The angle of the dangle, is proportional....

[phlatwound]

....to the quality of the signal.

I received my Sears 8" Digital Torpedo Level today, they were on sale last week for $24.99 ($33.03 w/tax and delivery to my hut).

Craftsman Digital Torpedo Level

My BUD was setup by a pro about 15 years ago and I have never touched the elevation or declination since then.

I have one of those cheap plastic inclinometers and have run my BUD up to the apex and checked it with the inclinometer, could tell it was close and I am typically able to receive about anything I attempt.

Tonight I fired up the new digital level and determined my BUD was setup with an inclination (I prefer that term to "elevation") of 37 deg (my lat is 37.1) and a declination offset of 6 degrees (5.9 is "correct" for non-modified).

These settings are very close to the correct standard (non-modified) angles and have worked well for years.....but I have a new toy!

Changed the "standard" settings to those from the "Modified Polar Mount Tracking Angles" on the Geo-Orbit site and was rewarded for my efforts, I gained 10 Q points on the Nasa mux on 137W.

Footprints by Dish Size - Latitude Declination Chart - C/Ku-Band Satellite Listing

As was expected, the adjustment didn't change my Q numbers on sats that are close to my true south, and my BUD only goes to 87W so I couldn't look for any improvements to the eastern arc side, but I have no doubt they would be apparent if I could move it further to the east.

I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend this tool to anyone for dish setting duties.....and it might even work for some "honey-do" projects.

 

[Anole]

drat!

Last time I found things like that on sale, I posted 'em in the FTA Shack!
Drat, I could've probably uses one of those levels.
I was sort of waiting for 'em to go on sale at Harbor Freight, but wasn't paying attention.

What's that old saying about snoozin' ?

 

[Gray1]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I didn't know they made such things. I think I may need one of those.

 

[TexRedNK]

Thanks for the Heads Up on the Digital model. I had been using the big Yellow plastic angle finder (w/level) from Harbor Freight for about $10 at the check out register.

 

[stogie5150]

....to the quality of the signal.

I received my Sears 8" Digital Torpedo Level today, they were on sale last week for $24.99 ($33.03 w/tax and delivery to my hut).

Craftsman Digital Torpedo Level

My BUD was setup by a pro about 15 years ago and I have never touched the elevation or declination since then.

I have one of those cheap plastic inclinometers and have run my BUD up to the apex and checked it with the inclinometer, could tell it was close and I am typically able to receive about anything I attempt.

Tonight I fired up the new digital level and determined my BUD was setup with an inclination (I prefer that term to "elevation") of 37 deg (my lat is 37.1) and a declination offset of 6 degrees (5.9 is "correct" for non-modified).

These settings are very close to the correct standard (non-modified) angles and have worked well for years.....but I have a new toy!

Changed the "standard" settings to those from the "Modified Polar Mount Tracking Angles" on the Geo-Orbit site and was rewarded for my efforts, I gained 10 Q points on the Nasa mux on 137W.

Footprints by Dish Size - Latitude Declination Chart - C/Ku-Band Satellite Listing

As was expected, the adjustment didn't change my Q numbers on sats that are close to my true south, and my BUD only goes to 87W so I couldn't look for any improvements to the eastern arc side, but I have no doubt they would be apparent if I could move it further to the east.

I'm very happy with my purchase and would recommend this tool to anyone for dish setting duties.....and it might even work for some "honey-do" projects.

Told ya.

LOL

Glad it worked out for ya, Brother.