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Unit505's avatar
Unit505
Explorer
Oct 28, 2014

Dish Tailgater - I don't like!

Purchased a Dish Tailgater package for a good price back in September. Hooked it up to the TT and set the dish in the backyard. Worked like a champ. Went to Lake Ouachita last week and could only get one or two of the 3 sats for full programming. Came home and placed the dish right back in it's spot in the yard with the same issues. We currently have two residences (just got married) and we both have Dish Network. Sat the dish at my house next to my regular dish and nothing. Brought it to my Wife's house and sat it next to her regular dish and again, nothing. Wound up setting the tailgater on the roof of the house and finally got full signal on all 3 sats and full programming. Called King Controls who makes the Tailgater and was told that the Tailgater really requires perfect view of the Southwest Sky due to the size of the dish compared to the Full Size Dish which is more forgiving since it receives more of a signal.

I am currently contemplating purchasing a standard dish and tripod for $150. The Tailgater might be "Automatic" but it takes me far less time to point a manual dish than it does to move and go through the 15-20 minute programming of the Tailgater 10 times. I almost used the Tailgater for target practice last night - SO FRUSTRATED! I can fire up the chain saw and start cutting down trees at my house, but I can't do that at the RV Park.

My other consideration is to use a 20ft. pole that I have and a Tailgater mount to get the dish up high enough to be of any use. As of now, If I want to use my Tailgater, I'm going to have to preplan my RV Park useage to insure that the park is free of any trees! I should have considered the size of the tailgater before purchasing it. I just did not consider the signal gain of the full size dish vs. the small tailgater.

Ideas? Suggestions?
  • JohnG3's avatar
    JohnG3
    Explorer II
    Oct 28, 2014
    Before shelling out $150 for an open face dish, check Craigs list or check houses with a Dish where the occupants are moving and see if they will let you have it. Dish lets people who are moving to just take their receivers and leave the dish antenna at the house they're leaving. I've obtained a couple antennas that way for free. Another source is a dish dealer/installer who sometimes gives away or sells the antennas for cheap.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Oct 28, 2014
    You are absolutely correct when you indicated you need clear SW skies. I've had similar problems in some campgrounds. With the exception of only a couple this year that had a very heavy overhead tree canopy, I've not had any problems. We reserve our campsites wisely. As we do State Parks and State Recreation Area campgrounds, the DNR web site always has maps of the campground. I will take the time to pull up a Bing.com or Google.com satalite image map of the same campground and study the tree with respect to the campsite and then select the campsite with the clearest SW view. So far, this method has worked great for us.

    One thing I noticed, my Tailgater takes a few moments when switching between channels. I have come to the conclusion that the Tailgater must be locking in on the various satellites in the sky one at a time. Say for example, channel 222 uses satellite 119, then 223 uses satellite 110. When changing channels from channel 222 to 223, you have to give it time to lock in. Yes, it's a little slow, but the alternative is NO television programming.

    I also have the dish on a tripod that is pointed by hand. I found that to be a terrible frustrating experience, thus the reason for the Tailgater that does it automatically. So I now have both, but use the Tailgater all the time now.

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