If you are new to satellite internet, then most likely you have many questions. We try to answer the most common questions below. Please check out our discussion/support group page for other places where more information is available if you can't find what you are looking for here.
I am not comfortable with technical stuff. If I buy my own mobility system will it be hard to setup?
The answer to this question varies with the individual. Once you have done it a few times (expect 2-3 hours each time the first few times), it is an easy process to setup the tripod/dish, lock on to the satellite signal and get online. Generally, after learning how to do it, you can expect that it will take you about 30 minutes to get online (including hardware setup). However, you have to be willing to read the instructions and follow them carefully. The instructions are simple to follow, but some people might consider a few of the steps "technical". Steps such as entering your location into the software and getting pointing parameters that you use to aim your satellite, or checking signal strength or passing cross pol may make some people feel uneasy if they don't consider themselves technically inclined. That is why there is the $5,000-$6,000 Datastorm automatic pointing system that people buy to have installed on the top of their RV. They only need to tell the software to aim the dish and the hardware does the rest. Before you purchase a tripod-based satellite Internet system you have to be the judge of your willingness to get involved in the "nuts and bolts" of pointing a satellite dish. I can't lift heavy items. Will I be able to setup my mobility system?
The mobility system breaks down into smaller pieces that are fairly light and easy to handle. A couple items weigh a bit more. You have to be physically able (or have someone able to help you) to lift about 25 lbs of hardware up to assemble the tripod and dish. How much space/weight does it take?
Actually it is pretty compact when broken down. Many people store the dish on their bed while traveling and keep the tripod and feedhorn in a storage bay. The sizes of the larger pieces is as follows:
Dish: 39"x23"x16" (Please note the dish is about 3ft x 2ft.)
Feedhorn (arm that sticks out from the dish): 36"x 9"x 9"
Tripod: 40"x8"x8"
The heaviest piece (dish) is under 20 lbs.
The shipping weight of the system is 85 lbs. I have heard that only certified installers can aim my dish, therefore RVers can't use the system. Is this true?
This question has been debated among the most knowledgeable people in the satellite community for years. The reality is that thousands of RVers regularly move their tripod-based HughesNet satellite systems. Are most of them certified installers? No. Has HughesNet objected and turned off an RVers service because they are not certified? No. Could it happen? We suppose it is possible, but based on their actions to date it is highly unlikely. The design of the mobility system along with the tools and detailed instructions we provide make it unnecessary for you to become a certified installer. If you follow our instructions carefully, you will become quite proficient at getting online. Also, we will help you if you are having problems. While HughesNet apparent unstated policy of "don't ask, don't tell" means they will not help you aim your dish, they will help you with problems related to your service or hardware. Ok, if HughesNet will not support me in pointing my system, then who will?
If you purchase a mobility system from Point & Surf, then we will help you if you have any problems pointing your system or getting online. If you bought your system somewhere else, or you put your own moveable system together there are several very good online resources. Please see our discussion/support group page for a list of groups that we think are good. I have read about sophisticated meters and pointing devices such as Birdog, OPI and Align-a-Site to assist in pointing my dish. What are these? Do I need them? How hard are they to learn?
Good questions. Dealers have assembled their tripod-based satellite Internet systems in different ways. Some require you to use one or more of these devices to point your dish. The truth of the matter is that you don't "need" any of them to point your dish. However, having one or more of them can make the job quite a bit easier. Our mobility system employs both the Align-a-Site and OPI. The Birdog is a relatively expensive ($425+) item that some people like to have.
The Align-a-Site is an extremely easy to use sighting device. You dial in your pointing parameters and look through the viewer to see if you have a clear view (no obstructions) to the satellite. Once you find a clear spot you slide it into the mount (installed by Point & Surf) on your dish. Then it is an easy matter to align and point your dish. This device eliminates the need to perfectly level and plumb your tripod before pointing to the satellite.
The OPI or "Outdoor Pointing Interface" is a device sold by HughesNet to aid installers. Normally an installer (or you in this case) would take a laptop computer out to the dish to see the signal strength and cross pol readings. Glare makes it difficult to see readings in the sun and wet weather plays havoc with laptops. With the small OPI meter installed outside at the dish it will display the signals you need to see. This means your laptop stays inside safe and dry. What is the importance of the "footprint" of a satellite? Do I need to worry about this? Can I ask HughesNet to change it if I have already been assigned to a satellite?
The "footprint" of a satellite refers to the strength of the signal they deliver. If you are physically located within the footprint for your satellite then you will likely get online. Generally, all of the Internet satellites cover most of the U.S. pretty well. However, some areas will have a much weaker signal with a particular satellite over another. Also, some of the satellites are good in Canada, yet poor in Mexico and some are just the opposite.
Obviously, you want to pick a satellite that covers the areas you plan to travel (see our satellite footprint page). Unfortunately, with a tripod-based system you can't pick any of the satellites you want. HughesNet manages the load on satellites carefully. New installations are targeted to the satellites they feel are underutilized. When you buy a mobility system you are assigned to the satellite that HughesNet says must be used at that time. Further, once you are assigned to a satellite it is EXTREMELY difficult to change to another satellite. Remember, as far as HughesNet is concerned your dish is in a fixed location and if you were getting service already they would see no reason to change your satellite assignment.
Will I get the advertised download and upload speeds?
Many times yes, but sometimes no. Many factors come into play that can affect your speed. At your end, they can include how accurately your dish is pointed, weather conditions, local interference, etc. Beyond your system, factors can include bad weather at the satellite downlink site, and how heavily your satellite is loaded with other high-use customers or problems with computer gateways at HughesNet linking you to the Internet. The experience of many people is that they are satisfied that their speed is close to what they expect. There is a small minority that enjoy higher speeds than what they expect and a vocal minority that experience lower speeds. As might be expected the people that need help are the ones who systems are much slower than the advertised speeds. Fortunately, there are good online forums where an individual can go to describe their problems and get help from the most knowledgeable people in the industry. Other times you must call HughesNet to try to find out if the problem is on their end. If you approach satellite Internet with the attitude that it is one of the few practical alternatives to receive near-broadband service for travelers such as RVers you will ultimately be less frustrated if problems do occur. Can I get TV service on my mobility system too?
This is another question that cannot be answered definitively yes or no, at least not without considering what Internet satellite you are assigned to and what satellites provide your TV service. The hardware used to allow the reception of TV signals on your Internet dish is called a bird-on-a-wire or "BOW". The standard HughesNet dish is .74 meter in size. Because of this there is a limit to how far apart the satellites can be to receive an acceptable TV signal. A good rule of thumb is that the TV satellite's position in space has to be less than 20 degrees and more than 6 degrees away from your Internet satellite (there is an exception for a 2 degree difference, but we won't discuss it here). For example, a dish pointed at the Internet satellite at the 117 degree orbital position can receive signals from the DirecTV satellite at the 101 degree orbital position (16 degree difference). However, a dish pointed to the Internet satellite at 127 degrees cannot receive that same DirecTV signal (26 degree difference). These relationships are known, but you must speak to your dealer (or Point & Surf if you buy your system from us) to find out if receiving TV service is possible on your Internet dish. This chart can help you decide if it is feasible, however, you should still contact your dealer to make sure. Can the Internet service be suspended during the months when we are not using our RV & turned back on when we start traveling again? I only travel a few months out of the year can I have the service shut down?
Yes, there is now a "snowbird" program in effect. You can suspend your service 60 days at a time up to a total of 6 months per year. Call HughesNet at 866-347-3272 and select Billing from the phone menu. Does HughesNet provide a warranty on the equipment?
Yes. There is a 24-month HughesNet warranty on the HN7000S equipment. Can I use my Mac with this system?
Yes! The HughesNet modem is computer independent. Also, you may want to check out "SoftOPI" developed by Andy Baird. It is designed specifically for Mac computers to assist you with seeing the signal strength on your laptop screen if you use it outdoors to point your system. Go here to learn about this great shareware program.
Another useful program Mac users will want to investigate Gary Villerge's shareware SatTool utility for Mac computers. Gary's program provides easy access to three of the HughesNet modem's system functions which can be used to resolve issues that may arise when users change location. Go to the link immediately above to see if this tool can help you.
Will I be able to network all my computers?
You can network computers with various operating systems successfully. Internet Explorer works best with the HughesNet pointing software. However, you should keep in mind that each active computer user you add will share the same bandwidth speed resulting in less for everyone on the network. On the "Home" service plan you should be able to network two computers without too much speed degradation. However, if one or more users tend to download lots of programs or stream audio/video, the other users may be unhappy with the resulting slowdown in their connection. Higher bandwidth plans are available from HughesNet with, of course, higher costs. What about Wireless?
Wireless systems can be connected to the HughesNet modem. In fact, this is a very popular alternative for RVers. Your modem can be located in a more remote place in your RV without having to run network cables all throughout your rig to get to your computer. Since security is a concern with wireless networks you should take steps to secure your system. RVNetworking.com has an excellent tutorial on networking and wireless systems. Can I make telephone calls (VoIP) using my mobility system?
Yes, you can. There is a delay though, so the conversation is very much like CB radio. The delay occurs because HughesNet Network Operating Center is not optimized to take advantage of the VoIP technology. The delay can be a little disconcerting when you are talking to someone using VoIP. If the person you call or someone who calls you understands the delay, then it is usually manageable.
