TV Reception for a Tiny House or RV
TV reception for a tiny house or RV is no different than in a normal size home with a few distinctions.
There are four main ways to get TV reception for a tiny house or RV:
- Satellite
- Streaming from the Internet: Visit my page, “WiFi On The Go” for details.
- Directly over the air.
- Cable
You may want to have several options available so you’ll have flexibility depending on what signals are available in your location.
The biggest challenge you’ll face is supplying the 110 vac power if you’re not connected to shore power, and re-tuning the satellite dish every time you move to a new location.
Cable TV Reception for a Tiny House or RV
Many RV parks and properties have cable available.
A coax cable needs to be run to your TV via their cable tuner. The best coax cable to use is called RG-6, dual shielded. It should have a solid copper center wire and metal “compression” connectors. If it is to be buried underground a direct burial cable is called “flooded” RG6. For more information about wiring your tiny house for cable and Internet visit this page.
For selecting a TV and mounting it visit this page.
If cable is available, depending on their type of signal, you probably will need their cable box to decode the signals. The cable box does things like puts a local channel four network on channel four of your TV, adds program information and a channel guide. They can also include DVR service.
A TV with a “digital tuner” will often be able to decode some of these signals but you’ll never know what channel of your TV the cable channel is going to be displayed on.
Frequently these cable companies also supply internet access.
Satellite TV Reception for a Tiny House, RV, or Travel Trailer
Satellite reception requires a clear view of the southern sky. That’s where all the satellites for North America are clustered. The satellite dish must be completely stable and precisely aimed to receive enough signal strength.
Your choices for satellite providers are DirecTV and Dish Network.
Dish Network caters to the RVer much more than DirecTV with a 30-day pay-as-you-go plan. Both systems require you to run your generator or have access to 110v shore power. Portable Power Stations are also a good way to run satellite receivers and TV’s when you don’t have shore power available.
Many features of the receivers, like On-Demand, require a good WiFi connection to work.
The electronics on the arm of the dish require power. DirecTV uses a power injector that plugs in to a standard wall outlet and sends 21 volts to the dish. Dish Network sends power to the dish from the receiver directly. The coax cable can deteriorate over time which causes a voltage drop. If the coax cable is too long, the dish will not receive enough voltage to work properly.
Permanently installing the satellite dish
When you sign up for satellite service, the provider should supply you with their receiver and antenna for no additional fee, other than the monthly charges. You can bolt the satellite dish to your house with the supplied bracket or mount it to a pole cemented into the ground (shown in the photo).
Once installed, the dish needs to be accurately aimed at the satellites you need to receive.
Location considerations
Clear view of the southern sky, not shaded by an eves or overhanging roof. It must be accessible so you can brush off the snow in winter, with no trees or thick bushes in the way. Make sure the cable is protected from hungry animals.
Dish Network Compared to DirecTV
Dish Network:
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DirecTV
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Auto Tuning Dish Network Satellite Antenna by Winegard
Designed exclusively for DISH programming, the DISH Playmaker and DISH Playmaker Dual are high quality, low cost portables that allow you to quickly acquire DISH satellites automatically with easy setup, so you can watch DISH TV in HD wherever you go.
Powered via coaxial cable from the primary receiver (120 volts AC.)
At this writing, it’s listed for $399.00* directly from Winegard. The unit measures 16″ by 13″ and weighs 7 lbs.
Includes Dish Wally HD receiver; single tuner dish receiver featuring RF remote with remote finder and built in apps (Netflix). Compatible Satellites: DISH 61.5° (SD/HD) 110° (SD/HD) 119° (SD/HD) 129° (SD/HD)
You can mount it permanently on the roof of your RV with the optional RV roof mount kit. But, I frequently see people just set it on the picnic table or run it all the way to a clearing where it can get a signal.T
Winegard make a similar antenna that works for DirecTV and Dish both. At this writing, it sells for $410.71.
The KING Portable Satellite Antenna for TV reception in a tiny house or RV
I am showing the KING Portable Satellite dish here because many people opt for it. It’s far more expensive than the Winegard but it does have a nifty (optional) Quick Release Roof Mount.
The KING Tailgater currently sells for $449.00 and includes the DISH, Wally receiver. It also works for DirecTV.
Using a regular satellite dish on a tripod mount
Because of the expense of a self-tuning satellite dish, many people choose to use the standard DirecTV dish on a tripod (see the widgets section of this page for the kit). However, it is quite bulky, harder to carry, and takes up a lot of storage space.
I’ve been in the home electronics business for two decades and probably installed over a thousand satellite antennas. The dish needs to be perfectly level if you’re ever going to get it tuned right. Even under best circumstances, finding the satellites and tuning will take at least twenty minutes.
Note: Satellite technology changes often and isn’t always backwards compatible. This means that a satellite dish from just a couple years ago might not receive all of the channels your satellite receiver is capable of getting. You need to have the most current dish like the one shown. The reason I’m making this point is because I’ve seen these kits for less money on E-Bay but it was a way old satellite dish. Buyer beware!
Watching TV in motion
If you’re looking for entertainment while you’re on the road, look no further! The Winegard RoadTrip T4 brings you entertainment in-motion! It works for both Dish Network and DirecTV.
Easy one-button on/off automatic operation delivers fast and accurate satellite acquisition. Enhanced antenna design combined with a high-gloss rounded dome provide for unmatched signal strength, especially in inclement weather.
It has special software and fast slewing motors that keep it precisely aimed. You may, however, lose signal for a few seconds if you take a 90 degree turn at an intersection.
It does not work in New England because of the limitations of aiming into the lower southern sky where the satellites are. As of this writing, how well it works across the top tier of the rest of the United States is unclear.
The Winegard RoadTrip T4 comes ready to mount on your roof. It needs to be mounted away from large objects like air conditioners to avoid blocking the signal. Winegard recommends having it professionally installed. As of this writing, the cost was $1,699.00.*
Installing the DISH Playmaker Video
Here’s a YouTube® video from a guy describing the connection and set up of the DISH, Playmaker. (His discount code might not work but one of these might: ARP880434373, or ARP880407895, or ARP880395426)
Connecting Your Satellite Dish Into your RV or Tiny House
For tiny homes under construction, see my page Wiring Your Tiny House for TV and Network.
As we mentioned earlier, many of the satellite receivers functions require a firm WiFi connection. See my page, WiFi On The Go In Your RV or Tiny House.
Satellite wiring for RVs and travel trailers
I ran the satellite coax cable into my old camper next to a low-point water drain because there was some space available without drilling. Then I caulked the crap out of it. The cable runs directly to the satellite receiver which is hidden behind the TV.
Free Over-The-Air Digital Channels
You may find a connector like the one shown in the photo to the right. This connects to an amplified antenna, called a “batwing” on the roof of your rig. You’ll see a crank nearby that allows you to raise the antenna into an upright position. There is a 12 volt DC outlet on the plate and an AC outlet nearby.
The antenna was designed to receive old style analog TV signals which are no longer in use. The switch and red light on the plate sent power to the amplifier built into the antenna. This wiring is not compatible with satellite signals but still should be usable with today’s over-the-air digital channels.
These channels are free, but you need to be withing range of a transmitter and have a TV that can decode the digital signal. Most TVs sold today will do that. You just never know if you’ll have any channels, just a few, or a bunch.
The digital channels are in the UHF band, and a batwing antenna is a bit weak at receiving these. Winegard engineered an add-on UHF booster called a “Wingman” that bolts on to your old antenna fairly easily.
The lightweight, sleek add-on attaches with simple snap-on screws to the antenna amplifier to increase UHF performance up to 100 percent for complete VHF/UHF reception at a very low cost. No tools required. Compatible with Sensars Batwing antenna manufactured after 1990.
Replacing The Old Style Batwing Antenna With King Jack Antenna
When it’s time for an antenna upgrade, just look to the new and improved KING Jack Replacement Head, the latest in KING’s next generation of over-the-air antennas. The KING Jack Head replaces your existing RV TV antenna in just minutes, without any special tools. The affordable KING Jack Head is designed to meet the demands of either RV or residential use so you’ll be able to enjoy free digital HDTV wherever life takes you. This antenna goes on the existing antenna post and uses the same power supply you already have (see the TV jack image above). Click here to see a good installation video on YouTube®.
King Surelock Signal Meter
Use the King Surelock signal meter to rotate the antenna for the strongest signal. Rotating your directional TV antenna can be time-consuming. Unless you are pointed at the correct TV tower, you won’t get best reception when doing a TV channel scan. But you don’t know if you are pointing your TV antenna towards the correct tower unless you complete a full channel scan. The SureLock SL1000 was designed to simplify the TV antenna aiming process and ease your frustrations. The meter connects in-line with your over-the-air TV antenna via coax input and output connections and provides bright LED feedback for signal strength measurements. Look for the strongest TV signal and lock your antenna in!
Adding a digital antenna to your tiny house or RV
You can add a separate digital antenna to your tiny house that will really reach for those free signals.
These sci-fi looking contraptions are quite directional so you need to aim it at the transmitter for best reception.
This outdoor HD TV antenna is designed to receive digital TV UHF/VHF signals while providing high quality 1080P HD picture. You can enjoy high-definition television without the high cost of monthly cable or satellite fees. With a built-in rotor, turn it a full 360 degrees using the infrared remote control. Perfect solution for people who live far away from a signal tower, such as rural or suburban areas. Less than $40.00
Electronic Equipment Requires Smoooooooth Power
Electronic equipment, especially satellite receivers requires really smooth, clean power to operate properly. If you are running on a generator your 110v power inverter needs to be high quality.
This equipment is sensitive to voltage spikes. Cheap power inverters will cause operational problems like frequent resetting, voltage spike damage, and low voltage burnout. For more information on preventing damage from power surges visit this page: All about Shore Power
This GoWISE Power PS1004 pure sine wave inverter offers the clean power you need. It connects directly to the battery and continuously supply 3000 watts of good 110 volt AC power to three outlets.
This inverter provides thermal protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, under-voltage protection, and a low-voltage protection alarm. Inverters place a heavy load on your battery (batteries) and can run them down in a short time. Keep an eye on your battery charge indicator and turn on your generator if needed.
Watts, Amps, and Voltage:
Power usage is frequently cited in watts, but then the equipment will say it requires so many amps, plus you need to know the voltage too! It can be super confusing. I will give you a little info and point you at more. Here is a good website about converting watts to amps.
Basically, if a generator supplies 3500 watts you can figure that you have around 35 amps at 110 volts available. See my page about shore power to get a good grasp of how much power you will need.
Your home outlets give you 118 volts, 60 hertz. alternating current. These AC outlets are usually called 110 or 120 volts just to round it out. The polarity switches back and forth sixty times per second. AC power is easily converted into other voltages using a transformer. DC current is not as easily converted. Cheap inverters can supply the right voltage but the alternating aspect is done poorly Here’s an explanation about “pure sine wave generators.”
Pure Sine Wave Inverter Generators I Recommend
The Generac 7127 produces 3500 watts of pure sine wave power and claims to be 40% quieter than the Honda. Generac produces more power for the dollar and has a more flexible assortment of outlets including USB. It’s currently listed on Amazon for $999.00. It weighs 109 lbs.
The Honda EU-2200i, shown here, produces 2200 watts. It weighs just 54 lbs. and has a built-in carbon monoxide detector that will shut it off if it gets too high. It currently sells for $1,199.00* on Amazon.
To be safe keep generator at least 15′ from your RV.
For more information about portable inverter generators visit this page: Portable Inverter Generators Comparison
Portable Power Stations
Instead of a generator you might consider investing in a Portable Power Center. My ANKER, Solix F2000 runs my TV for days. Refer to this page for details: Portable Power Centers How To Choose