I think my installer got it wrong...

[Kevin McCarthy]

I am new to satellite TV and this is my second post. My questions follow this context. I was really looking forward to switching from Comcast to Direct TV, to feed my new HD video systems (JVC 65S998 rear projection TV, wall-mounted behind a drop-down, 100" DaLite High Power screen with a JVC RS-1 front projector). The install was to have taken place last Monday. I had to be on travel, so my wife met the guy. He told me by phone that the install was a no-go, due to 119, and that I would have to cut 5-6 trees for a roof mount. Over the phone, I challenged him to test the back yard. He claimed that this also wouldn't cut it, and would require removing ~2 trees, both big, and near the house / power lines. Since I couldn't be there to see what he was doing, I lashed together an improvised inclinometer system (pictures attached). It consists of a tripod with a pan/tip/tilt head, a 1" x 2" x 20" board with two screw eyes for sighting, a small board screwed to the long board that accepts a rotatable compass on a rectangular plate (this references the edge of the long board), and an inclinometer that I glued to the tripod head. I went out in the light that was left this afternoon, and I found what seems to be a very clear shot to all five satellites in one corner of the yard, which would not require any trees to be removed. It was about 120' behind the house. I did see his dowel where he found a problem, but it was much closer to the house - ~55 feet. I am not sure why he stopped where he did. The angles get better and better the further back the dish would be mounted. I could site the dish a bit forward of my ideal position; it would be more obvious visually, but ~ 100 feet would be an OK compromise between satellite sight lines and unobtrusiveness. The pole could be very low.

OK, so here are my questions:

1. I think I need to see the following five satellites: 99, 101, 103, 110, and 119, for a 5LNB dish. Is this correct?

2. At my location (+42.820, -71.086), My use of websites indicates that the alt-az of the five satellites are: 99:33.1, 232.6; 101:32.0, 235.2; 103:31.1, 237.2; 110:27.1, 244.6; 119:21.4, 253.2. He had the 119 altitude a bit lower, at "20 degrees". Are my values correct?

3. How far behind the house can the dish be located? The receiver would require no lateral shift, and be about 15 feet into the house from the entry. Was his choice of a point 55 feet behind the house closer than it needs to be? How far can I go? Apparently there is some box that needs to go within a certain distance of the dish. Can it be thought of as simply a lump in the cable, located where it needs to be but not otherwise affecting the dish to house distance?

4. It is getting cold fast. Could they lay the line (possibly including the amplifier lump) on the surface, and dig a trench in the spring, or do they need to trench it from the get-go? Does the imminence of ground freezing pose a problem?

Any feedback and guidance would be very helpful.

Kevin McCarthy

[Ken984]

Max recommended distance from the dish to the receivers is 100ft, total. There are some things you can do to push that, quad shield solid copper rg6 would probably give you the distance you need. Also I have read of people using Sonora signal lockers to help with keeping the signal strong. Best to call the install co. and get a supervisor to come back out and talk to him about what you need to do and what they can and will do. If they refuse find an independent installer, they will usually do more for you.

[jhillestad]

I guess the easiest thing to do would be to have them put it where you feel it will work and cross your fingers.... if they refuse to install it... do it yourself... just buy a 5 lnb slimline from solid signal or ebay and mount the satellite yourself... at least you will have a positive attitude verse their defeatist one. You might also want to have a private installer try his best and pay him no matter what so he will give it a real try unlike the guy that came to your house defeated before trying.

[248 F1]

I can comment on the distance issue. My system consists of 100' of RG6 (underground) from AU9 to Zinwell in attached garage, then 85' of RG6 thru attic to farthest receiver. No amplifiers, and no signal problems.

Temporary above ground cables shouldn't be a problem.

Check litzdogs post ref using sun/moon/constellations to find adequate dish site. That may still work for you.

Good luck, it's worth it.