SK3005 Antenna

[BobHDRV]

Please explain why Winegard can't or hasn't built a smaller type of dish to replace the SK3005. The fixed dish that goes on a house doesn't require too much to make it stable enough to function properly. The base mount system and all the mechanics on the SK3005 makes for a large piece of real estate, as well as weight. Many of our motorhomes don't have the physical room to mount them on the top.

There is a company who builds a tripod style mount that utilizes a standard slim-line 5LNB fixed dish and gives you the necessary signal meter and proper tools to be able to set it up. Once setup it can be adjusted and locked on to the satellite's in a couple of minutes. This setup actually is intriguing provided you stay in one spot for awhile, but obviously it isn't very convenient when you stop for one or two nights.

My point is, it would seem you manufacturer's should be able to design a much lighter weight and physically smaller unit that would function quite well. I'd be willing to pay more for a unit made from aluminum if it really decreased the weight by quite a bit. Likewise a smaller unit that didn't need so much space.

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

The SK-3005 was designed to avoid the compromises that have been plaguing the RV market.

We designed it as an automatic lift for the DIRECTV home system. We purchase the reflector and LNBF from DIRECTV to ensure the best possible signal and performance.

The home system doesn't need to move and home installers do not try to aim satellite systems in a 40 MPH wind. The SK-3005 will do both. However, this requires a very stable platform and some pretty beefy motors.

We did realize that some people might not be able to find the real estate on the roof for the SK-3005 but we also knew that the future of RV satellite RV was going to look like a TRAV'LER.

The unit is mostly aluminum and the weight of the unit is spread very wall across the footprint of the SK-3005. If the roof will support the installer, it will easily support the SK-3005. If this is a concern, we also offer the SKA-008 roof plate to spread this weight further.

Finally, a smaller unit would involve sacrifices and compromise. Two things the TRAV"LER was designed to avoid.

Smaller means fewer satellites at one time and lower signal strength.

[lachalton]

I am ready to puchasing this antenna to use on a portable ground mount. Some of the parks we travel to have trees overhanging the rv space making a fixed roof which is useless.Also they are quite in price, anyone know of a discount dealer? Any info on this antenna would be much important for every one..