Tailgater First Impression

[j6harri]

All,

I received my Tailgater today from Claude and wanted to post some information for those interested.

Attached are the pictures from the un-boxing and initial setup.

Setup was as easy as you can imagine. Put the tailgater on a level surface with a clear view of the south. Connect the included 50' coax cable to the Tailgater and your 211K receiver running software version L499 or higher. Plug your receiver into the wall and wait a couple of minutes.

The first screen you see is the Portable Antenna Setup Screen. Simply choose your state and select scan. Then you will see the switch installation check, acquiring signal, and downloading program guide screens.

Once these are complete, about 10 minutes, then you are watching TV.

I did some quick test ESPN, ESPN2 no issues. Changing channels takes about 5 seconds. I then tuned into my locals. Complete Signal Loss 015 Error. WHAT???
I then check my locals in SD and they are fine. So I decided to get some readings to compare the Tailgater with my main dish.

Tailgater
Sat - Trans - Signal - Channel
129 - 03 - 5 - Locals HD
110 - 23 - 55 - Locals SD
110 - 07 - 33 - ESPNHD
129 - 30 - 31 - ESPN2HD
119 - 13 - 25 - USA

1000.4
Sat - Trans - Signal - Channel
129 - 03 - 21 - Locals HD
110 - 23 - 66 - Locals SD
110 - 07 - 64 - ESPNHD
129 - 30 - 53 - ESPN2HD
119 - 13 - 76 - USA

My Zip Code is 72751

Obviously with a signal strength of 5, My hd locals are not going to come in. Not sure what I am going to do about that. Figure I will give Dish a call and see what they have to say.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding the Tailgater and I will try to answer them.

 

[Laddyboy]

Even with the larger 1000.4 your local signal strength is really pretty low at 21.

 

[Scherrman]

I had zero problems here in eastern Iowa. Amazingly simple to set up.

 

[CK SatGuy]

I think the problem is that his location may be on the edge of the spotbeam (between the green and the yellow in the link below). Not much he can do besides moving to a new location.
SatelliteGuys.US_TheList - Dish Network ALL

 

[chicobiker]

Thanks for the review and pictures. I'm real tempted.

 

[Scherrman]

Do it. Do it. You'll be happy.

 

[dfergie]

Cool review, and Thanks! Stuck

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Thanks for the review, I know DISHStore has been selling a lot of them over the past few days so I hope to see more reviews.

 

[j6harri]

I think the problem is that his location may be on the edge of the spotbeam (between the green and the yellow in the link below). Not much he can do besides moving to a new location.
SatelliteGuys.US_TheList - Dish Network ALL

Yes, I am right on the edge of the spotbeam. Shouldn't be a big deal for tailgating as our tailgate spot is 35 miles south of my location and should be in a better location for the spotbeam coverage. I know several people in our tailgate area used the winegard gm-1518 last year and had no problems receiving their local channels. As you can see from my signal strengths, the tailgater as expected is not a good at pulling in the strong signals, so it is worth checking the spotbeam maps of where you plan on using your tailgater to ensure you will be able to pickup your locals. I always take an antenna to the tailgate as well to ensure we can watch the games OTA if there is to much rain fade.

 

[dennis3d]

Just ordered mine, does anyone know if it will support a 100ft cable run?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Just ordered mine, does anyone know if it will support a 100ft cable run?

Should be no problem, just use RG6 cable and good quality ends.

 

[RAllen]

Would it be possible to have this setup for use at your home, and then unhook it and take it with you in your RV? Is it compatible with
all satellite tv providers?

Thanks for the detailed post, it sure caught my attention and I want to order one.

 

[isaacmorseMI]

Would it be possible to have this setup for use at your home, and then unhook it and take it with you in your RV? Is it compatible with
all satellite tv providers?

Thanks for the detailed post, it sure caught my attention and I want to order one.

It is only compatible with Dish Network. It is built for Tailgating and RV use so I would not recommend using it at home. That is what the stationary Dish 1000.2 & 1000.4 are for.

 

[Liquidforce88]

How much is this thing. It looks just like the vuecube built for truckers.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

A Vucube is $599 and a DISH Tailgater is $349.

 

[chicobiker]

$349 I believe unless they just lowered the price.

 

[levibluewa]

So, if you're traveling state to state and you stop run setup...selecting state...does the receiver automatically give you the local area stations...that would be a nice, worthwhile feature.

 

[chicobiker]

Yes, that would be nice but no, it does not. Once you are beyond your normal locals spot beam you won't get any locals.

 

[Islandguy43]

So you must have a regular home Dish Network Account and couldn't have this stand alone to supplement directv or cable??

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

You can have a stand alone Month to Month (with no contract) account if you want.