directv can get to me for 2 weeks - no tv till then?

[jer1198]

hi guys this is my 1st post, i dont know what to do.

today i had my roof replaced, and i cant get my satelite to work (771) searching for signal.

i set the sat to 230 azumith with a compass (as close as i could get it)
set the elevation to 36

i get zero signal from my dish, i cant get the little bubble all the way into the circle for leveling (1/2 in)

could that be throwing everything out of wack?

any other hints?
any tricks to gettin dtv out sooner, i mean its 2 weeks away, thats horrible service.

[RobertE]

hi guys this is my 1st post, i dont know what to do.

today i had my roof replaced, and i cant get my satelite to work (771) searching for signal.

i set the sat to 230 azumith with a compass (as close as i could get it)
set the elevation to 36

i get zero signal from my dish, i cant get the little bubble all the way into the circle for leveling (1/2 in)

could that be throwing everything out of wack?

any other hints?
any tricks to gettin dtv out sooner, i mean its 2 weeks away, thats horrible service.

If the mast isn't plumb (bubble centered), you'll have a difficult time getting a signal. It's doable though. Basicly, with the mast out of plumb, all the settings will be out of whack. The biggest thing to keep in mind that with a out of plumb mast, as you change azmuth, you'll also be changing elevation. The basic 18" dish is the easiest to tune it with a out of plumb mast. Just simply make a degree or two change to elevation and sweep through the azumith, repeat as needed.

Having a handheld meter will make life much easier.

You could also keep an eye out for a D* van and have Mr. Jefferson (and maybe a friend or two) talk to the installer on your behalf.

[jer1198]

You could also keep an eye out for a D* van and have Mr. Jefferson (and maybe a friend or two) talk to the installer on your behalf.

thats what im gonna do, ill just ask someone if i see em on the side of the road, ill give em 100 bucks to get me goin again.

im gonna try to level the mast, i have a new timberline roof, and the shingles arent flat lookin, so i may need to use some washers to level it out under the one side.

im goin back on the roof to try again.

let me get this right, the azumith thing, is likle a compass right?

the elevation is just that , the angle of the arm in relation to the horizon, right?
90 degrees being vertical, and 0 being horizontal, so 36 would be on the lower end?

forgot to mention, its a oval one saya slim line on it i think, think its the 5 lnb one.
how can i tell?

[RobertE]

thats what im gonna do, ill just ask someone if i see em on the side of the road, ill give em 100 bucks to get me goin again.

im gonna try to level the mast, i have a new timberline roof, and the shingles arent flat lookin, so i may need to use some washers to level it out under the one side.

im goin back on the roof to try again.

let me get this right, the azumith thing, is likle a compass right?

the elevation is just that , the angle of the arm in relation to the horizon, right?
90 degrees being vertical, and 0 being horizontal, so 36 would be on the lower end?

forgot to mention, its a oval one saya slim line on it i think, think its the 5 lnb one.
how can i tell?


In simplest terms:
Elevation is Up/down
Azimuth is left/right

The slimline mast has a fair amout of adjustment in it. So unless the mast is at some goofy angle on the roof, you should be able to get it plumb or at least close enough.

Start with taking the dish off the mast, that will make things much easier.

Then, loosen all four bolts in the foot. Now you'll be able to move the mast up/down. You can adjust the side to side "plumbness" by twisting the mast.

You may also want to use a small torpedo level as that little bubble level in the mast can easily be damaged when the dish is packaged/shipped/etc.

Once you have it plumb or close enough, it should be pretty easy from there.

[lwilli201]

If you do not have the instructions for the AU9, here is a link.

http://www.solidsignal.com/manuals/Slimline_Dish_Installation_Manual.pdf

Do not forget the Tilt. After you set the azumith and elevation, you have to set the Tilt. Good luck.

[jer1198]

thanks for all the help guys.

i was able to get it, not sure if its right,but i think i got pretty good signal stregnth.

what numbers do i need to put in here to see if its close, some transponders are in the 90s some are 80s, 1 is at 100, but i dont understand this info, i usually just turn the tv on,lol

i think the skew was the key, i turned it to 76 and i started getting signal.

at dispointer . com it said to go to 28.6, but the lowest number was 40 on the scale, so i went the other way, had my cell phone on loudspeasker with the house phone next to the tv, and when the beeping/clicking sound sped up, i came off the roof, and checked.

then i went back up on the roof, and tightened everything down.

i dont watch too much tv, but its supposed to be nasty rain this wekend, and i dont want to not have it if i want to watch it.

again let me know what numbers you guys need for me to tell if im ok on my signal (if thats how yall tell.)