thread from winegard in ref to eastern arc sats.....sounds like you can still get all DISH standard sats throughout the US....110,119, and 129 (sounds like it hard to find sat 129 since its lower (about 15 degrees)
Plans for Dish Network Eastern Arc Trav'ler?
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ShapeShifter » Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:57 am
I hear from the rumor mill that Dish Network is migrating 16 more markets (including mine) to their Eastern Arc (61.5, 27.2, 77) constellation. This increases the number of people who will be using the newer style 1000.4 dish. This should also increase the number of people who will want a 1000.4 compatible rooftop Trav'ler dish on their RV (like me!
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Now that there will be an increased market, are there any plans to make a Dish 1000.4 compatible Trav'ler? If so, is there any chance that there will be an upgrade path (an upgrade kit to replace the reflector and LNB) for existing SK-1000 owners?
I just ordered an SK-1000, and it hasn't even arrived yet. Is there any hope that some day I will be able to make full use of it after my local market makes the migration? If there are no plans, please re-consider the market once the newest migrations are made.
ShapeShifter Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:37 pm
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Re: Plans for Dish Network Eastern Arc Trav'ler?
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Winegard-JHoff » Thu Apr 22, 2010 1:01 pm
Obviously this is something that we keep an eye on pretty closely. The main problem with a 1000.4 TRAV'LER is that it would only work in half of the country (the eastern arc signals are NOT available in the western half of the US). With the current SK-1000 (viewing 110, 119, 129), it is available nationwide, as eastern arc subscribers can view the western arc satellites.
And while it is true that with the western arc setup you'll be missing your local channels, your locals are being broadcast on "spot beams" and are only available when you are in your home market (DMA). When in your home market, you can put the TRAV'LER on Manual Mode and point at 1 (only 1 at a time) of the eastern arc satellites for your locals.
Winegard-JHoff Posts: 12
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Re: Plans for Dish Network Eastern Arc Trav'ler?
by
ShapeShifter » Thu Apr 22, 2010 2:59 pm
Thank you for your considered response, it's appreciated. I'm not surprised by your response, still I'm encouraged by your "watching it closely" comment.
I understand what you're saying. While it's true that my locals are spot-beamed, I'm the type of traveler that is gone almost every weekend, yet tends to spend 80% of my time within my spot beam. (Yes, I realize that's not typical, and that there are many different styles of travellers.) So I could make use of such a dish to get my locals, yet I understand that it won't be as important to others.
Also, while it's true that Eastern Arc users can still get a majority of their channels on a Western Arc dish (which is the reason I ordered the SK-1000 in the first place) there are some areas in the far northeast (New England) and in the far southern tips of Florida and Texas where reception of 129 is problematical because it's so low on the horizon. (Which was one reason for setting up an Eastern Arc in the first place.) So it's not necessarily safe to assume that the SK-1000 will be a final solution for all users in all places.
Finally, an Eastern Arc version could be appealing to those Eastern Arc users who move their receiver between their house and RV, and don't want to have to perform a check switch operation every time they move it. (Yes, I admit I'm clutching at straws here.
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I guess these last few comments are just to give some justifications to keep revisiting the marketing analysis from time to time. I understand the development and distribution expenses involved in coming out with a new product variation that would enjoy a limited market, especially when there is a viable alternative for most of the potential customers. Still, I'm encouranged by your attitude, and will check your product line from time to time to see if there are any new product announcements.
Thanks for your response!
(This forum need a thumbs-up smiley!)