We are thinking about getting DirectTV satellite system and using a portable antenna system. We've seen plenty of tri-pod set-ups with the ever-so-popular water jugs, sand bags, or various tie-downs used to keep the tri-pod and dish sunny side up. We haven't however, seen anyone using one of the newer "set on the ground" style dishes. This one at Camping World sells for $179 (base and dish). We've also seen ones with a base that can hold water or sand (like the weighted bases used on street baskeball set-ups) at SKP Commercial Member Rack Factory. Any users trying a ground-level system? Without the height of a tri-pod can you "see" over neighboring RVs?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CoolJudy,

We have been using the one from Camping World for about 5 years, in the Texas panhandle. Even with all the wind they get it stayed up while the tri pods fell. We have not had a problem with height of neighbors.

I've been using a low, ground-mount "tripod" for over 7 years. There is simply no issue getting over other RV's or the occasional bush. Mine places the bottom of the dish about 1' above the ground. It has the advantage in that it is just about impossible to blow over, and far faster to set up than a "regular" tripod, which is hard to plumb, and prone to wind effects.

Yor reference to the CW one is not one I would recommend. It is hard to plumb. You want something with 3 legs that are adjustable for plumb the vertical shaft.

IMO the Accudish is outrageously priced. But it is easy to plumb with the ball joint. Filled with sand it may work well in moderate wind, but then you will have to stake it because the "legs" are not spread enough. But it is far better and easier to use than the CW one you referenced. One thing about both of them...if youi are putting on a muti-head (say 3-head or 5-head) dish, they may not keep it stable enough. The new larger dishes can not work with most of the smaller tripods out there. The "regular" 20" 3-head ones do.

If you are thinking of getting HD or going to HD later. It will take a 5 Head Dish and bigger tripod like Jack says.

Hello Judy
I am different than Jack. I had a short tripod and always got frustrated in getting it setup. I went out and bought the same dish you showed in your post. I have about 4 small 1/4" thick boards that let me level the dish. I actually found out that if you get your dish close you can usually get the signal. I use the Satellite Finder also to help get the dish alined.
Now if your trying to set the dish up on very unlevel ground you might have to come up with some innovative ways to level it. It would be just as bad with a tripod that does not have vertical adjusting legs.

The base of this dish is made of plastic. It is not very heavy. I was at Prado Regional Park Campground in Chino and the Santa Anna wind came up and blew my dish across the street into another site. I had 2 bricks holding it down. I ended up having to tie it to the trailer. The people that had tripods had problems also but I think this wind was pretty extreme. However I like this dish better than the tripod style. I have a minor problem with the screws that hold the dish at the necessary elevation. The parts are made of plastic and do not slide easily.

Overall I prefer the dish on the ground but would like it better if I could weigh the base down better.

Travel Safe and may God Bless you all.
BC

We use a Winegard tripod that has a centering bubble in the top. I set the bubble in the circle in the center; and, as long as the skew setting is correct on the dish, I can get both DISH satellites. Then, I lock the legs; and, sling two 1 gallon plastic bottles full of water (16 lbs. of weight) over the leg knobs. . .I've never had my tripod blow over, even during the recent storms in Northern Illinois; or, the desert winds in Arizona & Nevada. I simply use a Boy Scout compass to find the azimuth; then adjusting the elevation, 99% of the time, I'm watching DISH in 10 minutes. Oh, yes...we try real hard to pick a site with an unobstructed southwestern view.

My dish is simply bolted to a 2 x 6 board which is leveled by shoving rocks or dirt or a board. Cement blocks keep it in place. Have yet had a problem. Usually do the old fashioned compass and altitude alignment although I do have a meter.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Mayer:
I've been using a low, ground-mount "tripod" for over 7 years. There is simply no issue getting over other RV's or the occasional bush. Mine places the bottom of the dish about 1' above the ground. It has the advantage in that it is just about impossible to blow over, and far faster to set up than a "regular" tripod, which is hard to plumb, and prone to wind effects.

Jack,

Would you care to divulge the source (or brand) for your dish? I'm using the "tall" tripod and would really like to get something smaller to stow.

Thanks

Paul

Judy,

I find those mounts to be pretty expensive for what they are, but the real key is to find what you are comfortable in leveling. The more accurately the mast is plumbed the more easily you will find it to locate the satellite, whether you choose to go with Direct or with Dish. If your mast is plumb, either one is very simple to find and if not neither will be easy. To me, the key is what it takes to level it.

With my bad back I made a tripod mount using a light duty surveyor's tripod, similar to the ones they use for Hughes and StarBand. A bit bulky but dead easy to setup.

I have an Accu-Dish. Yeah, they're spendy. And, to me, worth every penny. Make set-up fast and easy.

I've only had one occasion in about 2 1/2 years where I couldn't use it in wind.

I have a 2LNB Dish antenna. I wouldn't recommend even trying one with any more LNBs.

My dish is mounted to a piece of plywood about the size and shape of a stop sign. It works great. To level it, just shove some sand, rocks, dirt, sticks under the low side.

Seems to handle a good breeze. If it moves, just pile some rocks, sand, bricks or whatever on the base.

Also have a 30" dish mounted on a 3/4" 30"x18" piece of plywood. It works about the same.

quote:

Would you care to divulge the source (or brand) for your dish?

Paul, Unfortunately they are no longer available. They were sold by CW from about '99 to 2003. I think they were called Dishfoot. But I might be wrong on the name. Mine is long gone. It would be real simple to make one, though.

You might take a look at this PVC mount: PVC MOUNT It's easy to build and low cost. It's very wind resistance. You can mount the stub vertical if you wish to mount the dish in the conventional position.

I recently bought the tripod system from H & G.

Best investment ever.

http://www.tv4rv.com

George is very helpful. Contact him at: sales@tv4rv.com

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