[2psnapod2]

Hello, and this is my first post. So pardon me if I do something wrong here. I have a HD dish and need to start learning how to set up the dish once I move. I have had DTv for about 3 months now and it works great. But I plan on moving our coach for a few days and plan on taking the dish with me for the first time. I have a really nice tripod that the dish sets on. What do I need to do to insure that I can set up and have Sat pretty easy? I have a small analog meter but need any advice I can get for how to move the dish.

Thanks in advance,
Michael

 

[Richierich]

I would PM Flugelman when you are allowed to do so after 5 Posts as he is most knowledgeable about your situation.

Here are a couple of Posts from Flugelman about my RV Situation.

"I use my HR22-100 with the Slimline dish/ SL3 SWM LNB. You only need the 3 lnb since most programming is moving off the 110/119 sats. The SWM lnb requires a power inserter (21V) in line downstream from the receiver. I plug mine in at the block heater plug in the power compartment right next to the cable TV jack. Using the SWM technology allows me to use a single cable into the receiver to connect both tuners.

Winegard makes a powered 3 or 5 LNB crank-up antenna http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...p?prod=SK-3005 .

I find that it is pretty easy to set up the Slimline with the right meter and splitter. It takes me about 30 minutes from start to finish."

"I use the Acutrac22 meter, http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...od=SACUTRACPRO, and the ASL-1 splitter, http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=ASL-1 . The splitter is required on SWM to break out the 101 satellite for the meter. Without it, the meter reads a max signal no matter where the dish is pointed."

 

[Jodean]

The free easy way is to put your zip code into the sat setup page on your receiver. Adjust the dish accordingly. (hopefully whoever set it up for you showed you what to do, I usually go over it a couple times and even let them aim it a time or two before i leave)

Then setup your tripod so its almost plumb or as close as you can get, i recommend getting a torpedo level with magnetic strip to help setup the tripod.

From there you use your signal meter (not transponder page) and swing the dish till you get a signal, lock it down, dither it in.

Maybe 10 minutes tops

 

[BobStokesbary]

2psnapod2,
To get you the information you want, it would be very helpful to know what kind of a setup you have now and whether you set it up the first time or an installer set it up for you. Given that you only have 1 or 2 receivers, I would suspect that you have the standard Slimline dish (versus a SWM setup). Knowing this is critical to knowing what kind of equipment you need. (For example, you cannot align a SWM dish with a simple analog meter.)

Second, how often you you move in a year? This too would help define what equipment you need since it gets more cost effective to invest in some of the more expensive equipment if you move often. Otherwise, spending a few more minutes with basic equipment can save some money.

Third, you say you have a really nice tripod that the dish sits on. It would be far more helpful to know what kind of tripod you have. Is is the basic steel tripod (which is the one I have) or the more expensive one that looks like a surveyors setup?

Fourth, what is your level of experience? From the tone of your post it sounds like this is a first time effort for you. We have all been there, but we need to know because means you just need more detailed information.

The more information you give, the better answer you will get.

 

[Flugelman]

Thanks Rich, saves me the trouble of looking up my old posts.

One thing to remember setting up the SWM LNB with the Accutrac is that you must power up the LNB (with the power inserter) and do the alignment before turning the reciever (set top box) on.

 

[Jodean]

I would toss the analog meter as it picks up any random satellite in the sky

 

[carl6]

Also make use of www.dishpointer.com - very handy for where to start.

 

[2psnapod2]

2psnapod2,
To get you the information you want, it would be very helpful to know what kind of a setup you have now and whether you set it up the first time or an installer set it up for you. Given that you only have 1 or 2 receivers, I would suspect that you have the standard Slimline dish (versus a SWM setup). Knowing this is critical to knowing what kind of equipment you need. (For example, you cannot align a SWM dish with a simple analog meter.)

Second, how often you you move in a year? This too would help define what equipment you need since it gets more cost effective to invest in some of the more expensive equipment if you move often. Otherwise, spending a few more minutes with basic equipment can save some money.

Third, you say you have a really nice tripod that the dish sits on. It would be far more helpful to know what kind of tripod you have. Is is the basic steel tripod (which is the one I have) or the more expensive one that looks like a surveyors setup?

Fourth, what is your level of experience? From the tone of your post it sounds like this is a first time effort for you. We have all been there, but we need to know because means you just need more detailed information.

The more information you give, the better answer you will get.

Everyone thanks for responding to my post. Let me give you a long story of my setup and usage.

I have never aimed the dish. The installer was pretty good at what he did but did not have the time to show me how to set up the dish much. I did see how he moved the dish and also screwed it. But that was about it.

I have 3 receivers in my Coach. The installer did say he set my outside receiver up as the primary. Not sure what that really means. I have an HR34 receiver in the living area and also the same very small receiver in the bedroom. All are connected to a SVM Switch and has a power connector tied in around where my RG6 cable from the dish goes into the coach. The Tripod that I have is this one that I have attached.

As far as how many times a year I will be moving, I do plan on moving a lot. I know that they have the expensive dish setups that mount on top of my coach but do to the cost and the fact that I will sometimes be parked under trees (I anticipate more often), I went with the standard HD dish. This is why I did invest in a nicer tripod. I would by a little nicer meter if I knew which one was best for me. I did see a few for around 100 to 150 but was not sure if they where what I really needed as the few PPL that I have spoke with says its easy. Just not sure it is as easy as they say it is.

So I hope this reply helps with what I have and info needed. I am anxiously awaiting your reply's (at work). So I will not be able to reply until this evening.

Thanks for your advice,
Michael

 

[2psnapod2]

Thanks Rich, saves me the trouble of looking up my old posts.

One thing to remember setting up the SWM LNB with the Accutrac is that you must power up the LNB (with the power inserter) and do the alignment before turning the reciever (set top box) on.

If I have to set up the dish and tune it is before I turn on my receivers, I will not be able to use the receiver to give me the info using the zip code as stated in another post here. I am so new to this I don't know where to start I guess. If my analog meter is no good, and I should buy a new one (I did look at the acutracpro and that is no problem) The splitter looks like something the installer already added to my set up. Not sure about if I need another one or not.

 

[2psnapod2]

" i recommend getting a torpedo level with magnetic strip to help setup the tripod."


The Tripod that I have came with a bubble level. I am thinking that this is actually better than a torpedo level correct?

 

[carl6]

If I have to set up the dish and tune it is before I turn on my receivers, I will not be able to use the receiver to give me the info using the zip code as stated in another post here.

Look up the settings before you disconnect your dish at the old location - just put in the new zip code. But also, look at the www.dishpointer.com site I linked above. You can get your settings there.

Once you have what you think you need to do your dish, before you move anyplace, carefully mark all the mating surfaces, where the tripod, sits, etc. Then take it apart and put it back together and try to align it. That should be pretty easy, because you will be setting it back up exactly where it already is. Do this 2 or 3 times until you get the hang of it. Then move the tripod 20 or 30 feet away and do it again.

 

[Jodean]

If you need to aim the dish with no receiver or PI you are looking at about $600 to $800 for super budy that powers a swm lnb.

You can buy all kinds of stuff or just turn on your outdoor receiver and tv and aim it for free.

As said once you do this 2 or 3 times it becomes very easy after that.

Most of the time the bubble in a good tripod will work if its not banged around, i always use a torpedo level

 

[BobStokesbary]

Michael,
Perfect. You have a number of ways to approach this. For reference sake you need to know that you have a SWM setup. Your picture is small, but it looks like the standard SWM LNB3. Since the HR34 is in the living room, I am going to assume you have something like an H25 in the basement. I am also going to assume that you can put your setup within viewing distance of your basement (outdoor) TV. This greatly simplifies things since you can use the receiver's signal strength meters for your alignment.

The setup is straight-forward, but it does take some practice. If your tripod mount is what I think it is, you have leveling indicators on the head. This is important because the most important step in doing the dish setup is getting the mounting pole perfectly vertical. If it doesn't have built-in levels, you need to get a good level (I use a pole leveler for my tripod). Miss getting the mounting pole vertical and everything else fails.

The next step is getting setup on sat 101. Some use the receiver, I use dishpointer.com. You need to enter DIRECTV 101 in the satellite window and the zip code of where you are located in the location box. Using a magnetic compass, align the arm on your dish to point at the azimuth indicated for your location. Preset the elevation on the dish (you will see numbers on the bolts that hold the dish from going up and down). There should be a red line on the back of the holder. Set this line on the elevation you get from the dispointer.com site and tighten these bolts. Finally, using the tilt settings on dishpointer.com set the tilt + or - based on 90 degrees. Tighten the bolts on the tilt. This gets you close enough to get some signal so that you can now peak alignment.

Next, you need to get the receiver signal meters showing on your basement TV. Use your remote to enter MENU>Settings & Help>Settings>Satellite>View Signal Strength>Signal Meters. Your receiver will automatically start at Satellite 101. You need to slowly move your dish left and right looking for the highest signal strength you can get. When you have the highest number make sure that the bolts that allow the dish to rotate are tightened enough that the dish cannot move while you adjust the elevation. Now loosen the bolts that hold the elevation and move the dish up and down for the highest reading. This takes some practice, but it is necessary to get the best elevation reading you can get. I leave some tension on one of the bolts so I can tighten it when I have the highest reading. Now you have the basic, and most important settings done.

Change your satellite setting to either 99 or 101 and gently move the tilt one way then the other for the best signal strength on the screen meter. Tighten things down when you have the best strength.

This is as far as I go when we are on the road. You can do the dithering for maximum signal strength, but I find it not necessary when I am moving down the road.

If you can't see the basement TV while you are setting up your dish, you will need to get a meter. I use the Accutrac Pro 22 with the DirecTV ASL unit. But, there are slightly less expensive meters available. You certainly do not need one of the very expensive installer meters to do RV setup.

I would certainly give the option of using the basement TV for alignment a try.

Hope this helps,
Bob

 

[2psnapod2]

BobStokesbary, wow what a great reply. I feel so much better about doing this now, due to your post. I will definitely be using your step by step instructions and working thru this. I will try it first without the the Accutrac, but I think I will go ahead and get one for later.

With the Accutrac you say that you need a DirecTV ASL unit, I could not find a pic of that on the net. Can you post a pic of it along with how you are using it with the meter? I saw that it is bought with the meter but I am not understanding that set up.

Thanks again,
Michael

 

[BobStokesbary]

Michael,
The only place that I know that still sells the ASL unit is here. Solid Signal which is one of the forum sponsors seems to have stopped carrying this unit.

Just to let you know there are a few additional steps when you use the Accutrac with the ASL. You always have to make sure that you do not have your dish connected to your system. This is not difficult since you usually don't have it connected when you are setting up. But, the Accutrac must be stand-alone when you do the aiming. It also does not have enough power to drive the SWM head so you need to add power. To make this easier, I would recommend buying an additional power inserter to use only during setup. This makes things easier.

Do enjoy setting you satellite yourself. It gets easier each time you do it. And your setup (like mine) guarantees that it can be upgraded easily when things change.

Bob

 

[carl6]

To add just a little to what Bob posted ...

You may not see a signal when you first place and aim your dish. In fact, most of the time I would expect that you won't see a signal. So start by moving the dish left and right S L O W L Y looking for a signal. Move it just a tiny amount (maybe move the LNB about an inch), pause and check for signal, then move it again, stop and check for signal. Continue this process going left and right of your starting point as much as 10 degrees. You should certainly find your signal doing this.

As I posted earlier, before you try this for the first time, you should practice with your existing dish/location. Mark where your dish is (mark across the dish mount and the mast so you can move back to that exact position). Then loosen the bolts that hold the azimuth on your dish. Move the dish off alignment. Then (ignoring your marks), practice moving the dish and finding a signal. This will get you used to how far, and how fast, you can make the azimuth adjustment and find a signal. Try the same for elevation. Once you have done this a couple of times, it will be MUCH easier the first time you try at a new location.