Dish pointing question

[alarsuel]

I am trying to set up a 2nd dish for tailgating. I have been told that I should practice before the day of game to get it down. I have been trying for 2 days and I can't get it. Here is the situation:

At home I have a 3lnb slimline dish and get HD. I have a D11 receiver hooked to a standard def tv in a room. I bought an 18in dish, as I was told it is much easier to find a single sat than messing with 3. I mounted my dish on a tripod plumbed it, and set the elevation to 34 degrees (I'm in 97062). I faced south, and started sweeping the sky slowly. My signal strength never got above 0. I also tried in the backyard right next to my home dish and never got anything either. I have swept the sky in the same direction as a dish that picks up 101. Nothing not even a 1. No faster beeps, nothing. I have gone back and forth 34, 35, 36, 37 (this is the elevation for the 3lnb).

I can switch the receiver to 18 in dish, but it then tries to verify settings, but can't do so without a signal. Does it matter what dish it is set for if I can find 101. Someone suggested that the lines or dish might be bad. I have tested the lines (they are fine) and even bought another dish (same result). I can't have 2 bad dishes. I don't know what else to try. Can anyone help?

[veryoldschool]

The 3LNB dish is "centered" on the 110 SAT, while the single is on the 101.
"Have a compass"?
load your address in here: http://www.dishpointer.com/
and then pick the 101 DirecTV SAT. you should see where you want it pointed.

[joe diamond]

I am trying to set up a 2nd dish for tailgating. I have been told that I should practice before the day of game to get it down. I have been trying for 2 days and I can't get it. Here is the situation:

At home I have a 3lnb slimline dish and get HD. I have a D11 receiver hooked to a standard def tv in a room. I bought an 18in dish, as I was told it is much easier to find a single sat than messing with 3. I mounted my dish on a tripod plumbed it, and set the elevation to 34 degrees (I'm in 97062). I faced south, and started sweeping the sky slowly. My signal strength never got above 0. I also tried in the backyard right next to my home dish and never got anything either. I have swept the sky in the same direction as a dish that picks up 101. Nothing not even a 1. No faster beeps, nothing. I have gone back and forth 34, 35, 36, 37 (this is the elevation for the 3lnb).

I can switch the receiver to 18 in dish, but it then tries to verify settings, but can't do so without a signal. Does it matter what dish it is set for if I can find 101. Someone suggested that the lines or dish might be bad. I have tested the lines (they are fine) and even bought another dish (same result). I can't have 2 bad dishes. I don't know what else to try. Can anyone help?

Set up the receiver again. Select the round dish.....enter the zip code..........the az & el for the 18" dish will be slightly different than the 3lnb. Use those.....you will see an az & el only for the 18" ;round dish, no tilt.

Recheck the mast for plumb....only loosen the az bolts enough to allow it to swing....peak az and then el.

Joe

[Whodo]

Just left Champoeg S. P. just south of you today, I had my dish set at EL. 34 degrees and AZ. 135 degrees give or take a degree on both settings.

When you start sweeping for the Sat. you will find it easier if you start from a Easterly heading and sweep to the south.

[joe diamond]

Just left Champoeg S. P. just south of you today, I had my dish set at EL. 34 degrees and AZ. 135 degrees give or take a degree on both settings.

When you start sweeping for the Sat. you will find it easier if you start from a Easterly heading and sweep to the south.

There is the problem.....135 is not south! Facing south and swinging west will never hit 135.

180 is south...........swing east from 180...,look at the compass.

Joe

[veryoldschool]

There is the problem.....135 is not south! Facing south and swinging west will never hit 135.

180 is south...........swing east from 180...,look at the compass.

Joe
While I don't subscribe to "his method", he did say start easterly [a lot east] and swing south, so he would have found 135 [if east is 90 degrees].

[Whodo]

There is the problem.....135 is not south! Facing south and swinging west will never hit 135.

180 is south...........swing east from 180...,look at the compass.

Joe

Just for what it is worth, 135 degrees is "SE" and if you start in a easterly heading and start swinging to the south you will cross SE.

Now I mention using this method because it is quite apparent that the OP is not using a compass, only a general direction, thus if he starts from a easterly heading and turns the dish to the south he will pass SE an the direction of the 101 sat from his location...

[alarsuel]

I am now using a compass. I still don't get anything around 134-135. Shouldn't I get something if I'm in the area? 2%, 15%, something. I am sweeping East to South and South to East. Why can't I get a blip? I've now tried 2 different dishes in 2 separate places (plumbed for each location).

[joe diamond]

I am now using a compass. I still don't get anything around 134-135. Shouldn't I get something if I'm in the area? 2%, 15%, something. I am sweeping East to South and South to East. Why can't I get a blip? I've now tried 2 different dishes in 2 separate places (plumbed for each location).

That should have done it.....Hmmm!
Check all obvious things.........look in every fitting for debris that will short the line......all lines connected to the correct ports...........check the cable for kinks and tight bends.........change the port on the LNB......change the LNB..............verify that the elevation is selected correctly; it is not the arm that is set fpr elevation but the setting on the side of the frame. Reset the box.

The az posted (...133 ) points at the 110....try swinging more slowly as you move from 90(East) to 180 (south). You should expect the 101 signal at around 124. There may be a local compass deviation of a few degrees but take a sighting from your dish to an object in front of the dish at 124 and aim at that target.

Try another swing slightly higher than the posted 34 degrees .........than another slightly lower swing.

Test the receiver by connecting it to your existing dish....test it's meter.

Sorry for stating obvious tasks...........report back how it goes.

Joe

[TigersFanJJ]

Make sure you only move the dish a little at a time and pause for a few seconds between each movement. The signal will not register on the receiver unless you STOP your movement for a second in a spot that is receiving a signal.

[BattleZone]

You may have a shorted cable or a bad LNB...

[netraa]

There should be a little red line or a line stamped into the metal for the elevation marking, don't use the center of the nut for the elevation. Worst case, most of the dishes use the very, very back of the elevation assembly for the mark.

[sweep49]

If you are sweeping the sky through the azimuth setting using the compass and not getting a signal then you need to adjust the elevation a few clicks and try again. It's a trial and error process meaning that you may have to bracket the elevation setting both up and down until you find the signal.

I take an 18" round dish mounted on a small piece of plywood [about 1.5 x 3 feet in size] to the campground every year. This is very low tech, but the 101 is relatively easy to find. I will stick a small 2x4 block under the front or back of the plywood base [which is sitting on the ground] to shim it up or down to coarsely adjust the elevation, then swing the dish around the azimuth setting until I begin to get a signal. Then you fine tune to maximize the signal from there.

Keep trying and good luck; you'll get it.

[Whodo]

The az posted (...133 ) points at the 110....try swinging more slowly as you move from 90(East) to 180 (south). You should expect the 101 signal at around 124. There may be a local compass deviation of a few degrees but take a sighting from your dish to an object in front of the dish at 124 and aim at that target.
Joe

Try reading where the OP is located, the 101 Sat from his location is right around 135 degrees mag. The 110 is right around 146 degrees mag.

[joe diamond]

Try reading where the OP is located, the 101 Sat from his location is right around 135 degrees mag. The 110 is right around 146 degrees mag.

Yeah,

Are the sats still nine degrees apart? Is not the azimuth presented for each zip code actually for the 110? THEN the 101 is nine degrees east of what is presented.

Or I am mistaken.

It shouldn't make a difference....he should have hit a signal by now. There is a problem with the rig. One of the drawbacks to buying used electronics is that they are not known to work until tested. Of everything said...I feel the LNB may be the problem.

Joe

[carl6]

Unless you are very experienced in using a compass, use it as a starting point only. I would adjust a minimum of ten degrees either direction from your initial setting point. As others have noted, go VERY slow. Move the LNB assembly maybe an inch, pause, check signal. Move another inch, pause, check signal. If you do not find a signal after taking five or ten minutes to move across the 10-15 degree arc, then adjust elevation slightly and repeat.

[barryb]

If you have an iPhone, there's an app for that.

There are several, but I use a simple one called "Dish Pointer". Helps me when we park our motorhome in an area with trees.

[Whodo]

Yeah,

Is not the azimuth presented for each zip code actually for the 110? THEN the 101 is nine degrees east of what is presented.

Or I am mistaken.

Joe

Sadly you are mistaken, learn how to use and understand the different Sat locating programs that are available.

[terron]

Here is my two cents on the matter:

First, do yourself a favor and put a level on your pole. Make daggum sure that mast is plumb! If its in the truck bed, you'll need to keep in mind that everytime someone gets in the bed that the mast will go off plumb as the axles sink down in the rear, throwing off your elevation.

Next, test your cable going from the dish to the receiver. One simple way is to use it as the cable going between the TV and the receiver.. if you get a clear picture, chances are that the cable is good. Put the cable back between the LNB and receiver when you're done testing.

Now, do as others have suggested and go to dishpointer. Get an idea of where you're supposed to point the dish. Set your elevation but don't tighten it down too much, you'll likely be adjusting it. If dishpointer tells you to point at 219, then look at the back tab of the dish, where it clamps down to the pole, NOT the arm, and point it to the general direction of 219. Put your sat box on "Signal Meter" and watch the 101 Sat since it will be easiest to peak. Slowly, work 30 degrees either side of 219 (or whatever dishpointer told you) and try to get signal. If you can see the dish moving, you're going too fast. If you make a 60 degree sweep with no signal, you should adjust the elevation, perhaps up two degrees or down two degrees and try again. Do another sweep. If you're getting frustrated, chill out, have a cold one, try again.

EDIT: For the curious, 219 is what I point my dishes to in the Gulf.

[veryoldschool]

My neighbor had this problem.
I finally went over and pointed to the tree that was in the way.

[alarsuel]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I'm going to give it another go this morning. I'll let you know what the problem was when I get it.

[taz291819]

Also, when using the compass, make sure you're at least a foot or two behind the dish. If you get the compass too close to the dish (it's made of metal), it screw with the compass a little.

But to be honest, I think it's an elevation issue. Hitting 101 with an 18" dish shouldn't take more than a minute or two of pointing.

[BattleZone]

Are the sats still nine degrees apart? Is not the azimuth presented for each zip code actually for the 110? THEN the 101 is nine degrees east of what is presented.

Or I am mistaken.


They're 9 degrees apart if you're in the center of the earth, but from the earth's surface, it's a little different, depending on the look angle.

But I agree; he should have hit something that registered on the meter by now.

[joe diamond]

Sadly you are mistaken, learn how to use and understand the different Sat locating programs that are available.

Brother Whodo,

Could you post your sources or links?

I knew it has been awhile (15 years) since I agonized over hitting the 101. The first few hundred were a little tough but I got the hang of it.

I have not kept up with tech changes....around here if you want recent tech info you work for the HSPs.

Care to start a pissing match about MASTEC & DirectSatUSA or the fun working for those *******s?

I am sure you are sure about what you posted. Sources or links, PLZ. You are probably not wrong.

Joe

[joe diamond]

Here is my two cents on the matter:

First, do yourself a favor and put a level on your pole. Make daggum sure that mast is plumb! If its in the truck bed, you'll need to keep in mind that everytime someone gets in the bed that the mast will go off plumb as the axles sink down in the rear, throwing off your elevation.

Next, test your cable going from the dish to the receiver. One simple way is to use it as the cable going between the TV and the receiver.. if you get a clear picture, chances are that the cable is good. Put the cable back between the LNB and receiver when you're done testing.

Now, do as others have suggested and go to dishpointer. Get an idea of where you're supposed to point the dish. Set your elevation but don't tighten it down too much, you'll likely be adjusting it. If dishpointer tells you to point at 219, then look at the back tab of the dish, where it clamps down to the pole, NOT the arm, and point it to the general direction of 219. Put your sat box on "Signal Meter" and watch the 101 Sat since it will be easiest to peak. Slowly, work 30 degrees either side of 219 (or whatever dishpointer told you) and try to get signal. If you can see the dish moving, you're going too fast. If you make a 60 degree sweep with no signal, you should adjust the elevation, perhaps up two degrees or down two degrees and try again. Do another sweep. If you're getting frustrated, chill out, have a cold one, try again.

EDIT: For the curious, 219 is what I point my dishes to in the Gulf.

Terron,

Good one. "..If you see the dish moving you are going to fast." I use the term swing all the time but I actually move and listen to the meter tone.

Working slow has it's value.

AND I had a service call years ago. When the kids went to the back of the RV they lost signal. I was invited over for a beer & conversation....the kids had been made to sleep on the floor where the signal still worked.

The cure was a 2x4 cut to fit under the bumber witrh the signal at its' best. It just has to support the weight of the kids!

Joe

[joe diamond]

Here is my two cents on the matter:

First, do yourself a favor and put a level on your pole. Make daggum sure that mast is plumb! If its in the truck bed, you'll need to keep in mind that every time someone gets in the bed that the mast will go off plumb as the axles sink down in the rear, throwing off your elevation.

Next, test your cable going from the dish to the receiver. One simple way is to use it as the cable going between the TV and the receiver.. if you get a clear picture, chances are that the cable is good. Put the cable back between the LNB and receiver when you're done testing.

Now, do as others have suggested and go to dishpointer. Get an idea of where you're supposed to point the dish. Set your elevation but don't tighten it down too much, you'll likely be adjusting it. If dishpointer tells you to point at 219, then look at the back tab of the dish, where it clamps down to the pole, NOT the arm, and point it to the general direction of 219. Put your sat box on "Signal Meter" and watch the 101 Sat since it will be easiest to peak. Slowly, work 30 degrees either side of 219 (or whatever dishpointer told you) and try to get signal. If you can see the dish moving, you're going too fast. If you make a 60 degree sweep with no signal, you should adjust the elevation, perhaps up two degrees or down two degrees and try again. Do another sweep. If you're getting frustrated, chill out, have a cold one, try again.

EDIT: For the curious, 219 is what I point my dishes to in the Gulf.

Terron,

Good one. "..If you see the dish moving you are going to fast." I use the term swing all the time but I actually move and listen to the meter tone.

Working slow has it's value.

AND I had a service call years ago. When the kids went to the back of the RV they lost signal. I was invited over for a beer & conversation....the kids had been made to sleep on the floor where the signal still worked.

The cure was a 2x4 cut to fit under the bumper with the signal at its' best. It just has to support the weight of the kids!

Good one!

Joe

[cartrivision]

The 3LNB dish is "centered" on the 110 SAT, while the single is on the 101.
"Have a compass"?
load your address in here: http://www.dishpointer.com/
and then pick the 101 DirecTV SAT. you should see where you want it pointed.

He has a 3 LNB Slimline, which would be centered on 101, not 110, so the 18" single LNB dish has to point in exactly the same direction as his 3 LNB Slimline.

[veryoldschool]

He has a 3 LNB Slimline, which would be centered on 101, not 110, so the 18" single LNB dish has to point in exactly the same direction as his 3 LNB Slimline.
your right, I missed the slimline part.