Trying to set up slimline HD dish on my own

[c4greene]

The standard def dishes are easy to set up. I'm having a really hard time with the HD dish though. I've got everything aimed in the right direction. Do those signal meters really make it much easier? If they do, which one should I buy?If I can get a standard definition dish working, does that also mean I can get a HD dish to work?

Thanks

 

[raoul5788]

to Satelliteguys!

It's trickier to set up an hd dish, but it's not difficult. First make sure the mast is plumb, this is very important. I like to use a post level as they are more accurate than the bubble level built into many of the masts. Set the skew and elevation to what it says in the menu. Make sure you are setting them correctly, it's easy to mess up this part. Then find the azimuth for the 101 satellite and tighten the dish enough to keep it from moving easily. If you are using an sl3 lnb, then look in the signal strength menu for 101 and see what you have. You should have some numbers. By pushing lightly on the back of the dish in each direction and seeing how it affects the numbers, you can tell which way it needs to be adjusted to get the numbers in the mid 90s at least. If you have an sl5, then check the 119 satellite and repeat the previous process. 119 will only have one or two transponders that will get high numbers. Then check the 99 and 103 satellites. You only need to worry about the ones with a C or CA after them. The little knobs on the base of the dish are for the fine adjustments for the 99 and 103 satellites. If you have more questions, please come back and ask!

 

[c4greene]

How do I find what skew it's supposed to be set to on the menu? I see where it tells me whte azimuth and elevation, but I don't see skew. Also how do I find azimuth for the 101 satellite? I'm not sure if I'm using an sl3. It's got 3 lnb's with just a blank pace on the right. I've got all zeros on everything at this point.

 

[raoul5788]

After you put in your zip code it should give you azimuth, elevation, and skew. If it looks like one lnb, it's really three. If it looks like three, it's really five. Is there one or four cable connections on the lnb? If one, then you also need a 21 volt power inserter. You can also find the settings at Satellite Finder / Dish Alignment Calculator with Google Maps | DishPointer.com.

 

[Jimbo]

How do I find what skew it's supposed to be set to on the menu? I see where it tells me whte azimuth and elevation, but I don't see skew. Also how do I find azimuth for the 101 satellite? I'm not sure if I'm using an sl3. It's got 3 lnb's with just a blank pace on the right. I've got all zeros on everything at this point.

If you do a Repeat Sat Setup, it will ask you for your zip code and give you the info needed, make sure you have the correct dish selected.

 

[c4greene]

There are four cable connections. If can get a standad def reciever does that mean I should be able to get a hd receiver to work? The reason I ask is there are a few trees.

 

[raoul5788]

Yes, if a sd receiver gets all of the channels, an hd should be able to. If you have a smartphone and are willing to pay $20 for the dishpointer app, it will show you exactly where the satellites are.

 

[c4greene]

What's the app called?

 

[HIFI]

dishpointer pro

 

[ballstothewallinstall]

What's the app called?

Download satellite ar, its free and will show u the sats you need.

 

[c4greene]

What's the ar? I searched satellite ar and it came up with nothing.

 

[raoul5788]

It's a smartphone app.

 

[c4greene]

I know it's a smartphone app. I could only find the pay app. Do I need a signal meter or will this app be good enough?

 

[raoul5788]

I know it's a smartphone app. I could only find the pay app. Do I need a signal meter or will this app be good enough?

I mentioned earlier that it's $20 for the app. You don't need the app to align the dish. It's real use is to determine if you have a clear line of sight to the satellites. The signal meter in the receiver/dvr is adequate to do the aligning. A meter is faster, but they are expensive.

 

[c4greene]

what signal meter is the easiest/best to use? So the app is just to see if I could get the HD dish to work or not?

 

[digiblur]

what signal meter is the easiest/best to use? So the app is just to see if I could get the HD dish to work or not?

The DirecTV AIM meter is the easiest of course. But if you are just doing it one time and not many times then it is just a waste. Use a small TV and a receiver right next to the dish.

Sent from my C64 w/Epyx FastLoad cartridge

 

[c4greene]

I'd be only using it a handful of times over future moves. Should i get any meter or just try using that app?

 

[raoul5788]

Like I said, the app isn't for aligning. It will give you a good idea of whether or not putting a dish in a certain spot will give you a good line of sight to the satellites. The signal meter in the receiver/dvr will do the trick.

 

[Joe Diamond]

Like I said, the app isn't for aligning. It will give you a good idea of whether or not putting a dish in a certain spot will give you a good line of sight to the satellites. The signal meter in the receiver/dvr will do the trick.

Or to say it the other way...the cheapest ones do not identify satellites. They show gain on a scale for each of hundreds of sats up there. The needle bounces and you count the bounces around a certain compass line. With practice you can hit the Directv birds at 101 W long. Not the HDs at 99 & 103. These cheap ones are around twenty bucks...up. For $700.00...up you get sat meters that lock on a specific sat & give a tone when you hit he one you are looking for. They can also identify everything else up there and receive the KA signal for the HD programming.

So the cheap way is to find the 101 with the meter built into the receiver. Since it is known that the 99 & 103 are only three degrees away from the 101 you "poooosh" a little west from 101 and there are your HD signals. The signal on the 101 will go down a little but you will "see" the signal from three sats at the same time.

EZ!

Joe

 

[c4greene]

I got that app and bought a couple braces to hold the dish better. I hope to not have to buy a signal meter. So do I just hold the app rigt next to the satellite arm and try to aim it to the 101 satellite?