Problems with Dish TV and Tailgater

[ila123]

We were given a Tailgater and after several problems have it working fine in our driveway. We have Dish TV at home so added it in the camper after purchasing another receiver. We have been camping three times and had problems getting reception each time.

Years ago We had Direct and a regular antenna on a stand. Other campers who had Dish ended up switching to Direct because Direct is higher in the sky. Hace others had problems with getting good reception and finally had to switch to Direct?

[lj2654]

A 211k receiver is what I have, and they say point the satellite 'DISH' toward the southern sky. I found an app for dish satellites and they are not always direct south when using the app to find them, now I locate a good signal quicker.

[lbrjet]

My post was directed to the OP to build on yours about the app. I know you can get the other sats and I can't.

[GoPackGo]

But I can use the eastern arc sats with my X2 which the app will also show.

[lbrjet]

Yep, using the DISHFORMYRV app we can almost always position our Tailgater to pick up all three sats. Wasn't good in the northeast though.

[GoPackGo]

Love my X2. Works every time. And it is a HUGE advantage being able to get either the western or the eastern sats.

If you have an Iphone, I suggest getting a very good app that will let you know where the sats are so you can get a good initial set for your Tailgator or X2. I use DISHFORMYRV. I think is costs $10 now. It provides a picture using the phone's camera just like Dutch_12078 posted.

[TechWriter]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
One of the advantages Dish has over Direct, is that with the correct antenna, you have a choice of aiming at the western arc satellites or the eastern arc satellites. The eastern arc sats are higher in the sky east of the Mississippi than the western arc sats. The Winegard Pathway X2 is one portable automatic dish that can tune to either arc . . .

I wouldn't call two sat arcs (Eastern & Western) an advantage, but it is a fact of life with DISH.

Unfortunately, the Tailgater (both the old and new versions) can only see DISH's Western Arc sats (110, 119, and 129).

For most Tailgator users, this doesn't matter (check this "arc" map). In fact, if you draw a line from El Paso to Minneapolis, every local DISH station west of this line only uses the Western Arc sats.

However, OP gets his DISH HD locals from Dothan, AL which use the Eastern Arc sats, although the SD locals are on a Western Arc sat.

Regardless, DISH is changing over some of its locals to Eastern Arc only this summer, so the smart money is to use a Pathway X2 instead of a Tailgater.

[BB_TX]

We have been using a Tailgater with a vip211k receiver for several years. Generally no problem. But occasionally I have to reboot the receiver 2-3 times to get it to initially find the sats. Once found it is good until the next move. Seems to be happening more often, so I may be buying a new X2 as they seem to get good reviews.

[ila123]

That's very interesting. Will have to show this to hubby.

[Dutch_12078]

One of the advantages Dish has over Direct, is that with the correct antenna, you have a choice of aiming at the western arc satellites or the eastern arc satellites. The eastern arc sats are higher in the sky east of the Mississippi than the western arc sats. The Winegard Pathway X2 is one portable automatic dish that can tune to either arc, and a simple LNB change on tripod mounted 1000.2 and 1000.4 manually aimed dishes allows them to use either arc. We us a tripod mounted 1000.4, and my typical setup time, including leveling the tripod and aiming is 15 minutes or less.

Having the choice of satellite arcs can be the difference between no signal and a good signal.

Dish western arc sats (Direct also uses 110 & 119):



Dish eastern arc sats from the same location:

[ila123]

Sorry, my brain isn't working yet this AM. Right now I don't know. Will have to check.

[Us_out_West]

ila123 wrote:
We have a Tailgater. The software has been updated and they replaced the box used inside.

Understand you have the Tailgater portable antenna...my question was what Receiver are you using? 211k, 211z or some other?

[ila123]

We have a Tailgater. The software has been updated and they replaced the box used inside.

[Us_out_West]

What DISH receiver are you using?

If you were given the Tailgater you may want to talk to them again.

If you decide to purchase a portable dish look at the Pathway X2 which picks up both the Western and Eastern arcs (satelites).

[ila123]

We may have to breakdown and actually buy an antenna. Hesitate to do that and then find we still have to switch.

Does location in the USA make a difference. We live in southeast Alabama.