Social Feed
Hello. I'm a new user to this forum (please be gentle 
)
I use my DirecTV receiver in my RV. I have an old Magnavox single LNB dish (with an indicator LED on it) along with my Sony SAT-55 receiver. This dish is mounted on a Winegard tripod with compass points around the base. Because I understand that the mast must be plumb and the tripod properly oriented north-south, it rarely takes me more than two minutes to aim my dish when we set up camp here it Texas. I've conned over a dozen friends into giving up their cable and getting DirecTV, have done all of their installations and had similar success in aiming their dishes.
I really stubbed my toe when we went to Wyoming on a trip. I tried two different times at two different places and couldn't get any channels. I did what I've always done - looked up the zip code on the receiver, used the azimuth and elevation to set up the first dish alignment and then used the LED on the LNB to find the limits of the signal for both azimuth and elevation, setting dish in the middle of each range and looking at the receiver to verify my signal strength. Here is what I saw:
1. All transponders under 24 were zero.
2. I only had even transponders above 24 and and saw 75-90% on those.
I thought that I might be on the wrong "bird" so I very carefully and slowly swung the dish 20 degrees on either side of the limit of the signal I was getting but the LED never registered another signal. I moved to the top of the elevation range and tried to swing the azimuth again 20 degrees. Still nothing.
I tried all of the other tricks that I know:
1. wired the dish directly to the satellite in on the receiver to eliminate the RV wiring.
2. unplugged the receiver for two minutes, powered on and tried re-aiming
3. metered my cable for open or short
4. Called DirecTV and had them reset my account.
None of it was any help. I gave up.
When I returned home, I was determined to figure out what was wrong. I figured that either the LNB or the receiver had gone bad on the trip. I set the dish up in my drive way and had 85-90% on all transponders in less than 45 seconds using the same techniques above. Reception is great on all channels.
So where did I go wrong in Wyoming? What facts didn't I provide that would help you to help me?
)I use my DirecTV receiver in my RV. I have an old Magnavox single LNB dish (with an indicator LED on it) along with my Sony SAT-55 receiver. This dish is mounted on a Winegard tripod with compass points around the base. Because I understand that the mast must be plumb and the tripod properly oriented north-south, it rarely takes me more than two minutes to aim my dish when we set up camp here it Texas. I've conned over a dozen friends into giving up their cable and getting DirecTV, have done all of their installations and had similar success in aiming their dishes.
I really stubbed my toe when we went to Wyoming on a trip. I tried two different times at two different places and couldn't get any channels. I did what I've always done - looked up the zip code on the receiver, used the azimuth and elevation to set up the first dish alignment and then used the LED on the LNB to find the limits of the signal for both azimuth and elevation, setting dish in the middle of each range and looking at the receiver to verify my signal strength. Here is what I saw:
1. All transponders under 24 were zero.
2. I only had even transponders above 24 and and saw 75-90% on those.
I thought that I might be on the wrong "bird" so I very carefully and slowly swung the dish 20 degrees on either side of the limit of the signal I was getting but the LED never registered another signal. I moved to the top of the elevation range and tried to swing the azimuth again 20 degrees. Still nothing.
I tried all of the other tricks that I know:
1. wired the dish directly to the satellite in on the receiver to eliminate the RV wiring.
2. unplugged the receiver for two minutes, powered on and tried re-aiming
3. metered my cable for open or short
4. Called DirecTV and had them reset my account.
None of it was any help. I gave up.
When I returned home, I was determined to figure out what was wrong. I figured that either the LNB or the receiver had gone bad on the trip. I set the dish up in my drive way and had 85-90% on all transponders in less than 45 seconds using the same techniques above. Reception is great on all channels.
So where did I go wrong in Wyoming? What facts didn't I provide that would help you to help me?
7 Replies
·
2503 views
C
texasbrit said
Ya know, I thought of that one, too. I know that its hard to believe but I do have a separate compass and, after 15-20 minutes of trying to figure things out, I decided to "get back to basics". I put the tripod on the opposite side of the road from the RV (I have a 75 foot cable)just to make sure that I wasn't getting any metal interference on the compass. I drew a line in the dirt which was the extention of the north-south axis on either side of the compass and double checked it. I sat the tripod on top of that line and made sure that it was as perfectly lined up as I could make it. I freely admit that it could have been a degree or two off, even with all of that.
The tripod has a bubble level on it. I set it perfectly plumb with that and then went in to get the level that I use to level the RV and doubled checked that, too.
When I tried to do the alignment, I swung the azimuth on the tripod 20 degrees further east than the point where where I lost the signal from the satellite (I'm assuming it was 119) and couldn't find another signal. My reasoning was that the same dish should pick up both and if they were further apart than that, aligning between the two would be extremely difficult. I then went just past the western limit of the signal that I found, and then went 20 degrees further west. I took the elevation to the top of the signal that I found and repeated going 20 degrees past the azimuth settings again. I do understand that I need to make those swings in super slow motion so it took almost 5 minutes just performing those two sweeps.
I figured that the deer or the bears in Yellowstone must have created a magnetic field that threw my compass off if that was truly the cause. The more I think about it, however, the more I wonder why if I did find 119 (and I definitely had signal strength from something that the receiver recognized so it wasn't the Dish Network bird), why I couldn't find the 101, too. Now, I regret not going 30 degrees on either side of the signal but that just seems like a lot of variance to me.
Maybe, I just stick to camping in Texas. I never have problems here.
Ya know, I thought of that one, too. I know that its hard to believe but I do have a separate compass and, after 15-20 minutes of trying to figure things out, I decided to "get back to basics". I put the tripod on the opposite side of the road from the RV (I have a 75 foot cable)just to make sure that I wasn't getting any metal interference on the compass. I drew a line in the dirt which was the extention of the north-south axis on either side of the compass and double checked it. I sat the tripod on top of that line and made sure that it was as perfectly lined up as I could make it. I freely admit that it could have been a degree or two off, even with all of that.
The tripod has a bubble level on it. I set it perfectly plumb with that and then went in to get the level that I use to level the RV and doubled checked that, too.
When I tried to do the alignment, I swung the azimuth on the tripod 20 degrees further east than the point where where I lost the signal from the satellite (I'm assuming it was 119) and couldn't find another signal. My reasoning was that the same dish should pick up both and if they were further apart than that, aligning between the two would be extremely difficult. I then went just past the western limit of the signal that I found, and then went 20 degrees further west. I took the elevation to the top of the signal that I found and repeated going 20 degrees past the azimuth settings again. I do understand that I need to make those swings in super slow motion so it took almost 5 minutes just performing those two sweeps.
I figured that the deer or the bears in Yellowstone must have created a magnetic field that threw my compass off if that was truly the cause.
The more I think about it, however, the more I wonder why if I did find 119 (and I definitely had signal strength from something that the receiver recognized so it wasn't the Dish Network bird), why I couldn't find the 101, too. Now, I regret not going 30 degrees on either side of the signal but that just seems like a lot of variance to me.Maybe, I just stick to camping in Texas. I never have problems here.
chasfm11 said:texasbrit said
Ya know, I thought of that one, too. I know that its hard to believe but I do have a separate compass and, after 15-20 minutes of trying to figure things out, I decided to "get back to basics". I put the tripod on the opposite side of the road from the RV (I have a 75 foot cable)just to make sure that I wasn't getting any metal interference on the compass. I drew a line in the dirt which was the extention of the north-south axis on either side of the compass and double checked it. I sat the tripod on top of that line and made sure that it was as perfectly lined up as I could make it. I freely admit that it could have been a degree or two off, even with all of that.
The tripod has a bubble level on it. I set it perfectly plumb with that and then went in to get the level that I use to level the RV and doubled checked that, too.
When I tried to do the alignment, I swung the azimuth on the tripod 20 degrees further east than the point where where I lost the signal from the satellite (I'm assuming it was 119) and couldn't find another signal. My reasoning was that the same dish should pick up both and if they were further apart than that, aligning between the two would be extremely difficult. I then went just past the western limit of the signal that I found, and then went 20 degrees further west. I took the elevation to the top of the signal that I found and repeated going 20 degrees past the azimuth settings again. I do understand that I need to make those swings in super slow motion so it took almost 5 minutes just performing those two sweeps.
I figured that the deer or the bears in Yellowstone must have created a magnetic field that threw my compass off if that was truly the cause.
Maybe, I just stick to camping in Texas. I never have problems here.
It sounds like you were doing everything right, but I would not trust the bubble level on the tripod. Check it with a good level to be sure.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68538 Replies
·
2673653 views
Lifetime Supporter
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
116 Replies
·
1837 views
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
www.colts.com
Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties
Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
www.colts.com
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties
Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
M
Can we expect to see a new coach if we say "pretty please?"
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties
Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
Can we expect to see a new coach if we say "pretty please?"
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
No idea what improvements might be involved.
24 Replies
·
1076 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P4_TzYKwcNY
Direct YouTube Link - This is iPhone Duo!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/P4_TzYKwcNY
Direct YouTube Link - This is iPhone Duo!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
·
14 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-O2iLThF4z8
Direct YouTube Link - Generative AI: Revolutionizing Game NPC Dialogue & Behavior? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-O2iLThF4z8
Direct YouTube Link - Generative AI: Revolutionizing Game NPC Dialogue & Behavior? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
·
13 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
7 Replies
·
106 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stargate SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis renewed
Monday - August 21, 2006 | by Darren Sumner
The future of Stargate is in question today, as SCI FI Channel has cancelled the long-running Stargate SG-1, Multichannel News reported today and a GateWorld source has confirmed. The news regrettably follows the airing of the show's milestone two-hundredth episode on Friday.
Stargate Atlantis, meanwhile, has been renewed for a fourth season, with the network hoping to see that the spin-off series can stand alone, according to a source.
Source Gateworld
Monday - August 21, 2006 | by Darren Sumner
The future of Stargate is in question today, as SCI FI Channel has cancelled the long-running Stargate SG-1, Multichannel News reported today and a GateWorld source has confirmed. The news regrettably follows the airing of the show's milestone two-hundredth episode on Friday.
Stargate Atlantis, meanwhile, has been renewed for a fourth season, with the network hoping to see that the spin-off series can stand alone, according to a source.
Source Gateworld
2033 Replies
·
184146 views
Watch Stargate SG-1 for Free Online | Pluto TV
Stargate SG-1 picks up where the blockbuster film left off as the SG-1 team sets out to explore the mysteries of the Stargate and the worlds beyond it in the pulse-pounding series which became a worldwide phenomenon and a science fiction classic. Stream Stargate SG-1 for free on Pluto TV.
pluto.tv
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wVdnjWsw2Uk
Direct YouTube Link - Defender on Linux: Microsoft's Big Security Move #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wVdnjWsw2Uk
Direct YouTube Link - Defender on Linux: Microsoft's Big Security Move #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
·
19 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
152 Replies
·
1935 views
M
They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
. Hated to see my dawgs go down but I still say being ranked #1 is a hex on you!
They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
. Hated to see my dawgs go down but I still say being ranked #1 is a hex on you!
Yup, I agree, I'd rather be 2 or 3 till the last few weeks.They get cruel sometimes, very very cruel.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PSGt6dUXdnI
Direct YouTube Link - RTX Spark: NVIDIA's AI PC Powerhouse Details! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PSGt6dUXdnI
Direct YouTube Link - RTX Spark: NVIDIA's AI PC Powerhouse Details! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
·
24 views