Satellite TV, Radio & Internet

How It Works

For RV travelers, satellite TV ensures programming is available most anywhere with a clear view of the western sky — no campground cable hookup needed. Some systems allow TV viewing while moving. Picture and sound are fully digital. Two main service types:

• Subscription-based — DirecTV, Dish Network (most common)
• Free-To-Air (FTA) — unencrypted satellite broadcasts picked up by FTA receivers

Required equipment: Satellite dish (dish + LNB), receiver (tuner/decoder), and cabling. Most modern motorhomes and towables have cable pre-run through the walls.

How It Works

Satellite radio delivers digital-quality sound with hundreds of channels — no more searching for local stations every 150 miles. Mobile services like SiriusXM allow listeners to roam an entire continent on the same channel.

Required equipment: Mini antenna and receiver. A wire runs from the antenna to the receiver. Filters to reduce interference are sometimes needed.

How It Works

When cable or DSL is unavailable, satellite internet provides high-speed access from virtually any location. Drawbacks include higher cost than traditional sources and upload speed limitations.

Required equipment: Dish and modem. Modems typically have Ethernet or USB connectors; some include integrated Bluetooth and double as satellite phones.