Just got dish vip211k recvr and winegard

[BCSDAVID]

Please forgive my ignorance I'm new to sat tv. Just got dish vip211k recvr and winegard anser carryout dish/antenna for my RV. I've got it working, but limping. What's the best way to learn the basics of satellite selection in location, alternates for obstructions, and how transponders affect reception, if they do?
After days searching the web, dish and winegard tech support, Im missing how it all fits together! in reading your forum, it appears many of you are experts, and I hope one of you will point me in the right direction.
Man to men: I'm hosting a big tailgate in Tallahassee this weekend, and I don't want to be the guy with a tree to the south and no game on for my guests! Right now, I'm in Panama City, and can only pick up satellite 110 with NO ESPN. ANY HELP APPRECIATED

 

[Bobby]

Can you take a picture from just behind your Winegard, looking south and post it? It might help to see what's going on...

 

[Scherrman]

I'm sure we'll be able to help you out with a little extra info from you but I also suggest watching these videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9KXj7FvxtM&feature=share&list=UU2M06jGR32p-dIHTs54u48Q

 

[harshness]

What's the best way to learn the basics of satellite selection in location, alternates for obstructions, and how transponders affect reception, if they do?

Experimentation.

The first thing to understand is what you don't need to be concerned with.

1. You don't select the satellites. A proper dish sees all the necessary satellites at once and deals with them as appropriate. Lesser dishes may force you to reposition the dish to effect a channel change.

2. You need to be specific about the model of the dish you have. Winegard offers several (including fully automatic models) and some of them aren't optimal (the ones that only see a single satellite slot). It is also imperative to know how the dish is to be mounted.

3. Alternates are typically not an option; especially if you're on the East or West Coast. There may be workarounds here but good siting for the dish is very important.

4. Transponders have nothing to do with reception. You either get them or you don't. Some may be weaker than others but they're all located on the same spacecraft a little over 22,000 miles away.

What you need to concern yourself with is a clear view of the sky in the direction of the satellites and having the proper azimuth (compass direction), elevation (angle above level) and skew (east-west slant) numbers for your dish and location. No amount of knowledge or hardware is going to overcome not having a clear visual path (discounting clouds or fog) between the dish and the satellites.

 

[TheKrell]

I see ESPN2 and Deportes is on 110, but ESPN itself is on 119. So... Your job is to get your antenna to point to 119 (or 72.7). I am not familiar with an single-satellite automatic antenna that claims:

The Carryout Anser is designed with a larger reflector for superior gain that allows the unique ability to receive DISH HD programming from a single satellite; a key advantage over other automatic antennas that toggle between 3 satellites to receive DISH programming.

Even smaller dishes receive HD from single satellites, so what's so unique about the Anser? There is HD all over the place (on most if not all Dish satellite locations). But the most national HD channels on one satellite has got to be on 72.7.