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12-15-2013, 09:49 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pine
Posts: 61
M.O.C. #12012
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Dish Tailgater
We are anticipating purchasing a Dish Tailgater. It appears to be the most affordable compared to the others on the market. We'll be starting to head up the coast towards Alaska from Arizona this coming April. Anyone have any experience with the Tailgaters or have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
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12-15-2013, 10:30 AM
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#2
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Established Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Idaho Falls
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #12224
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I read somewhere that the portable dishes only work in the lower 48. I would check before you buy.
Greg
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12-15-2013, 10:58 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chilliwack
Posts: 1,520
M.O.C. #12935
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According to the Dish Network coverage map you would need a 50db signal on a 14.5" dish to receive signals just north of the Canada/US border, a larger dish extends that coverage and it appears a 41.5" or larger is needed at the extent of it's range.
Don't know how big the Tailgater antenna is but I think you would not have much coverage after you left the continental US.
http://www.kvh.com/Pages/Satellite-C...US-Marine.aspx
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12-15-2013, 11:08 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 860
M.O.C. #8154
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I have the Dish Tailgater, a VIP211k receiver and an external hard disk (dvr function). I have been very pleased with it and had no issues. The setup can take a bit of time as the tailgater software locates the satellites (3), and then downloads the guide. It is fully automated so there is no user intervention required. I usually start the process while setting up so it's done by the time the rig is ready to go.
We have dish at home so the cost, other than the initial hardware, is $7.00/month.
It does only work in the lower 48 per their website.
Ken
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12-15-2013, 11:58 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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We also have Dish and a Tailgater. Easy setup and works great but have only used it in the southern US.
The Tailgater dish is much smaller than a tripod mounted dish. I still carry my tripod dish for backup and have used it once when the Tailgater seemed to be having a problem. But much more of a pain to set up and aim. But you might consider taking both and using the larger one for when signals are particularly weak.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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12-16-2013, 04:20 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chico
Posts: 641
M.O.C. #6933
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We have had the Tailgater for 3 years and no longer use it. The first on lasted 11 months and then quit. It was replaced under warranty.
The second one lasted 11 months and then would only work now and then.
After analyzing our usage of the Tailgater we found that it wasn't all that useful. For instance when you leave your home are and go to a new area you have to call dish and have something changed. If you are traveling most every day as we do it's just not worth the trouble.
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12-16-2013, 07:31 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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The phone call has nothing to do with a Tailgater. If you have Dish service and you move more than a couple hundred miles you will lose the local network stations to your previous location. If you want the locals of the new location then a 5 minute phone call to Dish will do that. This is true no matter the type satellite dish.
If you do not need local channels then no call is necessary.
If you primarily stay in private RV parks they typically have some level of cable service and satellite may not be needed unless you have satellite at home and have particular programs you like to watch.
If you often stay at state/national/COE type parks that are not likely to have cable then sat is nice to have.
Have no idea what is available as far as park cable once you cross into Canada.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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12-17-2013, 03:50 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 1,153
M.O.C. #3403
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We also have the Dish Tailgater and the VIP211k receiver. We also had our fist Tailgater quit operating and it had to be replaced under warranty. We love it when it works. I have it hooked up at the house and use it almost every day now just to see how long this one will last.
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12-18-2013, 08:28 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fall Creek
Posts: 1,328
M.O.C. #3699
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We were in Alaska this Spring and Summer. Carried the Tailgater and a Dish 500 with tripod. Once we got North of Calgary, nothing portable for Dish will work. The spec from Dish in Alaska start at a Dish 30 to 36 inches in diameter. Try to get used of the Canadian Cable :-(
__________________
Bob and Nancy Kassl Fall Creek, Wisconsin
2015 Montana 3440RL Legacy Edition, G614's, Pressure Pro TPMS, Dish Tailgaters
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 CC SRW, Iridium Metallic, Duramax Allison Transmission
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12-19-2013, 04:13 AM
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#10
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Pine
Posts: 61
M.O.C. #12012
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Thanks everyone, great info. We're kind of news junkies so it probably wouldn't hurt us a bit to be without service for awhile anyway.  Also, since most of the shows we like to watch are the Alaska related shows, seems kind of redundant when where in that part of the world.
Thanks again for all the replys and safe travels.
Mark & Connie
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