be prepared for an expensive and not very satisfying internet experience. I have no experience with the Direct system. They are waiting on approval to merge. As I said, Tis murky!

 

[Shifterpilot69]

I know this system is not cheap, but there is MOTOSAT 2 way Internet.

$4995. 00 plus $500. 00 installation and $89. 95 per month

:--)



But it is an option.



www.motosat.com



Michael

 

[Mutch]

Here is a good article on mobile email:

http://www.oceannavigator.com/public/action/ArticleAccess?doc=rtioiors



They also have alot of good articles on 12VDC power systems, including solar panels for charging.



Drew