Satfinder / Site survey help

[ghia]

I have read through lots of information here on mpeg/fta and have decided I would like to get started with a site survey. I have downloaded the Satfinder program, but I am confues as to how the data relates to my compass readings. For example when I installed my OTA ant antweb gave me specific degree to am at for certain stations. I used a compass and pointed the ant and all was good. Any help would be appriciated. Here is what Satfinder returns for me.

Garland, TX 75044
Latitude 32° 57.132'N Longitude 96° 39.924'W

Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m) El Skew
-------------------------------------------------------------
*** Of Particular Interest ***

EchoStar 3 61.5W 127.7 122.7 36.3 -41.6
EchoStar 6 110.0W 203.5 198.6 49.0 19.6
EchoStar 8 110.0W 203.5 198.6 49.0 19.6
EchoStar 7 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4
EchoStar 5 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4
EchoStar 9/Telstar 13 121.0W 219.7 214.8 43.6 32.4
EchoStar 1 148.0W 246.5 241.5 23.7 50.3
EchoStar 2 148.0W 246.5 241.5 23.7 50.3
EchoStar 4 157.0W 252.8 247.8 16.2 53.3

DirecTV 3 81.8W 154.0 149.0 48.4 -21.6
DirecTV 2 100.8W 187.6 182.6 51.4 6.3
DirecTV 1R 100.8W 187.6 182.6 51.4 6.3
DirecTV 1 101.0W 187.9 182.9 51.4 6.7
DirecTV 4S 101.2W 188.3 183.3 51.4 7.0
DirecTV 6 109.8W 203.2 198.2 49.1 19.3
DirecTV 5 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4

*** All Satellites 61W - 160W ***

EchoStar 3 61.5W 127.7 122.7 36.3 -41.6
Rainbow 1 61.5W 127.7 122.7 36.3 -41.6
Brasilsat A2 (incl. 5.8 deg) 63.0W 129.2 124.3 37.4 -40.5
Brasilsat B2 65.0W 131.4 126.4 38.8 -39.0
Brasilsat B1 70.0W 137.3 132.3 42.1 -34.7
Nahuel 1 71.8W 139.6 134.6 43.3 -33.0
AMC 6 72.0W 139.8 134.8 43.4 -32.8
Galaxy 12 74.0W 142.5 137.5 44.6 -30.7
SBS 6 74.0W 142.5 137.5 44.6 -30.7
GOES 12 75.0W 143.9 138.9 45.1 -29.7
AMC 5 79.0W 149.7 144.7 47.2 -25.1
DirecTV 3 81.8W 154.0 149.0 48.4 -21.6
Nimiq 2 82.0W 154.3 149.3 48.5 -21.3
Brasilsat B3 84.0W 157.6 152.6 49.3 -18.7
XM Roll 85.0W 159.2 154.2 49.6 -17.3
AMC 9 85.0W 159.2 154.2 49.6 -17.3
AMC 3 87.0W 162.6 157.6 50.3 -14.5
Galaxy 9 91.0W 169.7 164.7 51.2 -8.7
Galaxy 11 91.0W 169.7 164.7 51.2 -8.7
Nimiq 1 91.0W 169.7 164.7 51.2 -8.7
Brasilsat B4 92.0W 171.5 166.5 51.3 -7.2
Telstar 6 93.0W 173.3 168.3 51.5 -5.6
Galaxy 8I (incl. 1.0 deg) 95.0W 176.9 172.0 51.6 -2.6
Galaxy 3C 95.0W 176.9 172.0 51.6 -2.6
Telstar 5 97.0W 180.6 175.6 51.7 0.5
Inmarsat 2 f2 (incl. 1.7 deg) 98.0W 182.5 177.5 51.6 2.1
Galaxy 4R 99.0W 184.3 179.3 51.6 3.6
DirecTV 2 100.8W 187.6 182.6 51.4 6.3
DirecTV 1R 100.8W 187.6 182.6 51.4 6.3
AMC 4 101.0W 187.9 182.9 51.4 6.7
DirecTV 1 101.0W 187.9 182.9 51.4 6.7
AMSC 1 101.1W 188.1 183.1 51.4 6.8
DirecTV 4S 101.2W 188.3 183.3 51.4 7.0
AMC 1 103.0W 191.5 186.6 51.1 9.7
Solidaridad 1 (incl. 2.8 deg) 103.5W 192.4 187.4 51.0 10.4
AMC 2 105.0W 195.1 190.1 50.6 12.6
G-Star 3 (incl. 11.5 deg) 105.0W 195.1 190.1 50.6 12.6
G-Star 1 (incl. 6.0 deg) 105.0W 195.1 190.1 50.6 12.6
MSAT 1 106.5W 197.7 192.7 50.2 14.8
Anik F1 107.3W 199.0 194.1 50.0 15.9
Anik E1 109.2W 202.2 197.2 49.3 18.5
DirecTV 6 109.8W 203.2 198.2 49.1 19.3
EchoStar 6 110.0W 203.5 198.6 49.0 19.6
EchoStar 8 110.0W 203.5 198.6 49.0 19.6
Anik E2R 111.1W 205.3 200.3 48.6 21.0
Solidaridad 2 113.0W 208.3 203.3 47.8 23.5
Morelos 2 (incl. 4.4 deg) 114.9W 211.2 206.2 46.9 25.8
XM Rock 115.0W 211.4 206.4 46.9 25.9
SatMex 5 116.8W 214.0 209.0 45.9 28.0
Anik E2 118.7W 216.7 211.7 44.9 30.1
DirecTV 5 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4
EchoStar 7 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4
EchoStar 5 119.0W 217.1 212.1 44.7 30.4
EchoStar 9/Telstar 13 121.0W 219.7 214.8 43.6 32.4
Galaxy 10R 123.0W 222.3 217.3 42.3 34.4
Galaxy 5 125.0W 224.8 219.8 41.1 36.2
Galaxy 12 125.0W 224.8 219.8 41.1 36.2
Galaxy 13 127.0W 227.1 222.1 39.7 37.9
Telstar 7 129.0W 229.3 224.3 38.3 39.5
Satcom C3 131.0W 231.5 226.5 36.9 41.0
Galaxy 1R 133.0W 233.5 228.5 35.5 42.4
Satcom C4 135.0W 235.5 230.5 34.0 43.7
GOES 10 135.5W 236.0 231.0 33.6 44.0
AMC 7 137.0W 237.4 232.4 32.4 45.0
AMC 8 139.0W 239.2 234.2 30.9 46.1
Inmarsat 2 f3 (incl. 1.9 deg) 142.0W 241.7 236.8 28.5 47.7
EchoStar 1 148.0W 246.5 241.5 23.7 50.3
EchoStar 2 148.0W 246.5 241.5 23.7 50.3
TDRS 9 (incl. 7.4 deg) 151.0W 248.7 243.7 21.2 51.4
TDRS 10 (incl. 6.2 deg) 151.0W 248.7 243.7 21.2 51.4
EchoStar 4 157.0W 252.8 247.8 16.2 53.3

Satellite Finder is (c) Copyright 2004, P. Lutus

 

[Shawn95GT]

Look at the column titles.

Sat Name = sat name
Sat Lng = sat longitude
Az(t) = azimuth (true) use this on a declination corrected compass
Az(m) = azimuth (magnetic) use this on a basic compass
El = Elevation
Skew = Skew

 

[ghia]

Az(m) = azimuth (magnetic) use this on a basic compass


great thanks! this is the one I needed.

 

[ghia]

My results are mixed, It looks like I can get a clear view of just about everything if I can get the dish high enough. I live on a zerolot line property and the neighbors roof is in the way elevation wise. I was originally planning on a pole mount as I did not want to drill holes in the roof, however it looks like I would need a 10 to 13 foot pole. Is this reasonable?

 

[PSB]

Not without stabilization, if the dish moves so much as an 1/8" you will lose the picture, it will be breaking up constantly in the wind. KU signals are very weak so the dish has to be VERY stable.
The building would have to be VERY close or TALL to block the satellites at the top of your ark.
Do you have a height of the building and the distance away from the dish (in feet')?

 

[ken2400]

So there house is higher than yours? A pole running up the side of your house attached to the side for support might work that does not go more than a foot or two about your roof line?

Have you tried a temp mount on a deck or on the lawn to see what can be received?

My results are mixed, It looks like I can get a clear view of just about everything if I can get the dish high enough. I live on a zerolot line property and the neighbors roof is in the way elevation wise. I was originally planning on a pole mount as I did not want to drill holes in the roof, however it looks like I would need a 10 to 13 foot pole. Is this reasonable?

 

[ghia]

The neighbors house is 10ft from mine measuring from the overhang of my roof to his outside wall. The houses are similar, about 18 feet high and 30 ft wide.

If it helps my main goals for the fta system. Subscribe to setanta via globecast, pick up NASA and GOL, and pickup Galaxy 10R . I would also like to be able have a motorized dish to be able to scan around. Currently I have a triple LNB Direct dish. I would be disconnecting this service once I get setanta from globecast.

 

[ghia]

I do not have a system yet other than the direct. I am looking at all my options to make sure I purchase the right equipment and that I will be able to install it.

 

[PSB]

Contemplating a Sentanta subscription myself to see the Glasgow Celtic
1888
Yes you are going to have to get the dish higher or further away from the obstacle.
I use the below to check for clearance / line of sight angles.....

http://www.bjupress.com/services/bjhomesat/tech_support/obstacle.html

 

[ghia]

Great link, thanks. It looks like I will have to mount the dish on my roof. I am concerned about drilling into the roof. How is it done and avoid water leaks?

I have had Setenta on Direct since they started carring it. It is a great channel. I am just tired of Direct, the picture quality and the requirements to subscribe to the large base packages that I hardly every watch.

I have been able to watch several Bayern Munchen matches including Champions League with Setenta.

 

[PSB]

I hear ya! The best (ONLY) game in the world If its a flat roof there are non penetrating roof mounts available that are held down with cement blocks. Otherwise it looks like drilling into the roof may be the only way to do it, other than some sort of pole installed to the side of the building.
I use special tape under a satellite mount that self seals as I drill into a roof (as a LAST resort) but silicon or roof tar will also do the job (under and over the screws/bolts).

 

[ghia]

I guess its time to researcg some roof mount options. Where could I get the tape? If using silicone you are placing it over the bolt on outside and then from below in the attic? My roof is not flat it is slanted /\ except flattened.

Any suggestions on what equipment I should get? I was hoping to only use one motorized dish and one receiver. But it looks like I will have buy the Globecast receiver. Instead of something better.

 

[PSB]

I think there is a version of the Fortec Classic NA that will work with everything, have a look at Sadouns web site, or drop them a PM : ) They are GOLD sponsors here

 

[ghia]

Thanks, I looked at the site it appears that the FS5900 would work. I was hoping to get blind scan, USALS and component outputs. Maybe the viewsat VS2000 extreme? It says it has smartcard slot but I am unsure if it will work for globecast.

 

[bryansr]

I would try to mount the dish at the peak of the roof on the fascia board. This would prevent you from having possible water leaking problems and there is usually some good heavy lumber to screw it to in that area, you just need a good ladder to get up there.
BryanSR.