Tailgate Satellite?

Hawkfromnorwalk

Well-Known Member
I'm a newbie to this. I just bought an extra dish, tripod, and generator. I'm going to try to set up to get Directv at my tailgate. My question is, how hard is it to get it set up? I've never done it before and besides a quick trial run I will do tomorrow night, Saturday will be my first setup.
 


I think you need to find the lat and long or sometype of coordinates if you are coming from out of town.
 


Game is on ABC this week so if you want to watch the game at the tailgate you should be able to pick it up with simple rabbit ears. That is what we are planning on doing.
 


You need to go and get the satillite coordinates in Iowa City. there is a lookup tool on Dish or Direct TV somwhere i believe
 


How are you powering the satellite and tv? Generator? Car battery with a converter?

Just curious because we are looking at doing something for the Penn State game.
 








Does the inverter suck the life out of the car battery?

Was looking at buying an extra car battery and powering everything off it.
 


Dish alignment coordinates for Iowa City are Elev 41.0 deg Asy 191.7. That means (obviously) 41 degrees of elevation from the horizon and alittle bit west of due south in direction, use a compass to figure out the Asy. Good luck and I hope that's not a HD/receiver dish you're using as they have pretty tight tolerances for aligment.
 


Does the inverter suck the life out of the car battery?

Was looking at buying an extra car battery and powering everything off it.

No not at all, just start it up every hour or so. The TV will draw the most power, so if you have a screen over 26 inches, you may want to go with a spare battery.
 


Intersting.....I guess the only drawback I see with the generator is the noise associated with it.

Noise is the correct answer. They will not allow generators and will tell you to turn it off once and if you turn it back on they will kick you off the lot.

Unless you have a decent size inverter and the vehicle that can handle the load of running all your equipment and don't mind leaving your vehicle running the whole time I would just do what everyone else is being restricted to and sit in silence.
 


The TV I have is under 26". You guys have me thinking now and maybe I'll look into an inverter over a generator. What do I need to know about them. All I am running is my reciever, the TV, and the power box to the dish (the new receivers don't power the dish it has it's on power now). The TV is a flatscreen LCD. I'm thinking a 1000W inverter would be fine right? And as long as I run my car once in a while I'll be good?
 


The TV I have is under 26". You guys have me thinking now and maybe I'll look into an inverter over a generator. What do I need to know about them. All I am running is my reciever, the TV, and the power box to the dish (the new receivers don't power the dish it has it's on power now). The TV is a flatscreen LCD. I'm thinking a 1000W inverter would be fine right? And as long as I run my car once in a while I'll be good?

I think you should be good to go. Maybe you bring the generator just in case, but plan on the inverter.

Let me know how it works out.
 


I have setup my Directv several times at tailgates. It is not too difficult. The biggest problem I had was getting the tripod on flat ground. We had to smash an empty beer can and stick it under one of the legs to get it more level, but then had no issues. I have not tried this with an HD setup though, someone mentioned that may be more difficult. 1000W invertor should do. I used to use a 1200W generator and had no issues with power.

Your other option is Directv Sat-Go. About $500, but you can take it anywhere. I desperately want one, but that will be a tough sell to the wife.
 


Does the generator rule apply to university lots or all tailgating lots (private)?

Yes I'm also interested in how this works out for you.
 




I have setup my Directv several times at tailgates. It is not too difficult. The biggest problem I had was getting the tripod on flat ground. We had to smash an empty beer can and stick it under one of the legs to get it more level, but then had no issues. I have not tried this with an HD setup though, someone mentioned that may be more difficult. 1000W invertor should do. I used to use a 1200W generator and had no issues with power.

Your other option is Directv Sat-Go. About $500, but you can take it anywhere. I desperately want one, but that will be a tough sell to the wife.

I thought about the Sat-Go but in the end couldn't justify the price. Instead I just dropped $100 on a tripod and dish and will just try my luck. I think I will bring both my HD and standard receivers. This way if the HD doesn't work I can at least rely on standard def.
 


I thought about the Sat-Go but in the end couldn't justify the price. Instead I just dropped $100 on a tripod and dish and will just try my luck. I think I will bring both my HD and standard receivers. This way if the HD doesn't work I can at least rely on standard def.

You normally tailgate at Finkbine golf course right? We are going to try there this week too. Our first time. If I see a guy struggling to hook up his dish, I'll come over and see if I can help. I have a lot of experience setting these up blindly, and amazingly have had a lot of luck.
 


You normally tailgate at Finkbine golf course right? We are going to try there this week too. Our first time. If I see a guy struggling to hook up his dish, I'll come over and see if I can help. I have a lot of experience setting these up blindly, and amazingly have had a lot of luck.

Yeah, we're at the golf course surface lot. Drop on by if you see us, we can have a beer or two!
 




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