How and where to install the satillite dish???

I know very little about satellite dishes, but I know I've seen them mounted on the side mirrors at rest stops.

 

If you're a new driver I wouldn't mess it with it for now. But that's up to you. I did it for a year.

I used a piece of plastic tubing that I attached to my psngr rear view mirror with plastic ties. The ties are tight enough to hold it on there and loose enough to make adjustments for signal. You enter the zip code of wherever you are into the satellite receiver and it gives you the angle of where to point. You need a compass to do this. Turn up the volume on the tv and it will let you know when you're getting warm. You can also use earbuds if your dish is mounted on the back of your truck. Sometimes you will have to park at a certain angle to get a signal.

It can be a real hassle, and having that dish in your truck. I would recommend getting a laptop and mobile internet connection with Sprint or Verizon. There's plenty to do on the internet to entertain and take up your time and it's not nearly the hassle.

 

I use the stock roof mount and attach it to the mirror using "air-pipe" clamp. They look like exhaust clamps, but are smaller. Install it tight enough to stay on the truck, but loose enough to allow "plumb" correction.
If the mount shaft (where you mount the dish) isn't straight "up-and-down", it is more difficult to find the correct signal and adjust for maximum reception.
I use a "bullet" level for this. (6-in level, found at any box home improvement store about $9) and I also use a "Signal Locator" meter, to lock on to the strongest signal possible.
SHOP around for these, Prices vary from $19.99 to over $50 (at Walcott TA).
You can usually find one in the CATV section of Menards or Home Depot.
I have looked at those "PVC" mounts on trucks for years. Not only do they look bad, but by the way they are mounted, it looks difficult to quickly get a strong signal. (SEE the above "up-and-down" reference)

It only takes me a couple minutes to start watching TV.

 

Let us know how it goes. I also have the Sprint card and they have what they call "mobile broadband." It's not the same speeds you get at home. And you have to be in, or near a big city most of the time to get close to real broadband speed. If I'm not within EVDO coverage, I can't even stream a lot of media without breaks and re-buffering. Even while I'm typing this the Slingbox website is still trying to load. I'm on the PA turnpike at the Somerset service area.

http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingstream.html

If this is true, it should even work when you have a slow connection.

 

I was looking around and I just got a satellite system installed. It is called VuQube. It looks pretty cool on the back of my cab. I dig it. When I pull over I use the Remote Control. Pointing the dish is easy. They say it takes three minutes or less to get a picture. So far I have been watching tv in about a minute.

I found their website and called them up and asked where I could get one. The have a bunch of dealers. And the thing is only $699. He said you can install it yourself. But with something like this I would rather pay someone who knows what they are doing.

 

I think it is great you have a new satellite t.v. - but don't forget we are out here to drive and deliver freight. Our foremost thought should always be safety on the highway and truckstops (learning to back up, etc.).

Enjoy your evenings, but please be safe out there!

 

YA.
Somepeople question
"WHO HAS TIME" to:

1. "Watch TV" (either sat or terra based signals)
2. "Hook-Up" to IdleAir
3. "Hook-Up" to Park-n-View; when that was available.

I am wondering if they drive 24 hours a day, and how do they log it? Do they only sleep once every 2 or 3 months for a day-and-a-half when their company lets them go home?


ME??
I have sat radio AND sat TV, I listen to XM all day and watch Direct-TV at night.
I have a Sprint Card and built-in WiFi in my laptop. I check, read and answer my email every day and post on the several "Message Boards" I belong to.
I get out and "explore" when I am out west. I collect interesting rocks, indian artifacts and fossils and have been known to snap a picture or two.
I go fishing whenever I have to take a 34-hour reset, or have to set the weekend. I have caught fish in all lower 48 states and two Canadian Provences.
I STILL find time to drive 3500 miles PLUS each week.
My life in the truck isn't just about "driving". It would be a boring and lonely existance if it were.