Slimline alignment without 119 LOS

[gtheel]

My apologies if this is addressed elsewhere, but a search turned up nothing specific to this problem.

Has anyone out there had success fine tuning Slimline alignment without having 119 LOS?

I currently have an old-school dish pointed at 101 and want to install a Slimline for HD. When I scheduled D* to install, the contractor refused for LOS reasons (specifically trees blocking LOS to the 119). I want to try to install the Slimline myself, and I'm willing to give up the programming on 119.

The problem as I understand is that the instructions and videos (for the AT-9) use the 101 and 119 to properly tune the dish, especially when using a Ku-only signal meter like the Acutrac 22.

Is it possible (or only slightly more difficult) to tune the dish for the Ka birds without having LOS to the 119? Can I use the 110 with an Acutrac 22, or would I have to resort to using the 103 via the receiver's signal meter (since the Acutrac 22 can't see Ka signals)? I understand the arc between the 101 and 110 is not as great, so it wouldn't be as precise, but I believe that I can see the 110 from my location.

Thanks for the help.

[eakes]

In the alignment process 119 only comes into play to adjust the tilt. Therefore, set the tilt as specified for your zip code, then leave that adjustment alone. Proceed to align using 101 with either the Acutrac or the receiver signal meters. You can use the receiver signal meter to peak the alignment on 103.
When I aligned my 5LNB dish I found there was no need to adjust the tilt from the zip code setting.

[bonscott87]

Shouldn't be a problem. Use 110 as an alignment help. Having said that, like eakes I didn't have to adjust my tilt at all from what the receiver told me. Elevation is a bit off but it's been that way for every dish I've ever installed.

Basically set the elevation and tilt to what the receiver says and slap it up there. Swing it until you get at least low 90s on 101 and if not play with the elevation. Then check 110 and see what you get. If again you get around 90 then your basic adjustments are good. If not then play with a minor tweak to tilt but remember where you started.

Now go to the KA sats, in particular 103c and see what you get. Adjust left to right in very minor 1/8th inch ticks and zoom it in.

All in all the Slimline is very easy to install and align. Just make sure your poll is plumb, that's probably more important then anything.

[dshu82]

You can do it following the instructions and the video steps. I purchased a meter, got so impatient about getting set up, never bothered to learn how to use and used reciever signal meters off the screen. I am 90+ on all Sats. 103c is very minor tweaks, and in a lot of these forums tends to be a little adjustment on the elevation after nailing 101, etc. signals.