I have used a Tailgator for over a year and when it works it is great. Lately i get a lot of "no satellites found". Without moving the unit, I keep re-booting the receiver and finally it will find the satellites and it works great. Sometimes it only finds 2 of the 3 satellites. If the sky is overcast I have a harder time. When I turn it off at night, I have to search for the satellites again the next AM. My question is does anyone else have this issue? Is there any issues with using a tripod?I just haven't figured out why sometimes it works the first time and other times it gives me problems.

Yes, we've had the same problems only about 2 times in the month and a half of use. Compared to the tripod dish, this one is a piece of cake...we wouldn't trade it back for all the tea in China. We found moving the tailgater over a few feet helps.....and both times the sky was overcast.

Some people love the tailgater & some people hate them. I asked lots of people in RV parks how they liked their tailgater. Have not found anyone yet that hasn't had some problems. Even tech people seem to behaving some problems. I'm opting for the winegard instead. Plus I won't be locked into Dish if I ever want to switch to Direct.

Mined occasionally does the same thing. I have found that if it does not find them the first try I have better luck by holding the power switch until it restarts, rather than unplugging and plugging back in as directed by Dish tech. Seems to reboot faster and find the sats better.Some have stated that you need to point the handle to the south. Others said point the handle to the north. Out of curiosity I took the cover off mine (after warranty expired) to see how it works. Pointed the handle to the west. When first powered up, the dish started a slow rotation counter clockwise about half a turn, then rotated slowly clockwise almost a full turn, then rotated back to a southerly direction. At that point it stated making incremental up/down and side to side movements, I assuming homing in on all satellites until it finds the best signal from all. Then it stopped moving and began loading the guide. From watching the operation I don't think it matters which way you set it on the ground, it moves to scans pretty much a full circle anyway.

When it says no satellites found, do you push ok and rescan or do you reboot each time? I have found the techs at DISH don't know a great deal about the tailgater

The Tailgater is made by King Controls (King Dome). You might want to try giving them a call.

DISH Tailgater | Good Sam Community

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2014
The Tailgater is made by King Controls (King Dome). You might want to try giving them a call.
wd
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
When it says no satellites found, do you push ok and rescan or do you reboot each time? I have found the techs at DISH don't know a great deal about the tailgater
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 25, 2014
Mined occasionally does the same thing. I have found that if it does not find them the first try I have better luck by holding the power switch until it restarts, rather than unplugging and plugging back in as directed by Dish tech. Seems to reboot faster and find the sats better.

Some have stated that you need to point the handle to the south. Others said point the handle to the north. Out of curiosity I took the cover off mine (after warranty expired) to see how it works. Pointed the handle to the west. When first powered up, the dish started a slow rotation counter clockwise about half a turn, then rotated slowly clockwise almost a full turn, then rotated back to a southerly direction. At that point it stated making incremental up/down and side to side movements, I assuming homing in on all satellites until it finds the best signal from all. Then it stopped moving and began loading the guide.
From watching the operation I don't think it matters which way you set it on the ground, it moves to scans pretty much a full circle anyway.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
Some people love the tailgater & some people hate them. I asked lots of people in RV parks how they liked their tailgater. Have not found anyone yet that hasn't had some problems. Even tech people seem to behaving some problems. I'm opting for the winegard instead. Plus I won't be locked into Dish if I ever want to switch to Direct.
amandasgramma
Explorer
Jan 25, 2014
Yes, we've had the same problems only about 2 times in the month and a half of use. Compared to the tripod dish, this one is a piece of cake...we wouldn't trade it back for all the tea in China. We found moving the tailgater over a few feet helps.....and both times the sky was overcast.

Forum Discussion

DISH Tailgater

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

Dish Tailgater

Tailgate Removal

DISH TAILGATER???

Dish Tailgator

Dish Tailgater