DishPointer Line of Sight iPhone App

**Scott Greczkowski** · 09-25-2009 11:03 AM

Remember to leave feedback in iTunes about this amazing application.

**DirectDishNet** · 10-04-2009 09:34 AM

Is there anything in the works for the IPOD Touch? I don't have a iphone, Too expensive for me.....Don't like contracts you know.

I would like to request a ipod touch app please.

**AlanSH** · 10-04-2009 11:59 AM

The DishPointer Maps app works on the iPod Touch, you just need internet connection (the faster the better). The augmented reality apps don't work on the iPod as the iPod does not have a camera.

**smokeythebear** · 10-11-2009 03:49 AM

How do you leave a feedback on ITunes?

**AlanSH** · 10-11-2009 04:00 AM

Go to the app page

e.g. for the DP AR Pro app:
iTunes Store

At the bottom, just above the reviews there is "Write review" link on the right, click on that.

**rocco_fanucci** · 10-15-2009 03:05 PM

Great app by DishPointer. The
SES app

generally sucks.

**smokeythebear** · 11-07-2009 09:00 PM

How do you hold the IPhone to get the correct LOS view?

Just wanted you to know I would give a great feedback on this app but it won't let me.

**grover432** · 11-21-2009 06:56 PM

I may have a LOS issue and I would welcome an app that works well to help me out. I'm not sure if I understand how this app works with my iPhone 3GS.

Let's take Dishnet 129 for example:

From my location, the magnetic azimuth of 129 is 215. The elevation is 26.1.

My understanding from the instructions is that I turn the app on and holding it flat on its back (display to the sky), I find 215, magnetic. At that point I can point the back of the iPhone to the sky and move it around until I see 129 on the arc superimposed on the screen.

This is where I get confused. I need to raise the iPhone in an upward arc until the iPhone is pointing at 26 elevation? If I have a clear view to the sky in the center of the iPhone screen then I will have a clear view with the dish??

I have a few questions:

1. Is the compass accurate enough for this to work accurately? I haven't compared the iPhone compass to a professional compass but when I stand on a street that is running north/south, the pointer doesn't seem to point straight to "N" when I think it I am facing true N - assuming the street is pointing true N (yes I have the iPhone set to true north and not magnetic north).

2. Does the app display the elevation as you raise the phone up so you know when you are at the elevation the dish will be pointing to?

3. Finally, I was reading another post asking whether being on the 28th floor of an apartment building would make a difference to the position of the satellites. The answer was that it doesn't make a difference, given the distance of the satellite.

In trying to determine whether the LOS you will clear an obstacle; the height of the dish off the ground will make a difference (i.e., my dish is mounted 25' off the ground and I have a different view of the sky than I do when on the ground in the back yard. Does the app need to take the location of the dish off the ground into account in determining whether you have LOS to the satellite?

Thanks

grover

**grover432** · 11-21-2009 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by smokeythebear

How do you hold the IPhone to get the correct LOS view?

Just wanted you to know I would give a great feedback on this app but it won't let me.

How can you give great feedback if you don't know how its works yet? That is what I am trying to figure out.

**AlanSH** · 11-22-2009 01:25 PM

grover432: Are you using the DP AR apps or still the old LoS app? What does the title of the app say?

With the DP Ar apps, the compass works best when held flat. You find the right direction, then lock the compass and lift the iPhone (don't move it laterally any more). The satellites should appear on the screen, it doesn't matter at what angle you hold the iPhone as long as the satellites are visible on the screen.

The accuracy of the iPhone compass is greatly affected by nearby electrical magnetic fields.