How High In The Sky?

[DolphinGirl]

I'm ready to switch from my TIVO HR10-250 to the DirecTV HD DVR to get all the HD stations. However, due to trees, I have a concern. How high in the sky, from the horizon, does the signal come from?

I've noticed a neighbor whose dish appears to be "looking" right at some trees, but he still gets a good signal.

My Elevation is 39.4 and Azimuth 200.7

[dave29]

if your signals are fine with the 3lnb now, then you should be fine with the slimline

[jwd45244]

If you are looking at where the arm is pointed it may well "point" at the trees. You have to remember that the signal bounces off the dish and then to the end of the LNB. The birds are much higher in the sky than where the dish arm points

[harsh]

However, due to trees, I have a concern. How high in the sky, from the horizon, does the signal come from?
...
My Elevation is 39.4 and Azimuth 200.7You answered your own question.

[BattleZone]

My Elevation is 39.4

That's your answer. If you were to use an inclinometer and looked at a 40 degree angle (rounded off), that would be it.

The dishes have a 22.5 degree off-set (the LNB is 22.5 degrees below the center of the dish, and the signals come in 22.5 degrees above the center of the dish), so your neighbor's dish appears to be looking at an angle of only 17.5 degrees of elevation, but when you add the 22.5 to that, you can see why the dish is able to see over the trees.

Looking at this diagram, the "actual view of dish" angle is 40 degrees, while the "apparent view of the dish" angle is only 17.5 degrees. Assuming a plumb mast, the markings stamped into the dish should read 40 degrees, as they indicate the true path of the signal, not the "apparent view of the dish" or the angle of the LNB arm.

[DolphinGirl]

You answered your own question.

I don't think so. Aren't these coordinates how the dish is lined-up? In other words as a previous poster mentioned, the arm of the dish may be at 30 degrees above the horizon, but I was wondering where the satellite is in comparison to the horizon.

[harsh]

I don't think so.You need to think again.

The elevation hash marks on the mount tell you where the dish assembly is looking, not where the arm, the reflector or some other element of the dish is pointed. It is unfortunate that sighting on the dish was brought up because it didn't answer the question and added an extra level of confusion.

You'll need to use an inclinometer, transit or polar mounted telescope to see for sure, but 39.4 is the elevation regardless of where the dish looks like it is pointing. The "HD" satellites are 2 degrees either side of 101W, so if you get a clear view of 101W, you should be good to go.

[Teronzhul]

I don't think so. Aren't these coordinates how the dish is lined-up? In other words as a previous poster mentioned, the arm of the dish may be at 30 degrees above the horizon, but I was wondering where the satellite is in comparison to the horizon.

That would be needlessly complicated. The number displayed on the dish itself, is the area it is aimed at for reception. The arm is 22.5 degrees lower than the actual elevation listed on the dish. Now, for the 3lnb the elevation number corresponds to the 110 satellite, but on the 5lnb the elevation number is for the 101 since each dish centers on the satellite its elevation corresponds to. 99 and 103 obviously are very close to the 101, and as such their elevation would be similar to the 101 satellite.

Where I live, the 101 is at 52 degrees elevation, the 110 at 47, and the 119 at 40. My 5lnb dish is set to 52 degrees elevation.

[litzdog911]

I'm ready to switch from my TIVO HR10-250 to the DirecTV HD DVR to get all the HD stations. However, due to trees, I have a concern. How high in the sky, from the horizon, does the signal come from?

I've noticed a neighbor whose dish appears to be "looking" right at some trees, but he still gets a good signal.

My Elevation is 39.4 and Azimuth 200.7

You can visualize the satellite locations very easily using the moon's position in the sky once or twice each month. See the link in my signature below.

[ironwood]

Elevation in my area according to receiver settings is 45 degrees. Actual satellite is at about 55-60 degrees.
If your setting is 39 then I would say you safe at 50 degrees.

But if you good at geometry you can try to calculate. Satellites are at geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above equator. I cant remember exact coordinates but you can find it online its somewhere above Central America. Take into account shape of Earth, build a formula and you'll know exactly what your elevation is.

[hdtvfan0001]

I had a similar schenario a few years back...solid signals despite seemingly pointing at some trees....

That lasted 2 years, before all of a sudden dropouts started. I had the dish moved, and no problems since. The installer for the new location told me "it was luck" that i was OK before. I'd have no reason to doubt that.

[evan_s]

As others have said the actual signal is coming in from a much higher angle than you would think by looking at the where the dish is aimed or the LNB arm. The new 99/103 sats for a slimline are very close to the 101 you are already hitting and shouldn't be a problem in almost all cases. The 110/119 are the sats that usually cause problems but you can already see them fine.