Folks in RVs love their live TV. Can you blame them? Streaming is fine and all, but there’s nothing like settling in for an evening of live TV. Consider this, too: if you’re off the beaten track, you may not have very good cell service. It may make for a very bad streaming experience.
That’s where Winegard’s Roadtrip T4 and other similar satellite solutions come into play. The Roadtrip T4 is unique in the marketplace because it’s designed for permanent installation on the RV. It’s also an in-motion dish, meaning that your passengers can keep watching TV while you drive. That can make the difference between a happy family and a sad one.
Now, if you have DIRECTV Satellite at home, you know how great it is. If you want to bring that programming with you, you have several options. You can suspend your home service once a year for up to six months. This would let you have a separate DIRECTV account for your RV, but not pay any more because you could just have one active when the other is suspended. Or, if you have some skills, you can take your equipment from home and use it in your RV.
Isn’t it illegal to use home equipment in your RV?
It’s not illegal, but there is something you need to know. If you want to watch DIRECTV in your RV using equipment from home, then the home must be completely unoccupied while you’re out in your RV. Any DIRECTV equipment in your home must be completely disconnected from power as well. You’ll also need to know that you’ll lose local channels if you’re out of the local area, unless your local area is New York City metro or Los Angeles metro.
If you are able to wire things yourself, you may want to go this direction as it allows you to use one DIRECTV account instead of two.
Using a Genie with a Roadtrip T4
In order to use a Genie DVR with a Roadtrip T4, you’ll need to wire it with a SWM-30 multiswitch. This is a device that will convert the signals coming from the Roadtrip T4 for use with a Genie DVR. You’ll need to run both lines from the Roadtrip T4 into the SWM-30 similar to what you see here:
Dome-DSWM30Click here to view fullscreen or download.
You may need to run satellite setup to make sure that the dish type is set to 18×20 or 18″ round. It should be done automatically, though. If you do need to do it, here are the steps:
- Press MENU or HOME on your remote.
- Arrow to Settings.
- Arrow over to Satellite. Press OK.
- Arrow down to Repeat Satellite Setup and press OK.
- Choose 18″ Round as your dish type.
- Choose None as your RB/INTL type.
What about Genie clients?
You can’t use Genie clients without the Genie DVR, but you can bring them with you as long as you also bring the Genie DVR. If you want to use Genie clients, you can use wireless clients or wired ones. If you have a DVR that looks like this:
you will need to add a wireless video bridge if you want to use a wireless Genie client. If you would rather use a wired client, you don’t need it. If you’re already using wireless clients then you probably have one of these. Here’s a diagram that will help you wire everything. Depending on your install, you may not need everything on this PDF.
Mobile-Dish-HR54-and-WirelessClick here to view fullscreen or download.
Need more help?
There’s no one who has more experience with RV satellite systems than Signal Connect. We’ve been doing it for over 20 years. If you want to upgrade your system, add streaming or cellular, you’ll want to work with a company that does it every day. Call 888-233-7563 and you’ll reach a qualified technician who can help you learn more about your RV’s capabilities. We’rre here for you during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
