Satellite Dish for Tailgating

[Rudy]

Question for those who have satellite dishes for tailgating, how difficult is it to align with the satellite? I know you have to point it to the southwest, but else do you have to line it up?

[UNTflyer]

You need a mount of some kind. I have a tripod but it sucks. I suggest a 5-gallon bucket, a bag of quick set cement, and a 1 inch steel pole no more than 3 feet high.

DirecTV points directly south, which is easy to find. Then you just tilt it about 45 degrees and start nudging it up toward 51 degrees. It's a generous range, usually anywhere between 47 and 53 degrees will get you a signal.

It takes me less than 5 minutes to get a lock. If you tighten up the bolts well, you should never have to adjust the tilt again, just point it south.

[Rudy]

I'll be using Dish Network. Is it just as easy?

[UNTflyer]

Dish points a different azimuth, but that should be the only difference. Unless you tailgate right under a tree you should be fine. But from experience I recommend a heavy base for your dish mount. I need to build mine soon.

Edited August 18, 2012 by UNTflyer