Which method(s) do you use to point your dishes?

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Like Cham, I use EBSPro with its app on an Android phone, connected by wi-fi.

One of the great things about the app is that it can speak the signal-to-noise ratio (to 0.1 dB precision), so you don't even have to look at the screen. This leaves both hands free to make adjustments. Furthermore, you can use the app to drive the positioner (but not by voice command, yet!).

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Before I got my Sathero 300HD which I find very helpful, I used to point my wife's iPad at my TV screen in my man cave, then using Facetime and my wifi connection, I would call her iPad and observe the TV screen on my iPhone as I made my adjustments. Worked like a charm.
 
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I have used a satellite receiver and a Casio portable tv at the dish.

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Lately I have been using my Satlink WS6933 meter. It has a built-in flashlight that is very bright, which comes in handy for after dark adjustments. ;)

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When initially setting up a BUD I use dishpointer.com, a compass, a Johnson magnetic angle locater and my cheap (about $10) analog meter. I get it in the ballpark then swing the dish by hand. As you move past each satellite the meter needle will raise and lower and the sound pitch changes. When I hear and see that rise and fall across the arc I know I'm there and it's time for some fine tuning. :)

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I guess if I just wanted to get most Cband, I wouldn't care as much but using my meter I am able to get everything in Ku like the NBC news SD mux and all 3 of the PBS SD feeds which are tricky as well as Reuters on 113, which I am just outside the footprint.
 
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comfortably_numb said:
Just curious what my other FTA friends do when their dishes need to be re-pointed or you need to make a fine adjustment.

I used to take a small TV outside to point my dishes. Then I started using a Slingbox connected to my Amiko receiver. I take an iPad outside and set it behind the dish.

Another way I'm using is a Zmodo $30 wifi camera. Point the camera at the TV (inside the house), then load the app on the iPad.

The Slingbox method has about a 5-7 second lag, which isn't horrible when I remember there is a lag!

The Zmodo cam has a near-instant response time, so it's much easier to make fine adjustments with it.

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Very Genius method!
 
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Most recently I've been "Facetiming" my iPad from my iPhone. Point the iPad at the TV with the signal meter pulled up, then take the iPhone outside and aim the dish. Works pretty well :)
 
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Signal finding and tuning starts with the inclinometer or angle finder app on the phone and compass. That usually gets me to within a nudge of locking on. Signal monitoring is via a Sathero SH200. It is basic but gets the job done nicely.

A trick for finicky new-old dishes which have poor elevation markings is to take the lnb off the holder and move it around the focal area of the dish to find the "spot". That'll tell you which way to move.

The E2 receivers have an OpenWebif application for computer or phone interface. It will give you something better than yelling or listening through the open windows for feedback.

Ma! the meatloaf!

Ma! Now the satellite signal!

Screenshot_20190303-092711_Chrome.jpeg
Screenshot_20190303-092351_Chrome.jpeg


Sent from my SM-G950U1 using the SatelliteGuys app!
 
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gpflepsen said:
Signal finding and tuning starts with the inclinometer or angle finder app on the phone and compass. That usually gets me to within a nudge of locking on. Signal monitoring is via a Sathero SH200. It is basic but gets the job done nicely.

A trick for finicky new-old dishes which have poor elevation markings is to take the lnb off the holder and move it around the focal area of the dish to find the "spot". That'll tell you which way to move.

The E2 receivers have an OpenWebif application for computer or phone interface. It will give you something better than yelling or listening through the open windows for feedback.

Ma! the meatloaf!

Ma! Now the satellite signal!

View attachment 137505View attachment 137506

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using the SatelliteGuys app!
Click to expand...
I tried it on my OS Mio 4K... It works, but seems to refresh only every few seconds... Do you know if there's a way to make it refresh more often? Or any app that would do the same but closer to real time?
 

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