direct tv or dish

Seems that I read in another post, that you've discontinued the vucube and have gone to the Winegard only. Not interested in the in motion but just the "plain" package and a loadlock mount. Have those handy?

 

DB you sold me a V30 years ago. This is the 3rd truck it has been mounted on. Still works as well as it did the 1st week.

 

We still do lots of mounting tricks for VuQube and have nothing bad to say about the Tailgater and Flex (current VQ models.) In our opinion, the most difficult thing with any of the systems is mounting them. So with the Winegard being about 30% smaller and a 2-year warranty (verses one-year on VQ), and it is easier to mount, so that is a pretty big deal for us. And for those who are not permanently mounting, the WG is smaller to store in the truck and easier to raise up at night. But they are a little more expensive.

We are going to start stocking the Tailgater and Flex again though anyway I think. But for the moment I have black or white color Winegard's, yes.

 

ABSOLUTELY! There are tons for V30 (in motion) still on the road. I would sell them to this day if they still made them because a percentage of the inquiry calls are specifically about the in-motion option. But the warranty percentage was high enough that it reached some kind of "business decision threshold" at the factory though and I can't get them any more. Glad to hear your V30 is still going strong and wasn't trying to alarm you.

 

Not having seen this V30 or any other in-motion trucking antennas, they have my curiosity. I would imagine there is an interruption every time there is a direction change for a vehicle in motion as it tracks and reacquires the satellite, correct? If so, how sensitive is it? Would passing a vehicle on a straight stretch of interstate, then getting back into the right lane cause it to lose programming until it reacquires? How about the gentle bends typical of most interstate driving? And when it does lose signal, how long it the typical interval to reacquire? Just wondering what a reasonable expectation should be for these units?

 

Actually, the internal motor drives react more quickly then you can make a turn (usually.) So as long as you don't break "line-of-sight" with the satellite, then the signal stays.

So, by that logic, for instance, if you were driving around a city with tall buildings, or through a tunnel, or through a heavily wooded area, then it will be spotty (in-and-out) as you block and unblock the signal.

Really bad storm clouds can mess with it too. But in general, it isn't perfect, but it is remarkably good at staying on it while rolling down the road in open areas where you don't have likelihood of blocking the signal.

Gentle bends = no problem
How long when it does go out? - if it is just for a second or two, then the picture freezes and does a "pixelating" thing for a second and then continues with the show.

The worst case is like if you have extended blockage and ALSO make a large turn. Like if you were driving through NYC and getting a ton of building blockage AND took a 90-degree direction change while it is blocked. THAT could take several minutes to find again after you straighten out and remove the blockage.

 

How does it track the satellites while in motion? Gyro?

 

A gyro (or two) is likely involved, as is a GPS and a fluxgate compass.

 

strings that run thru he windwing windows

 

The satellite signal strength can be seen by going to your "setup" menu on the Dish or DirecTV box. It will show a percentage value (like 70%, 80%, etc.) That value is constantly fluctuating while you are in motion. The in-motion units will "rotate" around the current signal constantly measuring the strength and then making adjustments up/down, rotate, to stay within the maximum given band.

Here, I made you a quick video example. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, right.