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Old 09-09-2012, 08:18 PM   #1
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Satellite tv

Does anyone use a satellite dish or Dish network Tailgator when camping? The tailgator supposly takes the guess work out of aimming the dish. We camp in a lot of wooded type campgrounds. I don't to go out and spend bunch of money on a dish setup if it won't work very well when we camp. thanks for any help
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Old 09-09-2012, 08:50 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 240sundeck
Does anyone use a satellite dish or Dish network Tailgator when camping? The tailgator supposly takes the guess work out of aimming the dish. We camp in a lot of wooded type campgrounds. I don't to go out and spend bunch of money on a dish setup if it won't work very well when we camp. thanks for any help


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The dish network dish was free from a direct tv installer whom removed it from a house changing to direct tv.
Work light tri pod lights were junk so I converted it to except dish.
I use the receiver from my shop.

Takes less than 10 minutes to setup and get signal.

Cheap Way to find out if it will work for u if your already a dish customer.
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Old 09-09-2012, 08:53 PM   #3
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No matter what system you use you will need a clear line of sight to the satellite. I have a dish and tripod and take my receiver from home. I have Dish Network. The dish cost around $125. with the tripod, cable etc. By taking my receiver from home I don't pay the extra $7. per month "extra outlet fee".
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Old 09-09-2012, 09:01 PM   #4
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Obviously the lower the dish is to the ground the line of sight goes away .
I'm working on a mount for my ladder which will help in high tree count problems.
No matter if you use the tailgater or an actual dish the line of sign is still an issue.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:12 PM   #5
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I use the VuCube which is very similar to the tailgater but I have a remote to set up the satellite. I recommend that you get a 50' & 100' RG-6 cable which I mostly use the 50 footer. I have only used the 100' a couple of times in the really wooded areas, and had it laid out all the way! Several times we couldn't receive any local channels, but had satellite channels.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:17 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by JohnandPandra
I use the VuCube which is very similar to the tailgater but I have a remote to set up the satellite. I recommend that you get a 50' & 100' RG-6 cable which I mostly use the 50 footer. I have only used the 100' a couple of times in the really wooded areas, and had it laid out all the way! Several times we couldn't receive any local channels, but had satellite channels.
I'm not sure how far out you can get from your locals before there not viewable but I've only had once I couldn't get locals as I was about 200 miles from home.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:22 PM   #7
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This is how I mounted mine it also works on the top of the ladder....
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:23 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by onetonford
This is how I mounted mine it also works on the top of the ladder....
What do you do when the front of the camper is facing sw ?

Same thing I want to do but at the top of the ladder as to be able to point forward if needed.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:26 PM   #9
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The ladder has the two tubes curved and flat about foot and a halve so just mount at that point and swing arm to straight up and level then aim unless their are trees in the way it works great.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:29 PM   #10
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In this picture you can see the top tubes I'M talking about...
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:30 PM   #11
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Ok now what if front of camper happens to face the way your back is now ?
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:41 PM   #12
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The mount I made can clamp on the top rails then you can swing pipe mount up which is about two feet above the roof you then can swing dish around to face the front and you have a clear sight 360 degrees and nothing on the trailer is higher. The only problem would be trees and I have moved trailer a few feet to clear trees.
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Old 09-09-2012, 10:49 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by onetonford
The mount I made can clamp on the top rails then you can swing pipe mount up which is about two feet above the roof you then can swing dish around to face the front and you have a clear sight 360 degrees and nothing on the trailer is higher. The only problem would be trees and I have moved trailer a few feet to clear trees.
Perfect that's what was wondering.
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Old 09-11-2012, 09:14 PM   #14
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I have tailgater and works great. Simple to use and can be placed on ground, top of trailer or on top of truck depending on what opening you have with the trees. It's as easy as plug and play. Just set what state you are in. I had trouble with mine one time and called c/s they took care of it and replaced it with no charge. I now have several freinds that have same and love it. mark
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Old 09-24-2012, 04:29 PM   #15
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Another idea, I built a wood base, heavy enough to keep the dish from blowing over, but not too heavy to carry while climbing my stepladder, and put it on the roof of the slideout. It was high enough to clear the roof of the trailer so direction was never an issue.
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Old 09-24-2012, 08:32 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by onetonford View Post
This is how I mounted mine it also works on the top of the ladder....
Do you keep a steady sat signal when you move around in the RV?

I just tested our Sat system and the dish is on a large tripod pegged to the ground, but a slight tap on the dish can drop the signal.

Our Lacrosse 301RLS has power stabilizer jacks and you can't crank them as much as the manuals on my last trailer, and I was disappointed at how bouncy it was inside the trailer when someone walked around - and even worse when anyone showered. I can't imagine a sat dish mounted on my coach could lock on the satellite.

Bob
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Old 09-24-2012, 08:49 PM   #17
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I have had no Issues even thou I can feel the trailer bounce when my wife walks around no loss of signal nothing even when I was on the coast last week and the wind kicked up pretty good but TV worked just fine no signal drop or anything. Even when I lift the stabs it still works fine. Normally I adjust the signal to 90 to 99 % and all is good......
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