Satellite TV AntennasDIRECTV SWM Technology Guide38

For up-to-date information on receiver compatibility & programming,

visit www.winegard.com/receivers

Portable Antennas

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas39

Portable Antennas | Models

Portable Satellite Antenna OverviewWinegard offers a variety of portable satellite antennas (see table 4.1). The primary portable satellite antennas that Winegard offers for mobile applications include the Pathway X1, Pathway X2, DISH Playmaker, Carryout G2 and G2+ antennas.

TABLE 4.1. Popular Winegard Portable Satellite TV Antennas

Pathway X1

Pathway X2

Carryout G2

Carryout G2+

DISHPlaymaker

Model PA-2000PA2000R PA-2035PA2035R

PA-6002PA6002R

GM-2000GM-2035

GM-6000GM-6035

PA-1000

Automatic or manual

Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic Automatic

Compatible providers

DISH DISH® DIRECTV®, DISH®,

Bell TV™

DIRECTV®, DISH®,

Bell TV™

DISH®

Compatible satellites

110°, 119°, 129°

61.5°, 72.7°, 77°, 110°, 119°, 129°

82°, 91°, 101°, 110°, 119°,

129°

82°, 91°, 101°, 110°, 119°,

129°

110°, 119°, 129°

*Limited coverage and capability

12 Volt PowerThe Carryout G2 and Anser antennas receive power via a power cord and require 12 VDC to function properly. Make sure the 12 VDC power source is capable of supplying up to 5 Amps. Many AC to DC converters used for cell phone chargers, GPS, etc. are only rated for up to 1.5 Amps. The Pathway and DISH Playmaker antennas are powered through the receiver and do not require 12 V power. The Carryout G2+ uses a power inserter connected to AC. The Pathway X2, Carryout G2 and DISH Playmaker do not have a power cord.

Using Park Cable Coax Port on RVIf experiencing problems, connect the antenna coaxial cable directly to the receiver by running the cable through your RV door to ensure the antenna is running properly.

The power cord used with the Carryout G2 and Anser antennas has a fuse. If not getting 12 VDC power with the Carryout G2 or Anser antenna, check the fuse (see fig. 4.1).

Fuse

Threaded collar

Fuse cap

Spring

Power plug

housing

FIGURE 4.1. Disassembled 12 V power plug

Carryout automatic antennas are compatible with DIRECTV, DISH, and Bell TV programming. Model GM-0700 Carryout automatic antenna is exclusively compatible with Shaw Direct programming.

Portables with a power cord also have a 2nd fuse on the circuit board.

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas 40

Portable Antennas | Basic Operation

Using Park Cable Coax Port on RV, cont.If your outside TV receptacle is wired for satellite, locate where the outside receptacle leads to in your RV, and connect your satellite receiver directly to the corresponding inside receptacle.

If the outside TV receptacle is wired for cable, the wiring will have to be modified for use with satellite. The coaxial cable cannot run through any other devices or switches before the satellite receiver.

Typically, if wired for cable, the wiring will either run through a Winegard power supply or video switch. The easiest way to fix this is to disconnect the cable from that device, use a barrel connector, and connect a new cable that runs directly to the receiver, bypassing the power supply or video switch (see fig. 4.2). A dedicated portable satellite “in” coax would allow satellite where needed and still provide cable to all TV’s.

A Before AfterBefore

After

B

FIGURE 4.2. Bypassing power supply or video switch for Park Cable port on outside of RV. A, Bypassing power supply. B, Bypassing video switch.

LevelingFor optimal performance, portable satellite TV antennas, including automatic and hybrid automatic antennas, and crank-up antennas should be level.

If not level, automatic systems may not look in the right place for satellites; this will complicate the search routine and cause the antennas to take longer to acquire signal (if the antennas are able to acquire signal at all).

When a crank-up antenna is level, a user only needs to raise the antenna to the correct elevation angle, find North on a compass, and adjust the directional dial; then, the user needs to rotate the antenna to the correct azimuth angle, and the user could start watching television. If the coach were not level, the elevation would need to change as the user rotated the antenna to the correct azimuth angle. If the elevation angle were not adjusted, acquiring signal would be difficult.

Some RVs will have both park cable and satellite ports on the outside of the RV. If using the satellite port, make sure there are no splitters or other devices in-line, and ensure the other end of the cable is connected to the satellite receiver. Bypassing the power supply should not be necessary with this port.

Winegard also offers RV-7542 (sold separately), which enables you to disconnect from the cable port and connect to the auxiliary/satellite port (see fig. 4.3) when using outside Park Cable port.

FIGURE 4.3. RV-7542 A, Front B, Back

A

Auxiliary/satellite port

B

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas41

Portable Antennas | Pathway & DISH Playmaker

Pathway & DISH Playmaker AntennasThe Pathway & DISH Playmaker antennas are fully automatic portable antennas designed exclusively for DISH programming; the antennas automatically lock onto a satellite upon setting up the receiver and toggle to the appropriate satellite as the channel is changed. Instead of being powered through a separate power cable, the antennas are powered through the receiver. The Pathway antennas can connect to up to two receivers via the "MAIN" and "SEC" ports on the base. DISH Playmaker has a single port.

The Pathway & DISH Playmaker antennas are exclusively compatible with DISH programming and use DISH Mobile Protocol software. The Mobile Protocol software will enable the DISH Solo HD receiver to identify that it is connected to a Pathway antenna and will take the user through an order of steps designed specifically for the Pathway antenna. This will allow for a better user experience and easier initial setup.

Receiver SetupTo quickly set up the Pathway X2, X1 & DISH Playmaker antennas, complete the following steps:1. Make sure the antenna is in a location with a clear view of the southern

sky. If setting up the X2 antenna, align the Pathway X2 antenna so that cable connections are facing approximately North.

2. Connect the primary receiver to the “MAIN” port on the base. (DISH Playmaker has a single port.)

3. After connecting the receiver to a power source, complete receiver setup (see fig. 4.4). With the X2, select the number of receivers and eastern or western arc (only an option if one receiver was selected). With the X2, X1 & DISH Playmaker, select the state that you are currently in, and press “Scan.”

4. Watch TV!

FIGURE4.4. Mobile antenna setup screen for Pathway X2 antenna

The Pathway antennas come with a 25 foot coaxial cable, which is recommended for use with the antenna. Longer coax runs could potentially cause communication/power issues between the receiver and satellite system. Maximum cable length should never exceed 50 feet.

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas 42

Portable Antennas | Pathway & DISH Playmaker

Pathway X2 AntennaThe Pathway X2 antenna works with DISH eastern and western arcs. Due to the locations of the eastern arc satellites, the Pathway X2 will have easier look angles towards those satellites when in the eastern United States, resulting in greater coverage and less issues with obstructions. Also, many more local channels will be available in HD for those markets that are broadcasted on the eastern arc.

When using a secondary receiver, choose the option for two receivers on the Mobile Antenna Setup screen (fig. 4.4). When “Two” is chosen, the Pathway X2 will automatically use Satellite 72°. Satellite 72° allows both receivers to receive the full program lineup that is offered on that satellite. The receiver setup on the secondary receiver will not use the Mobile Protocol setup; instead, the receiver will follow the receiver setup process used with other Winegard satellite systems, requiring a Check Switch test.

Pathway X1 AntennaThe Pathway X1 antenna works with DISH western arc. When connected to two receivers, the primary receiver will determine which satellite is viewed, and the secondary receiver will need to be set up for the same satellite. Every time the primary receiver toggles the antenna to a different satellite, a Check Switch test must be run on the secondary receiver.

DISH Playmaker AntennaThe DISH Playmaker antenna is works exclusively with DISH programming and must be used with DISH Solo HD receivers including DISH 211z, 211k, 211, 411 and Wally® receivers. It utilizes a single receiver.The DISH Playmaker antenna can receive programming from DISH western arc, which includes satellites 110°, 119°, and 129°.

B

D

A

FIGURE 4.6. PathwayX2, Carryout X1 antennas and Roof mount kit. A, Pathway X2 antenna B, Pathway X1 antenna C, DISH Playmaker antennaD, RK-2000 Roof mount kit

Eastern Arc61.5°, 72.7° and 77°

Western Arc 110°, 119° and 129°

Blocked by trees

Clear view

FIGURE 4.5. Western and Eastern Arc signal reception.

C

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas43

Carryout G2+ AntennaThe Carryout G2+ replaces the original G2 and is physically similar to the Carryout G2 antenna. The Carryout G2+ antenna is powered via the redesigned power inserter and does not use Mobile Protocol software. When setting up the Carryout G2+ antenna for use with two receivers, both receivers must be configured off of the primary port, but a Check Switch test only needs to be run one time.

The Carryout G2+ antenna is versatile and works with DISH, DIRECTV, and Bell TV programming. Like the Carryout G2 antenna, the Carryout G2+ antenna has the ability to be converted from a portable antenna to a roof-mounted antenna using Model RK-2000 optional roof mount kit.

Temporary & Permanent MountsWinegard temporary and permanent mount options for Pathway and Carryout automatic portable satellite TV antennas make usage easier while also raising and protecting the antennas from damage and theft. Designed for use with automobiles, recreational vehicles and trucks, these mounts are built to withstand the harsh outdoor environment.

Portable Antennas | Carryout

FIGURE 4.7. Carryout G2+ A, Carryout G2+ antenna B, RK-2000 Roof mount kit

FIGURE 4.8. Portable antenna mounts and power converter.A, TR-1518 Tripod mount. B, MT-SM30 Window /

Side vehicle mount.C, RK-2000 Roof mount kit. D, MT-SM10 Rear cab mount.E, GM-1200 AC/DC power converter.

A

B

C

D

Pathway Carryout DISH

X1 X2 G2, G2+ Playmaker

MOUNTS

Temporary

Tripod X X X X

Window / Side Vehicle

X X X

Permanent

Roof Kit X X

Rear Cab X X

Power Converter X

PA-2000 PA-2035

PA2000R PA2035R

PA-6002 PA6002R

GM-2000 GM-2035

GM-6000 GM-6035

PA-1000

E

TABLE 4.2. Winegard Accessories Compatible with Winegard Antennas

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas 44

Portable Antennas | Mount Options

FIGURE 4.9. Portable antennas on mounts.

Tripods and Compatible AntennasThe two most common tripod satellite antennas are the DS-4248 and DS-1005. The DS-4248 is a single satellite Ku-Band satellite dish that is compatible with DISH or DIRECTV programming. The DS-1005 is a multi-satellite dish used for DISH western arc programming. The DS-1005 can be used to see satellites 110°, 119°, and 129° for full DISH high definition and standard definition viewing.

The DS-4248 can be used with either the TR-2077 tripod or, for more stability, the TR-3535 tripod (see fig. 4.10A). The DS-1005 is much larger and can only be used with the TR-3535 tripod (see fig. 4.10B).

A B

FIGURE 4.10. TR-3535 tripod used with compatible antennas. A, DS-4248 with TR-3535. B, DS-1005 with TR-3535.

The DS-1005 requires the user to manually adjust the satellite dish and peak on three satellites simultaneously. This can be very difficult for someone who does not have experience pointing a satellite dish. Beginning users are typically better suited for a single LNB dish (such as DS-4248) or an automatic system (such as GM-1518).

TRIPOD ROOF KIT REAR CABWINDOW / SIDE VEHICLE

Portable Antennas | Notes

Satellite TV AntennasPortable Antennas45