Help with Superdish 105 how to aim?

[Shadowtester]

Ok I have a Superdish 105 what is the best way to optimize the signal strength I have one of those cheap in-line satellite signal meters. Which satellite should I peak the dish on I would think after I have it peaked on one satellite I should tweak the skew to get the best signal on the other 2 satellites is that correct. Any dish installers wish to pass on their knowledge to help me out with this project I am trying to reduce the amount of rain fade I get due to low signal strength. The 110 and 119 satellite signal is in the middle to upper 80's the 105 runs in the lower to mid 60's I am located in central IL and it seams that every time a moderate thunder storm rolls though I loose signal lock.

Thanks for the help

 

[Stargazer]

You NEVER adjust the skew, set it and forget about it. In order for your skew and elevation numbers to be true your post or mast must be perfectly plumb. When you point the dish towards trees it will act as if it is getting a signal in. I find that a signal meter will help you find the satellite your looking for since it is more sensative. Once I find the satellite I am looking for I go off of the television point dish signal strength screen from the satellite receiver.

 

[Shadowtester]

I am lucky there are no trees in the line of sight for the Satellites I am pointed at any other good tips to help peak the setup. The problem using the receivers signal meter is that its about 60 feet away.

 

[Stargazer]

Get a pair of VOX (voice activated) walkie talkies. They are very cheap (from $10-20 a pair now). This will help you hear the pitch of the signal strength screen when it changes along with the signal increase/decrease. You could also take a cordless phone outside and do the same thing and have one by the receiver.

 

[HCI]

The easiest way to do this in your situation is put the meter on the 110 side of the dish. "The middle LNB" Peak this then check switch. The other 2 should fall into place. I say SHOULD.

 

[Shadowtester]

Thanks that was the info I was looking for as to which satellite to peak the dish for. I thought it should be the 110 but was not sure after I peak it on the 110 do you think a slight adjustment to the skew would help any for the other 2 sats especially the 105 which is only in the mid 60's on my 522.

 

[Frank Jr.]

If your pole or mast is plumb and the skew was set correctly in the first place do not try to readjust it. That would be a waist of time and effort. I peaked my superdish for the 105 orbital slot. Once 105 is peaked 110&119 should be fine. Good Luck!

 

[Shadowtester]

Thanks Frank Jr. I have checked and my post is plumb so since 105 is the weakest of the 3 satellites I think I will try to peak it on that one. Also since the locals networks on 105 are the most watched channels a little loss on 110 and 119 would not be much of a loss as the gain on the 105 hopefully.

 

[papalittle]

I use a Acutrac 22meter, fist I hook then 119 to the top connection on the meter and the 105 on the bottom connection on meter then turn dish until the meter shows the highest reading on the 105 then lock down the dish, I usually get aroynd 70 - 75 on the 105 and 90+ on the 110 and 119.

 

[Stargazer]

Having the pole/mast plumb is the most important part of a SuperDish installation since it is a multi-dish solution as Frank Jr. stated earlier. I always try to 119 in first since its easier to get than 105 and by the time you get 119 peaked you should have some signal on 105 then peak 105 since its weaker. Remember to do a check switch after 119 is peaked. It may already pick up 105 and 110 on the check switch after that point if you just happened to get the signal in good enough. If it did not pick them up on the first check switch then all you have to do is put it on 105 and transponder 18 or 23 and it will peak it then do a check switch again.