20in Dish Network Elevation confirmation

[satuser165]

Hi all,
First post here I believe.....
Playing around with the subject dish and have been trying to verify the elevation is actually correct?
Scale is set to 39.5 degrees or so but I’ve been trying to verify that by using an angle meter. Can’t find any place on the dish assembly to set the angle meter that duplicates the manual elevation scale.
Thanks all! Ken

 

[delta_charlie]

Hi all,
First post here I believe.....
Playing around with the subject dish and have been trying to verify the elevation is actually correct?
Scale is set to 39.5 degrees or so but I’ve been trying to verify that by using an angle meter. Can’t find any place on the dish assembly to set the angle meter that duplicates the manual elevation scale.
Thanks all! Ken

Dish 500? if so I can check mine and give some feedback.

 

[delta_charlie]

I just checked mine, not in use and has not been in a long time but I think it was setup on 110/119W and most likely still is.

I'm located in central florida and dishpointer says 110 needs 44.2 El and 119 needs 37.1

With the dual LNB my dish reads abt 47 el so it looks like the dish has some error in it. If you need 39.5 for 110 maybe try setting the dish scale to about 42 or 43 el using the center of the bolt to line up. That might help or perhaps the dish just has a lot of slop in it making the built in scale useless.

 

[satuser165]

Thanks Charlie but you may have missed my point or I wasn't clear.
Where on the dish assembly can I check the elevation with my meter??
Ken

 

[delta_charlie]

Thanks Charlie but you may have missed my point or I wasn't clear.
Where on the dish assembly can I check the elevation with my meter??
Ken

I do not know as I have never used a meter to check the elevation. Because the Dish 500 uses full dish skew with multiple LNBs the elevation would vary depending on skew I would think.

I missed this on the first round, this was posted in the FTA forum so perhaps you trying to set it up with a single linear LNB to play around. If this is the case I may be able to provide some work around info.

 

[satuser165]

I do not know as I have never used a meter to check the elevation. Because the Dish 500 uses full dish skew with multiple LNBs the elevation would vary depending on skew I would think.

I missed this on the first round, this was posted in the FTA forum so perhaps you trying to set it up with a single linear LNB to play around. If this is the case I may be able to provide some work around info.

P

 

[satuser165]

Work around what Charlie?
Using this 20X20 dish for FTA. Galaxy 19, if it works. Still in the basement.
Must be somewhere on this thing where you can measure the elevation with an instrument rather than depending on that scale.

 

[a33]

Must be somewhere on this thing where you can measure the elevation with an instrument rather than depending on that scale.

Well, normally on the vertical dish face (a wooden plank or so from rim to rim).
However, you need to know the offset angle of the dish for that.
[elevation angle of dish face] = [elevation angle to satellite] minus [dish offset angle].

When it is a paraboloid dish, the offset angle can be calculated from two (flat dish face) or four (non-flat dish face) measurements on the dish.

When it is a multifeed dish (I don't know the dish you are talking of), it is harder. You'd have to take a vertical series of depth measurements on the dish, or determine the deepest point of the dish with extreme accuracy ~ the latter is practically not really an option, I find.

Does this help?

Greetz,
A33

 

[delta_charlie]

Work around what Charlie?
Using this 20X20 dish for FTA. Galaxy 19, if it works. Still in the basement.
Must be somewhere on this thing where you can measure the elevation with an instrument rather than depending on that scale.

My work around is to setup on the strongest transponder you can find, works best if it is near south. Play around with the location of the LNB, skew, focal and mounting until you are sure you have all you can get out of the little dish. After that you should be able to figure out a correction factor for the built in elevation scale. It can be a fun and strong learning experience learning how to position a LNB for peak performance but do not expect too much from the little dish. Some will say it is not possible to use the little dish for FTA but it can be done. I have done it myself but it only works on the stronger transponders and there will be little margin. (if a bat pees in flight you will loose signal). If all you want is to lock onto G19 you might want to consider a bigger dish (76 CM huge difference) and way easier to setup.

Attached are two pictures that might help get you started if you really want to challenge and learn.

 

[satuser165]

Well, normally on the vertical dish face (a wooden plank or so from rim to rim).
However, you need to know the offset angle of the dish for that.
[elevation angle of dish face] = [elevation angle to satellite] minus [dish offset angle].

When it is a paraboloid dish, the offset angle can be calculated from two (flat dish face) or four (non-flat dish face) measurements on the dish.

When it is a multifeed dish (I don't know the dish you are talking of), it is harder. You'd have to take a vertical series of depth measurements on the dish, or determine the deepest point of the dish with extreme accuracy ~ the latter is practically not really an option, I find.

Does this help?

Greetz,
A33

Thanks Greetz! Well.....the dish is the same one you see on thousands and thousands of roofs across the country. A Dish Network dish. 20X20 or so. Have a Slimline that was given to me also.
Have a Viewsat 2000 Ultra I used back in the Dish Network days before N3!!!!
If there‘s no place on the assembly to place my angle finder.....So be it. Will just go by the built in scale. See the attached (Blurry) photo. The LNA is the Hypermegasat universal Linear.
...Ken

 

[a33]

Well.....the dish is the same one you see on thousands and thousands of roofs across the country.

Not where I live, I guess.

Looks like a small but normal flat faced, oval (higher than wide) paraboloid dish? Is that right?
With width and height measure, and (very precise) depth at the center (all just the working area of the dish, so without dish rim), one can calculate offset angle and position of focal point, and aiming point for the LNB.
It's up to you if you want to measure...

Greetz,
A33

 

[delta_charlie]

Thanks Greetz! Well.....the dish is the same one you see on thousands and thousands of roofs across the country. A Dish Network dish. 20X20 or so. Have a Slimline that was given to me also.
Have a Viewsat 2000 Ultra I used back in the Dish Network days before N3!!!!
If there‘s no place on the assembly to place my angle finder.....So be it. Will just go by the built in scale. See the attached (Blurry) photo. The LNA is the Hypermegasat universal Linear.
...Ken

I just measured my old Dish 500 21 x 22.5 inches. The Dish 500 is the oldest Dish network dish I have seen. Perhaps you have an old Direct TV single LNB dish. In any case that is a very small dish for FTA. It is going to be a real change to pick up any FTA with it.

 

[satuser165]

I just measured my old Dish 500 21 x 22.5 inches. The Dish 500 is the oldest Dish network dish I have seen. Perhaps you have an old Direct TV single LNB dish. In any case that is a very small dish for FTA. It is going to be a real change to pick up any FTA with it.

Thanks Charlie. This dish measures 20in high and 18.5in wide. The offset type. Single LNA.
i know it's small but when you're retired, it’s just something to play with. If I get something, fine. if not, fine. Need a break from the other hobbies. Ham Radio and restoring antique radios.
I‘m ok with the other stuff....skew, azimuth and so on.
When it cools off, I’ll take it outside again and play around. I’m 50 miles West of Atlantic city and its too frekin hot!!
Ken

 

[Titanium]

Sorry, but an 18" DN dish is far too small to receive anything but a few of the strongest linear polarity FSS channels. If want to receive a few channels and brag that you did it, continue... Otherwise, a 36" dish is the minimum diameter to reliably lock most channels.

The undersized 18" dish works for Dish Network, because the satellites are spaced 9 degrees apart and the DBS signals are much stronger than FSS. The 18" dish beamwidth is "seeing" 4 or 5 FSS satellites when aimed at 97w, so it will have interference from several satellites, which are using the same frequencies and polarities.

 

[satuser165]

Sorry, but an 18" DN dish is far too small to receive anything but a few of the strongest linear polarity FSS channels. If want to receive a few channels and brag that you did it, continue... Otherwise, a 36" dish is the minimum diameter to reliably lock most channels.

The undersized 18" dish works for Dish Network, because the satellites are spaced 9 degrees apart and the DBS signals are much stronger than FSS. The 18" dish beamwidth is "seeing" 4 or 5 FSS satellites when aimed at 97w, so it will have interference from several satellites, which are using the same frequencies and polarities.

Thanks Brian. Only have $14.00 into the whole thing so no loss at all. Just something else to fiddle with in retirement and during this virus thing.
Sure, bigger the better. Just want start small on the deck but thanks a lot for the useful tips.
My original and only question was where can I set my angle meter on this small dish to double check the elevation against the built in elevation scale?
I think the one I might try is Galaxy 3C (95W)
Skew of 22.2
Elev of 39.6
Mag 221.5
Will see what happens if/when it “cools off” out there!!
Ken

 

[cyberham]

Watch your local ads. This is where us retired people hang out! Locally, one ad has been trying to sell for any price a good used Star Choice 39" FTA dish. I have two of these and they work very well.

 

[satuser165]

Watch your local ads. This is where us retired people hang out! Locally, one ad has been trying to sell for any price a good used Star Choice 39" FTA dish. I have two of these and they work very well.

Thanks,
I put an add in a local web site here in S. Jersey to get these two dish network jobs. Regular and a slimline. Both were free but looks like I may need a bigger one!!
39 is pretty big and this is a +55 community. 36-39 would be tough to hide.....Ken

 

[Titanium]

The offset angle of an 18" Dish Network dish is approx. 22 degrees. If you place a straight edge and an angle finder on the vertical axis (edge to edge on the dish rim / straight up and down) the look angle will be 22 degrees higher.

If the dish is mounted on a perfectly plumb post, it will be easy to determine if the scale is accurate or to find a calculated angle for any part of the dish (i.e. the LNBF support arm).

To confirm that the stamped scale on the rear mount is accurate: Place the straight edge and angle finder on the dish rim top to bottom and set the dish angle to show 90 degrees on your angle finder. Now look at the stamped scale on the mount. This stamped scale should read approx. 22 degrees. This confirms that the dish look angle is 22 degrees higher than the dish vertical axis.

Now place the angle finder on the LNBF support arm. What is the angle reading? If you subtract this angle reading from 22 degrees (the actual elevation angle), you will know the amount of offset angle to use if placing the angle finder on the LNBF support arm. Example: if the dish elevation angle is set at 22 degrees, but the arm angle is displaying 18 degrees, you know the arm is pointed 4 degrees lower than the actual "look angle" or dish elevation angle.

While the Slimline dish is also undersized for FSS KU. The additional reflector size will be much better for receiving FSS KU band satellites. The reflector horizontal axis isn't large enough to provide a 2 degree compliant beamwidth to reject adjacent satellite interference, but you will have a better chance of reliably receiving many services.

 

[satuser165]

The offset angle of an 18" Dish Network dish is approx. 22 degrees. If you place a straight edge and an angle finder on the vertical axis (edge to edge on the dish rim / straight up and down) the look angle will be 22 degrees higher.

If the dish is mounted on a perfectly plumb post, it will be easy to determine if the scale is accurate or to find a calculated angle for any part of the dish (i.e. the LNBF support arm).

To confirm that the stamped scale on the rear mount is accurate: Place the straight edge and angle finder on the dish rim top to bottom and set the dish angle to show 90 degrees on your angle finder. Now look at the stamped scale on the mount. This stamped scale should read approx. 22 degrees. This confirms that the dish look angle is 22 degrees higher than the dish vertical axis.

Now place the angle finder on the LNBF support arm. What is the angle reading? If you subtract this angle reading from 22 degrees (the actual elevation angle), you will know the amount of offset angle to use if placing the angle finder on the LNBF support arm. Example: if the dish elevation angle is set at 22 degrees, but the arm angle is displaying 18 degrees, you know the arm is pointed 4 degrees lower than the actual "look angle" or dish elevation angle.

While the Slimline dish is also undersized for FSS KU. The additional reflector size will be much better for receiving FSS KU band satellites. The reflector horizontal axis isn't large enough to provide a 2 degree compliant beamwidth to reject adjacent satellite interference, but you will have a better chance of reliably receiving many services.

Whew!! What an explanation. That nails my initial question. I’ll try that......Thanks!
Also......does anyone have any first hand knowledge on this $275.00 FTA package I see a lot? Sat Pro sells it. I looked up the receiver and it’s about $40.00!! Don’t know what kind of a receiver you can get for that price!!



Don’t know if that link will work?
Ken

 

[FTA4PA]

Whew!! What an explanation. That nails my initial question. I’ll try that......Thanks!
Also......does anyone have any first hand knowledge on this $275.00 FTA package I see a lot? Sat Pro sells it. I looked up the receiver and it’s about $40.00!! Don’t know what kind of a receiver you can get for that price!!



Don’t know if that link will work?
Ken

That package only comes with a 76cm dish. My recommendations:

You can get a quality 90cm dish with a pll lnbf that many members here recommend for $119 (including shipping) here.

36 Inch 90 cm Free To Air FTA Satellite Dish & HD LNBF | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 36 Inch 90 cm Free To Air FTA Satellite Dish & HD LNBF at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Get an Amiko Mini HD265. Very good receiver with great after purchase support from KE4EST. Currently $87.49 here:

Amiko Mini HD265 Wi-Fi FTA Receiver DVB-S2 H.265 HEVC With NTP and Wi-Fi | eBay

HEVC decoding support. Tuner & Demodulation. Tuner Type: DVB-S / DVB-S2. 6000 channels (TV and Radio) programmable. Program and Channel information transfer from receiver to receiver. This receiver isNOT designed toHack ,Steal, orPirate paid programming channels, such as DISH Network, DirecTV...

www.ebay.com

Use the remainder of the $275 to get some quality RG-6 coax and a good meter. I use this one and have had excellent results.

Satlink WS-6933 DVB-S2 FTA C&KU Band Digital Satellite Finder Meter