how to adjust a slim directv dish?

[manuelpaz]

Hi guys

i always have some problems with the realign of a slim 3 sats (101,103,99)
i'm using a old birdog 2.5 with a standard 3 satellite slim, but i got 101 ka/ku good but no enough with the 99 or 103 when i try to activate always i have to realign the dish more that three times. any comments will be helpfull .do i have to realign the two bolts ( for elevation and azimuth) is this always i haveto do it??

 

[Jimbo]

If you have the 101 nailed, mid 90's and can't get the 99 or 103 then your TILT is probably off, also make sure that your mast is PLUMB, that is the most important part, if the mast is not plumb, you'll get the 101 and the rest will be off.

 

[raoul5788]

It sounds like your mast may not be plumb. Check it carefully, it's important! Set the skew and elevation like the menu says but keep the azimuth bolts loose. Swing the dish slowly and when you get a strong signal on the 101, tighten the bolts enough to keep the dish from moving easily. Make adjustments enough to get the numbers on 101 in the 90s. Then check 99 and 103. Hopefully you will show some signal there, too. Push lightly on the back of the dish on all four "corners" and see what that does to the signal strength numbers. That should tell you which way to make the fine adjustments. You should be able to get them in the upper 80s and 90s. Good luck and don't give up! Get back to us and tell us how it went.

 

[charper1]

ditto for mast not level and/or plumb

 

[Jimbo]

It sounds like your mast may not be plumb. Check it carefully, it's important! Set the skew and elevation like the menu says but keep the azimuth bolts loose. Swing the dish slowly and when you get a strong signal on the 101, tighten the bolts enough to keep the dish from moving easily. Make adjustments enough to get the numbers on 101 in the 90s. Then check 99 and 103. Hopefully you will show some signal there, too. Push lightly on the back of the dish on all four "corners" and see what that does to the signal strength numbers. That should tell you which way to make the fine adjustments. You should be able to get them in the upper 80s and 90s. Good luck and don't give up! Get back to us and tell us how it went.

Snug up the bolts before you push on the sides so that you don't lose your signal you just found.

Once you have signal on all three, use the adjustment bolts to fine tune it further if needed.

 

[stardust3]

You should use the signal to noise function on that birdog. Once locked & found on 101 press the on button once, that will put the meter in that mode. Peak it out in that mode & it will help you, it is much more sensitive. Again, a plumb mast is imperative, if skew is calling for 66 it better be 66, 1 or 2 degrees off on skew is the difference between passing or failing.

 

[manuelpaz]

thanks guys. i keep it in mind. more threas welcome.