Remove SAT dish or leave it?

[Neal]

I think the days are done for me for SAT TV. I removed the interior components a year ago and am very pleased with getting that unused stuff out of the coach and decluttering. Now I'm contemplating removing the SAT dish off the roof. That space could be used someday for another solar panel or probably better, a permanent starlink antenna.

How many have or are contemplating removing their SAT components and dish from their RV?

 

[redbaron]

I’m not, but I also don’t use it. I have both in motion and the stationary dish, and figured resale may want it.

I will not be getting satellite on my next order.

 

[Joe Hogan]

We did not get a sat dish on the DutchStar. Never used the one on the CanyonStar.
Plan on using the space for a Starlink satellite receiver one of these days.

 

[Rich W.]

I think the days are done for me for SAT TV. I removed the interior components a year ago and am very pleased with getting that unused stuff out of the coach and decluttering. Now I'm contemplating removing the SAT dish off the roof. That space could be used someday for another solar panel or probably better, a permanent starlink antenna.

How many have or are contemplating removing their SAT components and dish from their RV?

I pulled mine to make room for solar. I left the mount plate so I wouldn’t disturb the roof seal. It’s pretty low profile but as I recall I had to trim a high point or two with a saws all. Back then there was still a market for the stuff and I sold the dish, receiver, and power supply. Also removed the OTA antenna.

 

[flyboy013]

We bought our first RV (MADP) 7 years ago. Ordered it with DirecTV dish, but we don't watch much TV and when we do, its usually Netflix. We also pulled the inside equipment out a few years ago and have left the dish on the roof. At this time I see no reason to remove it. We don't boondock enough to need solar (45' is a bit too big to boondock much). I have Starlink Gen2 that I pull out when T-Mobile Home Internet doesn't get a signal, but no plan to permanently mount on roof. So for now I have no need to reuse the roof space.

 

[team bradfield]

We travel out west frequently, most CG have lousy wifi. We already have DTV at the house, so it works great for us

 

[sheridany]

Most Marathon owners I know are taking theirs off. Starlink is the standard and is being installed in production. DTV is an add-on. I will keep mine on for resale, but I turned off the DTV service. I would be shocked if DTV is even around in five years.
Cord Cutter News states the following:
Since AT&T acquired DirecTV in 2015, the service has lost over 14 million subscribers, which represents a 47% drop from its peak of approximately 25.47 million customers to around 13.3 million in early 2023

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

In the 4 years we have had our coach (which has both types of satellite antenna on the roof) we have not once used them (except once flipped the switch to see the antenna motor still worked for orientation).

Have kept all the equipment in place for resale purposes but at this point probably is becoming more of a liability.

Would rather have more space for solar, but the cost of adding more solar is too high to find any positive ROI, except for “fun” value.

 

[DennisT]

We like to be able to get local channels wherever we are. So far the streaming services don’t let you move around and change often enough to consider switching.

We had Hulu with live tv in the house but, now that we are full time, dish is the one we are using.

I think, eventually, satellite tv will pretty much die but not sure how long that will be.

Unless you have a need for the space may be worth it on resale to have it up there.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Like most have stated, satellite TV is dying quickly!! When it takes it's last breath, the hardware will be seen as a liability! If it isn't already seen that way.

As long as you remove in a way that doesn't remind people of a hatchet job! It will likely increase your RVs value!!!

 

[Buster]

i am also contemplating removing as well. I have both a DirectTV dish and a Wineguard RoadTrip inmotion dish. The original owner of my coach liked his TV. We haven't used either and probably never will as the limited TV watching we do in mostly streaming.

Only reason I haven't pulled them yet is I don't have anything to put in it's place but when I do they will be removed so I don't need to cut additional holes in the roof for new equipment. Right now, the only thing on my immediate radar is a MIMO 4x4 antenna for increased cellular reception.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

just as soon as I conquer my fear of heights, my Dish Network dish is coming off, sooner if I can find a sucker, I mean a friend to do it for me.

 

[Wemustrv]

Hey Neal, great post. I have been considering removing our satellite equipment as as well. We have never used it as we stream TV with ROKU and subscribe to YouTube TV, Philo and we have Prime Video> I also use ROKU Channel, Pluto, and TUBI al free apps. This post may have been the motivation I need to get up there and get equipment off the roof and out of the coach.

 

[Rich W.]

Hey Neal, great post. I have been considering removing our satellite equipment as as well. We have never used it as we stream TV with ROKU and subscribe to YouTube TV, Philo and we have Prime Video> I also use ROKU Channel, Pluto, and TUBI al free apps. This post may have been the motivation I need to get up there and get equipment off the roof and out of the coach.

I sold mine for $900 but that was four years ago. Not sure if they have any value now, but I wanted the space on the roof for solar and I never had any intention of using the thing so it was coming down either way. My residential panels were 315w each so it made a big difference having room for another, making it a total of five. Wish I’d taken a picture before putting the panels on, but the Winegard dish has a base plate that you can leave on the roof to avoid disturbing the seal on any penetrations. I sold my dish and receiver without the base plate and at the time it was around $95 for a new mount plate kit.

 

[Neal]

I wonder if I throw in my VHS player and 8 track tape deck if that would add value? Oh the memories...

Yeah, thinking leave it or trash it. Probably leaving it for now.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

If you throw in a cassette player we may have a deal.

 

[Rich W.]

I wonder if I throw in my VHS player and 8 track tape deck if that would add value? Oh the memories...

Yeah, thinking leave it or trash it. Probably leaving it for now.

There’s a market now for obsolete audio equipment - people who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s find it pleasant to relive the memories. That 8 track might be worth something.

 

[Neal]

I think a SAT dish + wally boxes and the dish controller would be marketable. You don't know if you don't try. But I certainly would try craigslist, etc. and see if someone bites.

 

[lostinfla]

Does anyone here have a pic or diagram of the hole(s) left when removing the big fold up dish (Trav'ler). I've been wanting to remove it for years as I've already removed the in motion dish and it now resides in the attic. If it's not too big of a hole, I can fabricate a patch of some sort.