Need help finding a signal before committing to Dish network.

[dan1520]

I live in a mountain area @ 4500 ft with lots of trees. I'd like to have Dish or Direct TV but not sure if I can get a good signal. Before calling the providers to check, I noticed on ebay some signal finding equipment. The price is reasonable ($ 9 - $15) but it need a receiver which I don't have.

Question: Is there a model, reasonably priced, that can find a signal without having a receiver? Or, is there another way?

This is my first attempt to investigate satellite TV so consider me a newbie.

Thanks

Dan

 

[mdram]

start here

Satellite Finder / Dish Pointing Calculator with Google Maps | DishPointer.com

btw, it says your in florida, but i dont think florida has anything that high
i could be wrong

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Got an Android or iPhone?

If yes then get a copy of the DishPointer app and you will be able to see if you can get a signal or not.

 

[gokartergo]

Got an Android or iPhone?

If yes then get a copy of the DishPointer app and you will be able to see if you can get a signal or not.

I have it on my iphone.. It actually works pretty good.. At least it puts you in the general area..
I didn't know that Florida had any mountains.. LOL

 

[CK SatGuy]

It doesn't. He just put a fake location.

 

[Hall]

Decide which provider is most appealing to you then call them. Their installer will make the determination if you can get a signal or not. If you can't he/she leaves. You're not "committed" to anything this way.

 

[Tampa8]

You are going about this wrong, take the advice of Hall, just call Dish and they will determine if you can get a signal. Oh, and the highest point in Florida is 3500 FT. I'm not aware of any recent volcanic activity, but I'll check the evening news.......

 

[CK SatGuy]

I got 345 FT as Florida's highest point. Britton Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Teehar]

Perhaps the op has a summer home up in the blue ridge mtns.

 

[Tampa8]

I got 345 FT as Florida's highest point. Britton Hill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LOL I added a "0" by mistake..... meant 350.

 

[mdram]

Perhaps the op has a summer home up in the blue ridge mtns.

or someplace offshote

 

[dan1520]

To further claify. I spend the summer in the mountains of North Carolina & winters in Fl. . I don't have a smart phone only a laptop. Can it be used to find a signal? If not, what commercially available equipment can be used. Or, should I just call Direct TV or Dish to have them come over. All I want now is to see if it can be done. If so, I will probably do it next summer because I'm already committed to cable tv for now. If I call Dish, etc., I'm concerned they want to sell me their service right away if the sugnal can be accessed.

 

[mdram]

the website i linked can be used on your pc

pic your location, and the sat, and see if its possible

 

[dwarren2]

the website i linked can be used on your pc

pic your location, and the sat, and see if its possible

From his first post, the OP mentioned trees. If they are tall enough they would block the LOS and no computer program can take that into the calculations.

 

[mdram]

From his first post, the OP mentioned trees. If they are tall enough they would block the LOS and no computer program can take that into the calculations.

true, but the thingy gives you a distance and height to obstacles for a reference
take a look

 

[Teehar]

To further claify. I spend the summer in the mountains of North Carolina & winters in Fl. . I don't have a smart phone only a laptop. Can it be used to find a signal? If not, what commercially available equipment can be used. Or, should I just call Direct TV or Dish to have them come over. All I want now is to see if it can be done. If so, I will probably do it next summer because I'm already committed to cable tv for now. If I call Dish, etc., I'm concerned they want to sell me their service right away if the sugnal can be accessed.

I had a feeling you were spending time up here in the Mtns.Unless your property is absolutely covered with large trees to the southwest you should have no problem getting a decent signal from either company.My personal opinion is to call and get a site survey.

 

[Hall]

If I call Dish, etc., I'm concerned they want to sell me their service right away if the sugnal can be accessed.

Neither company will come out and do a "pre-check". A reseller for the company might though.... The only way DirecTV or Dish (directly) will come out is when you place an order and schedule the installation.

 

[Dah-Henny]

Perhaps the op has a summer home up in the blue ridge mtns.

A Floridian with a second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains?.....NO WAY!
It's all good, but we DO have to teach them to drive.

 

[Teehar]

A Floridian with a second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains?.....NO WAY!
It's all good, but we DO have to teach them to drive.

hehehehe very true.