Barry
Tallahassee, Florida
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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Being new to Direct TV, I had the professional install at the house and purchased a standard two satellite dish to take with is in the RV. Last night I attempted to aim the satellite, found the azimuth and elevation and whipped out my Satellite Alignment Compass. Long story short, just can’t find the satellite.
I’m using the Signal Meter in setup, I keep getting move the dish 3 degrees. I know I supposed to look at two satellites, but;
1) What is transponder + and – and number all about?
2)What should the signal strength be?
3)If I move 3 degrees and move again, how long will it take for the receiver to adjust to the new position?
I was waiting a minute or two, and never saw anything change. I even hooked the antenna up direct to the receiver just to make sure I didn't have a bad connection. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.
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justme
USA
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Joined: 04/27/2002
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Have patience. I aim my dish 500 by selecting the 119 satellite for max signal. First I set the skew angle and then elevation. Then make sure the mast is vertical using a level. I use my compass to get the general direction of the azimuth. I point the dish in that direction and slowly turn it back an forth until the signal shows up on the meter. Then I fine tune from there and always get a signal higher than 90 on my receiver. This has always worked for me. The transponder selection is not that important but the satellite selection is. Keep in mind that 3 degrees in azimuth can mean a signal or no signal because of the way the dish and satellites are designed. Put your thumb in the air while extend out and look at the sky--- that is about 3 degrees and the window of opportunity to get the signal. That is why you need patience and turn very slowly.
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jguttler
Myakka City, Florida
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Joined: 05/02/2003
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Satellite transponder numbers are like TV channels. Each transponder corresponds to a 'channel' on that satellite.
Signal strength should be as high as you can get it. I believe you want to be in the 80+ range.
Waiting 10-20 seconds should be plenty after you make each move of the dish. You just need to give the receiver time to 'lock on' to a signal if you are aimed right. If you move much faster than this, you might pass right through the proper dish alignment.
How are you measuring your elevation? Are you level when you measure it?
Same with azimuth, you need to establish where north is accurately to set the azimuth correctly.
John
*This Message was edited on 17-Jun-03 03:37 PM by jguttler*
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Larry&Linda
Palatka, Fl
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Joined: 02/19/2003
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Make sue there are no tree's or buildings in your line of site.
The actual angle coming into the satellite is not what most people think. The angle is about 15 degrees higher than where the satellite looks like it is pointing.
So when you get the right direction to point the dish, make sure you do not have trees, limbs, etc. blocking the view "above" the direction you are pointing.
I had a friend who thought the dish was like a regular TV antenna. He had it mounted with his house completely blocking the view. I explained that this is not a regular TV antenna and must have an unobstructed view.
Hope this helps
Larry
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Barry
Tallahassee, Florida
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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Justme, the signal strength info and the 3 degree thumb will help.
jguttler, I was not sure how long to leave the dish in each position. I was actually leaving it longer that that which added to the furstration. I have a level on the tripod (the one from Camping World) that gets the mast level, and I'm using the elevation markings on the dish antenna to measure elevation. I've also used the Wingard compass to determine the correct azimuth. I also checked North with two compasses. It was off from what I thought it would be, but the same on the two.
The input is appreciated.
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jguttler
Myakka City, Florida
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If the compass indicates north is not where you expected it to be, there could be a metal mass affecting the compasses. Have you tried moving away from your setup and checking north from another location? See if it still indicates North is in the same direction.
Just a thought.
Sounds like everything you are doing is correct, so just keep trying. I was amazed when I tried mine and it lined up so quickly. maybe I was just lucky.
John
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biga
Bastrop, LA
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Joined: 04/28/2001
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Click on the link below for a great tutorial on Satellite TV for the RV
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2002 Holiday Rambler Presidential 36SKT
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DaveP
Hudson, NH
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A couple of things to consider. Your compass reading may be [probably is] incorrect because of your RV and magnetic fields in it. Also the elevation of the dish will vary as you rotate it, if the mount for the dish is not perfectly level. I have a Winegard dish mounted on my MH. It has a digital elevation readout that helps. On a free standing unit one could mount some sort of elevation indication or a buble level.
Here's what I do to put the dish. Set up the dish mount as level as possible. In my case that means getting the RV level. Use a compass to get the approximate azimuth then set the elevation. Rotate the dish [change the azimuth], keeping an eye on the elevation until you get a satellite signal and note [or mark] the position of the dish. Now it’s just a matter of fine tuning.
I've notice with my dish that a small change in the elevation makes a big difference in signal strength. Usually within 1 degree off I lose the signal. The azimuth seems to be less touchy. Usually I can be a couple of degrees off before I lose the signal. Therefore I fuss over the elevation more than the azimuth.
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rsinj
Princeton, NJ
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if you are testing your portable RV setup at home, start by looking at where your fixed home dish is pointing. point your RV dish in the same direction and elevation - that should be your starting point. you do not have to wait a few seconds with every move of the dish. when you hit the satellite, your signal finder will register immediately. with the dish on your mount, you can swivel it left/right relatively slowly and up/down and you'll eventually hit it.
once you do it once or twice on your own it will become second nature. also, take your compass and walk around a little and check that your reading of North is staying stable and that when you point the dish based on what the compass is telling you, it is really the right direction.
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makaiguy
SC
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Joined: 10/03/2002
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Further re transponders.
Each transponder carries a handful of channels. Your system "knows" which channel is on which transponder and selects the transponder signal it needs for the channel you want to watch.
Now, both DiSH and DirecTV are carrying local stations from many areas, and lots of these are on "spot beams" that are only beamed to certain parts of the country. When aiming the dish, if your system is set for a spot beam transponder that doesn't happen to go to your location, you'll never get a lock on the satellite. Discovered this by accident after tearing my hair out for nearly an hour one time.
Doug, "The Makai Guy"
2003 Dutchmen 24RL -- and lovin' it!
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