Eric,
I am not sure where you got your first figures, but dishpointer clearly says 156.6 azimuth and 48.2 elevation for Vanderwagen, NM. I would go with those settings. Dishpointer has not been wrong for me on all the setups I do on the road in our RV.
The next most important thing is to be very very sure your pole is absolutely vertical. If you are going to just do this once an inexpensive torpedo level can help you get the pole setup correctly. If you are going to do this repeatedly, I would suggest a post level which has 2 sides with level gauges. That goes quicker.
To start with, I just set the elevation I get from dishpointer using the scale on the mounting bracket. This is close enough to at least get you a base signal and you can work from there.
I am going to assume that you are using your receiver's signal meter for the alignment. Make sure the meter is set for satellite 101. That is what you are going to do your main alignment with. I am not sure what the 5S is, but it is SWM make sure that your power supply is in the line and plugged in.
Now you need to be sure that your compass is not getting interference from any metal nearby. (This is why it is easier to setup a dish on a tripod than on the J pole.) Move the compass around until you know you are getting a good reading for north. Set a line to mark off the 157 degree mark on your compass. If the light is not good I take something like a stick and point it in the direction indicated. Then you line up the arm on the dish with your compass or pointer stick. Move it slowly left and right for the best signal. Once you find the best signal tighten the three bolts on the bracket that hold it to the mast. Make sure they are good and tight.
Now loosen the elevation bolts and move the dish up and down until you get the best signal. Tighten the bolts at this point. You should be able to receiver several signals at this point since 101 is the main satellite for SD broadcasts.
To make sure your skew is correct set your meter to satellite 99 or 103. Rotate the dish on its skew axis until you get the best signal strength. When you are there tighten the bolts. You are basically done.
If this is a one-time setup you should probably do the "dithering" process. That involves tightening and loosing the bolts with the black dial looking things on them. Find the one that controls the azimuth adjustment and turn it forward and backward for the best signal. Once you have that peaked, do the same for the elevation.
If this doesn't work you have something wrong with some piece of equipment.
Let us know of your results.
Thanks,
Bob
