Site recommendations

[ColleenFL]

Can anyone recommend a clear site to be able to get satellite tv in a premium loop? We are 40’ 4 slides and awnings. TIA

 

[bama_ed]

That depends on a lot of things, ColleenFL.

Whose service are you using? Directv or Dish?

Are you looking for SD or HD satellites?

Which antenna are you do you have?

After years of tailgating at college football games, for simplicity reasons I took my Directv receiver on the road and used a simple round dish to point at the 101W SD DTV satellite. I do have the receiver set for a 480i signal so I can still use the HDMI and get a better signal that what a coax connection might provide. Most tv's that are 36" or smaller really don't see much benefit from pursuing the HD signal (multiple satellites, more complex pointing) since the screen is small enough to provide a similar resolution. Although I did have some tailgate neighbors who would bring the HD dish, orient it on all 3 axis, and get an HD signal. Their screen was bigger than mine but the clarity was not that different. Self-pointing dishes often have to point at satellites further apart in the sky which makes it harder to find a clear campsite.

You might want to look at the Google Maps satellite photos of the Premium loops and then pull up Wilderness Princess' maps of the individual sites in each loop at Fort Wilderness and identify a list of 3-5 sites by correlating the two resources. Of course it's all contingent on what's available the day you arrive.

I'm coming to the Fort in two weeks and was debating about bringing the DTV receiver/dish or not. Given Resort TV has all the ESPN channels and the locals, I wasn't sure if I needed to. Is your concern a question on reliabilty/availability of a signal on the Fort-provided tv? Or are there certain channels not available on FW tv that you want to watch? I'm leaning toward bringing my stuff but hoping I don't have to use it and can use Disney's service instead.

Bama Ed

PS - at campgrounds I go to, I use the overhead satellite view to pick sites then run the location through dishpointer.com.

 

[ColleenFL]

That depends on a lot of things, ColleenFL.

Whose service are you using? Directv or Dish?

Are you looking for SD or HD satellites?

Which antenna are you do you have?

After years of tailgating at college football games, for simplicity reasons I took my Directv receiver on the road and used a simple round dish to point at the 101W SD DTV satellite. I do have the receiver set for a 480i signal so I can still use the HDMI and get a better signal that what a coax connection might provide. Most tv's that are 36" or smaller really don't see much benefit from pursuing the HD signal (multiple satellites, more complex pointing) since the screen is small enough to provide a similar resolution. Although I did have some tailgate neighbors who would bring the HD dish, orient it on all 3 axis, and get an HD signal. Their screen was bigger than mine but the clarity was not that different. Self-pointing dishes often have to point at satellites further apart in the sky which makes it harder to find a clear campsite.

You might want to look at the Google Maps satellite photos of the Premium loops and then pull up Wilderness Princess' maps of the individual sites in each loop at Fort Wilderness and identify a list of 3-5 sites by correlating the two resources. Of course it's all contingent on what's available the day you arrive.

I'm coming to the Fort in two weeks and was debating about bringing the DTV receiver/dish or not. Given Resort TV has all the ESPN channels and the locals, I wasn't sure if I needed to. Is your concern a question on reliabilty/availability of a signal on the Fort-provided tv? Or are there certain channels not available on FW tv that you want to watch? I'm leaning toward bringing my stuff but hoping I don't have to use it and can use Disney's service instead.

Bama Ed

PS - at campgrounds I go to, I use the overhead satellite view to pick sites then run the location through dishpointer.com.

It is a directv HD dish and is attached to the roof of our rv. I prefer using satellite over Disney cable due to the many channels I have on my plan, plus need to be sure that we can watch college football at our site.

It’s a matter of convenience, so the fewer trees or a good clearing is what I’m looking for. In the past we have stayed in premium meadows so I’m pretty set on which sites are good in PM loops.

We too have tail gated for many many years for college football, just not same team as you, go gators

Thanks Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

We too have tail gated for many many years for college football, just not same team as you, go gators
Thanks Bama Ed

Well good luck to you, Colleen. I hope the Merlins work their magic for your team.

Like I said, it's all a question of what sites are available on the day you arrive.

About the only CFB channels that Resort TV may not carry are CBS Sports (ch221) and FoxSports1 (ch219) which carry the also rans of those networks. I'll even throw in the SEC Channeld (ch611) which is not showing up on the Resort TV listing but this weekend is also showing the also-rans of the SEC (Auburn vs. Kentucky).

I hope your Gators beat the Lane Train!

There have been some grumbles about tv quality and availability but it sounds like you're a fan just like me.

Bama Ed

PS - and the SEC press chose the Gators to win the SEC East. Guess they mean 10RC will be 2nd?

https://www.secsports.com/article/29952339/preseason-sec-media-poll-all-sec-team-announced

We might see ya in Atlanta in December.

 

[Teamubr]

Colleen,

I'm on Direct too , but I have a big HD dish that I setup (10 minutes) when camping. I have a SWM multi view setup in the camper so I can watch different things on all 4 TVs and use the DVR. Most places I camp are way beyond a metro over the air signal and there isn't any park cable.

I have generally found the Fort is not very satellite friendly. Too many tall trees and fairly dense sites. With a moveable dish where I can place it for the best possible, it is less than a 40% chance I'll have a clean shot. With a fixed roof dish, that probably drops to 20%. Like Ed mentioned, going with an SD dish where you only hit 1 satellite, odds may be better to find that narrow clean shot through trees. My dish hits 3 different satellites and it is much less likely I will have that big of a window.

At the Fort, I just plan for being on Disney cable (requires me to flip some coax in the basement to get everywhere in the camper). I still will have all the satellite gear, but don't expect I can use it.

j

 

[bama_ed]

And since Teamubr/Jim's gonna be in SEC territory in two weeks, he's gonna have to learn how to say,

"Go Gatahs" in his best Midwestern accent. (nobody will pick up on it )

Bama Ed

PS - Bring a pair of jorts, Jim, and you'll fit right in among the Gator fans.

PPS - I. Could. Not. Resist. <Bad, bad, Ed > ......

 

[Teamubr]

I'll even throw in the SEC Channeld (ch611) which is not showing up on the Resort TV listing but this weekend is also showing the also-rans of the SEC (Auburn vs. Kentucky).

You mean the SEC channel isn't going to run the big Mizzou- 'bama game? Our local news interviewed Drinkwitz and asked him about the 36 point spread. His response was, "That's all it is?"

And since Teamubr/Jim's gonna be in SEC territory in two weeks, he's gonna have to learn how to say.

What do you mean? Missouri is in the SEC.

Now that "Gatahs" stuff? I speak Southern Illinois, not some Floridian dialect...

j

 

[ColleenFL]

Well good luck to you, Colleen. I hope the Merlins work their magic for your team.

Like I said, it's all a question of what sites are available on the day you arrive.

About the only CFB channels that Resort TV may not carry are CBS Sports (ch221) and FoxSports1 (ch219) which carry the also rans of those networks. I'll even throw in the SEC Channeld (ch611) which is not showing up on the Resort TV listing but this weekend is also showing the also-rans of the SEC (Auburn vs. Kentucky).

I hope your Gators beat the Lane Train!

There have been some grumbles about tv quality and availability but it sounds like you're a fan just like me.

Bama Ed

PS - and the SEC press chose the Gators to win the SEC East. Guess they mean 10RC will be 2nd?

https://www.secsports.com/article/29952339/preseason-sec-media-poll-all-sec-team-announced

We might see ya in Atlanta in December.

 

[ColleenFL]

Thanks Bama Ed! Yeah I was just trying to find out if anyone knew of some fairly open sites. I’ve never really had a problem in the past we may have to maneuver the rv a little. Its Been awhile since we have been in premium loops, like I said we usually do the premium meadows.
My niece is a Bama girl so I do root for Bama at times. So with that I will say roll tide!