Site survey using inclinometer

[glen4cindy]

I'm going to be doing a site survey using a home-made inclinometer and have a question.

Do I use the actual elevation angles given by dishpointer.com to see if there is clear LOS to a particular satellite, or do I factor in the offset angle of the dish and add this to the elevation angle given, seeing that the dish actually "looks" higher than it would seem?

Thanks!

 

[meinename]

When I did that myself I used the actual angles given by dishpointer.com

I immeadiately found out, at one site, why I couldn't lock 127W or farther even though E@129W could barely be heard on a "squealer" meter.
Too bad the tree is over 120 foot and really close to the house. That and the limb was 65 foot up.

 

[Sadoun]

One of the best tools we advice installers to use for surveying the location is the Suunto Tandem Inclinometer.

SUUNTO TANDEM Compass and Clinometer TANDEM 360PC 360R

 

[Cadsulfide]

The suunto works great, but is expessive, the compass feature in it makes it worth the money. . A cheapie inclinometer taped to a short section of 1/2" plastic pipe will do, you will be surprised at what a dish can look over.

 

[Sadoun]

The suunto works great, but is expessive, the compass feature in it makes it worth the money.

For a home DIY installer, it is an expensive tool and is not required. However, for a professional installer who is trying to get to the customer's house, survey, install, setup, and leave as quickly as possible, this is a required tool. No more guessing whether LOS is clear or not.

 

[equant]

Do I use the actual elevation angles given by dishpointer.com to see if there is clear LOS to a particular satellite, or do I factor in the offset angle of the dish and add this to the elevation angle given, seeing that the dish actually "looks" higher than it would seem?

The first. Don't factor in the offset. Your eye is prime focus.

 

[equant]

One of the best tools we advice installers to use for surveying the location is the Suunto Tandem Inclinometer.http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/SUUNTO/SUUNTO-TANDEM-Compass-Clinometer.htm

I realize you help support this site, which is why I purchase most of my gear from you, but if you're going to post an advertisement in a thread, couldn't you at least answer the OP question?

 

[Sadoun]

Fair enough.

Just use the actual elevation angle. Don't factor the offset angle or anything else.

 

[equant]

Just use the actual elevation angle. Don't factor the offset angle or anything else.

Wurd. And I'm glad to see I didn't blow my self-righteousness by giving them the wrong answer.

 

[glen4cindy]

Thanks for all the answers.

I would love to have one of those nice expensive units, but, just cannot justify it. If I decide to start my own FTA or Glorystar installation service, I would probably buy it. I would not mind doing just that, but, I don't think I would get alot of business. Most people I talk to get this blank stare when I talk about FTA. Most people just are not aware that it even exists. Then, most people that I talk to don't seem to be interested in much of what is available.

I actually enjoyed some viewing the other day. I was on 97 W and watched what I think was a channel from Pakistan, they were playing 1 vs. 100. Then, I watched a Romanian Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. It was interesting.

I was aiming for 148 W, just because it's there. I know there is not much if any FTA there, but, using TS Reader, I have found a few "hidden" channels on 61.5 and just wanted to see what was there on 148. But, from where my dish is, my house blocks 148. I would have to put a temporary dish in my front yard to see it, and I'm not in the mood to do that for the likes of 148, with little to no FTA available there. I would have to put a dish on a fairly high pole or on top of my shed to see it from my back yard, and again, it's not worth it!

Thanks again.