Doing a site survey in Houston

[roberthoward]

Hi I am new to this and I have an issue choosing my location for installation of a motorized system. I am in houston tx and I would like to know where I can find information on how to do a complete site survey and determine which sat's are availible from where. My challanges are 2 large trees and knowing how to figure the angles and what "tricks" I can use to find a proper location would be very helpfull.

Thanks
Robert Howard

[vj9999]

Robert,

This site has a quite useful calculator for figuring out if distance to obstacles is going to be a problem.

http://www.satlex.de/en/elobst_calc-first_1.html

They have some other useful calculators as well.

[bobkat]

Robert:

In addition to what vj9999 says, which is true...

The best way is to get a decent compass (preferably one with a built-in inclinometer) and walk the site. Start with the area that is clearest in terms of tree growth and use it as a starting point. This may mean putting a pole in cement somewhere in your yard -- WAF is critical at this point !! :shock: Then determine your most extreme satellites (east and west) and see if the intended dish swing will pick up the desired satellites without hitting any treetops -- use the inclinometer for this. If not, choose an alternate location. Remember that for satellite reception higher is not necessarily better. Many people think that a dish stuck way up on the roof will bring in better reception; not so.

kat

[roberthoward]

Thanks for the advice. I have a quick follow up not sure if this is the best place to ask it though but here it is.
What Sat's are the must have. I mean for the hobby and fun (english language) and what sat's are the ones that don't really matter.

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by roberthoward

Thanks for the advice. I have a quick follow up not sure if this is the best place to ask it though but here it is.
What Sat's are the must have. I mean for the hobby and fun (english language) and what sat's are the ones that don't really matter.

Well, that's a matter of preference. I suggest you go to www.lyngsat.com and click on FREE TV; choose your country of interest and it will show all the free channels available and from which satellite they are broadcast. Remember that only channels marked "DVB" will be viewed with most FTA receivers. To determine which satellites are viewable in North America you can tell by the "BEAM" - also in lyngsat; if the BEAM is "North America" then you have a good chance of getting that satellite. Actually you are lucky to be in Houston because most of the satellites are in an orbital slot more or less above Houston. So there are many satellites available to you.

kat