DISH 500 -- tweaking 2 satellites

[D_Thomas]

When I check my signal using the DISH 500 setup option, I see that my 110 satellite signal is much lower than my 119 signal.

To tweak the dish a little to increase the 110 signal, should I (1) move the dish horizontally a little to the South or West? or (2) try moving the dish vertically a little higher or lower?

[RJS1111111]

You may already be getting optimal signal strength from both.
Go ahead and tweak; first in azimuth, then in elevation.
Don't be too surprised if you've already got the best it gets.

[Jacob S]

Here are some hints that will make it much much easier and make your numbers true:

> Make the mount plumb (level) by using a level where the dish sits down on the side and on the end. <<MUST DO>>

> Do NOT change the skew, adjust it to what the book or signal install screen tells you to put it on then lock it down. After that adjust the elevation and lock that down as well according to what the install screen and booklet says. <<MUST DO>>

> Do not tighten the two bolts that allows the dish to turn left and right and turn very very slowly. Use a compass to get the general area of where the satellite is at. <<MUST DO>>

> Use walkie talkies (preferrably ones with VOX - automatic voice repsonse) that will allow you to hear the tone from the television. <<OPTIONAL>>

> Use a signal meter that connects in between the receiver and lnbf (you only have to connect to one side of the lnbf on a twin or one side of the switch where it connects to dish 1, dish 2 on one of the sw-21 switches. The meter is more sensative to reading signal strengths however will pick up most satellites in the sky even those that are not dish or direct satellites. They make ones with a needle and ones with a digital reading as well as those that just beep. You have to know how to use a signal meter by adjusting, its not as simple as connecting it up. <<OPTIONAL>>

[Mike123abc]

I found the other day that different transponders on 110 give much different signal strength. Playing around looking at the transponders showed me having signal strength from as low as 79 to as high as 117. I am not sure how many satellies they have at 110, but acts like multiple ones. I get weakest signal on transponder 11, and the highest on 12.