All good points. Most of the time the issue with satellites in motorhomes is that they are wired like Rube Goldberg contraptions. Often the satellite in port is shared with the cable port requiring a switch be thrown somewhere. Sometimes if it is an auto-point dish, it has been set up before for another provider - Dish for instance when you now want DirecTV and the firmware inside the auto-dish needs to be updated by a tech (this has happened to my Dad on his) so it locks on to the right satellites of the new company. Or, the problem can be on the other side of the box. That is, they often have kooky switch boxes and RF converters. Up until the last two years even coaches wired with flat screens were not properly wired to get the best signal.
I hate to say it, but one of the most frustrating parts of an RV is getting the AV to all work the way you want it to...and for most people to understand how to change it from Off-Air TV, to Cable in the park, to Satellite, to DVD, to VCR, etc.
Now that I have thrown all sorts of rain on your parade, here is a way to proceed. First, call up 800-DIRECTV. Tell them your situation. The techs from DirecTV are really quite good as opposed to those from the "network" companies licensed to sell their products. When the tech comes out, turn on your dish, wait for it to lock on, and ask him to first check for a good satellite signal with his meter directly on the incoming line. Once he has done that, then have him connect the box and make sure you can see the menus on the TV. It should all be downhill from there.
If he goes over different settings for changing to DVD, off-air, etc, make sure to get a piece of paper and make copious notes.
I have a great deal of experience helping both my parents with AV on their individual coaches (96 Safari and 98 Discovery)...It is not fun for all parties
