Line of sight question (trees)

1213 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by rustynails, Sep 11, 2008

Jared701

Discussion Starter · Sep 9, 2008

I have read varying reports on how clear the sight to the satellite must be in order to get signal. I *may* have tree branches partially blocking view to the 99, 101 and 103 satellites (hard to measure exact height of tree, distance to tree but the signal may go barely over it or hit the top part) I have found that these are the 3 most important satellites for HD and SD stations in my area from other sites. Will a branch/leaf completely block the signal or just lower it? How big of area is needed for the signal? If I made basically a blanket of super thin leaves would that completely block the signal? I rent and must install the satellite on my balcony so switching locations for it isn't an option and trimming the tree isn't a very feasable option either.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Mertzen

· #2 · Sep 9, 2008

Most of the times it completely blocks the signal unless you really are on the fringe.
I see the elevation in MO is 44.0° which is not all too bad. Make a 45 degree angle with you arm and see where it goes.
You must also account for future growth though.

veryoldschool

· #3 · Sep 9, 2008

:welcome_s to DBSTalk

It's not as much the leaves as the water in them, that kills the signal.

Check this site out for some more info: http://www.dishpointer.com/
The map can give you a fairly good idea of what is/could be problems.

curt8403

· #4 · Sep 10, 2008

veryoldschool said:
:welcome_s to DBSTalk

It's not as much the leaves as the water in them, that kills the signal.

Check this site out for some more info: http://www.dishpointer.com/
The map can give you a fairly good idea of what is/could be problems.

leaves, if they were made from aluminum or Steel would still block signal. but VeryOldSchool is correct, it is water that is the real issue

evan_s

· #5 · Sep 10, 2008

If your signal just barely clears the tree now you'll likely experience issues soon enough. Trees have this nasty habit of growing =)

Best to find someplace else where you've got a better LOS if you can. If not you'll probably need to keep the tree trimmed if you want to try and have DirecTV.

curt8403

· #6 · Sep 10, 2008

evan_s said:
If your signal just barely clears the tree now you'll likely experience issues soon enough. Trees have this nasty habit of growing =)

Best to find someplace else where you've got a better LOS if you can. If not you'll probably need to keep the tree trimmed if you want to try and have DirecTV.

trees also fear chainsaws for some odd reason/

litzdog911

· #7 · Sep 10, 2008

We're coming up on the time of year when the sun can be easily used to help you determine suitable dish locations. See the link in my signature below.

curt8403

· #8 · Sep 10, 2008

litzdog911 said:
We're coming up on the time of year when the sun can be easily used to help you determine suitable dish locations. See the link in my signature below.

yes indeed, and Dishpointer.com can easily be used an anything of year

veryoldschool

· #9 · Sep 10, 2008

curt8403 said:
yes indeed, and Dishpointer.com can easily be used an anything of year

Unless you're very good with trig and can guess the height of a tall tree, waiting for next month and "seeing" where may be more accurate.

barryb

· #10 · Sep 10, 2008

(background music: Rush, The Trees)

See less See more

curt8403

· #11 · Sep 10, 2008

barryb said:
(background music: Rush, The Trees)

Hatchet, Axe, and Saw.

barryb

· #12 · Sep 10, 2008

curt8403 said:
Hatchet, Axe, and Saw.

There is unrest in the forest,
There is trouble with the trees,
For the dishes want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas.

The trouble with the dishes,
(And they're quite convinced they're right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light.
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made.
And they wonder why the dishes
Can't be happy in their shade.

There is trouble in the forest,
And the creatures all have fled,
As the dishes scream "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the dishes formed a union
And demanded equal rights.
"The oaks are just too greedy;
We will make them give us light."
Now there's no more oak oppression,
For they passed a noble law,
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw.

See less See more

barryb

· #13 · Sep 10, 2008

One thing that always should be considered Jared701: trees grow, so plan for what line of site you will have years from now.

I did not, and rain fade did become an issue this last year. Luckily for me the trees in question where on my property. Even though I was being Mr. Funny Pants above, I do like my trees a bunch. It just happened that boring beetles took the life out of them, and they had to be taken down.

Bottom line is if you are going to have possible issues now, in time whey will be come bigger issues.

Jared701

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 10, 2008

well it turns out that I epically fail with a compass. Live trees will NOT be an issue

I simply have to trim like 3 braches off a tree and have a huge line of sight to the 99, 101 and 103 satellites. Does anyone know if I must get sight from 110 and 119 satellites for the installer to hook it up? I read that at least the guide used to come from the 119 satellite, but conflicting reports to if it still does and if you MUST be able ot see these 2 in order for directv to set up the satellite for you.

BattleZone

· #15 · Sep 10, 2008

Most areas do not YET have the Slimline-3 dish available yet, so they will not do an install without 119/110. If/when the SL3 becomes available in your area, and techs are trained on it, it should be no problem.

joe diamond

· #16 · Sep 10, 2008

IIP said:
Most areas do not YET have the Slimline-3 dish available yet, so they will not do an install without 119/110. If/when the SL3 becomes available in your area, and techs are trained on it, it should be no problem.

Again,

In rural areas only...........one can trim trees with at least a12 ga shotgun with at least BB or #2 shot. Nobody shoots deer rounds or buck shot well enough to hit the limbs.

And the local HSOs are not willing to share their knowledge about anything having to do with new eq beyond the latest AT-9 stuff. It id like the last piece of toilet paper to them.

All the good stuff is on this site.

Joe

rustynails

· #17 · Sep 11, 2008

barryb said:
One thing that always should be considered Jared701: trees grow, so plan for what line of site you will have years from now.

I did not, and rain fade did become an issue this last year. Luckily for me the trees in question where on my property. Even though I was being Mr. Funny Pants above, I do like my trees a bunch. It just happened that boring beetles took the life out of them, and they had to be taken down.

Bottom line is if you are going to have possible issues now, in time whey will be come bigger issues.

Ten years ago trees weren't a problem when I installed my own Dish and E service, but 3 months ago it became an issue and I couldn't get sat 129 so I had to go with D.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.