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I'm a total novice at this, but here goes. We are full-time RV'ers who spend half our year in Alaska (Anchorage to Homer) and want to invest in an automatic satellite set-up for the Internet. We currently have a dome on the RV for Dish network, but when in AK, we use a 30" dish on a tripod. We were told that the add-on adaptor for TV won't work with the larger dish we will need for up north, so will need to keep seperate systems for now, correct?
So, how well do the auto antenna's work in AK? Any provider better than HuhesNet for us northern travelers?
Who in the Las Vegas area would be good for us to contact for installation when we make up our minds?
Posts: 4 | From: Alaska | Registered: Feb 2007
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Rhonda, We will be in Las Vegas in March if you would like to discuss an installation. The HughesNet service does work well in AK in areas where there is enough open sky to see the satellite. You are still going to need a separate TV antenna for the best reception but the Datastorm automatic antenna can be setup with a TV LNB so that you can receive TV and internet when you are in the lower 48. You would need to be on either the Horizons 1 (127) satellite or G-16 (99) for service in AK. The 99 satellite has not been tested and I suspect that the lower elevation may be a problem for many users. The 127 satellite coverage has been proven in many parts of AK so we know you should have few problems with this service.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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We traveled in Alaska last summer. We have a Hughes .74 meter dish on Horizons One (127W). We were as far north as Fairbanks and south to Homer. We had coverage the entire trip except an area near Fort Nelson, BC. The only challenge was finding a gap between the trees or mountains due to the low look angle.
In addition, we were pleased to find our Bird On a Wire (BOW) received Dish Network on 119 as well.
Safe Travels...
-------------------- Roger, K4RS Dustyfoot Tripod HN7000S on Horizons-1, 1110, Pro On the road, living the dream... Posts: 53 | From: On the road | Registered: Jan 2005
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Roger, Thanks for the info. It's just what we wanted to hear.
Don, How soon will you be in Las Vegas? We need to be in Sacramento by the 15th. We are currently in Needles and were going to head to the LV area next week.
We are very interested.
Posts: 4 | From: Alaska | Registered: Feb 2007
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Rhonda, (Bill actually, not Don) If you will give me a call or drop me a line at Bill@InternetAnywhere.US I am sure we can make a plan that will work for both of us. I look forward to talking to you.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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Eventually we will be working our way up northeast and across the northern states to Washington. In a year or so, we plan on traveling to Alaska. Does Horizons 1 (127W) support the 7000S modem and is 48 dbW sufficient for the northern states? We are currently on SatMex6 (113W).
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Dan, 113 appears even weaker in the NW than 117. Since we are on it we will stay there until we lose signal as we travel into OR and WA this Summer but we know we will lose it. 127 works fine with the 7000 and 7000S modem and the F1 (not the modem) is a large enough antenna to pick up a signal down to the 46db line. 127W also has reported problems in the N. US and Canada but should work along the NW US.
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15681 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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Bill: I think you meant "E US and Canada", not "N US and Canada". Horizons-1 works across TC-1 at least to Sault Ste. Marie, ON and MI from my own experience. The problem is the low look angles as you go east, but the footprint is strong in the center of both the US and Canada. It also works well in Florida.
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Bill, (so sorry -my bad - reading too many messsages all at once). I'll email you soon. One more question: If using the F1 and Bird on a Wire, can we get both Dish Network satellites, 119 and 110 in the lower 48?
Posts: 4 | From: Alaska | Registered: Feb 2007
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Rhonda, you have the best installer in the business in Bill Adams and his sidekick and wife, aka the roof monkey, Janet. JMHO They installed our setup 2-1/2 years ago and we haven't regretted it one minute. Bill's always reachable if/when we need his expertise. You can't go wrong by allowing the Adams team to install your system. I'm watching the Alaska info 'cause we'll be traveling that way in a couple of years. Glad to know we'll have the coverage we've come to rely on while we're in AK. FYI - We live in Washington and haven't had a problem with our system there at all.
Hope you decided to head "North to Alaska" in the near future. It's a beautiful drive and the best place to spend the summer. We've been doing it for over 15 years.
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We may have to pick your brain when it's time, then. It'll be summer of '09. We've heard to stay off the Casiar highway. That's the bad one for flying rocks. We'll be planning a three-month trip. Looking forward to it.
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