Tailgating help for a true beginner

[PSUHusky]

Hey all,

Brand new to the board and satellites. It seems like you guys all really know your stuff so I figured someone could help me out.

I'm thinking about a setup for my tailgate at Penn State games this year, but need to find out if it's actually feasible or just a pipe dream.

I guess these are my questions:

1. My sister (who lives in Vermont) has a direct tv account, if I buy the receiver and dish can I go off of her account even though she lives in Vermont and with my setup being in PA?

2. Not sure if the distance plays a factor, but what channels would I be able to pick up? I guess all I need are the major networks and the ESPNs.

3. If I purchase an HD receiver (H21?) what kind of dish will I need to purchase for it to work? Is there anything out there that can receive HD and still be small enough to use for tailgates or should I just stick to SD?

Any suggestions on the dish would be much appreciated.



Thanks for anyone taking the time to help this newbie out.

 

[jdspencer]

For HD, you'll need the Slimline dish (SL3). It doesn't really matter which account is used, but it would be better to use your own. Also, depending on where the tailgate is located, you might be outside of the spotbeam if that matters.

The SD dish is a bit smaller and easier to aim. You'll be able to receive all CONUS channels on 101.

 

[Ronnie-]

Hey, welcome!

You can use her account if it is ok with her. You would have to add a box to her account and that will be an extra charge for her. It would also obviously be in her name. It would work though. Not sure about her locals being available where you tailgate. Those are on spotbeams and you may be outside the signal.

You would be able to get all of the nationals though, assuming you are using a dish that hits the right sats.

The slimline can be difficult to set up if you are unfamiliar with it. I have seen many use it in tuscaloosa when we tailgate though, so it can be done with the knowhow.

The standard dish is much easier to setup, but you wont get the HD.

Hope that helps, and if I got anything wrong, i am sure someone will come along and correct it for ya.

Enjoy though! We do a setup like this when we tailgate, and it makes it alot more fun

 

[lefatman]

You might want to look into the Directv Sat-Go unit.I would have already bought one but the battery life is only 2 hours.With a converter or generator you can run it on AC/DC.

 

[Ronnie-]

You might want to look into the Directv Sat-Go unit.I would have already bought one but the battery life is only 2 hours.With a converter or generator you can run it on AC/DC.

They are pretty expensive if I am not mistaken though.

Personally, I would go with a traditional setup, but this might be easier for you.

 

[PSUHusky]

Yeah, I saw the Sat-Go units but for the price and screen size I think I'm going to try my own.

Not living in Vemont I could care less about her local channels. Again this will sound stupid but I honestly have no idea how it works......if I don't pick up her locals what will i receive?

Will I get like NY and LA NBC, FOX, CBS, ABC and still be able to get ESPN, ESPN2? I'm thinking those are really the only channels I need for the games.

 

[Ronnie-]

Yeah, I saw the Sat-Go units but for the price and screen size I think I'm going to try my own.

Not living in Vemont I could care less about her local channels. Again this will sound stupid but I honestly have no idea how it works......if I don't pick up her locals what will i receive?

Will I get like NY and LA NBC, FOX, CBS, ABC and still be able to get ESPN, ESPN2? I'm thinking those are really the only channels I need for the games.

If you are on her account and are outside the spotbeams, then you will have to use an OTA antenna to get the networks (NBC, ect). You will still get ESPN, ESPN2, ec.

If you want the regualar networks, and are outside the spotbeam (and dont want to use OTA), you are better off getting your own account.

 

[PSUHusky]

Oh ok....I was confused. I remember when watching tv from her house you would pick up some local Vermont channels (NBC,CBS, etc), but you would also pick up some national network channels like a random LA NBC and a NY CBS. But what you're saying is that regardless of whether they're from Vermont or LA/NY they're still considered Local channels and if they fall outside of the spot beam I won't pick up any of them regardless if they're coming from LA,NY, or VT?

 

[jdspencer]

If your account has Distant Network Service (DNS) then you can get the NY/LA SD network locals. Or with the Slimline dish you'll get the HD version from NY. You'll need waivers to get these.

 

[boba]

Stop and take a second look!!!!!!

If you get a basic H2X HDTV receiver your sisters account will be charged $99 for a lease upgrade fee. The receiver will be owned by Directv and must be returned to them when deactivated in 4-5 months. For a ballpark figure you are going to need to buy a Slimline dish and accrssories to set it up say $100. Now you have no experience setting up a satellite dish, no it is not a TV antenna you just point in a general direction it has to be aimed accurately to get the signals the satellites are 22,300 miles out in space.

Stop and do some more research on what you are trying. If you know someone that has an unused system try playing with it to find out if you have the patience to aim a system in a parking lot.

 

[PSUHusky]

That's why I'm looking for help. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap or easy to do. If a slimline is that much more difficult would you suggest going with a standard dish? Is it something that with practice you can do without issues? I had planned on practicing with it several times before the first game.

If I got my own account or used a friend's here in PA would that eliminate the trouble of the spotbeams? From home to State College for the games is about 125 miles as opposed to Vermont where it's 400+ miles.

 

[Jimbo]

That's why I'm looking for help. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap or easy to do. If a slimline is that much more difficult would you suggest going with a standard dish? Is it something that with practice you can do without issues? I had planned on practicing with it several times before the first game.

If I got my own account or used a friend's here in PA would that eliminate the trouble of the spotbeams? From home to State College for the games is about 125 miles as opposed to Vermont where it's 400+ miles.

If you want Your locals, go with your account, your probably close enough.

Yes a standard single LNB dish would be easier, but you won't get your HD if thays important to you.

 

[twizt3dsist3r]

yes and know, and i live by the wb campus, so shoot me a pm if you need any more detailed help locally, however, our area has locals on 119. so you would need either a phase 3 trip sat for sd of a sl5 for hd. hd is going to be difficult to set up on a tripod, ive done it, it sucks, your not gonna get vermont locals or DNS here, because if she has her locals in vermont d* isnt going to give her DNS too, and what your trying to do is frounded upon by d*, so thats out. i have a tripod setup that i used for a bit with a sl5, as long as your not near state college we could meet somewhere its yours if you have a truck (about 5' long and kinda bulky. if you want a dish too, then we need to talk privately since this isnt a classified forum, but ill give you the tripod for free if you want it since were both local. its for HD only.

 

[PSUHusky]

Hey Twizt,

I sent you a PM then

 

[MikeinBaja]

There is a very simple and obvious solution to this that is both cheap and easy, but I don't support or encourage account stacking.

 

[HDinCincy]

There is a very simple and obvious solution to this that is both cheap and easy, but I don't support or encourage account stacking.

I second that motion!~

 

[PSUHusky]

Well I think I'm just going to open up my own account here in PA and go SD until I get the hang of things this year, but my make or break question is will I be able to get my locals at the tailgate?

Is there anywhere I can go to find out or anyone on here that can tell me? I live in Reading, 19610...and the State College zip is 16802.

Thanks for the help...

 

[Jimbo]

Well I think I'm just going to open up my own account here in PA and go SD until I get the hang of things this year, but my make or break question is will I be able to get my locals at the tailgate?

Is there anywhere I can go to find out or anyone on here that can tell me? I live in Reading, 19610...and the State College zip is 16802.

Thanks for the help...

As the signal goes, it's about 100-125 miles, you might be OK to get your locals from there, you could also try taking a OTA antenna and see what you get from there.

 

[PSUHusky]

hmmm it's about 140 miles so there's no real way of knowing if I could pick up the locals othat than trying once I'm there?....any suggestions on a good OTA antenna if I have to go that route?

 

[Jimbo]

hmmm it's about 140 miles so there's no real way of knowing if I could pick up the locals othat than trying once I'm there?....any suggestions on a good OTA antenna if I have to go that route?

140 miles driving, or as a crow flies ?

As for an OTA antenna, if it was for the house I would have a suggestion, but your looking at a small one you can travel with ....
I would normally tell you to try the Zenith Silver Sensor, but it's generally UHF only.

With OTA signals and now being digital, it may be more difficult because it has to be much more accurate.

With digital, the higher the better is the theory.

btw, what sat are your locals from D* on ?

Jimbo