What’s the easiest way to tailgate with DIRECTV HD?

DIRECTV is the perfect add-on for a tailgating party. And if you’re going to watch DIRECTV over satellite, you’ll need a dish. The good news is that kits like the one above are inexpensive, and with a little practice you’ll get really good at setting them up. The bad news is that those little gumdrop-sized satellite systems only give you standard definition.

If you’re really hardcore you can get a self-aiming dish like this one from Winegard, but you kind of need to have a permanent way to mount it. There’s no rule that says you couldn’t mount it in the bed of a pickup, but most people choose to do it on the roof of their RV. If you’re serious about tailgating you’ll like this system because it gets you up and watching about 15 minutes faster each time, but it’s not as inexpensive and in fact may be a little too much for some people to pay.

There’s another option and it may not cost you much at all. With DIRECTV’s award-winning app for smartphones and tablets you can stream for free if you’re an AT&T customer. (I’m sure there are some limitations, but trust me, this does work.) Connect your TV to your phone or use a “cast” type device and before you know it, your local channels are right there! If you’re a Sunday Ticket subscriber you can stream that for free too if you have AT&T.

Streaming in HD requires a good, strong internet connection and that may not be possible if everyone around you is trying to stream at the same time. You can get the jump on them with a cellular booster system that gives you a stronger cell signal. You may get access to more distant towers, or you just may be able to connect better than anyone else around you.

Don’t forget too that if you’re watching the local game it’s probably available for free with a TV antenna and that Solid Signal has the perfect one for any situation.

It’s really amazing what you can get done with tech solutions from Solid Signal. We have answers for all your tailgating questions and can build a custom solution for you that gives you access to the games you want, all the time, with whatever you’re driving. Give us a call at 888-233-7563 and we’ll be happy to help!

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.