Pre-Test for Satellite Reception

[UpStateNY]

I'm currently a cable subscriber here in Up-State NY and am considering satellite as an alternate to the choke-collar Time Warner applies to its customers. Instead of risking a $50 service call and having to send back (at my expense) equipment that I can't use, I was wondering if there is any way of performing a self-test for reception quality around my home? I'd appreciate the advice, since the local suppliers and installers of DirecTV have the same answer: Buy it, you can always send it back (but at a cost).

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[WTT0001]

Anywhere...

Near Albany, Hudson or Glens Falls/Queensbury??? If you are give us a call (518) 843-4350 and we will be happy to give you info and install it for ya (we don't charge anything if its a no site).

If you grab a compass your looking from 230 - 250 (roughly) your elevation is 35 - 20 (101 is 230 @ 35, 110 is 240 @ 27 and the 119 is 250 @ 20).

WTT

 

[jimisham]

here's a web site using the sun and moon to determine if you can see all three satellites. http://perso.numericable.fr/~gjullien/satellite.htm The best time to do this is around the first week in October or March, but it can be done at other times of the year. You will need to know your latitude and longitude.

 

[UpStateNY]

Satellite/Antenna Locator Sites

You guys are great. I placed a call to WTT this AM. And jimisham got me thinking, so I went on the web and found the following sites for estimating your antenna position relative to your location:

Site Location: http://terraserver.microsoft.com/
Antenna Positioning: http://www.satsig.net/ssazelm.htm

Thanks for everything, everyone.