5 ways to make your tailgate great
Get the gear you need for gameday

by Crutchfield's
Meet Jon Paul

From car racing to car stereos, I've written a lot of words about cars. Different words, even.
I spent years writing about cars and motorsports for some magazines you might've heard of (emphasis on "might've") despite having only the most basic understanding of what a carburetor does. It was that experience writing about cars that drew Crutchfield's attention. I began as a freelance contributor, using their vehicle research to write articles explaining how to install audio gear in specific vehicles.
Things went so well that they brought me in as a fulltime writer and eventually made me an editor. Now I continue to write those vehicle profiles, other web features, product descriptions, and Crutchfield catalog articles. Let's just say I know some pretty cool stuff that'll help you install your car or marine audio system. Hopefully you'll have some fun along the way.
Before I joined the Crutchfield team, I honestly thought that good audio was anything loud enough to annoy pets and/or the neighbors. I was completely and amazingly wrong. The house sounds awesome these days and the latest car is next. And yes, we'll probably write an article about that, so stay tuned!
More about Jon
- Started at Crutchfield in 2012
- Completed our thorough in-house Advisor training, and continued learning about the ins and outs of our various products
- Attends dozens of vendor training events each year
- Authored dozens of Crutchfield articles and hundreds of product presentations about car, marine, and ATV audio
- Automotive/Marine editor and primary creator and caretaker of the Crutchfield Research Garage
- Recovering journalist – Jon spent a decade or so as a magazine writer and editor, and also as a freelance writer
- Former dockmaster
More from Jon Paul
Heads up!
Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
KICK THE SEASON OFF RIGHT
Here in Charlottesville, tailgating at UVA football games is a fall tradition. But, as longtime ’Hoos fans know, a stack of sandwiches, a cooler full of drinks, and a boombox aren’t enough to get you through until gametime anymore. Today’s tailgating is a very big deal, with better food, better drinks, and better ways to keep up with the pre-game hoopla. To kick gameday off right, you need the right gear.

ENJOY DISH SATELLITE RECEPTION IN THE PARKING LOT
The VQ4510 Tailgater antenna/receiver combo from DISH lets you and your gang enjoy satellite TV in perfect HD anywhere you have power. And you can even sign up for month-to-month, pay-as-you-go programming, with no long-term contract.

THIS WEATHER-RESISTANT TV IS MADE FOR TAILGATING
The Jensen JE2212LED HD TV runs off 12-volt DC power, so you can connect it and catch the pregame shows. With a 22" 1080p screen and plenty of inputs, you can hook up a Blu-ray player or gaming console. It’s also humidity-resistant and ready for outdoor use.

SNAP AND SHARE YOUR GAMEDAY SELFIES
There’s no “I” in “team,” but there should be a “you” in your selfies. The Nikon CoolPix S6900 (available in black or pink) features a vari-angle LCD that flips around, so you can see yourself in the frame and get great-looking shots. Snapbridge technology makes it easy to share with your friends.

PLENTY OF POWER FOR YOUR PRE-GAME PARTY
Charge up your Goal Zero Yeti 400 the night before the game and use the two AC outlets to power a blender or a small refrigerator. The two USB ports supply regulated power, so you can charge everyone’s phones, tablets, and laptops.

HAVE EXTRA POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT
This portable PowerAll Element can charge a smartphone, tablet, camera, and gaming system, so it’s going to be a popular top-off stop before gametime. And if you (or the guy in the space next door) run low on battery power, it can even start your car.
Our thanks to Virginia SportsProperties for letting us set up our gear at Scott Stadium, home of the University of Virginia Cavaliers.
Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/17/2015
A few people have commented thinking that this is a contest, one of our Gear Giveaways. Unfortunately it's not. It's just a showcase of some our products that would make for an awesome tailgating event. Sorry for the confusion.