No TV signal?

[Honcho1]

As a new subscriber after 13 years with DirecTV, I'm finding Dish TV can be very frustrating. I am using a Dish Tailgater antenna and a Wally receiver. I have connected the coax directly to the receiver, and have connected it to the coach connection. Sometimes I get a signal, but most times not. The Check Switch, Acquiring Satellite Signal, Downloading Guide delays are quite time consuming when trying to determine the cause of not locking on to a satellite.

At the present time, when I check the satellites using the Diagnostics screen, all three satellites are shown as "locked" with signal strength in the 40's, yet I'm unable to view HD TV! The Guide lists the expected channels, yet when selected I get the error screen.

I use an iPhone app called Winegard Satellite Pointer (AR View) to check for obstructions that could block the view, and even though there is a clear view of the southern sky, most times the antenna will not lock on to the satellite.

I've changed coax cables, (purchased new high-quality ones) short cables, long cables, elevated the antenna, moved the antenna, ensured the connection was tight – all with mixed results. Most times after many changes with the ^&^*(%$ The Check Switch, Acquiring Satellite Signal, Downloading Guide I still get the screen to unplug, resulting in the check Switch, etc. again.

Calling Dish Customer Service is a waste of time, since they always collect all the pertinent information and then tell me to unplug the receiver and replug. Of course this puts me in the long boot-up Check Switch, etc. routine ending with the same situation. I'm about to pull my hair out, except that I have none!

Is this normal system operation?

 

[rvvaquero]

The Tailgater is a substandard dish. I never was able to get it to work through the coach connection. I would suggest running a coax directly from the Tailgater to the receiver.

Also, unplug the tailgater from the receiver and run check switch with no dish connected. It should end with a message like "fewer satellites are found than before" or "no satellites found". When it does, go ahead and save that configuration. Then, plug the Tailgater back in and power back up.

Even after following my recommendations, you've got about a 50% chance of being successful. Good luck.

 

[Honcho1]

Thanks for the info. Not what I wanted to hear, but you've confirmed my suspicions. Any recommendations for a portable antenna?

 

[Jamie57]

I have had way better luck with the portable satellites made by Winegard. The ones made by King Controls are garbage in my opinion. My parents and I have both gotten rid of the Tailgaters we had and now have a Pathway x1 and a Pathway x2. They perform way better than the Tailgaters ever did.

 

[JSheridan]

I have had way better luck with the portable satellites made by Winegard. The ones made by King Controls are garbage in my opinion. My parents and I have both gotten rid of the Tailgaters we had and now have a Pathway x1 and a Pathway x2. They perform way better than the Tailgaters ever did.

+1

 

[rvvaquero]

Thanks for the info. Not what I wanted to hear, but you've confirmed my suspicions. Any recommendations for a portable antenna?

Winegard Pathway X2

 

[Peter Parker]

I have had way better luck with the portable satellites made by Winegard. The ones made by King Controls are garbage in my opinion. My parents and I have both gotten rid of the Tailgaters we had and now have a Pathway x1 and a Pathway x2. They perform way better than the Tailgaters ever did.

My goodness! You not only answered the question but provided a workable solution the underlying problem. You must be new here.

 

[JSheridan]

My goodness! You not only answered the question but provided a workable solution the underlying problem. You must be new here.

It looks like Jamie57 hasn't made many posts but he's been here for 10 years. Maybe he should make more posts.

 

[Jamie57]

It looks like Jamie57 hasn't made many posts but he's been here for 10 years. Maybe he should make more posts.

Yeah, usually just lurk around here unless I see something I can actually help with.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[rvvaquero]

Yeah, usually just lurk around here unless I see something I can actually help with.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using the SatelliteGuys app!

How do you expect to stir up trouble with that attitude?

 

[jerryez]

When I had a Winegard portable dish, I still had to run the cable directly from the sat to the receiver. They just will not work thru the rv wiring. It is made for an OTA antenna.

 

[TheKrell]

When I had a Winegard portable dish, I still had to run the cable directly from the sat to the receiver. They just will not work thru the rv wiring. It is made for an OTA antenna.

I've seen splitters installed in peculiar places in house walls... Perhaps the RV industry thinks that is a good idea as well.

 

[rvvaquero]

When I had a Winegard portable dish, I still had to run the cable directly from the sat to the receiver. They just will not work thru the rv wiring. It is made for an OTA antenna.

Most RV's nowadays have a dedicated satellite coax in addition to the one for antenna/cable. The Tailgator still wouldn't work through it on mine.

 

[Stormy_2021]

Yeah, usually just lurk around here unless I see something I can actually help with.

I do the same thing...

except that I only post "that's what she said" jokes...
when appropriate, of course...

 

[rvvaquero]

I do the same thing...

That's what she said.

 

[Honcho1]

So I purchased a Pathway X2 thinking that the larger dish would pick up the 129 bird better. Obtained exactly the same results as with the Dish Tailgater. Talked with Dish Tech Support and was told Dish doesn't guarantee that you can connect with 129 even though you have a clear path?!? Took the X2 back, will continue my quest to learn more about dish network, satellites, Wally receivers, and the Dish Tailgater antenna. I'm beginning to think I should have stayed with SD programming and DirecTV.

 

[raoul5788]

to Satelliteguys Honcho1!

 

[JSheridan]

So I purchased a Pathway X2 thinking that the larger dish would pick up the 129 bird better. Obtained exactly the same results as with the Dish Tailgater. Talked with Dish Tech Support and was told Dish doesn't guarantee that you can connect with 129 even though you have a clear path?!? Took the X2 back, will continue my quest to learn more about dish network, satellites, Wally receivers, and the Dish Tailgater antenna. I'm beginning to think I should have stayed with SD programming and DirecTV.

The X2 also gets the eastern arc, did you try that?

Don't feel bad because DirecTV is supposedly doing away with their SD receivers sometime next year.

 

[raoul5788]

The X2 also gets the eastern arc, did you try that?

Don't feel bad because DirecTV is supposedly doing away with their SD receivers sometime next year.

Not supposedly, they are. Mpeg2 streams will be turned off.

 

[JSheridan]

Not supposedly, they are. Mpeg2 streams will be turned off.

I always say 'supposedly' in case they change their plans.