Use the Sun to Site New Satellite Dish

[litzdog911]

Twice each year, in March and October, the sun is your friend when it comes to finding the ideal location for a new or upgraded satellite dish. In early March and October, the sun sweeps across the sky in the same line as the earth's geosynchronous satellites, including DirecTV's satellites. This means that at various times during the day the sun will appear to shine from the exact locations of DirecTV's satellites. Once you know the correct times, you can walk around your house taking photos and looking for spots where there are NO shadows. The "shadow-free" areas mean that a dish mounted there has a clear line-of-site to that particular satellite. By taking photos at each of the exact times-of-day for each satellite location, you can compare the photos to find those shadow-free spots on your house at all of relevant times, indicating spots where your dish can "see" all of the desired satellites.

Fortunately, there's a handy web site to determine the correct dates and times-of-day based on your location's latitude and longitude. Here's how to use it ....

1. Surf to http://gjullien.fr/satellite.htm (you'll need Java enabled on your PC for this page to work)

2. Find your latitude and longitude (Google makes it easy). Enter your latitude/longitude on the web page where indicated. For example, for my location in Seattle I enter Longitude = 122ºW, Latitude = 48ºN

3. Enter the desired satellite. For DirecTV's 5-LNB dish (Ka/Ku AT9 or SlimLine AU9), you'll need to perform this step five times, once for each satellite location. For the newer 3-LNB Slimline, you only need to worry about the first three locations. Those satellite locations are:
99.2ºW (new Ka-band satellite beaming many national HD channels and HD Locals to certain cities)
101.0ºW (SatA: main DirecTV satellite)
102.8ºW (new Ka-band satellite beaming national HD channels and HD Locals to certain cities)
109.8ºW (SatC: some MPEG2 HDTV channels, but now mirrored from the 99.2ºW satellite. Not needed with SlimLine3 dish.)
119.0ºW (SatB: international Spanish channels, local channels for some cities. Not needed with SlimLine3 dish.)

This is a bit easier as the new SlimLine3 3-LNB HD dish because you only need to worry about receiving the 99º, 101º, and 103º satellites.

In addition, for DirecTV's International Channel Package you also need:
95.0ºW (international channels)

If you're not sure which satellites beam channels you require, check out this web site
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/america.html
Just realize that DirecTV often moves channels between satellites (especially HiDef channels), so ideally you'll want a clear view of ALL FIVE of the main satellites.

4. Press "Calculate first date". The table below will update with dates and times when the sun (or moon) will appear at that location in the sky. It will also provide the azimuth and elevation for the exact satellite location. For example, for my location in Seattle when I enter "101 W" and press "Calculate first date", I see the following ....

Satellite position is: 152.68ºAZ, 31.23ºEL
Wed, Oct 10, 11:22:03 PDT 2007 Sun Position is 152.61ºAZ, 31.62ºEL
Thur, Oct 11, 11:21:34 PDT 2007 Sun Position is 152.68ºAZ, 31.24ºEL

These mean that on either of October 10 or 11 at 11:22AM local Pacific Time, the sun will be at nearly the exact location where DirecTV's SatA 101-deg W satellite "beams" its signal from the sky. Any spots on my house NOT covered by shadows can "see" that satellite.

5. Repeat step 4 for each of the desired satellites.

6. On the specified dates and times, go outside with your camera. Hopefully the sun is shining! Simply take pictures at the correct times. Study them to find spots on your house without shadows. Those will make good dish mounting locations.

By the way, these times and dates actually don't change much for a few days before and after the "exact" times/dates. So you have a bit of leeway if the weather doesn't cooperate on the exact days, or you can't be home from work.

You'll also see that there are dates/times each month when the moon can be used for this. It's a bit trickier since the moon doesn't cast much shadow, but you can look straight at the moon without killing your eyes. So just walk around your house at night at the correct time/date and you can eyeball where the satellites would be located if you could see them.

NOTE: With the changes in Daylight Savings Time dates, be sure to use the GMT time to verify the local times shown.

Hope you find this information useful.

[Thinker3932]

So, what do these other dates mean? Tonight, in about 4 hours, there should be some red constellation or something exactly where the sat is? What the heck? I need to wait for the year 2010 for this approach to work? What am I reading wrong on this report?

Anyone want to run this Java for me for the 99*, etc, etc for an AT9 dish in Peoria, Illinois? I can't get the Java ap to work now. It worked once and now wont (even after a reboot).

[litzdog911]

Not sure why you're getting goofy info. Here's what I get with your numbers ....

[Thinker3932]

Ah, much better, must have been my Java engine. I was scratching my head at why in 2010 the sun would be in the right position in the evening--I thought maybe the apocolypse was coming....

Thank you so much for doing this.

OK, so 101 is where I point my dish--would you mind showing me what you get for the 99* and the 119* locations?

[litzdog911]

Ah, much better, must have been my Java engine. I was scratching my head at why in 2010 the sun would be in the right position in the evening--I thought maybe the apocolypse was coming....

Thank you so much for doing this.

OK, so 101 is where I point my dish--would you mind showing me what you get for the 99* and the 119* locations?

When you enter the other satellite locations (99-deg, 119-deg, etc), use the web site above, the first line in the report is the satellite's location from your house (azimuth, elevation). It's where it says "Satellite location is: ...."

Remember, even though the AT9 Ka/Ku dish is pointed at 101-deg W for proper alignment, that dish's location will still need a clear line-of-site to ALL FIVE of DirecTV's satellites (99, 101, 103, 110, and 119-deg) to receive all of the HiDef channels from the various satellites.

[litzdog911]

Bump ....
The optimum dates are getting closer.

[irish65]

This is a great tool. Although the ideal date Oct 7 for my location is not here yet the elevation is the same. This for me is the determining factor. I see now I will clear my trees by a big margin. I was worried about getting all the satellites but now I see there is no problem. I am going to take down my old direcway dish and put up my new HD dish on a well secured 10ft pole.

[rwbuck]

My PC will not run the program - must be something wrong with my PC. This is my location - Danville, PA 17821 - 41.0117 North - 76.6578 West

I have some big trees and I'm hoping I can receive with no problems. Thanks so much!!!!


Bump ....
The optimum dates are getting closer.

[Wolffpack]

Remember these are the same dates and times in which the sun can overload your dish causing a loss of signal.

[litzdog911]

My PC will not run the program - must be something wrong with my PC. This is my location - Danville, PA 17821 - 41.0117 North - 76.6578 West

I have some big trees and I'm hoping I can receive with no problems. Thanks so much!!!!

If your PC uses Windows XP, you might need to install the Java application ....
http://www.java.com/en/

Java used to be included with Windows until Windows XP when Microsoft and Sun Microsystems had a falling out.

[litzdog911]

My PC will not run the program - must be something wrong with my PC. This is my location - Danville, PA 17821 - 41.0117 North - 76.6578 West

I have some big trees and I'm hoping I can receive with no problems. Thanks so much!!!!

I went ahead and ran your location ....

99-deg W Satellite is at 212-deg Azimuth, 38-deg Elevation
October 8 & 9 at 2:34pm EDT

101-deg W Satellite ("Sat A") is at 215-deg AZ, 37-deg EL
Oct 8 & 9 at 2:43pm EDT

103-deg W Satellite is at 217-deg AZ, 36-deg EL
Oct 8 & 9 at 2:52pm EDT

110-deg W Satellite ("Sat C") is at 225-deg AZ, 32-deg EL
Oct 8 & 9 at 3:23pm EDT

119-deg W Satellite ("Sat B") is at 234-deg AZ, 26-deg EL
Oct 8 & 9 at 4:02pm EDT

[carl6]

3. Enter the desired satellite. For DirecTV's newest 5-LNB dish (Ka/Ku AT9), you'll need to perform this step five times, once for each satellite location. Those satellite locations are:
99.2W (new Ka-band satellite beaming HD Locals to certain cities)
101.0W (SatA: main DirecTV satellite)
102.8W (new Ka-band satellite beaming HD Locals to certain cities)
109.8W (SatC: some MPEG2 HDTV channels)
119.0W (SatB: international channels, local channels for some cities, some HDTV channels)

...

For example, for my location in Seattle when I enter "109.2 W" and press "Calculate first date", I see the following ....

Satellite position is: 163.77AZ, 33.65EL
Tue, Oct 10, 12:01.48 PDT 2006 163.79AZ, 33.65EL
Wed, Oct 11, 12:01:18 PDT 2006 163.79AZ, 33.98EL



Just south of you in Seattle proper. Ran the program for all 5 sat's and noticed the timing was a bit different than what you posted above. Then I noticed that in the one paragraph you referred to "109.8W", but in your example of Seattle data you referred to "109.2W" - which accounts for the difference I saw.

So, just out of curiosity, is is 109.2 or 109.8?????

Carl
(About 10 miles SW as the Seagull flies.)

[litzdog911]

Just south of you in Seattle proper. Ran the program for all 5 sat's and noticed the timing was a bit different than what you posted above. Then I noticed that in the one paragraph you referred to "109.8W", but in your example of Seattle data you referred to "109.2W" - which accounts for the difference I saw.

So, just out of curiosity, is is 109.2 or 109.8?????

Carl
(About 10 miles SW as the Seagull flies.)


Good catch. It's actually at 109.8 according to LyngSat. I fixed my numbers in the original post. Thanks!

[premio]

Good catch. It's actually at 109.8 according to LyngSat. I fixed my numbers in the original post. Thanks!

Does this mean we should soon have service issues beause of sun spotting? :grin:

[Wolffpack]

Does this mean we should soon have service issues beause of sun spotting? :grin:
I'm not sure if it's called that but yes, you could run into signal problems during those times.

[carl6]

It can also effect other communications that depend on satellite signals, including pagers, long distance phone calls, etc. Of course there are lots of satellites up there, and not all are effected at the same exact time, but over the next couple of weeks it is possible that sun alignment could briefly "wash out" the signal into a specific dish someplace, resulting in an interruption of service for that dish.

Carl

[Rocko62580]

What a great post! Now I can finally tell if I can clear my trees in the backyard! Nice job with this one!

[harsh]

Does this mean we should soon have service issues beause of sun spotting? :grin:This would be called "sun fade".

[Nuber]

Very nice to find this post now that I'm ready to ditch cable.

But after running the numbers for all 5 satellites, I have two questions.

First is that when I enter the satellite at 119.0, nothing happens. It seems that the largest number I can enter for the satellite is 118.2. After that there is no change. If anyone wants to check, I'm at 34.01N 118.3W

My second question is about the numbers I receive form this page (directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/dishPointer.jsp?) when I enter my zip code. It gives me 136.3 Azimuth and 46.3 Elevation. But the numbers I receive from the French Java applet never match the azimuth from the Directv website. I can get the right elevation (with satellite at 101.0) but the the right azinuth only comes with the satellite at 90.2, which I don't think it exists.

Since I'm a nubee regarding satellites I don't know if the non matching numbers matter or not, but I'm sure curious about what it means.

Thanks

[litzdog911]

Very nice to find this post now that I'm ready to ditch cable.

But after running the numbers for all 5 satellites, I have two questions.

First is that when I enter the satellite at 119.0, nothing happens. It seems that the largest number I can enter for the satellite is 118.2. After that there is no change. If anyone wants to check, I'm at 34.01N 118.3W

My second question is about the numbers I receive form this page (directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/dishPointer.jsp?) when I enter my zip code. It gives me 136.3 Azimuth and 46.3 Elevation. But the numbers I receive from the French Java applet never match the azimuth from the Directv website. I can get the right elevation (with satellite at 101.0) but the the right azinuth only comes with the satellite at 90.2, which I don't think it exists.

Since I'm a nubee regarding satellites I don't know if the non matching numbers matter or not, but I'm sure curious about what it means.

Thanks

DirecTV's site provides azimuth values based on magnetic north values, while the Java applet provides true azimuth values.

For the 119-deg W satellite, for your latitude/longitude I get ....
Satellite is located at 181.8-deg AZ, 50.5-deg EL

It changes if I use 118-deg instead, so I think the site is working properly.

Here are the complete values I get for the 5 DirecTV satellites ....

99-deg W satellite is at 148.4-deg AZ, 45.5-deg EL
Sun is at this location on October 6 & 7 at 11:13am PDT

101-deg W satellite is at 151.3-deg AZ, 46.5-deg EL
Sun is at this location on Oct 6 & 7 at 11:22am PDT

103-deg W satellite is at 154.4-deg AZ, 47.3-deg EL
Sun is at this location on Oct 6 & 7 at 11:31am PDT

110-deg W satellite is at 165.9-deg AZ, 49.5-deg EL
Sun is at this location on Oct 6 & 7 at 12:03pm PDT

119-deg W satellite is at 181.8-deg AZ, 50.5-deg EL
Sun is at this location on Oct 6 & 7 at 12:44pm PDT

[Nuber]

Thank you litzdog. I guess I'll have another question between Magnetic and True values when i'm setting the dish up, but I don't want to get off topic in this thread.

The 12:44 time is the same time I "guessed" by extrapolating the difference in between 118.0 and 118.2, to figure out the time for 119.0. I'm glad I was right, but not happy because the window became a lot larger (from 11:13 to 12:44).

BTW, I don't think there is anytthing wrong with the site either. I think there is something wrong with my Java engine instead. As of right now I'm able to initiate the little animated applets but not the main one, and that's under W2k. But when I try with another computer with XP the applet works fine and I'm able to get the time for the 119.0 satellite. Go figure...

Well, thanks again for the link to that applet, and for checking the time for the 119.0. You saved me an inordinate amount of time. And since the difference between today and a couple days from now is minimal, and I'm off today but not in two days, and the sun is shinning right now, guess what I'm about to do in another hour?? :D :D

[Nuber]

Done deal!!!

Found the only place I can put the dish without having to cut any branches or dig holes on the wall. It even works for the 119.0 satellite!

Now I need to lobby the missus. Any applet that will help me with that? :rolleyes:

[Ricka]

Now I need to lobby the missus. Any applet that will help me with that? :rolleyes:

1-800-FLO-WERS :lol:

[litzdog911]

Done deal!!!

Found the only place I can put the dish without having to cut any branches or dig holes on the wall. It even works for the 119.0 satellite!

Now I need to lobby the missus. Any applet that will help me with that? :rolleyes:


Excellent!

[shendley]

I recently had an AT9 dish installed with an HR 10 (anticipating an HR 20 down the road - supposedly this coming Tuesday!) and wanted to use the sun test to make sure that the dish can get the two extra satelites received by the HR 20 (though I've heard it more than likely will since they're near the 101 sat). Unfortunately it was cloudy until the sun showed where the 119 sat was. But it was still very cool. The installer had told me that a couple of trees could eventually interfere with the signal from that one and with the sun I could see exactly what he was talking about and exactly which trees are potential problems. Fortunately, from what I saw today, I think he was also overreacting as these are old trees and not likely to grow enough anytime soon to interfere with the view. The sun was behind 119 at 3:01 my time and the shadow from the trees didn't hit the dish until sometime shortly after 3:30.

So, thanks for the tip and I hope it's clear tomorrow to check out the two new sats.

[litzdog911]

Glad you found it useful!

[Thinker3932]

Had great success yesterday with this. So much better than guessing. Here's my pix. Can anyone guess which bird I have not been getting for the past couple weeks since I temporarily mounted the dish on the ground?

So, I could mount it at the peak into the brick, which my wife does not want me to do, or mount it on a pole that gets it up above the trees. The trees are all 50 years old and thus mature (unlikely to grow more). Is it unrealistic to think I can get that high on a pole without wind wreaking havoc on my signal? I may mount on the brick only about second-story high as opposed to the peak. That would be safer as I would not survive an accidental fall from the peak :)

[litzdog911]

Had great success yesterday with this. So much better than guessing. Here's my pix. Can anyone guess which bird I have not been getting for the past couple weeks since I temporarily mounted the dish on the ground?

So, I could mount it at the peak into the brick, which my wife does not want me to do, or mount it on a pole that gets it up above the trees. The trees are all 50 years old and thus mature (unlikely to grow more). Is it unrealistic to think I can get that high on a pole without wind wreaking havoc on my signal? I may mount on the brick only about second-story high as opposed to the peak. That would be safer as I would not survive an accidental fall from the peak :)

It looks like you could mount on the brick above your current pole location (above that window?). Your pole could be extended that high and anchored to the brick using a couple of "monopole" braces, but it would probably look better to just mount the dish on the brick.

You didn't post your picture for the 110-deg satellite .... hopefully it's good at that location, too.

[carl6]

Today was the primary day for Seattle for the Sun sighting. I was able to easily confirm many locations - super tool, thanks Litzdog911 for providing us with the information necessary to make use of this.

Although I don't need it, I can see 72.5 from a couple of locations, and 99, 101, 103, 110 and 119 with no problem from many locations. No question now as to where the AT9 will go when I eventually upgrade.

Carl

[ilkjh]

Glad you found it useful!

Wow- what excellent info- thanks!

[litzdog911]

Wow- what excellent info- thanks!

Glad it helped you. Of course, we're well past the optimal days to use the Sun's position until the next window in March 2007. But there are usually days every month where the moon is very close.

[litzdog911]

Time to bump this thread again as we approach the next window in early March where the Sun's location and its shadows can help you find the best sites for a new or relocated satellite dish.

Jump back to the first message in this thread for more details. And post back here if you have any questions.

[litzdog911]

Watch your Daylight Savings Time!

When I get a chance I will test this tool to see if it properly handles the new Daylight Savings Time dates. I'm guess it does not. If your optimum dates falls on or after March 11, 2007, double check the local time provided by the tool with the true time in UTC/GMT. You might need to adjust by one hour.

[Wheaton]

Great tool. I've been having fits finding a spot ,amongst the trees, in Lake Tahoe to get a reliable signal from E* 129 Satellite. I've always wondered if the Sun could be used to locate a Satellite and check LNB focus on my 30" dish using small mirrors glued to the reflector. I can hardly wait until March 4th to give it a "smoke" test .

[litzdog911]

Great tool. I've been having fits finding a spot ,amongst the trees, in Lake Tahoe to get a reliable signal from E* 129 Satellite. I've always wondered if the Sun could be used to locate a Satellite and check LNB focus on my 30" dish using small mirrors glued to the reflector. I can hardly wait until March 4th to give it a "smoke" test .

Just don't overheat the LNB. Let us know how this works.

[prushing]

Can someone let me know if I am reading this right.

Lat is 34.12
Long is -84.3

so for sats
99.2W - I get Satellite position is at 201.0, so I should look on my compass for that reading?

[carl6]

Can someone let me know if I am reading this right.

Lat is 34.12
Long is -84.3

so for sats
99.2W - I get Satellite position is at 201.0, so I should look on my compass for that reading?

Using the website litzdog911 linked to at the start of this thread, and entering your data...
longitude 84.3 W, lattitude 34.12 N, Satellite 99.2 W
I get an azimuth to the satellite of 205.38 degrees true, with a declination of -5.51. So your magnetic (compass) reading should be 199.87

Or, you can go outside and look at where the sun is at 10:56 am PST on March 6th. (Adjust for your time zone)

Carl

[bonscott87]

If this blizzard clears up I'll be doing this on Sunday. I want to see how close a tree is to the edge of 99/101 to see if I have some trimming to do in the next year or so.

[litzdog911]

If this blizzard clears up I'll be doing this on Sunday. I want to see how close a tree is to the edge of 99/101 to see if I have some trimming to do in the next year or so.

I check mine every year for the same reason. Makes it very easy to see how close interfering trees have grown.

Also, remember that any dates within a week on either side of the "ideal" dates will work fine, too.

[prushing]

Thanks, I looked this afternoon since the sun was almost in the right spot and took some pictures. Now I just have to tell the installer where to put the dish since 3 different ones say that trees are in the way because they don't know where to point the dish to start with.

I'm about ready to cancel, but I can't because of Sunday Ticket.

[bonscott87]

Guys, take advantage of this. My wife is really interested in Sky Angel which is at 61.5 which I thought for sure was blocked by a tree. But nope, it's a lot higher in the sky then I thought when I checked it this morning. It's way above the tree anywhere in my backyard.

So take advantage the next week or so if someone is telling you you've got no line of sight. Those sats are a lot higher in the sky then you might think.

[harsh]

So take advantage the next week or so if someone is telling you you've got no line of sight. Those sats are a lot higher in the sky then you might think.Believe it or not, there are people in the continental US that reside over 2000 miles West of you. Where I live, the elevation is just under 12 degrees above the horizon. In Seattle, the elevation is just under 11 degrees. Echostar 12, the lone satellite at 61.5, is quite a ways out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Which Dish Network receiver would you get?

[bonscott87]

Believe it or not, there are people in the continental US that reside over 2000 miles West of you. Where I live, the elevation is just under 12 degrees above the horizon. In Seattle, the elevation is just under 11 degrees. Echostar 12, the lone satellite at 61.5, is quite a ways out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Which Dish Network receiver would you get?

Oh I understand completely. I was just suprised at how much higher all the sats were in the sky then I thought they were and I'd bet many other people may think the same. For example I was really concerned about a tree blocking 99/101 in a couple years but both are *way* above the tree and will never have an issue.

As for Sky Angel, I really don't want to get it. Mainly because I'd have to bury another cable in the yard to the house and I put in a patio a couple years ago which really causes an issue with that. Plus I could care less about the channels myself but if she really wants them...

I brought up the list of Sky Angel channels for my wife and asked her what was on there that she really wanted that wasn't already on DirecTV. The main one she wanted DirecTV already has and DirecTV does have some other church channels and the music channel is actually available OTA to us as a subchannel of the local Pax station. So for $15 a month she might get all of one channel, maybe two. Not worth it in my book. We'll see what kind of toy I can negotiate out of it if she really wants to get it. :D

[telewireman]

I'm sure you're extremely busy but I'm trying to calculate where the sun in relation to the satellites so that I may place my dish in the optimal location on my property. I'm located at 76.38 W and 39.10 N. Can you let me what time the sun will be in the correct location for tomorrow 3/12 for all 5 sats? 99, 101, 103, 110, and 119?

Thank you so much

I'm just a newbie trying to figure it all out. Of coarse you know D* already told me that my yard will not work....but I've had D* for 4 years putting it in place myself.

All the best
Robert

I check mine every year for the same reason. Makes it very easy to see how close interfering trees have grown.

Also, remember that any dates within a week on either side of the "ideal" dates will work fine, too.

[carl6]

Monday March 12th at 12:00 noon (pacific daylight time), the sun will be approximately where the 101 satellite is. The satellite will be just a tiny bit lower than the sun.

Same day at approximately 1:17 pm (PDT) the sun will be approximately where the 119 degree satellite is. Again, the sun will be about 3 degrees higher than the satellite.

If you have a clear view of the sun from about 11:50 am to 1:30 pm, you can see all of the satellites.

Carl

[Smuuth]

I found this thread after my dish was installed and was disappointed that I had missed the March dates for the sun to check my positioning. After checking the site, I realized there were dates in April of 2007 that the moon would be in the right position as well. While moon shadows are not as easy, I thought I could at least get an idea of where the satellites would be in relation to a tree south of me on my neighbor's lot. I camped out in my backyard for a couple of hours last night with my camera on a tripod and got the following pictures at the times listed on the site for each satellite I am very pleased to see that the satellites are much higher in the sky than it would appear if you look at the dish. It will be several years before the tree is going to be a problem, if ever.

Thank you to litzdog911 for this great tool!

http://i11.tinypic.com/625oa5f.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/5ys3ipv.jpg
http://i18.tinypic.com/6guhun9.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/6arwy89.jpg
http://i13.tinypic.com/52whzrt.jpg

[jimmyv2000]

This theory worked for me.I found a spot to mount my spare 2 lnb dish in case something happens to the slimline.
Thank god i saved them old dig safe flags!!

[jimmyv2000]

heres a pic of my spare dish i keep it inside so when i need it i can just put it ouside& tweak the azumith and woooooo hoooooooo TV.:)

[carl6]

One 5-LNB slimline on the roof, one on the back deck. Hot spare if you will. Right now one is feeding a test SWM, the other is feeding my regular system.

Here is the sun at 99 and 119.

8111

8112

Carl

[Smuuth]

Here is the sun at 99 and 119.

CarlWere those taken on the date in March when elevation and azimuth of the sun match the respective satellite(s)?

[carl6]

Were those taken on the date in March when elevation and azimuth of the sun match the respective satellite(s)?

Actually last October on the correct date and time. No sunshine this March on the proper dates.

Carl

[Smuuth]

Actually last October on the correct date and time. No sunshine this March on the proper dates.

Carl
Very cool. :D

[litzdog911]

Actually last October on the correct date and time. No sunshine this March on the proper dates.

Carl

That can be a problem for us in Seattle! I was hoping to update my photos during the March window, but no sunny days. I have photos from March 2006, but need to keep tabs on some nearby trees.

Glad this information is useful to folks!

[Smuuth]

That can be a problem for us in Seattle! I was hoping to update my photos during the March window, but no sunny days. I have photos from March 2006, but need to keep tabs on some nearby trees.

Glad this information is useful to folks!As I said above, it certainly reassured me to see the moon above those trees at the sync times. Thanks again! :)

BTW, for anyone who wondered why the picture of the 99 degree azimuth didn't seem to be in the same position as the others, I moved the tripod after that one because I thought I might not be able to get the moon in the frame at the 119 azimuth from the original camera position.

[Ext 721]

Very nice to find this post now that I'm ready to ditch cable.

But after running the numbers for all 5 satellites, I have two questions.

First is that when I enter the satellite at 119.0, nothing happens. It seems that the largest number I can enter for the satellite is 118.2. After that there is no change. If anyone wants to check, I'm at 34.01N 118.3W

My second question is about the numbers I receive form this page (directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/dishPointer.jsp?) when I enter my zip code. It gives me 136.3 Azimuth and 46.3 Elevation. But the numbers I receive from the French Java applet never match the azimuth from the Directv website. I can get the right elevation (with satellite at 101.0) but the the right azinuth only comes with the satellite at 90.2, which I don't think it exists.

Since I'm a nubee regarding satellites I don't know if the non matching numbers matter or not, but I'm sure curious about what it means.

Thanks

remember that the usa is in WEST longitude, and NORTH lattitude.

the applet defaults to east longitude.

[bonscott87]

Am I reading this right that the moon can be used tomorrow and Friday for this?

[bonscott87]

And the time is showing -4 GMT but isn't Eastern time US -5 GMT?

[jwd45244]

And the time is showing -4 GMT but isn't Eastern time US -5 GMT?


EDT is -4 GMT EST is -5 GMT

[bonscott87]

EDT is -4 GMT EST is -5 GMT

True, but we are still 5 hours behind GMT right now. We always are except for the couple weeks a year where we change before the UK does.

So basically subtract an extra hour off the time they give.

[Smuuth]

True, but we are still 5 hours behind GMT right now. We always are except for the couple weeks a year where we change before the UK does.

So basically subtract an extra hour off the time they give.GMT does NOT change with the seasons. EST is always GMT -5 and EDT is always GMT -4. BTW, GMT is now called Coordinated Universal Time. http://nist.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Eastern/d/-5

[bonscott87]

GMT does NOT change with the seasons. EST is always GMT -5 and EDT is always GMT -4. BTW, GMT is now called Coordinated Universal Time. http://nist.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Eastern/d/-5

Ok got it. So the UK is actually 1 hour ahead of GMT now in the summer. We have an office in the UK and it always confused me. Now I actually get it. Thanks!

[Smuuth]

Ok got it. So the UK is actually 1 hour ahead of GMT now in the summer. We have an office in the UK and it always confused me. Now I actually get it. Thanks!You're welcome. :)

[wmj5]

what doe a c-band dish cost now, and can you get very much free stuff on it? wmj5@aol.com

[litzdog911]

what doe a c-band dish cost now, and can you get very much free stuff on it? wmj5@aol.com

Not sure why you posted this question in this thread. Best to start a new topic with this question.

[jon76]

Ok I am not completely sure I am reading the information correctly on the page. My GPS coordinates are:
30.39420 N
84.22738 W

I entered the information into the page and it gave me a list of dates and times. I believe it shows as Oct 5th. Can someone with a bit more experience with this application confirm this.

Thanks,
Jon

[DrrD]

So I'm confused, which if those 5 sats in your list is the new one (D10)? I thought the new one was at 103, but when I checked on the site you linked, 103 is the spaceway1 sat. Is that why they are a and b? Did they park the D10 right near the Spaceway1? So now there's 6 sats?

Thanks in advance.

[DrrD]

....


2. Find your latitude and longitude (Google makes it easy). Enter your latitude/longitude on the web page where indicated. For example, for my location in Seattle I enter Longitude = 122W, Latitude = 48N





Google makes it so easy I have no idea how to do it!

Please explain, adapted to the meanest understanding.

(I tried looking up my address in maps, found it but no lat/lon info.)

[nagy4321]

Google makes it so easy I have no idea how to do it!

Please explain, adapted to the meanest understanding.

(I tried looking up my address in maps, found it but no lat/lon info.)

What is your zip code?

Just enter your zip code here to find out your Lat and Long.
http://www.zipinfo.com/search/zipcode.htm

-Andrew

[DrrD]

What is your zip code?

-Andrew

80111



Thanks.

[nagy4321]

80111



Thanks.

You should be around 39.6158N 104.8749W

-Andrew

[carl6]

So I'm confused, which if those 5 sats in your list is the new one (D10)? I thought the new one was at 103, but when I checked on the site you linked, 103 is the spaceway1 sat. Is that why they are a and b? Did they park the D10 right near the Spaceway1? So now there's 6 sats?

Thanks in advance.

There are actually multiple satellites at most orbital positions. Yes, DirecTV has two at 103 and will have two at 99 (one currently). There are three I think at 101. They are close enough together that for your aiming purposes (22000 miles away), they are in the same position.

Carl

[carl6]

Ok I am not completely sure I am reading the information correctly on the page. My GPS coordinates are:
30.39420 N
84.22738 W

I entered the information into the page and it gave me a list of dates and times. I believe it shows as Oct 5th. Can someone with a bit more experience with this application confirm this.

Thanks,
Jon

Using your lat/lon for the 101 satellite...

The satellite position is 210.78 with an elevation of 50.11 (first line of report)
On Friday Oct 5th at 2:42:35 pm the sun will be located at 211.02 with an elevation of 50.26. So at that specific time, on that specific date, the sun will be located almost exactly where the 101 satellite is in the sky.

Leaving your lat/lon and entering new satellite data...

at 2:32:56 the sun will be where 99 is,
at 2:51:38 the sun will be where 103 is,
at 3:23:13 the sun will be where 110 is,
at 4:03:37 the sun will be where 119 is.

So, at those specific times on that specific date, you can see if you have line of sight to the satellites by seeing if you have line of sight to where the sun is in the sky. Just don't look directly at the sun without proper eye protection. One way is to look at see what areas of your house or property are in the sun, and what areas are in the shade, at those times. Find a spot that is clearly in the sun at all of those times, and you can put a 5-LNB dish there.

Carl

[litzdog911]

Just a reminder for folks using this tool ....

I'm not sure that it's been updated to handle the recent changes with Daylight Savings Times. Be sure to use the GMT time and convert that to your known local time zone.

[jon76]

Thanks! Just wanted to make sure I was reading the output correctly.

[DrrD]

You should be around 39.6158N 104.8749W

-Andrew

Thanks.

I tried it out and I have no idea what it means. Couldn't it just spit out a single date and time? What's with the table? Polar angle?? Skew??? Declinator????

I guess I'll stick to something simple like transplant nephrology.:D

[litzdog911]

Thanks.

I tried it out and I have no idea what it means. Couldn't it just spit out a single date and time? What's with the table? Polar angle?? Skew??? Declinator????

I guess I'll stick to something simple like transplant nephrology.:D

Re-read my first post in this thread for an explanation. There's only a few values in the table you care about .... like data & time. The angles and stuff only matter if you want to do the geometry.

[awalt]

Cool tool thanks! And for my house, one of the times is in ONE HOUR from now! I get great reception but I want to see where the sun shines (it is perfect weather today too), in any case...

[golf4dj]

OK, I have an appointment to get the new slim line in place of my current 3 lnb dish. I currently get readings in the 90s on both 101 and 110, however, I only get readings in the 60s on 119. I am pretty sure that I have some LOS issues as I think that I have tree limbs in the way.

I want to use the sun calculator to check which limbs need to be removed but I am confused on the times given by the tool referenced in the post. So if I am on the East Coast (Springfield, VA) is it GMT -4 as noted in the calculated values or do I need to subtract an additional hour to get at GMT -5? I plan to do the check today (I think that I need to subtract an hour to get at GMT -5)

BTW - I realize that the optimum day was October 9, 07, but I hope that today will still give me some insights on line of sight issues.

Thanks in advance.

[f300v10]

Currently we are in daylight savings time, so the delta from GMT is -4. When we are in standard time, the delta is -5. So use -4.

[jimrobinette]

Even though the perfect day was a couple of days ago, it doesn't change that much. In fact, today the sun will be ever so slightly lower than the satt. That being said, it is a very simple and easy way to check. I am in Haymarket, so between the rough time of 1430-1600 local today will be a good approximation of the satts.

Jim

OK, I have an appointment to get the new slim line in place of my current 3 lnb dish. I currently get readings in the 90s on both 101 and 110, however, I only get readings in the 60s on 119. I am pretty sure that I have some LOS issues as I think that I have tree limbs in the way.

I want to use the sun calculator to check which limbs need to be removed but I am confused on the times given by the tool referenced in the post. So if I am on the East Coast (Springfield, VA) is it GMT -4 as noted in the calculated values or do I need to subtract an additional hour to get at GMT -5? I plan to do the check today (I think that I need to subtract an hour to get at GMT -5)

BTW - I realize that the optimum day was October 9, 07, but I hope that today will still give me some insights on line of sight issues.

Thanks in advance.

[golf4dj]

Anyway, I took a picture (see attached). Definately have some tree limbs in the way of sat 119. It is probably not quite as bad as the calculator says because the sun is actually 2 degrees lower than the sat. But I definately have some trees in the way.

That branch is really high, I hope I can get to it. Also, you can see that my window is pretty small, I just hope I don't have issues with Sat 99 (I couldn't be home today to check it at the proper time).

Just thought I would share.

[jimrobinette]

If that were the exact position of the sun (az angle) I would bet you could get a signal. Granted, the tree will block some of the signal, I bet if you can see the sun, you can get some signal. I am always amazed at how dishes are mounted that a signal can still get to the dish.

Jim

Anyway, I took a picture (see attached). Definately have some tree limbs in the way of sat 119. It is probably not quite as bad as the calculator says because the sun is actually 2 degrees lower than the sat. But I definately have some trees in the way.

That branch is really high, I hope I can get to it. Also, you can see that my window is pretty small, I just hope I don't have issues with Sat 99 (I couldn't be home today to check it at the proper time).

Just thought I would share.

[litzdog911]

If that were the exact position of the sun (az angle) I would bet you could get a signal. Granted, the tree will block some of the signal, I bet if you can see the sun, you can get some signal. I am always amazed at how dishes are mounted that a signal can still get to the dish.

Jim

Especially in the winter :)

Seriously, tree leaves can cause total blockage of the signal, especially when they're wet. And when it's windy the signal will jump like crazy.

[golf4dj]

Especially in the winter :)

Seriously, tree leaves can cause total blockage of the signal, especially when they're wet. And when it's windy the signal will jump like crazy.

Yea, I am getting signal, however I think that the tree limb is in the way as I am only registering in the low 60s on that sat (119) and when it rains just a little I get total signal loss while the other sats do just fine.

I don't have many options to move the dish so I have to figure out how to get that limb down. I am concerned that when D comes to install the new slim line that he may saw I have no LOS and refuse to install.

[248 F1]

Yea, I am getting signal, however I think that the tree limb is in the way as I am only registering in the low 60s on that sat (119) and when it rains just a little I get total signal loss while the other sats do just fine.

I don't have many options to move the dish so I have to figure out how to get that limb down. I am concerned that when D comes to install the new slim line that he may saw I have no LOS and refuse to install.

Where were you in relation to your existing dish when you took the photo?

I agree with jimrobinette, you'd be surprised how much signal will slip past those leaves. Can you go higher with the mast?

[inflames72]

ok, so is the application still good, cause i have dtv coming monday, and according to that site, it says at 4pm on oct 14th, or have i passed the premium days?

[litzdog911]

ok, so is the application still good, cause i have dtv coming monday, and according to that site, it says at 4pm on oct 14th, or have i passed the premium days?

It's still good. The sun is ~1-deg below the actual satellite locations now, but should still be close enough for siting your dish.

[golf4dj]

Where were you in relation to your existing dish when you took the photo?

I agree with jimrobinette, you'd be surprised how much signal will slip past those leaves. Can you go higher with the mast?

Picture was taken right next to the dish with camera resting on it. BTW - when I took the photo I was receiving signals on 119 mostly in the 50s with some 60s. No issues with picture quality. However, the least amount of rain caused issues.

Since I took the picture I rented a 40 ft ladder and lopped off the limb that was blocking the sun in my prior picture. I now have mid to high 90s across the board on 119. Scheduled for new slimline install tomorrow. I should have no issues with the install as long as the installer is willing to get on the roof.

[jimrobinette]

Let us know how the slimline install goes!

Picture was taken right next to the dish with camera resting on it. BTW - when I took the photo I was receiving signals on 119 mostly in the 50s with some 60s. No issues with picture quality. However, the least amount of rain caused issues.

Since I took the picture I rented a 40 ft ladder and lopped off the limb that was blocking the sun in my prior picture. I now have mid to high 90s across the board on 119. Scheduled for new slimline install tomorrow. I should have no issues with the install as long as the installer is willing to get on the roof.

[HIPAR]

It's best to have the beam clear the nearest obstacle by a few feet. I determined that with a web based Fresnel zone calculator.

--- CHAS

[islander66]

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but the 5NLB doesn't point directly at 110.

I was concerned about this and the second installer said the 110 was right at the sun (this was on Oct. 11th.) I even looked through his compass.

[litzdog911]

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but the 5NLB doesn't point directly at 110.

I was concerned about this and the second installer said the 110 was right at the sun (this was on Oct. 11th.) I even looked through his compass.

Correct. The 5-LNB is aimed at 101-deg W, unlike the 3-LNB dish that's aimed at 110-deg W. None of that really matters, though, unless you have clear line-of-site from the dish location to all 5 of DirecTV's main satellites at 99, 101, 103, 110 and 119-deg W. And some folks also need to "see" 95-deg W (International channels) or 72.5-deg W (for some city's local channels).

[SteveInNC]

I just wanted to say "thanks" to the OP. I found this thread the day before the calculator showed that the sun would be in position for the LOS to the DTV birds from my house (at various times throughout the day). It also happened to be a day that I was home for vacation :) I had had problems seeing a Dish bird from my previous mount point due to a tree. Expecting similar problems with DTV, the above information allowed me to find a different point in my yard that I can (theoretically) see the DTV birds. I verified the general information using the DishPointer site too. The acid test is in about five hours when the installer shows up...

[litzdog911]

I just wanted to say "thanks" to the OP. I found this thread the day before the calculator showed that the sun would be in position for the LOS to the DTV birds from my house (at various times throughout the day). It also happened to be a day that I was home for vacation :) I had had problems seeing a Dish bird from my previous mount point due to a tree. Expecting similar problems with DTV, the above information allowed me to find a different point in my yard that I can (theoretically) see the DTV birds. I verified the general information using the DishPointer site too. The acid test is in about five hours when the installer shows up...

You're welcome!

[SteveInNC]

As it turns out, this actually saved my install :D. I had used the sun position from Oct 9 to sight the birds for my location. I found one or two spots in my front yard (groan) that appeared to see the appropriate spots in the sky. I have big oak trees to the west in my and my neighbors' yards. A roof mount was not an option.

The installer came out and I mentioned that I had used the the above technique to find an ideal spot, but I think the technicalities of orbital mechanics were lost on him. He used an inclinometer and picked another place in the yard, near where I had originally had a dish (and a Dish), but had run into LOS problems. He's the expert, and had the appropriate tool, so I let him use his spot.

After all of the aiming, wiring, et al, we got everything but 119 - no signal. Big trees were just along the edge of that LOS. I reiterated that I had seen good LOS from a particular spot. He countered that there was a big tree in the arc of the azimuths to the birds from that spot, but I pointed out that the rays cast towards the specific orbital positions were clear LOS (I didn't describe it that way though, given the audience :) ). He called his boss and asked if the tree wouldn't be a problem. The boss said that it would. I told him I'd make it worth his while to try one more time (post hole, concrete et al). We rerouted the cables, which hadn't been buried yet, and he reset the dish at my location. After aiming, we had all of the birds. "Well, you taught us something today. What was that website?" I spotted him forty bucks.

I question the signal strength on some specific transponders, but in looking around here, it appears that some are naturally low/null in any case. My video signal has been fine on every channel I've tried, both standard and HD. This thread gave me the background to stick to my guns, and I got a successful install as a result. Now let's hope it really sticks. Thanks again.

As an aside, where I live has been under an extreme drought for most of the summer. It's been weeks since we've had measurable rain. When the installer showed up at 10:00, it began to rain, and continued sprinkling for the whole time that we were doing the install. As soon as we were done, the rain stopped...

[rwbuck]

Today I used this tool to check my line of sight. I live on the north side of a ridge with many tall trees. Many years ago I was a beta tester for starband and I was able to pick it up (along with the sat tv). I had full sun on 99, 101, 103, and 119. 110 was partially blocked by the top of a large oak tree. 99, 101, and 103 were on one side of the tree and 119 was on the other side. Can someone please educate me on how these birds work? Do I need to be able to see everyone of them? As always, I appreciate the help fom the members of this. The knowledge here is amazing!

[litzdog911]

If 110-deg W was only partially blocked, you might still be OK. Especially since the sun is now actually a couple of degrees lower than the actual satellite positions. This satellite beams a few of the nationwide HD channels, including HBO-East, Showtime East, Universal HD, TNT-HD, ESPN-HD, and HDNet Movies.

You can find out what channels are beamed from each satellite here ....
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/america.html

Note that your DirecTV installer might balk at installing without a clear line-of-sight to all 5 satellites.

[sooner13]

Hi, I have a 3 lnb dish running a SD DVR. If I want to put a HD DVR on this can I use a 2 lnb dish, as a second dish, to get the 2 new satellites? I live in Oklahoma. If I can do this what would be the settings for the second dish. Thanks.

[jwd45244]

Hi, I have a 3 lnb dish running a SD DVR. If I want to put a HD DVR on this can I use a 2 lnb dish, as a second dish, to get the 2 new satellites? I live in Oklahoma. If I can do this what would be the settings for the second dish. Thanks.

You can't

[sooner13]

You can't

So, I have to use a Slim line 5 lnb?

[jwd45244]

So, I have to use a Slim line 5 lnb?
That or the AT9 "Sidecar" Dish

[litzdog911]

Hi, I have a 3 lnb dish running a SD DVR. If I want to put a HD DVR on this can I use a 2 lnb dish, as a second dish, to get the 2 new satellites? I live in Oklahoma. If I can do this what would be the settings for the second dish. Thanks.

See the "multiple dish" link in my signature below. There are several schemes that can work.

[topperdude]

Thanks for the link to this site!

I plan to use my lat/long information (44.09N,92.5W) to try and figure out if we would be able to do a pole mount on the install date for DirecTV (still out a few weeks). Per the website, looks like best time to do this might be this Sunday late morning/afternoon. However, if the snow/rain forecast holds up, I might have to go out on Saturday (assuming there isnt much difference in sun's position between saturday and sunday at the same time of the day). Thoughts?

Am also trying to figure out how to use the lyngsat website to determine which satellites carry the channels we get in our area (zip code 55901). Would appreciate any help.

Thanks again,
-Topper

[litzdog911]

Thanks for the link to this site!

I plan to use my lat/long information (44.09N,92.5W) to try and figure out if we would be able to do a pole mount on the install date for DirecTV (still out a few weeks). Per the website, looks like best time to do this might be this Sunday late morning/afternoon. However, if the snow/rain forecast holds up, I might have to go out on Saturday (assuming there isnt much difference in sun's position between saturday and sunday at the same time of the day). Thoughts?

Am also trying to figure out how to use the lyngsat website to determine which satellites carry the channels we get in our area (zip code 55901). Would appreciate any help.

Thanks again,
-Topper

Besides Lyngsat, be sure to check out this information ....
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=121279

You actually have a several day window on either side of the ideal dates where the sun's location will be very close.

[MikeR7]

I used this system to check my LOS last Sunday and it worked like a charm, well, except for the clouds at 2:22 in the afternoon which caused no shadows to be seen for 119. The sun could be seen through them anyway and it looked like I had no problems from the dish to it. I mainly wanted to check to see if I had issues in the future with tree growth and was happy to see that I probably won't. I'll be in even better shape if they limit the span to 99-103 as the slides from today's presentation seemed to indicate. :)

[04Tang]

Can someone run the date and times for me? I can't seem to get this old computer to work on the site. I have trees all around and really would appreciate it.

M
zip = 28677

[litzdog911]

Can someone run the date and times for me? I can't seem to get this old computer to work on the site. I have trees all around and really would appreciate it.

M
zip = 28677

Your latitude = 35.8-deg N
Your longitude = 80.9-deg W

99-deg W: AZ=209-deg, EL=44.2-deg
Tues, March 4, and Wed, March 5, 18:57 GMT

101-deg W: AZ=212-deg, EL=43.3-deg
Tues, March 4 and Wed, March 5, 19:06 GMT

103-deg W: AZ=215-deg, EL=42.3-deg
Tues, March 4 and Wed, March 5, 19:15 GMT

110-deg W: AZ=224-deg, EL=38.3-deg
Wed, March 5 and Thur, March 6, 19:46 GMT

119-deg W: AZ=233-deg, EL=32.3-deg
Wed, March 5 and Thur, March 6, 20:26 GMT

Note that the window is pretty good for a few days on either side of the ideal days.

[04Tang]

Thanks for the quick response. I'll be out there today and tomorrow surveying the shadows.

M

[jimmyv2000]

I marked afew spots last fall and it worked!
had to set up spare dish yesterday after thursdays and fridays high winds.
I'll be fixed on wednesday!

[litzdog911]

I marked afew spots last fall and it worked!
had to set up spare dish yesterday after thursdays and fridays high winds.
I'll be fixed on wednesday!

Glad you found this information useful! Thanks.

[litzdog911]

Just updated the first post in this thread to reflect information for new satellites.

[tadfad]

Handy tool. Thanks litzdog.

A friend of mine is trying to figure out if there is line of sight over a nearby 5 story building. Elevation is the only issue in this case (for 99/101/103) and I think 119 is blocked but they don't need 119 and want an SL3 lnb. The sun won't be in the right position for another couple weeks, but I noticed the last line of the chart results shows "The Aqr is (red circle) is".

The explanation on the page states:
"The last line gives the time when the star with a red circle is behind the satellite."

Wondering because it will be in position tonight.

What is "aqr"? part of the aquarius constellation?
In other words, how do you spot the star?

Or are you supposed to use the celestial sphere to try to ballpark the position based on the night sky around the red circle? I stopped the sphere time at the correct time, but didn't see any recognizable constellation for the red circle.

In this case, at the time per the chart, the aqr will either be too low and blocked by the building or high enough to see above the building. I know the spot to look above on the building (the azimuth), but if the star is high enough, will I know it when I see it? Is it particularly bright? part of a constellation?

I've run dishpointer which calculates the height to clear the building along the line of sight and it will be very close. Hopefully the star will be sitting right above the building if we look from the balcony spot, but how do we know if we're seeing the right star or not above the building if we look at the right time?

I am obviously confused on this point. Has anyone tried using the aqr star rather than the sun or moon?

By the way, the 99.2 satellite resulted in the lowest elevation figure out of these three:99/101/103, but only by a little less than a degree compared to 101, but I thought it was worth calculating since it may be that close to clear the building.

[litzdog911]

tadfad:
I think it's referring to one of the stars in the Aquarius constellation ....
http://www.astro.uiuc.edu/~kaler/sow/etaaqr.html

But I've never tried using stars this way. Usually there are also a few days each month where the moon sweeps across the satellite plane, and that's much easier to see.

[Rocko62580]

I have taken pictures of my townhouse at the respective times indicated by this great post. Now, the question is, where do I mount my Direct TV dish? Here are my pictures from the 99.2 bird. The others to follow.

[Rocko62580]

Here is the 101 Bird.

[Rocko62580]

Here is the 102.8.

[Rocko62580]

The 110 bird.

[Rocko62580]

And finally the 119.

[litzdog911]

And finally the 119.

To the left of the upstairs window in the second photos looks like a suitable spot where no shadows appear. Note that you don't need to worry much about 110º or 119º (unless your SD locals are beamed from 119º).

[Rocko62580]

To the left of the upstairs window in the second photos looks like a suitable spot where no shadows appear. Note that you don't need to worry much about 110º or 119º (unless your SD locals are beamed from 119º).

Is there a way to tell exactly which channels will come off the 110, and 119? My zip code is 03253. Thanks in advance!

[litzdog911]

Is there a way to tell exactly which channels will come off the 110, and 119? My zip code is 03253. Thanks in advance!

This site shows which channels are beamed from each satellite ....
http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/america.html

Most likely you won't care about 110 and 119.

[litzdog911]

Bump.

It's that time of year again. This first week of March is the ideal week for most US cities.

[KC2LLW]

Litzdog,
I have a Suunto Tandem compass. My AZ & El for the 102.8 bird is 233AZ & 34.1EL when looking thru the el veiw finder on the compass at 32EL I clear the tops of the trees in my yard by a few feet is it safe to say I will be able to get a signal? The trees are mature and not growing any higher if anything they are starting to die. I am planing to put up a AU9 slimline 3lnb fpr the 99,101 and 103 birds
Thanks
Steve

[P Smith]

www.dishpointer.com

[litzdog911]

Litzdog,
I have a Suunto Tandem compass. My AZ & El for the 102.8 bird is 233AZ & 34.1EL when looking thru the el veiw finder on the compass at 32EL I clear the tops of the trees in my yard by a few feet is it safe to say I will be able to get a signal? The trees are mature and not growing any higher if anything they are starting to die. I am planing to put up a AU9 slimline 3lnb fpr the 99,101 and 103 birds
Thanks
Steve

Sounds like you're OK.

[jstandfest]

LitzDog, I wanted to make sure I understood this procedure correctly. I live in Traverse City, MI and put the longitude and latitude into the website and for yesterday and today and tomorrow I interpreted the website as saying the sun will be in the position of the Directv satellites at about 3:00pm EST. So I went out today and looked at the shadows cast by trees near my house and they missed the potential dish location by about 6'-10', meaning that I should have a clear LOS to all three (99, 101, 103) satellites.

Did I do everything correctly? Thank you for your input and review of my procedure. Helps alot because I had been thinking that I would have to cut down a very nice, BIG tree.

[P Smith]

Why you didn't use a URL from post#124 above ?

[Formula-350]

I've done all I can, and nothing works heh

Your Location
Latitude: 35.4438°
Longitude: -84.8214°

Satellite Data
Name: 110.0W DirecTV 5 | Echostar 10, 11
Distance: 37712km

Given the direction the line is on the map, from post #124, 110 looks to be the right one. I enter in all the data on that javascript page and every single Sat I enter is "Satellite is not visible". If I put in what Google and other sites put for my Lat/Lon, being that -84, it gives "Illegal Entry Number. Check Data. Use Decimal Degrees". Which I do :P Oh well. I have good signal, just thought I could tweak it since in the rain (even a drizzle) I have issues. And also the transponders on 101, down the middle, are generally in the mid-50s to mid-70s where the rest are high 90s :confused: So I figured the site might be able to help that.

[veryoldschool]

Your Location
Latitude: 35.4438°
Longitude: -84.8214°
Try:
35.4438° N
84.8214° W

[Formula-350]

Try:
35.4438° N
84.8214° W

That's what I had to put in after the -84 gave an error...

OK So I had an epiphany and thought... "What if I put 84 as N and 35 as W..."

Well, what happens is it works :lol:

Not that I quite follow it anyways, but seems like Oct 7th was the day that the sun and a sat would have lined up with in 0.02. Today it'll be 5.24. So quite a bit lower. Oh well, nifty to tinker with!

[veryoldschool]

That's what I had to put in after the -84 gave an error...

OK So I had an epiphany and thought... "What if I put 84 as N and 35 as W..."

Well, what happens is it works :lol:

Not that I quite follow it anyways, but seems like Oct 7th was the day that the sun and a sat would have lined up with in 0.02. Today it'll be 5.24. So quite a bit lower. Oh well, nifty to tinker with!
I had to use this last week. With some "dicking around" I found two times where one would be AZ and the other would be EL.

"What if I put 84 as N and 35 as W..."
You'd be in Greenland