What size ratchet do I need to fine tune dish?

[thestaton]

Had a pine tree fall on my dish last night so I dragged it off, and it's a testament to the installer the dish is rock solid just knocked out of alignment.

Just curious what size ratchet you need to tune it back up? Going to try and get it back in the 70's until I can get a directv installer to come out and get her back in the 100's with his fancy little tool.

Thanks,

[coldsteel]

IIRC, the bolt head and nut are both 7/16".

[Mertzen]

asic dishes 7/16, HD is 1/2 or 13 mm.

[houskamp]

if you are using a ratchet, take a 7/16 and 1/2 deep socket..

[evan_s]

For the lock down bolts on my slimline you'd need a very deep socket. I'd recommend bringing a standard combination wrench if you have one just to make sure you can get the lock down bolts.

[Matman]

For what its worth, I found a socker driver worked better then a ratchet for fine tuning. Seemed like when you were putting some weight on the ratchet, you could move the dish just enough to skew the signal slightly.....

If you have a way of getting someone in front of the tube while you do the alignment, no reason you shouldn't be able to get your signal peaked without waiting for an installer, there are a bunch of DIY threads on this topic out there.

[joe diamond]

For what its worth, I found a socker driver worked better then a ratchet for fine tuning. Seemed like when you were putting some weight on the ratchet, you could move the dish just enough to skew the signal slightly.....

If you have a way of getting someone in front of the tube while you do the alignment, no reason you shouldn't be able to get your signal peaked without waiting for an installer, there are a bunch of DIY threads on this topic out there.

Exactly!

Probably the elevation and tilt are unmoved. If they are moved the dish is probably bent.

Adjust the azimuth first. Loosen the bolts enough to move the dish with a little drag. The trick is to find the signal....use the 101 sat...and push through it and back until you find the "peak" signal. Then push a little west and "peak" the 103. Tighten gradually while listening to the tone.

You can do it. Easiest if you can hear the signal through a cell phone or open window.

Joe

[boatlover]

I have a set of wireless headphones that I use to adj the dish that is on my boat. Will get you real close without yelling back and forth out the window.

[David MacLeod]

cheap walkie talkies work great for me.

[pressureman0]

funny I use my super buddy

[Matman]

Some cordless phones can intercom each other..... worked well here!

[houskamp]

slingbox/laptop rules :D

[satjoe]

:DHad a pine tree fall on my dish last night so I dragged it off, and it's a testament to the installer the dish is rock solid just knocked out of alignment.

Just curious what size ratchet you need to tune it back up? Going to try and get it back in the 70's until I can get a directv installer to come out and get her back in the 100's with his fancy little tool.

Thanks,
1/2 inch on the SLM dishes 7/16ths on triple sat or the single

[racermd]

slingbox/laptop rules :D

Even on WLAN, the slingbox will buffer a whole bunch. Easy fix there is to switch to command mode so it buffers only as much as it needs to get a full frame to you.

[joe diamond]

funny I use my super buddy

Well that is one way. I mean for around five hundred bucks you look professional and hit the exact satellite.

How about the world of baby monitors. You set it and take one end with you....the walk around wireless kind are best for this. So when you are at the dish working you also get conversations from the room as in, " What do you think of the stud muffin fixing the satellite?" AND "I'd like to fix his satellite!"

OR, in my case "When do you think that old fart will get finished? I really need to see Judge Judy today!"

Joe

[thestaton]

you guys are the best, thanks so much!