Portable Antennas
For up-to-date information
on receiver compatibility & programming,
visit www.winegard.com/receivers
Satellite TV Antennas
DIRECTV SWM Technology Guide
38
Portable Antennas | Models
Carryout automatic antennas are
compatible with DIRECTV, DISH, and
Bell TV programming. Model GM0700 Carryout automatic antenna is
exclusively compatible with Shaw
Direct programming.
Portable Satellite Antenna Overview
Winegard offers a variety of portable satellite antennas (see table 4.1).
The primary portable satellite antennas that Winegard offers for mobile
applications include the Pathway X1, Pathway X2, DISH Playmaker,
Carryout G2 and G2+ antennas.
TABLE 4.1. Popular Winegard Portable Satellite TV Antennas
Pathway
X1
Pathway
X2
Carryout
G2
Carryout
G2+
DISH
Playmaker
Model
PA-2000
PA2000R
PA-2035
PA2035R
PA-6002
PA6002R
GM-2000
GM-2035
GM-6000
GM-6035
PA-1000
Automatic
or manual
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Automatic
Compatible
providers
DISH
DISH®
DIRECTV®,
DISH®,
Bell TV™
DIRECTV®,
DISH®,
Bell TV™
DISH®
Compatible
satellites
110°, 119°,
129°
61.5°, 72.7°,
77°, 110°,
119°, 129°
The power cord used with the Carryout
G2 and Anser antennas has a fuse. If not
getting 12 VDC power with the Carryout
G2 or Anser antenna, check the fuse
(see fig. 4.1).
Fuse cap
Threaded
collar
Fuse
Spring
82°, 91°, 101°, 82°, 91°, 101°,
110°, 119°,
110°, 119°,
129°
129°
110°, 119°,
129°
*Limited coverage and capability
Power
plug
housing
12 Volt Power
FIGURE 4.1. Disassembled
12 V power plug
Portables with a power cord also have a
2nd fuse on the circuit board.
The Carryout G2 and Anser antennas receive power via a power cord and
require 12 VDC to function properly. Make sure the 12 VDC power source is
capable of supplying up to 5 Amps. Many AC to DC converters used for cell
phone chargers, GPS, etc. are only rated for up to 1.5 Amps. The Pathway and
DISH Playmaker antennas are powered through the receiver and do not require
12 V power. The Carryout G2+ uses a power inserter connected to AC. The
Pathway X2, Carryout G2 and DISH Playmaker do not have a power cord.
Using Park Cable Coax Port on RV
If experiencing problems, connect the antenna coaxial cable directly to
the receiver by running the cable through your RV door to ensure the
antenna is running properly.
39
Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
Portable Antennas | Basic Operation
Using Park Cable Coax Port on RV, cont.
If your outside TV receptacle is wired for satellite, locate where the outside
receptacle leads to in your RV, and connect your satellite receiver directly to
the corresponding inside receptacle.
If the outside TV receptacle is wired for cable, the wiring will have to be
modified for use with satellite. The coaxial cable cannot run through any
other devices or switches before the satellite receiver.
Typically, if wired for cable, the wiring will either run through a Winegard
power supply or video switch. The easiest way to fix this is to disconnect the
cable from that device, use a barrel connector, and connect a new cable that runs
directly to the receiver, bypassing the power supply or video switch (see fig. 4.2).
A dedicated portable satellite “in” coax would allow satellite where needed and still
provide cable to all TV’s.
A
Before
After
B
Some RVs will have both park cable
and satellite ports on the outside of
the RV. If using the satellite port, make
sure there are no splitters or other
devices in-line, and ensure the other
end of the cable is connected to the
satellite receiver. Bypassing the power
supply should not be necessary with
this port.
Winegard also offers RV-7542 (sold
separately), which enables you to
disconnect from the cable port and
connect to the auxiliary/satellite port
(see fig. 4.3) when using outside Park
Cable port.
Before
A
After
Auxiliary/
satellite port
FIGURE 4.2. Bypassing power supply or video switch for Park Cable port on outside
of RV. A, Bypassing power supply. B, Bypassing video switch.
B
Leveling
For optimal performance, portable satellite TV antennas, including automatic
and hybrid automatic antennas, and crank-up antennas should be level.
If not level, automatic systems may not look in the right place for satellites;
this will complicate the search routine and cause the antennas to take longer
to acquire signal (if the antennas are able to acquire signal at all).
When a crank-up antenna is level, a user only needs to raise the antenna
to the correct elevation angle, find North on a compass, and adjust the
directional dial; then, the user needs to rotate the antenna to the correct
azimuth angle, and the user could start watching television. If the coach
were not level, the elevation would need to change as the user rotated the
antenna to the correct azimuth angle. If the elevation angle were not adjusted,
acquiring signal would be difficult.
FIGURE 4.3. RV-7542
A, Front B, Back
Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
40
Portable Antennas | Pathway &
DISH Playmaker
Pathway & DISH Playmaker Antennas
The Pathway & DISH Playmaker antennas are fully automatic portable
antennas designed exclusively for DISH programming; the antennas
automatically lock onto a satellite upon setting up the receiver and toggle to
the appropriate satellite as the channel is changed. Instead of being powered
through a separate power cable, the antennas are powered through the
receiver. The Pathway antennas can connect to up to two receivers via the
"MAIN" and "SEC" ports on the base. DISH Playmaker has a single port.
The Pathway & DISH Playmaker antennas are exclusively compatible with
DISH programming and use DISH Mobile Protocol software. The Mobile
Protocol software will enable the DISH Solo HD receiver to identify that it
is connected to a Pathway antenna and will take the user through an order
of steps designed specifically for the Pathway antenna. This will allow for a
better user experience and easier initial setup.
The Pathway antennas come with
a 25 foot coaxial cable, which is
recommended for use with the
antenna. Longer coax runs could
potentially cause communication/
power issues between the receiver
and satellite system. Maximum cable
length should never exceed 50 feet.
Receiver Setup
To quickly set up the Pathway X2, X1 & DISH Playmaker antennas, complete
the following steps:
1. Make sure the antenna is in a location with a clear view of the southern
sky. If setting up the X2 antenna, align the Pathway X2 antenna so that
cable connections are facing approximately North.
2. Connect the primary receiver to the “MAIN” port on the base. (DISH
Playmaker has a single port.)
3. After connecting the receiver to a power source, complete receiver setup
(see fig. 4.4). With the X2, select the number of receivers and eastern or
western arc (only an option if one receiver was selected). With the X2, X1
& DISH Playmaker, select the state that you are currently in, and press “Scan.”
4. Watch TV!
FIGURE4.4. Mobile antenna setup screen for Pathway X2 antenna
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Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
Portable Antennas | Pathway &
DISH Playmaker
Pathway X2 Antenna
The Pathway X2 antenna works with DISH eastern and western arcs. Due
to the locations of the eastern arc satellites, the Pathway X2 will have easier
look angles towards those satellites when in the eastern United States,
resulting in greater coverage and less issues with obstructions. Also, many
more local channels will be available in HD for those markets that are
broadcasted on the eastern arc.
Clear
view
A
Blocked
by trees
B
Western Arc
110°, 119° and 129°
Eastern Arc
61.5°, 72.7° and 77°
FIGURE 4.5. Western and Eastern Arc signal reception.
When using a secondary receiver, choose the option for two receivers on the
Mobile Antenna Setup screen (fig. 4.4). When “Two” is chosen, the Pathway
X2 will automatically use Satellite 72°. Satellite 72° allows both receivers to
receive the full program lineup that is offered on that satellite. The receiver
setup on the secondary receiver will not use the Mobile Protocol setup;
instead, the receiver will follow the receiver setup process used with other
Winegard satellite systems, requiring a Check Switch test.
C
Pathway X1 Antenna
The Pathway X1 antenna works with DISH western arc. When connected to
two receivers, the primary receiver will determine which satellite is viewed,
and the secondary receiver will need to be set up for the same satellite. Every
time the primary receiver toggles the antenna to a different satellite, a Check
Switch test must be run on the secondary receiver.
DISH Playmaker Antenna
The DISH Playmaker antenna is works exclusively with DISH programming
and must be used with DISH Solo HD receivers including DISH 211z, 211k,
211, 411 and Wally® receivers. It utilizes a single receiver.
The DISH Playmaker antenna can receive programming from DISH western
arc, which includes satellites 110°, 119°, and 129°.
D
FIGURE 4.6. PathwayX2,
Carryout X1 antennas and Roof
mount kit.
A, Pathway X2 antenna
B, Pathway X1 antenna
C, DISH Playmaker antenna
D, RK-2000 Roof mount kit
Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
42
Portable Antennas | Carryout
Carryout G2+ Antenna
The Carryout G2+ replaces the original G2 and is physically similar to
the Carryout G2 antenna. The Carryout G2+ antenna is powered via the
redesigned power inserter and does not use Mobile Protocol software.
When setting up the Carryout G2+ antenna for use with two receivers, both
receivers must be configured off of the primary port, but a Check Switch test
only needs to be run one time.
FIGURE 4.7. Carryout G2+
A, Carryout G2+ antenna
B, RK-2000 Roof mount kit
The Carryout G2+ antenna is versatile and works with DISH, DIRECTV,
and Bell TV programming. Like the Carryout G2 antenna, the Carryout
G2+ antenna has the ability to be converted from a portable antenna to a
roof-mounted antenna using Model RK-2000 optional roof mount kit.
A
Temporary & Permanent Mounts
B
Winegard temporary and permanent mount options for Pathway and
Carryout automatic portable satellite TV antennas make usage easier
while also raising and protecting the antennas from damage and theft.
Designed for use with automobiles, recreational vehicles and trucks, these
mounts are built to withstand the harsh outdoor environment.
TABLE 4.2. Winegard Accessories Compatible with Winegard Antennas
Pathway
X1
X2
Carryout
G2, G2+
Tripod
X
X
X
X
Window /
Side Vehicle
X
X
X
Roof Kit
X
X
Rear Cab
X
X
C
D
E
FIGURE 4.8. Portable antenna
mounts and power converter.
A, TR-1518 Tripod mount.
B, MT-SM30 Window /
Side vehicle mount.
C, RK-2000 Roof mount kit.
D, MT-SM10 Rear cab mount.
E, GM-1200 AC/DC power converter.
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Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
DISH
Playmaker
MOUNTS
Temporary
Permanent
Power Converter
X
PA-2000
PA-2035
PA2000R
PA2035R
PA-6002
PA6002R
GM-2000
GM-2035
GM-6000
GM-6035
PA-1000
Portable Antennas | Mount Options
TRIPOD
WINDOW /
SIDE VEHICLE
ROOF KIT
REAR CAB
FIGURE 4.9. Portable antennas on mounts.
Tripods and Compatible Antennas
The two most common tripod satellite antennas are the DS-4248 and
DS-1005. The DS-4248 is a single satellite Ku-Band satellite dish that is
compatible with DISH or DIRECTV programming. The DS-1005 is a
multi-satellite dish used for DISH western arc programming. The DS1005 can be used to see satellites 110°, 119°, and 129° for full DISH high
definition and standard definition viewing.
The DS-4248 can be used with either the TR-2077 tripod or, for more
stability, the TR-3535 tripod (see fig. 4.10A). The DS-1005 is much larger
and can only be used with the TR-3535 tripod (see fig. 4.10B).
A
The DS-1005 requires the user to
manually adjust the satellite dish and
peak on three satellites simultaneously.
This can be very difficult for someone
who does not have experience pointing
a satellite dish. Beginning users are
typically better suited for a single LNB
dish (such as DS-4248) or an automatic
system (such as GM-1518).
B
FIGURE 4.10. TR-3535 tripod used with compatible antennas.
A, DS-4248 with TR-3535. B, DS-1005 with TR-3535.
Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas
44
Portable Antennas | Notes
45
Satellite TV Antennas
Portable Antennas