Thanks a bunch for all the replies. I'm feeling better already.
I just got back from the Match Play Championship (for any of you that play golf) here in Tucson. A much needed break from satellite frustration.
To wejones:
- For the starting point, why 32.6° for latitude? My GPS pegs me right at 31.99 (wrong figure in my original post). Also, why 4.6° for the declination angle? I assume this setup will help me get closer to the tracking arc I need?
- Yes, my magnetic heading is 169°.
- The motor only has a latitude scale which I set to 31.99 when I first lined up to Echo 8.
- Correct, I was able to scan in the GOL channels which my wife especially loves as an ex-soccer coach.
To rainman:
- So it looks like a combination of adjusting the dish for the south sat and the motor for the east/west sats going back and forth till all sats are riding on the 'arc' formed by my dishes east - west movements. This makes sense.
To William Eng:
- Your alignment suggestions seem the same as rainman's. Makes sense.
- Yes, I very carefully made sure my mount pole is as perfectly plumb as I could get it, before and after mounting the dish assembly.
Well, I think I have a lot of great info here. Thanks a lot for it all. I now feel confident that I'll get it all set up and I'm definitely cancelling the service appointment.