Don't trust rv4x4.com.au

Fuego · Newbie

Don't trust rv4x4.com.au

handycapped · Veteran Member

We bought a satellite dish for when we are in the country and can't get normal reception. We bought it on the internet as it was advertised as being for use when you are away from home. We assumed that it would work when we were away from home! Which when you consider life in a rv and on the road is usually away from home! However could not get it to work with all sorts of 'on road' help until finally we went into a Solar and Satellite dealer in Gin Gin.

They told us that the sat dish was much too small and would only work in major cities or towns. Since we are not in major cities at all we have wasted our money. One needs a very large dish (min 65/70cm) to get TV in the country or the bush. I wrote to the suppliers (so far eight emails and three phone calls) and they have not responded except to ask for a written report from 'experts' that it would not work and other automatically generated acknowledgements of my emails. I sent them a report by email from the shop in Gin Gin. Still no response except to ask for it again after two more emails from me.

I want to return it and get my money back but they will not respond in any positive way so I would warn all you online shoppers, do not go near rv4x4.com.au.

herbie · Guru

I would be heading to the nearest office of Fair Trading regarding all this.as this is what this Gove department is set up for exactly this type of rip off merchant. The law states if the product does not do what it is advertised to do you have a claim against that business.

hako · Guru

I know nothing of satellite tv reception except what I've read, however what I don't understand is why is satellite reception better in the city? - it should be identical as you are exactly the same distance from the satellite.
Also I did a bit of a search and one site says:

Since the launch of the new C1 satellite in 2003 reception of regional free-to-air stations is possible throughout Australia on a 65-75cm dish. Formerly bigger dish sizes were required in some areas. What this means is that satellite TV is now available to ANYONE ANYWHERE and not only is the equipment more compact and easier to transport, but the cost is also far, far cheaper

the rocket · Guru

thanks for that. I like to keep notes on where not to shop, we bought our satellite tv from Brisbane satellites. jim is a very nice person, very good at his job and he's not a rip off merchant. the earth would be a better place if it had more people like him. he is a grey nomad member but I do not know his name on here. but good luck, sounds like you will need it.

neilnruth · Guru

Welcome to the forum Fuego. A good link given. Hope you continue to enjoy the forum.

KFT · Guru

"If it looks to good to be true it probably is".

sorry to burst your bubble but if you had asked the question of this forum or any other caravanning forum you would have been advised not to deal with that business.

members of this esteemed forum have considerable experience in satellite TV systems and could advise just what you need and where to get it with technical support if you needed help.

I wish you the best of luck trying to get your money back many before you have tried.

I would always recommend the use of an 85cm dish. I have travelled this country extensively with my satellite systems(well before others) and can advise that despite what you may hear a bigger dish does several things for you;

it works better in rain
it is easier to aim
it gathers more signal in marginal areas like central Australia

The satellites are set up to provide stronger signals to the capital cities and coastal areas where there are more users.

hope that helps

frank

Hylda&Jon · Guru

This link to fair trading may help: http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/About_us/Online_services/Lodge_a_complaint.html

Cheers

Jon

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Saturday 14th of September 2013 07:55:15 AM

philldeb · Member

Sat tv is for remote areas being close to a major towns is BS. Your supplier is having a lend of you Hope you get some help from them soon

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

handicapped, where are you now? PM if you do not want others to know you exact position, I am south of Perth.

I have been using a 65cm dish for 7 years now and no problem at all, what decoder do you have? is it a VAST system?

sandsmere · Guru

Reception should be the same in the city as it is in the country .

It all comes through the same satellite .

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Great link, Fuego, thank you and welcome to the forum.

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

hako wrote:
I know nothing of satellite tv reception except what I've read, however what I don't understand is why is satellite reception better in the city? - it should be identical as you are exactly the same distance from the satellite.

I agree with Hako - whether you are in the city or not will not matter, as it is dependent on the footprint of the Satellite. Technically speaking it should actually perform better in the open environment rather then in a city, as there is less clutter and shadowing due to buildings. So I think this shop you went to were just taking advantage of you in order for you to buy one of their kits maybe...

Before you get to far into this you need to answer the following:

- How is it been powered - Are you using an Inverter? Some Sat receivers don't like been powered from non sine-wave power sources.
- Do you have a device to locate the sat and aim the dish correctly?
- What system is the Sat receiver using?
- Is the dish clear of the vehicle, as in your not aiming the dish into the vehicle etc.

Have you looked at the footprint maps for the Sat system your using and what areas it covers?