Input please

[scatterbug]

Looking for some advice/suggestions. I've been a dish customer since 2011 so I am not under contract. Currently service is on pause but I'm thinking of hooking up again but not sure what would be best route.
The equipment I currently have;
VIP722K
HD DuoDVR
My questions/concerns
* I recently went to a metal roof so prefer dish to be pole mounted. I do have trees around so will need someone that knows what they are doing to set it up. Will a dish vendor do this and I assume there will be a charge? If I switched to Direct, will they do pole mount as part of initial install. Which leads to 2nd question.
* I don't want to pay to have the above dish installed only to find it is out dated. I was happy with it when I paused but is it likely Dish will require update?
* Local channels or free to air channels are probably as important, if not more so, than the other Dish channels. From what I am picking up there seems to be a question if dish will continue,so should I wait until summer?
* If I knew there was a OTA antennae that would work without having to constantly move for my location I would not mind going that route. I'm in Whitehouse (East Texas) area about 100 miles from Dallas. I freely admit I do not have the aptitude to install/determine. If anyone can recommend a vendor in the area I would be interested.
So, I come to the experts for suggestions/advice. I don't care about having a ton of channels and I don't want something I have to continually mess with, so what say you, please

 

[Hall]

Around here, pole mounts are pretty much part of a "standard" install, so for a new customer, Dish Mover (you move to a new location), or a change that Dish makes requiring a new dish, they won't charge to do this. In your situation though, I think they will charge you to do this work. If you have the protection plan, it might reduce the charge or eliminate it, but I wouldn't count on it.

What dish do you have currently ? Does it have (3) LNBs on the arm ? Is it pointing southeast ?

 

[GaryPen]

What about mounting to the side of the house rather than the roof?

 

[scatterbug]

What about mounting to the side of the house rather than the roof?

I don't believe that will work but it is something to consider.

 

[scatterbug]

Around here, pole mounts are pretty much part of a "standard" install, so for a new customer, Dish Mover (you move to a new location), or a change that Dish makes requiring a new dish, they won't charge to do this. In your situation though, I think they will charge you to do this work. If you have the protection plan, it might reduce the charge or eliminate it, but I wouldn't count on it.

What dish do you have currently ? Does it have (3) LNBs on the arm ? Is it pointing southeast ?

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it does have 3 LNBs (I did not know what an LNB was). I know that it pointed south, not sure about southeast. It is not longer set up as roofer removed the dish. The cables are still in place. I know a lot depends on the investment(interest)of the installer. When I initially had it set up the installer told me I did not have a clear enough view. I explained I had satellite in the past with no problem. He then installed & I never had a problem but if I had not questioned he would have not installed.. If I continue with dish I do realize I will probably have to pay to have it installed but I don't want to pay to have this dish install only to find another is now used or on the horizon. I guess I need to ask Dish, but I don't want to over buy for my needs.....

 

[Hall]

When I initially had it set up the installer told me I did not have a clear enough view

Is that when you told him/her that you wanted it on the roof ? They did that to me as well -- well, I was told "we're not supposed to put them on roofs". I told him "my wife said it can't be seen from the front of the house", to which I partly agree about, and he relented. He wanted to pole-mount it in the front flower garden !! Plus, if they don't do roof mounts, why did he have a 30' ladder ?

 

[Hall]

Yes, it does have 3 LNBs (I did not know what an LNB was). I know that it pointed south, not sure about southeast.

You mentioned where you live earlier, so I looked it up. Your dish was very likely pointed southeast and the fact that it has (3) LNBs, confirmed everything. That's called the "Eastern Arc" - pointed at 61.5, 72, and 77 (that's why you have (3) LNBs).

 

[scatterbug]

Is that when you told him/her that you wanted it on the roof ? They did that to me as well -- well, I was told "we're not supposed to put them on roofs". I told him "my wife said it can't be seen from the front of the house", to which I partly agree about, and he relented. He wanted to pole-mount it in the front flower garden !! Plus, if they don't do roof mounts, why did he have a 30' ladder ?

He never mentioned pole mounting. My roof is not that high and he didn't seem to have a problem once he decided to do it. Wish I could remember the company cause I definitely don't want him out again.

 

[scatterbug]

You mentioned where you live earlier, so I looked it up. Your dish was very likely pointed southeast and the fact that it has (3) LNBs, confirmed everything. That's called the "Eastern Arc" - pointed at 61.5, 72, and 77 (that's why you have (3) LNBs).

Do you know if this is the dish that is currently being installed for the "Eastern Arc"?

 

[Hall]

Don't hold me to this, but in general, for "English" programming packages, everyone ends up with the same dish you have or a slightly different one for "Western Arc" (I'm sure that I couldn't tell the difference just by looking at them). So, your dish is fine - no need for a new one, actually. You just need it re-installed.

 

[scatterbug]

Well, I just spoke with dish rep & can have it reinstalled pole mounted for $50. Will probably go that route but may just start over with Direct. Thank you for your replies!