Winegard Carryout loses signal without 12 volt

It does not need power to "work". It needs a good 12 volt supply to find the bird. If you don't have local channels then voltage is not needed past that. If you have local channels then you need voltage as they are on a different bird than the commercial channels. I am thinking that the electric motor that moves the dish is moving the Dish when power is lost. Therefore move it a little.

It does need 12 volt to find the satellite. Once it finds the satellite it can be unplugged from the 12 volt. The 12 volt is connected to the satellite. I have been using this for a few years, and I know for a fact it does not have to stay connected to 12 volt. Bgum, thanks - it is level but I will turn it.

i think you mean it worked until you unplugged it, and now it won't work any more
please clarify
because that is Not what you said

because what you said is it won't worked unplugged
its a electronic device it has to have 12v power too work

shut it off, unplug, let it set for about 30 min, while praying to god Murphy
then plug it in and try again
if it don't work, you blew something internal

Is it level? Try turning it 20degrees and try it again.

Maybe the unit needs the 12V to power up...My opinion as I do not have one for my TT