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Hotscot
10-03-08, 12:30 PM
Thanks for all the constructive advice on this site.

Let me ask this carefully.
I've been getting occasional 771's and when I checked my signals strengths on 103c and 99c they're usually in the lower 70's and 80's.
My dish is on the roof but with care I can access it ok. I'm also physically able.

I'd like to try realigning the dish myself. My wife can stay indoors watching the strengths and all I need to do is turn some nuts using a wrench?

I guess I'm asking...if I slowly turn one of the alignment nuts will the effect instantly show up in the signal strengths.
Do I turn them just a couple of degrees at a time?
Should I turn any particular one first?

(I realise there are documents on alignment which I can take the time to plough through. But I just wondered if there was a quick and nasty approach to get a feel for it.)
Appreciated.
Alan
houskamp
10-03-08, 12:40 PM
Take it slow.. 1/4 to half turn at a time.. be sure to check both 99c and 103c..
phat78boy
10-03-08, 12:45 PM
The signal strengths will show the effect almost instantly. Just keep in mind to make very small movements and only do one axis at a time.
Grentz
10-03-08, 01:53 PM
My tip is that you can apply slight pressure around the edges of the dish to see which way it needs to move. Even just the slight pressure will make a difference in the signal strengths.

Each fine adjustment direction also has a few locking bolts so make sure to loosen those first. Also be careful when loosening/tightening the locking bolts as it can throw off your alignment a bit if you are not careful.
dshu82
10-03-08, 02:20 PM
Mark your starting points with a Sharpies helps too, in case it moves too much or gets away from you. AZ, EL and Tilt.
Grentz
10-03-08, 04:55 PM
Mark your starting points with a Sharpies helps too, in case it moves too much or gets away from you. AZ, EL and Tilt.

and adding to this, mark it on the frame, not the dials around the bolts! Some people were talking about doing this on another forum and the fact is that the dials can be turned separately (and are meant to work this way) and thus are not a reference to anything!