For the RVer and the Trucker...
RV:
You say you have a Dish 500 with a DP Dual.
- By "Dual" do you mean it has two round eyes on it to receive 2 satellite locations as most Dish 500 do, which is probably a DP Twin?
- Or does it really have a DP Dual, which has a single eye? If so, is it on a bracket designed to hold only 1 LNBF or does it hold 2 LNBF?
If it is DP Twin, or even Legacy Twin, don't forget to set the SKEW and ELEVATION according to the Zip Code you are stopped (Parked) at.
If it is a DP Dual or even a single output, including legacy, and you are using a bracket for a single position LNBF, then use the Dish 300 settings for your current Zip Code, not the 500 settings. Also, you will need to set the SKEW to 90 degrees on the Dish 500 which actually = 0 degrees tilt.
I think you probably have everything okay, but you are not aware of the fact you need to move slower than a brain surgeon. As RCDallas said, you need to go slowly and give the receiver time to register. How slow? Move it less than 1/16 " at a time, and give it 8 to 10 seconds to register on the point dish screen.
Recap:
- Mast must be perfectly plumb. This the most important part.
- Set Skew and Elevation according to zip code.
- Find approximate Azimuth.
- Set receiver to 119. Put foil over the 110 LNBF so it does not pick up any signals.
- Move dish east (or west) 1/32" at a time until you find a satellite, then you will know if you have it or the wrong satellite and need to re-adjust.
Trucker:
I don't think a truck stop is going to help you. And if one was able to get you set up, you will have to re-align the dish when ever you move, which is almost like aiming a rifle at a car that is 22,300 miles out in space, instead of just putting up a regular TV antenna.
So, if you are driving and then stop, you will need to get outside with your Dish 500, find a clear view of the southern sky, and set it up each time just like the RVer above.
However, for a truck that is constantly moving around the country, maybe you need to purchase one of those RV/Truck/Boat dish antenna's made by RVH Trackvision. They have several models that will locate the satellite when you stop, and a couple of models that will continually track the satellite while in motion - for the back seat driver to watch.
Here's a link to Sadoun's web page with several models.
KVH Winegard RV Satellite TV systems Tracvision Mobile Antenna In-Motion Stationary Low Profile
You'll still need access to the sky, but it will find the satellite if a clear line of sight.