When hooking up the tailgater

Denny & Jami wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you have BOTH an exterior satellite connection and a cable connection then we are talking about 2 different things. Most RV's only have one outside connection which is designed only for the use of a campground cable connection. These cannot be used to connect to satellite unless the connection is modified and many can be successfully modified with the use of an additional cable and an A/B switch. I have done it hundreds of times.

Maybe with a standard dish but not a Tailgater.

Denny

Yes, even with a Tailgater.

Denny & Jami wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you have BOTH an exterior satellite connection and a cable connection then we are talking about 2 different things. Most RV's only have one outside connection which is designed only for the use of a campground cable connection. These cannot be used to connect to satellite unless the connection is modified and many can be successfully modified with the use of an additional cable and an A/B switch. I have done it hundreds of times.

Maybe with a standard dish but not a Tailgater.

Denny

Are you speaking from experience? I am. I agree that the cable connection, unmodified will not work with the tailgater or a standard dish. I use the cable connection (modified) per Bill with an A/B switch with my tailgater and it works fine. Anyone who has not been able to get it to work hasn't got the modification done right. I have the PDF on my computer. If anyone is interested PM me and I will e-mail it to you.

Denny & Jami wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you have BOTH an exterior satellite connection and a cable connection then we are talking about 2 different things. Most RV's only have one outside connection which is designed only for the use of a campground cable connection. These cannot be used to connect to satellite unless the connection is modified and many can be successfully modified with the use of an additional cable and an A/B switch. I have done it hundreds of times.

Maybe with a standard dish but not a Tailgater.

Denny

Bill is correct. A Tailgater will work fine with a quality mechanical A/B switch in the line. The only technical restriction is that nothing is in the line that will block the power supply to the dish, such as a splitter, etc.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you have BOTH an exterior satellite connection and a cable connection then we are talking about 2 different things. Most RV's only have one outside connection which is designed only for the use of a campground cable connection. These cannot be used to connect to satellite unless the connection is modified and many can be successfully modified with the use of an additional cable and an A/B switch. I have done it hundreds of times.

Maybe with a standard dish but not a Tailgater.

Denny

If you have BOTH an exterior satellite connection and a cable connection then we are talking about 2 different things. Most RV's only have one outside connection which is designed only for the use of a campground cable connection. These cannot be used to connect to satellite unless the connection is modified and many can be successfully modified with the use of an additional cable and an A/B switch. I have done it hundreds of times.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Denny & Jami wrote:
Don't use any kind of A/B switch or splitter with your tailgater, you can use the cable hookup if you can confirm that it's a direct connection with no splitters. As far as a used unit make sure it works by hooking it up to the receiver and make sure it will find the satellites, it will do that without being authorized.

Denny

This is not correct. NO cable hookup will be direct. Period. You can either disconnect the incoming cable connection from its current location and relocate it to your satellite receiver or you can install an A/B switch to make the process easier.

I'm not sure about other RV units but our sat and cable connections go directly to the entertainment center, that's where I could if needed isolate the cable coax with no splitters. Right in the Tailgater manual it states direct connection with no splitters or A/B switches.

Denny

wa8yxm wrote:
The answer is ... Confusing.

As delivered the park cable input will NOT WORK for the tailgater or any other satellite antenna.. it very simply will not work Two reasons for this.
ONE, it is the wrong type of cable and thus the signal loss if it is used is too great (That is in most motor homes and trailers, SOME.. they use the good stuff)

Second, it does not go where you think it goes, it goes to some electronics and the rule is no splitters etc other than Digital Equpiment Switches between the antenna and the receiver. THIS is the big reason it will not work.

Many people do find the other end of the cable (If you have a box with MANY buttons it hooks to the back,,, If you have a wall plate with a switch, LED Antenna and 12 volt accessory outlet.. IT Hooks to the rear.

You can disconnect it and it may well work.. But you'd do better to run good quality RG-6 to either a basement or bulkhead (Through wall) Connector somewhere.

Dishes with external power will work through ther external cable connection. I've done it.

Will the smaller cable not work because of the power pushed to the Tailgater?

I run my Tailgater thru the "cable" hookup but have modified my antenna/cable wall plate. The signal goes thru an AB switch, then the modified wall box. Works fine.

Satellite WILL work through RG59 if that's what you have (not the best, but OK). It does need to be a direct physical connection, as the power for the Tailgater is carried in the wires from the receiver.

If you have the most common setup, there is a cable from the exterior to the amplifier for your rooftop antenna, a cable from the amplifier to the rooftop antenna itself, and a cable from the amplifier to your entertainment center(possibly two cables to entertainment centers). You can remove the amplifier and install a connector between the cable to the exterior and the cable to the entertainment center where your satellite receiver is.

The best solution is to add a second cable from the exterior to the entertainment center for the satellite and leave your rooftop antenna for times you don't need/want to set up the satellite.

Doug

PaulG,
You are getting some confusing and misleading information and I wish you the very best in trying to dodge this mine field. I can tell you have I have been doing this stuff for 14 years and I teach others how to setup these systems. Please re-read my original post and let me know if I can answer some additional questions.