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HELP! - Newbie - Can't Tune in Satellite
From: NEWBIE
12/24/99 11:59 PM EST
I spent 2 hours today trying to tune in the 119 satellite and could
never get any signal strength on the bar at the bottom of the "Point
Dish & Signal Strength" screen. Evidently I have the older software
on my 4700 reciever, as it doesn't include the Dish500 options;
I understand that I'll download this once I connect.
I spoke with customer service and she told me to try 10 degrees up and down
from my azimuth and a few each way on the elevation, but still no luck.
Am I doing anything weird? I've followed the directions in the Installation
Instructions:
1. Assembled the dish
2. Connected the signals from the dual LNBFs to my two Multi-Dish Switches
(customer service suggested that I disconnect the combiners and run the
line directly for set-up)
3. Set the azimuth, elevation, & skew for my zipcode for the 119 dish per the
supplemental booklet (included)
4. Connected one of the 119 outputs to a cable going directly to the Satellite
Input on my reciever
5. Set the dish on the mast and pointed towards my azimuth (228)
6. Swing the dish slowly back and forth on the mast while having my wife look
at the signal meter on the set-up screen
PLEASE HELP - this would mean a lot to my family for Christmas!
Re: HELP! - Newbie - Can't Tune in Satellite
From: jbuff
Sent: Fri, 24 Dec 1999 21:11:40 PST
First of all, you have gotta get your wife out of the tuning loop. You need the
direct feedback from the tuning bar or tone to really know what you're doing.
If you don't have a small TV and enough RG-59 or extension cord to get the
TV out by the dish, then use a cell phone to call your home phone (which you
place by the TV speaker). Tune by the tone.
Be sure you have a clear line of sight to the satellites. The signal cannot penetrate buildings, and while the trees may be bare now, in the spring, their leaves will block the signal.
The dish mounting pole must be precisely plumb, this is critical for the Dish 500.
You MUST connect the receiver directly to the LNB for dish alignment, since the
receiver cannot properly control the switch when there is no signal from the satellite.
The dish needs to be moved in small increments, and there is some delay before
the tone (or bar) changes, be patient.
Most important, many Dish 500 dishes were mismarked at the factory. Increase
the elevation 4 to 5 degrees higher than the recommended settings and try again. [Revised 01/06/00] See:
Dish 500 correct install plus 5 degrees? NO!
Assuming that you now get a signal from 119, Remember that you need to use
transducer 3* on 110W to peak the 110W bird.
*[01/15/00] Since this was originally posted, Transponders 1 and 2 have been activated on the 110W bird. This may have been for testing purposes only, so don't rely on this. (As of today 2 is active, 1 is not).
Small adjustments may be made in EITHER azimuth or elevation to peak from both
birds, but if you're getting 75 or better from both birds, you can put that off
for better weather and/or daylight.
Once you have confirmed that you have adequate signal from both birds, you
can install the switches, and run the check switch routine.
You can push slightly on the top, bottom, left, or right of the dish, once the bolts are tightened, to see if you are truly "peaked".
You're now ready to enjoy Dish TV. Move the receiver to it's final resting place, and hook up all the connections. Call a CSR at DISH to establish your service.
Re: HELP! - Newbie - Can't Tune in Satellite
From: NEWBIE
Sent: Sat, 25 Dec 1999 14:34:25 EST
I finally got it working! I gave up on the side of the house and attached
it to the edge of my deck; much easier to work with also. I used the default
settings and instantly got a signal. In terms of the tree across the street,
it was probably about 50 feet high - but that isn't a problem anymore!
I got the signal strength up to 97-98% for the 110 & 119 satellites;