Does anyone use a satellite dish?

[Major Oz]

I have used the DISH tailgaters for 4 or 5 years.

Love 'em.

But don't like going out in the rain, screwing the coax into the fittings, doing so in the dark, etc.

2016 Flagstaff 26FKWS

So....I ordered the "feet" for the dish, and.....

....am chickening out on the permanent mounting.

1. Is the roof plywood or something that I could drive mounting screws into ?

2. I have experimented and know that the old "point the handle north" doesn't matter any more, just takes longer to find the sats.

3. How does one "fish" the coax down the walls to the inside ?

4. Sealer for the feet ?

5. What did I miss ?


Thanx to all

[Telstar]

Most roofs are plywood. Mount the Tailgater as close to center line as possible making sure to mount in flat area (maximum 2 degree allowed). Read directions as to how close to other objects you can get. I've pulled cable through the attic of several RV's with no problem, interior walls should be OK. Gain access by removing vent shrouded and lights. As far as aligning house type dish, DIDH for my RV and dish align phone aps make it a snap.

[NMWildcat]

I would think twice about a permanent mounting for your tailgater. I had two sets of friends who did that for the same reasons you mentioned. After trying it awhile they both either unmounted them or bought/made a ladder mount that was easily detachable to move the dish away from obstructions. The fella that did the ladder mount bought one and modified it. He leaves it there during travel and it seems to work very well for the last 18 months.

[Major Oz]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I would think twice about a permanent mounting for your tailgater. I had two sets of friends who did that for the same reasons you mentioned. After trying it awhile they both either unmounted them or bought/made a ladder mount that was easily detachable to move the dish away from obstructions. The fella that did the ladder mount bought one and modified it. He leaves it there during travel and it seems to work very well for the last 18 months.

Were their reasons strictly to "avoid obstructions" ?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Were their reasons strictly to "avoid obstructions" ?

In my case yes.

Bought a ladder mount, first place we went the ladder was so buried in the trees it never saw daylight while we were there.

Got back home and ordered a tripod.
With 45 feet of coax I can place it to face open sky with ease.

[hbillsmith]

Have the King Controls version of Dish Tailgater and it has worked really well. Finding open sky is usually the biggest pain when setting up. I thought about permanent mount many times and to test my theory, a few times when I camped I set the Tailgater on the roof (on top of a rubber mat) and used bungy cords to secure it to the ladder (weather was nice so not really worried about blowing off, but secured it anyway). I found that about half the time, I couldn't get a signal and ended up moving it back down.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

In my case yes.

Bought a ladder mount, first place we went the ladder was so buried in the trees it never saw daylight while we were there.

Got back home and ordered a tripod.
With 45 feet of coax I can place it to face open sky with ease.

Yep.... Open sky is important and if you have a stationary dish that is obstructed you either move your rig or watch the neighbor's TV😁.

[Major Oz]

Thank you, one and all, for pointing out the necessity of open sky.

You will note, in my original Q, I have been using the TG for five years.

My concern is NOT whether I should mount it.

It is how to do it.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Major Oz

Thank you, one and all, for pointing out the necessity of open sky.

You will note, in my original Q, I have been using the TG for five years.

My concern is NOT whether I should mount it.

It is how to do it.

The ladder mount came with a base plate and an aluminum shaft which I used.



I bought this tripod.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...74884639461424

I placed two rubber rings around the 1 inch shaft and then place it in the upright tube of the tripod.

I will post some pics after day light shows up.

[Ford Idaho]

[Fordcamper]

We have Dish Network Tailgater, with a receiver, can move it anywhere we want and it is very light weight....you only pay when you use it..you just have to call them and tell them where you are so they can send a signal....