Dish Net satellite signal finder?

[Joy T Brew]

Hi Folks,

First time here and need help. Got the Satellite finder/signal meter SF-95 and would like to learn how to use it. I can find the satellite 110 easily with 120%, but can't get the 119 satellite.

So, here goes. Do I start with the skew at "0" and search for the satellite as a first step after determining the azimuth and elevation? Or, do I adjust the skew, azimuth, and elevation per the location and then just peck a little until I find a satellite?

I changed all the fittings to weather proof types just in case moisture was causing the loss of the 119 satellite. Didn't help.

Sure appreciate suggestions.

[Admin]

Adjust the skew, azimuth, and elevation per the location and then just peck a little until you find the satellites.

[Joy T Brew]

Hi Admin,

Checked the azimuth this morning for obstructions and it's clear. The dish elevation is 10 degrees higher than the 33 for this location listed in the receiver settings. Don't have a way to really determine the direction of the dish other than the signal strength. Changing the skew doesn't make much difference.

Still, 119 just doesn't come in. For a short time, I had the test give me the thumbs up on 119, but when I tired to access the programming, it couldn't find the satellite signal? So, I went back to the dish point that gives 120% for the 110.

I don't have an inclinometer and must make a paper gadget. Could it be that the 119 satellite is actually much lower than the 110? I made an assumption that having a very strong 110 signal meant that I had a clear path?

BTW, sometimes I hear an audio signal from the signal strength meter. Am I always supposed to hear this when the signal is OK. Also, the meter blocks the signal to the receiver - is this normal? I had thoughts that I could monitor both if necessary.

Lots of questions, but just moving the dish around the yard is proving near impossible.

Is there a type of bubble mast level that can be installed in the top of the mast to get alignment.

Finally, is correction for magnetic north built into the Dishnet azimuth? Or, do I have to use grid maps to make correction?

Sure appreciate any help you can give to this novice.

Regards, Joy

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by Joy T Brew

Hi Admin,

The dish elevation is 10 degrees higher than the 33 for this location listed in the receiver settings. Don't have a way to really determine the direction of the dish other than the signal strength. Changing the skew doesn't make much difference.



Regards, Joy

If your dish elevation shows 10 degrees higher than the 33 degree listing for your location it means your dish mast is not level. Take a small bubble level and true out that mast.

Skew makes a huge difference. Just preset azimuth, elevation and skew to the numbers for your area and play around. Yes, the 119 satellite is lower in elevation than the 110. So you might have obstructions in the way.

kat

[Joy T Brew]

HI Kat,

I've played a lot and the 110 signal is very strong and I zeroed the dish on it thinking I would then get the 119. However, is it possible to somehow block the 110 LNB and attempt to zero in on the 119 satellite? I put my hand over the 110 and the signal drops. When I put tape over the head, nothing drops. Guess I gots to go back to the roof to get the clear line of signal.

Thanks,

[bobkat]

What kind of LNB are you using? If its a quad Dishnetwork LNB then it has a built in switch and you cannot be sure that your meter is locking onto 119.

kat

[Joy T Brew]

Hi Bobkat,

The dish on the roof is a quad. The one I'm trying to use on the ground is a dual. Both have a built in switch.

I made a template with a 33 degree angle and used a level to point and the path is absolutely clean. Unless 119 is way down under 22 degrees.''

Guess it's time go give it a rest for a few days and rethink the whole situation.

Thanks,

Joy

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by Joy T Brew

Unless 119 is way down under 22 degrees.''

Joy

Up here (Toronto, Canada) 119 is at elevation 26 degrees. So its obviously higher in the United States - if that's where you're at. You've got to bypass that switch in order to ensure you are locked onto 119. Thing is - with the built in switch you have no control over which "side" of the LNB your meter will lock onto. Do you have a spare LNB without a built-in switch? If so, you can align the dish to 119 then switch the LNB over to the 110 slot and peak the skew until you get maximum signal. I assume you're using a Dish 500.

kat

[Joy T Brew]

Hi Bobkat,

Only got the lnbs for DirecTV as I changed from that service to Dishnet. I'm in southern VA. It's possible that my son has an lnb without the built in switch. Sure seems strange that I had the 119 at the location previously and now that I have better tools for alignment, I can't get it. Since it stopped raining today, I'll be on the roof tomorrow and duplicate the working dish alignment.

Thanks for the help.

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by Joy T Brew

Only got the lnbs for DirecTV as I changed from that service to Dishnet.

They will work (electronically) for DishNetwork but probably won't fit the DN LNB support arm or Y-adapter.

kat

[rsl111]

Joy T Brew,

if you still have not found 119 yet try not using your meter. it is a pain to do but this will get it for sure. take your reciver outside and a small tv and go to the signal meter. set your skew to flat and elevation to 29 deg. (southern va.) slowly move the dish side to side untill you get the 119 sat. this will prove if you have clear line of site.then reset the skew to whatever your reciver told you to (sould be around 127) and reset the elevation to the recivers instructions. with just alittle side to side movement you should have both 119 and 110


rsl111

[Joy T Brew]

Originally Posted by rsl111

Joy T Brew,

if you still have not found 119 yet try not using your meter. it is a pain to do but this will get it for sure. take your reciver outside and a small tv and go to the signal meter. set your skew to flat and elevation to 29 deg. (southern va.) slowly move the dish side to side untill you get the 119 sat. this will prove
rsl111

Yep, I took the receiver, TV, Honda Generator, meter, dish, etc. to what I assumed to be a clear shot. No luck with my read of the azimuth/elevation. I'll try your suggeston for the flat skew. I get great signal when I put the dish on the roof. Nothing on the ground.

Think I need to find a azimuth and elevation range for the 119 satellite. My makeshift inclination gauge says the satellites are very high in the sky and distant tree shouldn't be a problem. Surely, the flat skew and looking for one satellite should give me some chance for success. Just too hot today to mess with the alignment. Heavy storm took the signal out for an hour.

Thanks for you help.

[Joy T Brew]

[quote="Joy T Brew"]Hi Folks,

First time here and need help. Got the Satellite finder/signal meter SF-95 and would like to learn how to use it. I can find the satellite 110 easily with 120%, but can't get the 119 satellite.

Hi Again folks,

Tried the dish without skew and isolated the 110 and 119 satellites, so the view is clear. Couldn't bring them together and tossed all in the cart and moved the dish back to a previous successful location. Just set the dish up and did the cable. Didn't level the mast or anything. Used the compass to point the dish, got the max signal with the meter and retired inside. To my surpirse, both satellites locked without further adjustment! Good things come to one that tries, and tries, and with the help of this thread, there is success.

Thanks for the help,

Joy

[Admin]

Nice job. =D>

[pictureon]

Just a reminder. If you're using a dishnetwork receiver to check signal. If you have quality on 119 and nothing on 110 or vice verse, perform a check switch. Most of the time you could be getting both satellite but receiver will not show quality on both before switch check.