A number of major obstacles had to be overcome to bring
2-way internet service to the traveling RVer. These include technical
issues, such as determining the satellite's location, precise automatic dish
aiming, and prevention of transmission when antenna is moving or has
inadequate signal strength, as well as regulatory issues.
Those who have manually aimed a Satellite TV dish understand that
there is a big sky and a small window that allows you to receive a signal
from a satellite located 23,000 miles above the equator. But receiving
a signal is a piece of cake compared to sending a signal from your dish to
that satellite. If you are off just a little in your aiming or your
settings, you may hit the wrong satellite or be lined up improperly with the
satellite and "walk" on someone else's transmission. This is
the reason that transmissions to satellites are regulated by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC). Secondly, a solid mount is needed to
keep the dish from moving around and the electronics must insure that if
movement of the dish is detected, the transmitter will be shut down to avoid
interfering with other satellite transmissions.
MotoSat is experienced with automatic aiming Satellite TV
dishes, including dishes that can track the TV Satellite signal while a
motorhome is driving down the highway. However, a new level of
accuracy was required for 2-way satellite internet systems. The aiming
had to be much more highly controlled. Additionally, 2-way satellite
internet systems use a larger, heavier dish than satellite TV systems.
A 24 inch by 39.5 inch dish is required rather than an 18" dish.
This requires large motors and a stronger mounting system than provided with
satellite TV systems. The use of a dome cover, such as used on
motorhomes for in-motion tracking systems, was ruled out due to the size of
the dish and loss of transmission power through the enclosure.
Additionally, the precision of the aiming required for transmission
eliminated the potential of use while an RV is in motion.
Satellite internet providers insist that the aiming be done
by trained professional installers. They do not approve their 2-way
systems to be mounted and aimed by non-approved individuals and require an
approved individual de-install and reinstall the system at a new location if
it to be moved. The installer must mount and aim the system, and pass
a cross-polarization test prior to initiating service. This initial
process, which previously required a telephone line or a cell phone with a
cellular compatible modem, can now be accomplished via a properly aimed
dish.
The satellite internet company is responsible for knowing
the location of all of the transmitters it has installed. Since the
aiming and setting of transmission parameters is time consuming, it is easy
to understand why the satellite internet companies had limited excitement
for dealing with installations that want to move to a different location,
typically hundreds of miles away, every few days. However, beginning
with the DW6000 modems, Hughes modes periodically check the
cross-polarization of the antenna and can shut down transmission if the
system is not properly aimed.
This has opened up the market for tripod-mounted HughesNet
dishes. Although the time required to setup the system and properly
align the dish is increased over the automated DataStorm mount, this is a
less expensive alternative for those who don't move often and are willing to
spend the extra effort and time to set up the system and stow it again
before traveling.
The 24 inch by 39.5 inch dish (equivalent of a .74 meter
dish) is referred to as the F-1 or the G74 by MotoSat. By adding a
custom bracket and LNB, referred to as a BOW or Bird on a Wire, you dish
will receive both the internet satellite signal and a satellite TV signal
while you are parked.
Larger satellite dishes which MotoSat refers to as the F-2
and XF-2 and F-3 and XF-3 offer enhanced signal strength in fringe reception
areas and support higher speed uploads and downloads. These round
dishes are .98 meters (approximately 38") and 1.2 meters (approximately
45") in diameter respectively. The round dish does not support
DirecTV or DishNetwork TV reception on the internet dish.
