Need RM-DM61 HD Upgrade

[rrraider]

We have a RM-DM61 on our fifth wheel trailer that needs modification for 'Directv' HD programming. Our home dish uses a three LNB arm that provides for all available programming, but adapting that size of dish to the RM-DM mount is not an option because of the physical size of the dish itself; which I think is beyond the capabilities of the mount. I have an old oval 'Dish' dish and arm that might be more appropriate for the task as it is not excessively larger than the production 18" round and hopefully has the span to pull in the three necessary satelites. Can you provide a triple LNB for the three 'Directv' HD satelites that will work with the 'Dish' dish. I notice that the triple LNB that you use on your auto system does not pull all the HD programming, how is it different from the triple LNB that 'Directv' uses for all the programming? I would not be interested in an LNB with that limit. I assume that Winegard is working on something like this as existing products other than your five LNB are becoming so obsolete. If you cannot provide what is needed for this modification could you offer some suggestions on where to look for the proper dish/LNB combo.
Thanks
Randy

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

The only way to get the DIRECTV HD channels is with a Slimline dish. There is no way to modify a crank up to work with the very heavy Slimline reflector.

We are looking at a few options but a skewable crank up is not something that is likely to ever happen as you would need to set three components to find a satellite and the margin for error gets ridiculously small as you try to find more than one satellite.

[rrraider]

I already knew that I would have to get on the roof to set the skew; no way around it unless I install a drive, but I think no big deal as that is the last setting to be made if others are done correctly.
Are you saying that the fullsize slimline is the smallest dish that has the capability of directv three satellite reception irregardless of LNB distance? I did not realize that your 5LNB unit had the same size dish as the home dishes; no size information that I was able to locate on your site.

[TVforMyRV]

The small footprint of the RM unit would put incredible stress on the mounting area, IF you did install a Slimline dish on it. Much higher torque would be placed on the roof mounting structure than from the Trav'ler unit.

[rrraider]

OK, lets try to rephrase a bit in an attempt to get an answer; if Winegard doesn't know the answer please just say so and I'll try to find out elsewhere.
Is the oval 'DISH 1000' dish capable of picking up the three 'DIRECTV' HD satellites and if so what LNB is needed for the setup?
Thanks
Randy

[TVforMyRV]

No, the Direct TV HD signals (99% of them) different LNBs. You can point the dish at 99 and 103, but you won't get any Ka band HD signals.

To swap out the LNBs on an Oval dish to accept Ka LNBs and see 99,101,and 103 would require some amount of engineering. The LNBs have to be positioned correctly in front of the dish so that the reflection angle back from teh dish points to the correct spacing in orbit.

An interesting challenge, but not very practical.

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

Things have been busy lately have I have not been checking on the forum form home.

You can not use the DISH 1000 reflector to get DIRECT HD. There are many reasons for this.

1. The reflector is tuned (the curves and shape and focal length of the reflector and LNB) to receive satellites spaced 9 degrees apart for DISH. DIRECTV HD uses a 2 degree spacing. For this reason you will not get a signal.

2. DIRECTV uses both KA and KU band satellites. There HD signals use a lower signal strength which requires a larger reflector to get enough signal to work with. This is the reason the SLIMLINE reflector is so large.

Even if you could use the DISH 1000 reflector. You still can not mount it to the crank up antenna.

1. It is insanely unlikely that you will ever find the signal. The margin of error when looking for a single satellite is about 3 degrees. The margin drops to about .3 degrees when you are looking for 3 satellites.

2. The gears that raise and lower the antenna will not support the larger reflector. Even if you get the unit to raise, a light wind will break the gears.

3. Any reflector that uses a Skew angle MUST be plumb. Not close to plump but plump. For the satellite dish on the roof of your RV close is close enough.

DIRECTV has made it so that the RV industry has three choices for HD programming.

1. Switch to DISH Network
2. Set a pole into the ground and set a home SLIMLINE (or other DIRECTV HD capable) reflector on it.
3. Purchase an automatic satellite system that is specifically designed with DIRECTV HD in mind. Such as the SK-3005.

TVformyRV is correct interested but as a crank up designed to work with DIRECTV HD would cost almost as much as an automatic that does the same thing, no one would buy it.

Thanks