Direct TV for truckers?

Not sure what your calling suitable, but I've seen many with the small round dish from Dish Network.

 

I'd go bigger than a 500 watt inverter. I run a 1500 and wish I'd have just got the 2000. The 1500 was on sale at the time tho and I'd look for that. Seems either the 1500 or 2000 is almost always on sale. If one isn't, the other is.
Also, I'd do Dish. Far better package. I'd also spend the extra money and go with the truck specific dish. They have one that you manually find the satellite with and the more expensive than does it automatically on the fly meaning the wife can watch TV while we're on the move.
Tailgater is the cheapest way to go tho and you just toss it out after parking. The other 2 are permanently mounted on the back of the cab and inside of a protective bubble.
I believe the automatic tracking one is somewhere in the neighborhood of $2000 or pretty close to it. The one you manually acquire the satellite with is like $1300 or so and the tailgater $400 or $500.

 

Generallee...what is the cost of 1500 or 2000 inverter? I've used IdleAir on many occasions and I like their service for internet and DirectTV but they are limited on locations and finding a spot to hook into to them can be hit or miss because they are not reserved parking and they have limited locations. Currently, I have a small inverter that basically powers my fridge and TV, but if I want to cook with an electric fry pan or use some other appliance I have to do the "Green Acres" thing and unplug this to use that. Any suggestions?

 

I am getting my set up from Diesel Boss. http://www.dieselboss.com/

Now I am not recommending that you do so because no matter how much business I have sent them, they have not given me a hat. But I will say, I have always been pleased with their integrity. Just not their cheap don't give Wooly a free hat policy.

 

I've used the regular 18" dish you figure out by yourself with a compass and set the elevation. I got good at it after awhile but now if I was to do it, I'd go with one of those domes from Winegard. Not cheap, would cost me around $1200 installed but finds the sat automatically. Truck has to be static for that. With the dome, Dish can give you HD but Directv can inky give you SD.

 

Just use a splitter and add an OTA HD antenna to it. You can still have sat tv when you want it and then, switch to local programming in the area where you're at.

 

I had a Directv dish mounted to a piece of galvanized pipe that was attached to the grab handle on the rear of my sleeper for many years. I used a 3000 watt Pure Sine wave inverter to run everything in my truck....Sat box, fridge, laptop,printer, coffee pot etc... The Pure Sine Wave type of inverter is a better choice over a standard inverter but it will cost you more money up-front. The one I purchased was about $1200.00 over 8 years ago. Still have it and still using it. I later installed an APU on my truck and at the same time I installed a Vuqube V10 antenna. I kept the inverter to be able to still use electronic devices when not running the APU.
The V10 was a good antenna. You still had to point the dish using a wireless remote inside the cab to find the satellites. You can have Directv,Dish or Bellvue(Canadian) with the Vuqube. Just depended on what you choose as your service provider. My V10 went through several rotating motors throughout the life of the antenna and it was covered under warranty. I recently had another problem with the V10 and it's out of warranty. Repairs would of cost the same as buying a new one but I was unable to locate a new V10. There are a few places that refurbish the V10 and King Dome (makers of the Vuqube) are discontinuing the V10. I ended up selling the V10 to a place that refurbishes them and bought the replacement model "Flex". The Flex is GREAT! Same options for services but it finds the satellites automatically with the touch of a button after the initial setup. No more pointing the dish with the remote. Hit the scan button and in under a minute, watching TV.
You can have whatever programming package you desire. Dish is a little cheaper but there satellites are lower in the sky. If you pull a van or reefer, I've heard of guys having to move their trucks to get a signal, especially in the upper mid west. Don't know if it's true or not since I use Directv, pull an RGN and have never had a problem getting a signal.
Hope this helps ya out.

 

no local channels,easy set up I have a regular dish set-up,reciever from the house,easy peasy

 

Your set up will all depend on what you want. I had a VuCube on my last truck and I now have a Wineguard on this truck. The Cube used a remote to tune in the signal, the Wineguard I flip a switch and it does it's thing. You can use a dish designed for your home, but you will be outside the truck to tune in the signal. You will also have to crank up the volume on the TV to hear the bleeps on signal strength, unless you can see the TV from outside your truck where the satellite will be.

The cube got it's power via the satellite box,so if you go that route the box will have to be on, the remote used batteries. My Wineguard I'm not really sure since Indiana Custom Truck did the install. Both of these systems you cannot get local channels. I understand it has something to do with the way they are designed, not a flaw, just lack of space inside their respective domes. Ask Diesel Boss in the electronic section. I've bought products from him, he will shoot straight with you.

What is your plan for the TV? I have a 3000w Tripp Lite inverter. I had it in my last truck. I am not sure how to explain this exactly, but, I get distortion, wavy lines, whatever you want to call it, on the TV. I can live with it until the inverter fails. I get that because the power isn't True/Pure Sine power, that's what I have been told anyway. Electronics also vary and some may not work with some inverters. I have never had this problem, but I have heard of others having it.