Re: Tailgating TV/ Set Up

Letterman [252]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 156

Joined: 7/28/08

Here's what I do:

Jul 8, 2014, 10:51 AM

Six foot long 2x8, with an iron floor flange bolted to it. I pull the car up onto the 2x8 to anchor it to the ground. Then I screw a 4 foot long iron pipe into the flange.

Attach my DirecTV HD satellite dish to the pipe with U-bolts and wingnuts. It's very secure even in windy conditions. Run the cable from the dish under the car and inside to the satellite receiver.

HD satellite dish = $40
Board/pipe/hardware = maybe $25
Cable = $5

I have two deep-cell marine batteries sitting in my SUV, attached in parallel with jumper cables. To the batteries, attach a 600 watt inverter which also powers lights for my tailgate tent.

(I keep the batteries on a float charger in my garage year-round. Batteries will last at least 4-5 years with maintenance.)

Batteries = 2 x $90
Inverter = $75
Float charger = $100

Plug in my DirecTV HD receiver to the inverter and attach the cable from the satellite dish to the receiver. Set my 39" Samsung LED TV (very low power usage, about 50 watts) on top, and connect.

Receiver = part of my service, so no add'l cost.
TV from house = no add'l cost.

Batteries make no noise, plus I can leave the receiver running to record the game (and another game) while we're in the stadium. They will run my setup for at least 14-16 hours. My receiver gets the same channels that I get at home. Don't use your car battery as you can easily run it down where it won't start your car, plus it will decrease the life of the battery if you use it this way.

It's a little costly, but this will last for years. That's what I do. YMMV!

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

"Well, other than that, Mrs. Lincoln....how was the play?"

Up in many lots and limit you to a few channels.

I use a Honda 2600 generator which is enough to run tv, receiver, portable speaker, and 1 other small device.

Honda and Yamaha are quiet. Please do not buy a 3000 watt $200 generator and a 500 foot extension cable. A lot of coots will do this and put there generator 200 feet away to smoke out some 1 else.

A couple deep cycle batteries and an inverter will do the job as well.

You can run an inverter off your car add well if you want to start your car up.

After market stand will run less than $100. I got mine for around $40.

They make apps to help find your signal. I use satellite finder which gets pretty close. Just find out which satellite you are looking for from your provider. You can also ask them for your coordinates. I have all this written on the back of my dish with a Sharpe.
Once you find your location you should easily be able to find out at the next game. I can set up in 3 mins now. If you go direct tv I can give you the info later.

You can find a friend who has satellite and just pay him for an extra box during football season. Less than $10 a month.

If you have cable most have mobile applications. You can watch on your phone and steam to your tv via a $30 media device. If you have a smart tv and can hotspot your phone, you can stream the games too without a media device.

Tailgating TV/ Set Up

More importantly, will Zima be served at this tailgate?***

Re: More importantly, will Zima be served at this tailgate?***

Re: More importantly, will Zima be served at this tailgate?******