Tips for dish pointing with stb signal meter

[dlh]

I have LOTS of time and can put a tv next to my dish.
I have a slimline 3lnb, HR-21. I'm familiar with dithering and have watched the installation videos using the Acutrac. (but I don't have one)

Can anyone "point" me to some hints or procedure to tweak the alignment using the stb signal meters?
I'm getting pretty good signal strengths 85-95, but I'm pretty sure I can do better.

For example, which adjustment should I tweak the first time around, next, etc?
(Yes, I know about the plumb mast :D)

Thanks

[Scott in FL]

I've done this 3 times now with the 5 lnb slim line, each time with good results (despite an installer in New Jersey insisting that you can't use a stb, you MUST use a meter). The summer rains here in south Florida get pretty intense, but my rain fade isn't excessive. Here's what I did:

Make sure the mast is plumb and the skew is set properly.

Find the 101 satellite and peak it carefully by adjusting the azimuth and elevation.

Now start your dithering process. If you're looking at a transponder with, say, a reading of 95, bring it down to 80 on one side and then the other. Just take your time, go slowly, and let the receiver settle.

When finished check your readings for the 99 and 103. They should be fine. If not, repeat.

[texasbrit]

I've done this 3 times now with the 5 lnb slim line, each time with good results (despite an installer in New Jersey insisting that you can't use a stb, you MUST use a meter). The summer rains here in south Florida get pretty intense, but my rain fade isn't excessive. Here's what I did:

Make sure the mast is plumb and the skew is set properly.

Find the 101 satellite and peak it carefully by adjusting the azimuth and elevation.

Now start your dithering process. If you're looking at a transponder with, say, a reading of 95, bring it down to 80 on one side and then the other. Just take your time, go slowly, and let the receiver settle.

When finished check your readings for the 99 and 103. They should be fine. If not, repeat.

I have done about a dozen slimline installs with the receiver and a small TV to watch the signal strengths. Scott's technique is correct, dithering with a receiver is no different from dithering with a meter.
Also if you make sure the dish mount is EXACTLY plumb (check it after you have installed the monopoles) and you set the elevation and tilt as precisely as you can, you will probably find that dithering in azimuth is all you need to do. My last three slimline installs have 101 and 119 signals at 100 or just below, and 99c/103c signals in the mid-90s, without having to tune the elevation at all.

[veryoldschool]

I have done about a dozen slimline installs with the receiver and a small TV to watch the signal strengths. Scott's technique is correct, dithering with a receiver is no different from dithering with a meter.
Also if you make sure the dish mount is EXACTLY plumb (check it after you have installed the monopoles) and you set the elevation and tilt as precisely as you can, you will probably find that dithering in azimuth is all you need to do. My last three slimline installs have 101 and 119 signals at 100 or just below, and 99c/103c signals in the mid-90s, without having to tune the elevation at all.
"A couple of things":
"Plumb" needs to be only "close".
When you're down to the final stage of tweaking, pick a low transponder to use. You will see a much greater change with these than those at/near 95%.

[dlh]

"A couple of things":
"Plumb" needs to be only "close".
When you're down to the final stage of tweaking, pick a low transponder to use. You will see a much greater change with these than those at/near 95%.

Thanks to all.
Yes, choosing a low transponder makes a lot of sense to me; not just a greater range of signal level, but a more proportional change.

I receive only 99, 101 and 103. Am I correct in thinking that tweaking is a little easier (quicker) without the 119? I guess "easier" in the sense that tilt isn't as critical; (one less variable).

[veryoldschool]

I receive only 99, 101 and 103. Am I correct in thinking that tweaking is a little easier (quicker) without the 119? I guess "easier" in the sense that tilt isn't as critical; (one less variable).
"That's about right", since 99/103 are much closer, than 101/119, the tilt "tweaking" isn't really an issue. Just set the tilt and forget it "unless" you see 99 or 103 dropping as you tune the other.