Hello all, I am now completely self contained and nice and snug after having gas heating and solar panels installed.  On these long cold chilly nights it would be nice to be able to turn the TV on, if only for a bit of company.  Unfortunately there aren't many free camp sites where a TV signal is available so I am thinking of stretching the budget even further and having a satellite dish installed on the roof.  I know they are very expensive so I was wondering if anyone who has had one installed can tell me if they work well, and if it would be worthwhile.  Also where I could get one installed.  I am currently making my way towards Mackay. 

hi valnrob

we bought a portable dish last december for $500 with the vast system ,its great and we can get lots of channels

Often you have to move your dish around to avoid tree's blocking the signal.   We nearly bought a roof mounted unit but in the end we got a self searchig free standing one, and we are very glad we did.

   Landy

satplus is where we bought ours with great after sales service,we heard that there is a sat finder which just picks up one satellite which is the one you need so there is no searching through all the other satellites up there ,so check that out with satplus as well,good luck and enjoy

Janno wrote:

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Hello all, I am now completely self contained and nice and snug after having gas heating and solar panels installed.  On these long cold chilly nights it would be nice to be able to turn the TV on, if only for a bit of company.  Unfortunately there aren't many free camp sites where a TV signal is available so I am thinking of stretching the budget even further and having a satellite dish installed on the roof.  I know they are very expensive so I was wondering if anyone who has had one installed can tell me if they work well, and if it would be worthwhile.  Also where I could get one installed.  I am currently making my way towards Mackay. 

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 To answer the OP's question, yes the roof mounted dish is very good and can cost $2.8 - $4K.

As mentioned these guys are in Mackay.

Some will say they are no good as "you can't park in the shade!"  Well, I say "why did you put solar panels on the roof if you wish to park in the shade?" 

The panels and sat dish will probably give you enough shade anyway.

Go for it I reckon. You won't regret it.

There are free apps for android & iphone that let you use the camera to see if there are obstructions to the signal.

Cheers Neil

-- Edited by Delta18 on Thursday 5th of July 2012 11:11:45 AM

Satplus are great, ask Philip in Victoria any question, they are very quick with shipping items. http://www.satplus.com.au/

KFT shade will not stop a signal, tree's will.

musketeer, there is only one satallite (C1) once you have the signal no need to move the dish to get other channels.

Roof mounted dish is about $3000-$4000 then you need the rest of the gear, I would recommened a tripod system, same as Landy (about $500)

The new vast decoder now has a record function for an extra $60 you get another remote control ( and don't we all need another remote control) this comes with a code you put into your decoder which allows you to record a progrm, but it will only record the program you are watching, best used it you want to go down the pub for a meal and do not want to miss home and away, then you can watch the program you recorded while taping another program to an external hard drive.

BTW Janno, welcome to the site

I would not be without our vast system, keeps Mrs W quiet for hours 

Here's the sat finder I use, most sat finders are crap

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-5-LCD-Digital-TV-Satellite-Sat-Finder-Signal-Meter-Station-Platform-/280899132158?pt=AU_Television_Accessories&hash=item4166e49afe#ht_4215wt_913

most sat finders need somebody inside the van to shout out "OK YOU GOT THE SIGNAL", this unit uses one lead from it to the dish and you get the signal on the screen of the sat finder, you then connect the cable from the decoder to the dish direct.

You will also need a GOOD compass.

landy wrote:

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Hi Delta 18 would you hapen to have a name for that app.

     Cheers   Landy

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 Hi Landy, the app is called Wikicamps Aust, not only does it hava a compass designed to point to our satellite, the camera can 'visualise' it in the sky against your surroundings to see if a tree for example will be in your way.

It also, as the name suggests has heaps of user updatable free camps.

See it here.

Also available for iphone / ipad, same price.

My mistake, it is not free, it is $1.99.  Well worth that as you do not need a Sat Finder if you have the app.

Cheers Neil

If you area heading for Mackay, go and talk to Richard at Aadvark Electronics, he does a lot of Sat stuff.  (he used to be our opposition, but a really nice guy)  I am sure he will put you on the right track.

Cheers!

Chris

KFT wrote:

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Hey wombat

I was wondering about this

"KFT shade will not stop a signal, tree's will." have you ever noticed that in most parks and camps it is trees that cause the shade?(lol) that is what I was referring to I should have made myself a bit clearer about that.

you have a great day

frank

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 Hi Frank, I thought you were meaning if the dish is in the shade, all clear now, in free camps I can usually move the dish a long way away from the van.

One more thing with vast you will need to register as a traveller, that will allow you to re-register within the state you are in (Vic, WA or QLD etc)

Hi Delta 18 would you hapen to have a name for that app.

     Cheers   Landy

Thanks Neil,

  I am still working out some of the things my smart phone can do but that is one I will certainly be looking into.

   Thanks for the info     Landy

Hi Hydeeho, we have just purchased a van which has an Alden Sat dish mounted on the roof but we no instruction manuals at all, do you know where we can get them as we don't have a clue :( Thanks