Tailgater and clear line of sight

[Price]

I would like tips and tricks for finding a clear line of sight in a treed area.

After spending a lot of time moving my Tailgater around trying to find a spot to catch Dish's main satellite 119, correct me if I'm wrong. There was some good size opening through the trees but I couldn't get it done, I even tried moving it foot by foot. I finally decided it wasn't worth the stress. The few phone apps were useless to help me.

I stopped in a Camping World store and they had me talk with their go-to guy, he said the Tailgater doesn't use the same line of sight as a typical dish he said it uses GPS to locate the satellite.....I called BS.

Please help,
Thank you

[BombDoc]

I have had issues with mine in heavily treed areas. I use my iphone app for dish and try my best to line it up. Sometimes it just doesn't work. I have found that I have better luck if I elevate it on something. Picnic table, my truck bed, hood, on top of the truck, I have even set it on a table just to get it up off the ground and seem to find more that way. It can be a pain in the $%#, but I would be totally lost without the phone app. When I am tailgating, I have no problems as there are no trees, but I feel you pain.

[HIDE OUT]

I have the same problem.I have a android phone is there a good app for them that really works? Can't seem to find one that works. I can only use mine in open areas very frustrating to say the least.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by jdefeo1

I have the same problem.I have a android phone is there a good app for them that really works? Can't seem to find one that works. I can only use mine in open areas very frustrating to say the least.

Satellite ar is what I use.

Turbs

[TURBS]

Turbs

[Price]

The Camping World du-da said I needed to call Dish and tell them I was in a different time zone so they can reprogram my box....doesn't seem right but any truth to this?

[Price]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Satellite ar is what I use.

Turbs

Thanks f1100turbo, I'll give this one a try.

[B and B]

I use a compass with the heading for the satellite in the particular area i am. For the most part from one of Ontario to the other it is only 2 degrees difference. I camp in the woods all the time and get a signal, the Canadian Satellite is so low in power it is challenge most of the time to get a signal.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by Price

The Camping World du-da said I needed to call Dish and tell them I was in a different time zone so they can reprogram my box....doesn't seem right but any truth to this?

If there is no signal how can they reprogram the box? Not familiar with Dish but there must be a signal level meter in a menu that would work no matter what is programmed in the receiver.

[Price]

Has anyone used one of these Align-A-Site Survey Tools?

[Price]

Align-A-Site Survey Tool

[Sirsea]

The Dish Tailgater is basic self-aligning unit. For the past several years, I set mine on top of the camper with a clear view of the SouthWest sky and point the handle in a general North direction; it automatically finds the satellites. Anything more than a few limbs and leaves causes problems.

[Price]

Originally Posted by Sirsea

The Dish Tailgater is basic self-aligning unit. For the past several years, I set mine on top of the camper with a clear view of the SouthWest sky and point the handle in a general North direction; it automatically finds the satellites. Anything more than a few limbs and leaves causes problems.

I thank you for your input and I understand what the ideal locate is, my question is what to do if you find your campsite not in the ideal surrounding for a Tailgater?

[Sirsea]

Well, in that case you have two choices: move to another site, or put in a DVD because the tailgater just won't work if it can't get a clear shot at the SW sky...

[Price]

Originally Posted by Sirsea

Well, in that case you have two choices: move to another site, or put in a DVD because the tailgater just won't work if it can't get a clear shot at the SW sky...

Opinion 3 is breakout the chainsaw..LOL

[ironj]

Originally Posted by Sirsea

Well, in that case you have two choices: move to another site, or put in a DVD because the tailgater just won't work if it can't get a clear shot at the SW sky...

X2...

We have a fav site in nm we go to every year. ...trees are in way....the tailgater dont work with a leaf in the way....so we watch sling (via dish) from my pad/phone or just put a dvd in.....I like the site better tjan I like having dish....it is what it is.... ☺

[doc73]

I have been having a heck of a time with my Tailgator as well. Let me ask this, is it better with a normal dish on tri-pod or is it always this difficult to get a signal sometimes?

EDIT: What are the directions it is looking? someone told me 110, 119 and 129 degrees... Did not seem right. Now this weekend I had full service in OCNJ. I use the Satellite AR but it was acting crazy for some reason so I got lucky I guess.

[Price]

It's kinda funny how the plastic case doesn't effect the signal but a few leaves ruins it.

Take a look at this video, these guy show you the working guts of the unit.

Dish Tailgater - Solid Signal Review WITH EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE - YouTube

[ironj]

Originally Posted by doc73

I have been having a heck of a time with my Tailgator as well. Let me ask this, is it better with a normal dish on tri-pod or is it always this difficult to get a signal sometimes?

EDIT: What are the directions it is looking? someone told me 110, 119 and 129 degrees... Did not seem right. Now this weekend I had full service in OCNJ. I use the Satellite AR but it was acting crazy for some reason so I got lucky I guess.

My full-size dish is more difficult to aim as it picks up all three sats at once.....that said it is much more forgiving with trees leaves.....prob because the size of the reflector.....

Almost always the tailgater is easier to use tho. Assuming you have clear line of sight....

[cpaulsen]

Originally Posted by Price

Has anyone used one of these Align-A-Site Survey Tools?

Use mine all the time.