DirecTV tailgate question...

[woozman]

We’re thinking of doing our own tailgate this year because a couple of our group dropped out so each of our split with STT will be much more.

I called DirecTV to ask this question, but not surprisingly the poor girl was confused. If we bought one of the tailgater domes, can I bring one of the boxes from home and use it to get service on my existing account or would I have to get a new separate service?

TIA

 

[WrapItDog]

can I bring one of the boxes from home and use it to get service on my existing account

Yes, I would pass on the tailgater dome and just use a normal dish. You have 5 months to learn how to aim the dish.

 

[engie]

Yes it will work. Personally, I’d buy one more dtv box just for tailgating and add the ~ $10 per month to your bill for it. That stuff gets the hell beat out of it over the course of a season. At least in our group.

 

[woozman]

Good point - thanks!

 

[Dawgbite]

I use Direct because it's what I already have but Dish is better for tailgating if you are starting from scratch. Direct is only SD with the portable dome dishes, Dish is HD. Dish also has a plan that you can cut on and off by the month. You also can buy a Dish receiver and dome cheaper than you can buy a dome only for Direct. Any RV place will have a combo receiver/dome and the info for the intermittent service. Campers World often has the package on sale. Pointing a Dish is simple with one of the available phone apps but the automatic dish's are pretty handy.

 

[mcfly.sixpack]

We also use dish and will be bringing our dish tailgater to the dude for the NCAA tournament this weekend

 

[engie]

Yes, I would pass on the tailgater dome and just use a normal dish. You have 5 months to learn how to aim the dish.

Having done both, I disagree strongly. Big package vs small package. A bump or wind requires restarting the process vs 5 seconds being locked back on. Now granted I didn't spend half a year becoming an installation contractor with the satellite. It was a 2-3 times per year setup, so I never REALLY knew what I was doing.

I do wish I could see where my tailgater was actually trying to aim sometimes without removing the lid. I won't swear to it, but it seems to be quite a lot of variation in the direction that it locks on at any given time/location/channel set. And outside of Starkville, it's rarely a clear view elsewhere.

Also, my tailgater 2 does not get locals in HD. So, end up having the best game every Saturday in ****** low def. Would certainly be worth splurging on a tailgater where you got them in HD, but that also might be a programming issue. Someone told me a work around for that once, but I was drunk and forgot exactly what it was. I need to look that up. My solution last year was a second tv connected to hd rabbit ears for the inevitable Bama/LSU fans at the tailgate, which freed me up to let my add bounce through random games on the other set

 

[Dawgbite]

SatFinder Lite App is a godsend when setting up a stationary dish. It is free and it will get you close as long as you know which satellite you are looking for.