hi radar,am i right about my true south with the longitude and latitude that i came up with...just wanted to be sure?
ICU,
Yes, you are correct.
Whatever your site location's LONGITUDE coordinate is, that is what your true southern satellite's orbital position should be. Please note however, that this is NOT a mandatory rule, it is the merely the best recommendation.
Since your personal longitude is 88.08°W, your true southern satellite (in an ideal world) would be a satellite at ~88.1°W. Obviously, there isn't a satellite at that precise orbital location, but AMC 3 @ 87.0°W or Galaxy 28 @ 89.0°W are close enough. You may use either.
The closer the satellite's position is to your site's longitude position (in degree numbers) the simpler, quicker and more accurate your installation process will be.
Although it is absolutely possible to use nearly any satellite to align your dish and motor, the further away that satellite is from your true (ideal) southern satellite, the more work and thinking you will be required to do and the more time you will be required to spend. So, try your hardest to pick the satellite that is closest to your true south. The closer you are, the easier your life will be!
Also, if the satellite you select to use has many strong TPs which are active all the time (not "come-and-go" feed TPs) all the better for you. It is always nice to know that you can rely upon a specific TP to always be on-line (broadcasting a signal) when you go out to align your dish and motor. You wouldn't want to pick a FEED TP unknowingly and spend an entire afternoon trying to align your dish and motor to a signal that isn't there!
One major point to be stated beyond what I have mentioned above is to ensure that you have ALL your settings absolutely correct before you begin searching for signals and aligning your dish and motor. Improper or incomplete settings are some of the most common errors that are made.
Good luck and happy hunting!
RADAR