How hard is it to add a dish

[ekilgus]

I currently have a Dish 1000 pointed at the usual 3 sats (110,119,129). I would like to get the programming from 61.5 as well. I think I need to add another dish (probably a dish 500) and point it at the 61.5 then combine the signals (with a DP44 switch?). Is this correct?
How difficult is it to point a dish at a particular sat? The dish store sells a satellite finder for $19.95. My dish is currently mounted on a pole.
Is there a better way to set up to be able to receive from all 4 sats?

Thanks.

 

[SmityWhity]

The LNBF on your Dish 1000 are probably a DPP Twin (119 & 110) and a DP Dual (129) which plugs into the DPP Twin. With this setup, you currently do not need an external switch such as the DP34 or DPP44.

So you are right, you will need a DPP44. Then you will need to remove the 3 cables going into the DPP Twin. Then run 2 cables from the DPP44 to the first 2 Sat Inputs on the DPP44. Then run a cable from the DP Dual to the 3rd position on the DPP44. After you get your Dish 300 (or 500) mounted and peaked, you will connect it to the 4th position. Then you will take the cable(s) from the receiver(s) and connect them to the DPP44 Receiver Output(s). The DPP44 will also need power supplied to the Receiver Port 1, this can be done where the RG6 cable connects to the receiver.

The hardest part will be determining where to mount your Dish 300, which is smaller, even if you are using a Dish 500 with a single DP Dual LNBF. You will need to know where it can be mounted and have a direct line of sight to the 61.5 bird.

Go to the Dish Point Screen for your receiver (Menu, 6, 1, 1).
Select Dish 300, Sat 61.5, enter your correct Zip Code and get the Azimuth.
Then you can use a compass to help determine if you will have line of sight.

I don't know how well it works, but there is a program that will tell you if you have line of sight by using the sun. If you can see the sun at a certain time of day at a particular spot, then you will have a clear line of sight. If you are pretty sure that you have line of sight. Then mount the Dish 300, and then look for the 61.5 by being patient.

I'm sure someone will provide some more info, and if you have more questions, please ask. I personally think it's easy to find and add another satellite orbital location.

 

[Jim5506]

Exactly what do you need off 61.5 that is not already on 129?

About the only thing there is some international programming and a couple of public service channels.

It is not difficult to set up and align a one satellite dish. Do a search, I and others have described dish alignment nearly a dozen times on these forums.

 

[Fredinva]

Yes, get another dish.
But swap your chitty 1000 for a 1000.2
(you won't need 61.5)

 

[Jim5506]

On the high plains of West Texas, my Dish1000 does just fine. Very few drop outs and good solid signal. I peaked it myself on 129.

Also make sure the cable run from the dish to receiver is as short as possible with as few joints as possible.