Loose Satellite Connections?

[reubenray]

Apparently I have a loose satellite connection somewhere. It works sometimes and not other times. If I run a cable through a window it works all the time. Will I have only two connection - one at the main hookups for everything in the front compartment and one behind the TV? If so I need to figure out how to check these.

 

[SSROSS]

I had the same problems with my rig and what I found were a bunch of loose connections on the coax cable that was run through out the trailer frame. I found them when I dropped the coroplastic under belly. They used a bunch of short pieces connected together, and where ever there was a connection it was very loose or not connected at all. Once I tightened them my problems were solved. I don’t know why they don’t run one single piece and then just terminate the ends.

 

[reubenray]

I had the same problems with my rig and what I found were a bunch of loose connections on the coax cable that was run through out the trailer frame. I found them when I dropped the coroplastic under belly. They used a bunch of short pieces connected together, and where ever there was a connection it was very loose or not connected at all. Once I tightened them my problems were solved. I don’t know why they don’t run one single piece and then just terminate the ends.

Ugh, I don't want to drop the coroplastic!

 

[DougW9876]

Loose connections can be one cause of this problem. I have also seen RV's that have the old style connectors mounted in the plates in the front compartment and behind the TV. Those older style connectors do not pass digital signals (which the satellite uses) efficiently. New connectors are not expensive and easily changed out, just be sure to get the ones for digital signals.

 

[SailingOn]

Behind the main panel, and again at the panel at the TV, are through-panel connectors - where coax commonly loosens. It's worth getting behind those panels to check.
Drilling a hole through the wall of the rig or a slide floor and adding a through-wall connection might be easier, give you a shorter coax run, and allow you to use only high quality coax.

 

[classicrockguy]

Behind the main panel, and again at the panel at the TV, are through-panel connectors - where coax commonly loosens. It's worth getting behind those panels to check.
Drilling a hole through the wall of the rig or a slide floor and adding a through-wall connection might be easier, give you a shorter coax run, and allow you to use only high quality coax.

Exactly what I did after fighting the factory wiring. I put a through-the-wall connection right where the satellite receiver sits in a cabinet above the TV (part of the big kitchen slide). Used high quality fittings and cable. Very short run from the fitting to the receiver. A couple of different length cables (10’, 30’) to use depending on where I locate the portable dish on top of the trailer. No issues now (except trees).

 

[reubenray]

Behind the main panel, and again at the panel at the TV, are through-panel connectors - where coax commonly loosens. It's worth getting behind those panels to check.
Drilling a hole through the wall of the rig or a slide floor and adding a through-wall connection might be easier, give you a shorter coax run, and allow you to use only high quality coax.

I plan on checking the two connections first. How would I get behind the main panel with the water connections (I forgot what this is called)?

On my previous SOB trailer I had to put a through-wall connection onit being what was installed did not work. I would have to put it up high on my Reflection to come in behind the TV.

 

[297sox]

on my 297RSTS TT I removed radio to run HDMI cable. I tightened splitter connections and wall plate connections behind it. I also removed and moved wall in basement(a few screws) to make better use of space. This allowed access to behind Nautilus Panel and tightened splitter connections there and checked connections at panel. At some point I also pulled TV Booster from ceiling and checked them too.
Tom

 

[reubenray]

on my 297RSTS TT I removed radio to run HDMI cable. I tightened splitter connections and wall plate connections behind it. I also removed and moved wall in basement(a few screws) to make better use of space. This allowed access to behind Nautilus Panel and tightened splitter connections there and checked connections at panel. At some point I also pulled TV Booster from ceiling and checked them too.
Tom

So the only way to access the back of the Nautilis is removing the felt covered wall?

 

[classicrockguy]

I plan on checking the two connections first. How would I get behind the main panel with the water connections (I forgot what this is called)?

On my previous SOB trailer I had to put a through-wall connection onit being what was installed did not work. I would have to put it up high on my Reflection to come in behind the TV.

My connection is high on the kitchen slide. I carry one of those extendable ladders so it’s pretty easy to make the connection when we set up. Sometimes I’m lucky and have a clear shot right above that point on the slide, so I just set the satellite dish right above the connection on top of the slide.

Other times I have to use a different location on top of the trailer (because of trees). I connect a longer cable and toss it over the trailer in the direction of my “clear spot”. Then move the ladder around and set the dish on top of that part of the trailer and make the coax connection.

In rare cases, I’ve set the dish on a table or on the ground to get a clear shot.

Sometimes it’s a pain to find a clear spot and get it working. However, we typically stay 1-3 weeks at time when we are on the road all summer, so a little extra setup time is fine. We also use 5G streaming from an iPad if available, and have a soft case with about 150 movies on DVD/Bluray. Even over-the-air from the antenna works in some spots. We can usually get TV somehow every where we go.

 

[297sox]

that's how my 2018 TT was. Panel was semi flexible and easy to remove. Worst part was getting all my stuff out of the way. My new Solitude has an access door, so not sure what changed in TTs in last 5-6 years

 

[reubenray]

I was able to check the connection at the Nautilus very easily and it was tight. When I get home in a few days I will check the connection behind the TV. If it is tight also I will put a new connection on the side wall behind the TV. I will have to use a step ladder to reach it though. One thing I did notice is the RG cable seemed small compared to what I have.

 

[DougW9876]

I was able to check the connection at the Nautilus very easily and it was tight. When I get home in a few days I will check the connection behind the TV. If it is tight also I will put a new connection on the side wall behind the TV. I will have to use a step ladder to reach it though. One thing I did notice is the RG cable seemed small compared to what I have.

The ideal cable would be RG6 Quad Shielded.

 

[classicrockguy]

I was able to check the connection at the Nautilus very easily and it was tight. When I get home in a few days I will check the connection behind the TV. If it is tight also I will put a new connection on the side wall behind the TV. I will have to use a step ladder to reach it though. One thing I did notice is the RG cable seemed small compared to what I have.

Satellite signals typically require RG6 coax and fittings/connectors rated for higher frequency signals. RVs may not be prewired adequately for satellite, even if the sticker on the connection plate says “Satellite” like mine does. Loose connections, poorly terminated cable, lighter/less insulated cable, and numerous and/or low quality splitters will all wreak havoc on satellite tv systems.

That’s why I ultimately ended up installing my own through-the-wall fitting and providing my own cables. As soon as I did this, I started having much more success locating and staying locked on the satellites.

Last summer, I was able to get 1 Dish TV satellite from Revelstoke, BC which allowed us to watch a good bit of the Olympics. That’s very far north to still be able to get the compact satellite dish to lock in. No way this would have worked with the factory wiring.

Trees are still a big challenge, and there’s nothing you can do if they block your “view” of the satellites. But, getting the cabling right will greatly improve your success getting this tech to work reliably.