View Full Version : Help with Slimline install
bmilacek
10-07-07, 07:39 PM
Self install of Slimline dish and getting some strange results. The receiver indicates it should be AZ: 183, EL: 42, T: 84. Clear line of sight. With the elevation set at 42, I get nothing. To get anything I have to set the elevation all the way down to 22. There I can get good signal on upper, even tp's on 101 and perfect signal on all tp's on 110. Nothing on 119. I think I've tried about every combination of settings; checking signal on an Accutrac meter and three receivers. I've checked cables, connectors, and mast plumb. Any ideas? Bad LNBF? Strange signal reflection?
HDTVsportsfan
10-07-07, 07:43 PM
What model of multi-switch do you have?
Also, which receiver are you using to get your coordinates?
bmilacek
10-07-07, 07:46 PM
What model of multi-switch do you have?
Just the integrated one on the WNC version of the Slimline.
Using an H20 to get coordinates.
If you are getting 101 then you're elevation has to be close. Adjust your tilt to see if you can get a signal on 119. Once you get 101 and 119 then you can fine tune AZ and EL for 103 (you shouldn't have to change the tilt)
bmilacek
10-07-07, 08:03 PM
If you are getting 101 then you're elevation has to be close. Adjust your tilt to see if you can get a signal on 119. Once you get 101 and 119 then you can fine tune AZ and EL for 103 (you shouldn't have to change the tilt)
I wouldn't really say I'm getting 101 since I only get signal on even tp's above 20. Nothing on lower tp's.
RobertE
10-07-07, 08:08 PM
I wouldn't really say I'm getting 101 since I only get signal on even tp's above 20. Nothing on lower tp's.
Your pointed at the wrong sat. Your hitting the 119.
Set your elevation back to where its supposed to be and slowly move the dish "east".
Do you get a picture on your receiver. If not, you might not actually be looking at 101 but instead at another satellite possibly even Dish satellite. Leaving your elevation where it is, try rotating the dish to see if you can lock onto a different satellite which might be 101.
EDIT: Yeah, what RobertE said makes more sense.
lowmazda
10-07-07, 08:36 PM
Also make sure the pole you are mounting on is plumb. Without the pole set right, the stock settings from the receiver arent going to do much. I believe the dish came with a level and you can check yourself with your own level. Otherwise your going to have to deviate from what your receiver is telling you to use.
It's too bad the Directv boxes wont tell you what satellite it's hitting when you are checking signal like the Dish boxes do.
bmilacek
10-12-07, 03:18 PM
Thanks to all...I got it working. Moved more towards the east and set the elevation slightly higher. I was hitting 110 instead of 101. I didn't realize the receivers don't positively identify the satellites...just assumed if I got something on 101, then it must be in the right spot.
OK, while we're talking about the SlimLine dish - I just put one in last Friday. The receiver (HR20) said the elevation for my zip code should be 44, but I couldn't get a signal from anything until I lowered the elevation to around 27. I have all the satellites with signal levels of 92-95 (101, 103b, 110, 119) so it would appear I have everything set correctly. (I'm getting around 65% from a couple of transponders on 99, but none of the spot beams on that one are aimed at me).
Why would the suggested elevation be that far off? (And, yes, the pole is perfectly plumb).
I ran into a similar situation with a Dish Network self install a couple of years ago - the suggested elevation had little resemblance to the elevation setting that worked.
Thanks.
Canis Lupus
10-12-07, 03:42 PM
Interesting. Did you try entering another nearby zipcode to see if the numbers get closer to what you actually used?
I tried two different zip codes from different parts of the state I'm in - both were in the 40s for elevation.
.....And, yes, the pole is perfectly plumb.....
Are you using any type of pole adapter?
No - I'm in Missouri - just using the standard pole, mounting bracket and supports (monopoles?) on the side of my house.
mchaney
10-12-07, 05:32 PM
Missouri elevation is 45.6 degrees. Nebraska is about 42. That's the elevation of the satellites in the sky... I wonder if the elevation gauge on the dish is the elevation (angle) of the dish itself. If so, that would explain it. The LNB's on the dish are on the bottom edge of the dish, meaning that signals from higher than where the dish itself is pointing are hitting the dish and reflecting off at an angle toward the LNB's at the bottom of the dish. So if the dish itself is pointing at 45 degrees, you can be sure that it is picking up satellites much higher than that in the sky. The dish itself doesn't point directly at the satellites because of this: it always points under the satellites. You'd think they would be smart enough to account for this on the gauge on the dish/arm but maybe not?
Mike
RobertE
10-12-07, 05:47 PM
OK, while we're talking about the SlimLine dish - I just put one in last Friday. The receiver (HR20) said the elevation for my zip code should be 44, but I couldn't get a signal from anything until I lowered the elevation to around 27. I have all the satellites with signal levels of 92-95 (101, 103b, 110, 119) so it would appear I have everything set correctly. (I'm getting around 65% from a couple of transponders on 99, but none of the spot beams on that one are aimed at me).
Why would the suggested elevation be that far off? (And, yes, the pole is perfectly plumb).
I ran into a similar situation with a Dish Network self install a couple of years ago - the suggested elevation had little resemblance to the elevation setting that worked.
Thanks.
What marking are you using to set your elevation? There should be a red line painted on the back assembly. You should be using that. Not the nut, bolt or anything else on the back assembly.
RehabMan
10-12-07, 05:51 PM
I think the line is white on the CalAmp back assembly (at least it is on mine). Red on the WNC back assembly.
.... There should be a red line painted on the back assembly. .... Oh, yes there is and it shows 42.5 degrees. Oops. Good thing I have a day job. Thanks, folks.
techrep
10-12-07, 06:28 PM
Oh, yes there is and it shows 42.5 degrees. Oops. Good thing I have a day job. Thanks, folks.
Trust us, you are not the first one to do this. :D
RobertE
10-12-07, 07:37 PM
Trust us, you are not the first one to do this. :D
:up:
I like watching the trainees put the nuts for the tilt adjustment on the inside. Put the thing up and try and aim it. They do fine until its time to adjust the tilt.
They make that mistake just once. :)
RobertE
10-12-07, 07:38 PM
I think the line is white on the CalAmp back assembly (at least it is on mine). Red on the WNC back assembly.
Oops, forgot about the white ones. Haven't seen one in a while.
Anyway, yes, use the painted lines for the settings.
Wonder if that paint passes the lead test? :confused: :grin:
techrep
10-12-07, 07:40 PM
:up:
I like watching the trainees put the nuts for the tilt adjustment on the inside. Put the thing up and try and aim it. They do fine until its time to adjust the tilt.
They make that mistake just once. :)
Don't get me started. ;)
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