Winegard tailgate antenna

K

knotflying

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
6,014
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2731J011
Non-Fluid Motion Model
25' Parker & 246 Robalo Cayman
Vessel Name
http://illusionsmikeandjess.blogspot.com
Has anyone tried using the Winegard automatic tailgate antenna? It seems like an easy setup and would definitely work while at a dock or boater homing, but wasn't sure how well it would do while on the hook. I read through the literature and it looks like it will automatically lock in on a satellite, but I don't think it will continuously move as the boat moves. And assuming it won't move I wonder how much tolerance there is before you lost signal. It is definitely more economical than a KVH antenna.
 
Jim Bathurst used one on his C-Dory. Previously he set it on the dock, but when he upgraded to new one, he put it on the top of the boat when at the dock. Maybe he will chime in here and give you more information, but I think it worked very well for him. Yes, it could be a viable alternative.
 
I bought a used "Cube" automatic antenna. Once it gets a lock I can drive in rough water and keep signal.( watched the end of a soccer Game in the summer ) .... I think the differance between these ones and a marine one is the speed to lock on the satellite . In all fairness I Havn't tried to lock on while moving . Usually busy driving boat but I could see would be good for passangers especially little ones . I keep it in the cave and just bungee it to roof when I need it .
 
We used a VuQube for years, but upgraded to the Dish Tailgater earlier this year. Works great with the RV, even used it at the house. We spent the summer on our boat in Friday Harbor, and it worked fine strapped on top of the boat...

TailgaterOnWB_zpse3f9ffc1.jpg


That was while we were tied to the dock. I was surprised that it held the signal through the changing tides. If both of us were on the same side of the boat, it would intermittently lose the signal. I do not think it would work at anchor, where the boat will "sail" around some; we never tried that. We did take the cube down anytime we were moving.

Worked fine in Victoria and Anacortes when we were there, too. You do have to pay attention to any obstructions that might be in the way (sailboat masts, taller boats slipped alongside you). If you put the cube out on the dock, you will lose the signal every time anyone walks by it (we dealt with that with our previous VuQube that we kept on the dock at Friday Harbor).

The older VuQube and SD receiver were amazingly simple to use. We only updated because All American Direct discontinued the network feeds - if you want to get local networks through Dish, you have to have a receiver capable of that (our old one wasn't), and call them when you move to a different service area. The Tailgater is automatic: set it down with the handle facing north and it finds the satellites; automatically switches between the satellites as you change channels, if necessary (also receives HD channels). With the older VuQube, you use a remote to line up the dish inside the cube... much easier than it sounds. With the RV, I would put out the VuQube, and Joan would have the signal before I got the other utilities hooked up (usually a minute or two). The automatic Tailgater takes a bit longer to find the satellites.

I find it an easy way to get Dish when traveling. Even with an RV that has an automatic dish on top, there are times you are parked in the trees and cannot get a clear shot at the satellites - the VuQube or Tailgater allows you to place the cube away from the RV (or boat) where you can get a clear signal.

Hope that helps,
Jim
 
I have used at anchor a few times. The automatic will track when spinning however if it doesn't move for a while it goes to sleep to save power but wakes up when signal weakens and starts tracking again.. Overall pretty happy with it .
 
When we ordered our Tailgater, the Dish rep said that it is not an "in-motion" set-up. We had an in-motion system in our last motorhome, and it would track (fast) as you moved. My experience with the Tailgater, just from moving around on the boat (or when the ferry comes in and sets all the docks a rockin') leads me to believe it was not designed for in-motion. When we would lose the signal while tied to the dock, it would take several minutes to reacquire and go through the satellite check routine.

You could check with the Dish reps, but we found they were not up to speed with all the particulars of this unit.

It is simple to use: it gets power to the cube via the coax cable. Tell the receiver what state you are in, and it finds the satellites. You do have to have the receiver that is specific to the Tailgater (211k, 211z).

Just for clarification, this unit is made by King Controls (sold through Dish), not Winegard. The in-motion system we had on a motorhome was made by Winegard, but did not get HD channels. Winegard does make a portable unit...

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... hite/76528

Hard to beat the Tailgater for the price (around $400 with a receiver).

http://www.dishformyrv.com/tailgater-po ... v-antenna/

Jim
 
If you are looking for a cheap "partial in-motion" system, then take a look at the "Track It TV" system:

http://www.track-it-tv.com/track-it-tv.aspx

I have not tried it, but on some boating forums they seem to think it works well when docked and mostly well when anchored.
 
In motion system. Works great while we are dock, with side to side locks great in. When wind comes up still locks in great ck them out...
 
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