Dish Network Tailgater User manual

Refer to www.dishnetwork.com/supportsection/manuals for additional information regarding
equipment used with this product.
User’s Guide
To subscribe to programming or for assistance with using the Tailgater,
contact DISH Network Customer Service at www.dish.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
Manufactured by
King
Coontroolss
®
TM

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction .............................................................................................2
Important Safety Instructions ..................................................................2
Tailgater Package Contents ....................................................................2
About Satellite TV Reception..................................................................3
About Signal Loss ...................................................................................3
Connect Receiver to TV..........................................................................4
Tailgater Operation...............................................................................5-8
Security ...................................................................................................9
Proper Care of Your Equipment..............................................................9
Troubleshooting ...............................................................................10-13
Manufacturer's Limited Warranty ..........................................................14
FCC Guidelines.....................................................................................15
DISH Network is a registered trademark of DISH Network L.L.C.
Tailgater is a trademark of DISH Network L.L.C.
HDMI is a registered trademark of HDMI Licensing L.L.C.
King Controls is a registered trademark of Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc.
It is important that you set up the Tailgater within 30 days of purchase.
Please use this User’s Guide and accompanying
Quick Reference Guide to set up your system.
If you do not currently have a DISH Network satellite television account,
please call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) to set up a new account prior to setup.
Record your Tailgater’s serial number here.

Thank you for choosing DISH Network and the Tailgater Portable HDTV System!
You are about to experience the excitement of DISH Network satellite television programming and
the convenience of the Tailgater portable antenna, which delivers the very best picture and sound
quality wherever you go.
DISH Network consistently provides the latest products and satellite-delivered services, with high
performance, ease of operation, and a wide variety of entertainment options. The Tailgater allows
you to decide how and where you watch your DISH Network service.
1. Please read this User’s Guide thoroughly before using the Tailgater.
2. Keep this User’s Guide and the included Quick Reference Guide in a safe place for future
reference.
3. Follow all instructions and warnings. Set up and operate the Tailgater in accordance with the
instructions.
4. Do not power wash or submerge the Tailgater in water. Hand wash only with mild soap and
water. See page 9 for additional care instructions.
5. Do not operate near any indoor or outdoor heat source such as radiators, heat registers,
stoves, barbeques, campfires, or other items that produce heat.
6. Servicing may be required if the unit has been dropped or damaged in any way or if the unit
does not operate normally. Contact DISH Network at 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
7. Tighten all of the coax cable connections only by hand. If you use a wrench, you may over-
tighten the connections and damage your equipment.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
INTRODUCTION
TAILGATER PACKAGE CONTENTS

Satellite television uses satellites in a geo-stationary orbit over the earth. This type of orbit enables
the satellites to stay aligned over one place on the surface of the earth and to transmit your
television programming to the Tailgater when pointed at the appropriate satellite.
Your television programming is delivered from up to 3 satellites located at the 110°, 119°, and 129°
west longitudes. The Tailgater will automatically find and then switch between satellites as you
change channels to offer you the ideal viewing experience.
Due to the low look angle for the 129
satellite in the northeastern region of the
United States, you may experience
difficulty viewing programming from the
129 satellite while in the northeastern
region. (Programming from the 110 and
119 satellites should still be available.)
Because of the small size of the highly portable Tailgater, signal strength may not be as
strong as with a fixed home antenna.
OBSTRUCTIONS
The Tailgater requires an unobstructed view of the southern sky for the best signal reception.
Be sure to place the Tailgater in a location free from obstructions such as people, trees, buildings,
vehicles, etc. This will allow for the strongest signal and will help prevent any interruption to your
programming.
RAIN AND SNOW FADE
Though rare, heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover can reduce the satellite signal, which may
interrupt your programming. Your programming should return as conditions improve.
This map is an approximation
only. The available coverage
area may differ from what is
indicated on the map.
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ABOUT SATELLITE TV RECEPTION
ABOUT SIGNAL LOSS
DO NOT BLOCK THE TAILGATER’S LINE OF SIGHT TO THE SATELLITES
IN THE SOUTHERN SKY AT ANY TIME!

After making the connections and completing the scan on pages 4-8, please call DISH Network at
1-800-333-DISH (3474) to authorize your receiver (page 8), preferably from your residence or any
location where you will have good phone reception.
CONNECT YOUR RECEIVER TO YOUR TV
1. Connect your receiver to your TV using the best connection type supported by your TV.
(See your TV owner’s manual for its connection options.)
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CONNECT RECEIVER TO TV
*Your receiver can also use the standard definition “TV SET OUT” and “S-VIDEO” ports to view video. See your receiver’s User’s
Guide for more information.
Make sure to install the batteries in the receiver’s remote control (included with
remote control).

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The Tailgater requires an unobstructed view of the southern sky for signal reception. Be sure to
place the Tailgater in a location free from obstructions such as trees, buildings, etc. (See page 3.)
HAND-TIGHTEN COAX CONNECTIONS. OVER-TIGHTENING CAN DAMAGE CONNECTIONS.
1. Connect one end of the supplied RG-6 coax cable to the coax port on the Tailgater.
It is recommended you use only the supplied RG-6 coax cable. (The Tailgater draws
operating power from your receiver through the coax cable.)
2. Connect the other end of the supplied coax cable to the SATELLITE IN port on your receiver.
TAILGATER OPERATION
• Do not put the Tailgater where it can be bumped into, knocked over or struck by a person
or vehicle. Do not put the Tailgater near any heat sources.
• Do not run the coax cable where it can be tripped on or run over by a vehicle.
• Do not over-tighten the coax cable connections.
• Do not put sharp bends or kinks in the coax cable.
3. Plug your receiver into a 110 volt AC power source.
The green power light on your receiver should illuminate or begin cycling on and off.
Wait for the green light to turn solid. This may take up to two minutes.
If it does not turn solid, power on your receiver using the front panel POWER button.
GREEN POWER LIGHT
RECEIVER FRONT PANEL

5. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to
highlight the letter group that includes the
first letter of the state you are currently in.
Press SELECT on your remote.
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4. Plug in and turn on your TV.
In your TV’s input selection menu, choose the input that matches the connection from your
receiver (example: if using an HDMI cable from your receiver, choose the HDMI input on your
TV). See your TV owner’s manual for details.
The Portable Antenna Setup screen will display. (It may take up to two minutes to display.)
Note: If the Portable Antenna Setup screen does not display, press MENU, 6, 1, 1 on your
remote. Highlight the “Check Switch” Button then press SELECT on your remote.
IN STEPS 5-9, DO NOT STAND OR WALK IN FRONT OF THE SIDE OF THE
TAILGATER FACING THE SOUTHERN SKY.

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6. Highlight the state you are currently in
from the state menu.
Press SELECT.
7. Verify “Scan” is highlighted.
Press SELECT.
The scan will begin and may take up to
several minutes to complete.
This screen will display during the scan.

OPERATING NOTES:
When in the northeastern United States, television programming from the 129 satellite may not be
available (see page 3).
If your system is inactive for an extended period of time, you may have to call DISH Network
Customer Service to re-authorize your receiver.
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8. When the scan is complete, the
“Acquiring Signal” message will display.
Acquiring the signal may take up to 5
minutes to complete.
9. After your receiver has acquired the signal,
the electronic program guide will download.
This may take up to 5 minutes to complete
(potentially longer if an external hard drive
is connected).
When using your receiver for the first time the 129 error message will appear.
Call DISH Network at 1-800-333-DISH (3474) to authorize your receiver.
If your receiver has not been used for awhile the 013 error message will appear.
Call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) and follow the prompts to automatically re-authorize
your receiver. Note that if channel 101 appears, scroll channel up or down to
make sure 013 error message does not appear.
You can view your programming when your receiver has been authorized and the
guide has finished downloading.
IF YOU MOVE THE TAILGATER, YOU WILL HAVE TO REPEAT STEPS 5-9 TO
RE-ACQUIRE THE SATELLITES AND RESTORE PROGRAMMING.

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The Tailgater can be secured to an object using a padlock and cable (not included) to prevent theft.
SECURITY
PROPER CARE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT
1. Always handle the Tailgater product carefully. Do not drop the Tailgater. Avoid excessive
shock or vibration to the Tailgater.
2. Use caution when carrying the Tailgater. Always carry the Tailgater by the handle.
3. Do not remove the cover of the Tailgater. Doing so is not recommended by the manufacturer
and will void the Limited Warranty.
4. Do not stack the Tailgater on top of or below other electronic devices as this can cause heat
build-up or block the satellite signal from reaching the Tailgater.
5. Never power wash the Tailgater. Keep the enclosure clean from dirt, bugs, and other debris
by hand washing with mild soap and water.
The Tailgater has been designed to be maintenance and trouble free. If not using the Tailgater for
long periods of time, it is recommended that you set up the system on a quarterly basis (every three
months) to keep all moving parts of the Tailgater in good working order.
If you have any comments or questions, please contact DISH Network at 1-800-333-DISH (3474),
or email DISH Network by logging onto the DISH Network web site at www.dish.com/support and
clicking "Contact Us."