3 LNB Dish Alignment ?

[FreshAir]

I am seriously considering updating to an HD flat screen from my current Boat Anchor. My KVH Dome is not capable of HD w/o some costly hardware and software upgrades so I am thinking I would get a 1000.4 HD dish for occasional use on a tri-pod while boon docking. I have Dish Network.

My question is how difficult is it to aim a 3 LNB dish? I am pretty good at setting up my 2 LNB tri-pod dish and can usually do it in short time using one of those inexpensive $30 signal meters and a compass. I have watched the tech's set up my home 3 LMB HD dish and they admit it can be tricky w/o the proper meter's as the 129 skew adj. causes the most problems.

Also, I have noticed that most channels I watch are broadcast in HD, including Locals, from Sat 129. Satellite 119 would give me just about the rest of everything I need in SD. Can I aim my 2 LNB tri-pod at 119 and 129 and forget 110?

Thank's for any input, anybody doing it?

Pat

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir My question is how difficult is it to aim a 3 LNB dish? I am pretty good at setting up my 2 LNB tri-pod dish and can usually do it in short time using one of those inexpensive $30 signal meters and a compass.

With a clear sky, not so bad. With anything else, definitely harder, but doable w/the right tools.

The 1000.4 is the right choice. It comes with Eastern Arc (61.5, 72.5, 77) LNBs because DishTV no longer sells the Western Arc (110, 119, 129) LNBs for this dish. However, you can pick one up on eBay which I strongly suggest. With the ability to use the EA or WA LNBs, you have two aiming points in the sky to choose from -- which can be helpful when you're in the boonies.

A $30 meter won't cut it. I use an Accutrac III+ because it can display the signal strength of each of the 3 LNBs at the same time. VERY handy when tweaking the dish alignment (check eBay for lower $$$):
ACUTRAC III Plus Ka Hi/Lo Ku Satellite Signal Tracking Meter from Solid Signal

BTW, if you opt for the Accutrac, throw away the batteries that come with it and buy quality Lithium-Ion ones.

Also, because the 1000.4 is heavier and more susceptible to wind, you'll need a good heavy duty tripod like this:
TV4RV: Satellite - Tripod - Slimline - Dish - DirectTV: satellite and Internet for RV - Recreational Vehicles - RVers - DishTV - Satellite Dish - FTA - Tripod

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir Also, I have noticed that most channels I watch are broadcast in HD, including Locals, from Sat 129. Satellite 119 would give me just about the rest of everything I need in SD. Can I aim my 2 LNB tri-pod at 119 and 129 and forget 110?

Sure.

[Wayne M]

I'm rolling on the floor laughing. Why? Because I have been in that same situation, trying to align a 3 LNB Dish antenna. It was for Dish Network. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was frustrated, and hours were spent trying to align the antenna. Can it be done. By all means, it can. Here's my story.

On one excursion, I set the tripod at the rear of the MH, but in the track of a close, adjoining site. I spent hours, like two or three, trying to get it aligned. I could get one, sometime two, but never 3 satellites, and when I got two, I'd tighten down the nuts and I'd loose one of the satellites. The tripod was staked, level, and everything "should" have worked. I finally went into the Coach, sat down, had a cool drink and was just plain out frustrated. As I sat there looking I noticed the park was starting to fill up, so I told DW that i was going to go out and just move the satellite dish out of the way. I pulled up the stakes, moved it to the rear of the coach, didn't want to mess with it until morning, put the stakes in the ground, never moved anything other than just picking the whole kit-and-caboodle up and putting it behind the Coach, and staking it. Went in side, and DW said, "You fixed it." All 3 satellites where beamed in.

I never had that problem again. I went out and bought a Winegard Carryout. I have been happy ever since.

Good luck. Please, let me know how it works out for you.

p.s., That was only one of the many times I could not tune in the satellites.

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M I have been in that same situation, trying to align a 3 LNB Dish antenna. It was for Dish Network. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I was frustrated, and hours were spent trying to align the antenna.

What type dish, meter, and antenna were you using?

[tworootless]

After struggling with 3 LNBs for two seasons, we traded for a Dish 500. It wasn't worth the hassle and we still get HD channels

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tworootless After struggling with 3 LNBs for two seasons, we traded for a Dish 500. It wasn't worth the hassle and we still get HD channels

What dish, meter, and antenna were you using?

[FreshAir]

I'm the OP. Thank's All for the input. I thought that with all the talk lately regarding RV HDTV that using the 3 LNB dishes might be catching on and be the way to go. You all have the knowledge and experience, been there, done that, which leaves me to think the 3 LNB thing may be more hassle and aggravation than the DW needs when I'm having a "Bad Dish," day. I've also had my share of "frustration" as Wayne illustrates, and at this point I'm going to experiment with aiming my 2 LNB Dish 500 at the 119 and 129 satellites.

I measured my home dish 1000 and it is a lot bigger than I realized and I'm cramped on storage space as is. Also, if it's as sensitive to align as indicated, I'm not sure it would be a good idea for my RV use as my 500 two LNB dish get's beat around pretty good with occasional wind tip overs and general boon docking use. And, before investing bucks for more equip to get a 1000 dish to work I wouldl most likely get the Wiengard Carryout, which subconsciously I may be just going thru the motions of justifying. Keep it simple.

Thank's,
Pat

PS, Tech Writer, why dosen't Dish Net. sell the Western Arc 110,119,129 dish anymore?

[Wayne M]

To TechWriter

Dish 1000, standard meter that just gives signal strength with an analog needle movement. It measures every satellite so not telling what satellite i was pointing to. I did use the compass orientation/elevation recommendations for the ZIP code. The antenna was a Dish 1000. The receiver was(still is) a VIP 722.

Fresh Air,
You can drill out the pop-rivets on the antenna support arm and replace them with bolts. Then you can disassemble the antenna and store it much easier.

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir I measured my home dish 1000 and it is a lot bigger than I realized and I'm cramped on storage space as is.

Unlike the 1000 and 1000.2, the 1000.4 comes apart -- the LNB arm is bolted to the dish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir PS, Tech Writer, why dosen't Dish Net. sell the Western Arc 110,119,129 dish anymore?

Dunno. It appears to be a mystery to Dish installers too as the 1000.4 is easier to aim. Heard a rumor that decision was driven by the boatload of Western Arc 1000.2s still around.

Have fun.

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M Dish 1000, standard meter that just gives signal strength with an analog needle movement. It measures every satellite so not telling what satellite i was pointing to.

Tx for info. The Dish 1000.4 is larger than the Dish 1000 & 1000.2. This makes for easier sat acquisition.

And the analog meter is definitely designed to provoke hair pulling. Multi-LNB dishes require a better meter.

[K-Star]

when i had DishNetwork I used a Channel Master meter to align my 1000.2 or 1000.4 (depending where I was) and could line it up in 5 minutes. The trick is you need to cover the outer pickups on the LNB and just use the center pickup. Your TV will tell you what satellite you are getting signal from. When you get 119, uncover the other two and the others fall into place. Run a Check Switch and good to go.

I now have DirecTV with the new SWM technology. . I tried 3 different metes and none worked. I now just use the receiver setup screen and play with it. now I need to make sure I have a couple of cold ones to get thru the setup.

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star when i had DishNetwork I used a Channel Master meter to align my 1000.2 or 1000.4 (depending where I was) and could line it up in 5 minutes. The trick is you need to cover the outer pickups on the LNB and just use the center pickup. Your TV will tell you what satellite you are getting signal from. When you get 119, uncover the other two and the others fall into place. Run a Check Switch and good to go.

This may work well when you're setting up a dish within a short distance of your RV, but it becomes problematic at a distance. Having done the walkie-talkie conversations with the Mrs, I decided to save the marriage & get a great meter instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star I now have DirecTV with the new SWM technology. . I tried 3 different metes and none worked.

The Accutrac III+ was originally intended for DirectTV setups.
Check out: CyberEstore | ACUTRAC III Plus Ka Hi/Lo Ku Satellite Signal Tracking Meter | ACUTRACIII

[Wayne M]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter Tx for info. The Dish 1000.4 is larger than the Dish 1000 & 1000.2. This makes for easier sat acquisition. And the analog meter is definitely designed to provoke hair pulling. Multi-LNB dishes require a better meter.

I had wanted to purchase a "BirdDog" meter, but the price of a Carryout was less. I may at some point go back to a tripod mount with dual or triple LNB so that I can record and view when the channels are on different satellites. But right now that is not a big problem for us. We record many movies and programs before we depart and we are able to watch them without having to set up the Sat system.

Others reading must be aware that there is a Dual Output LNB (Horn), and a Dual LNB. They are different. A dual output LNB is one LNB with two outputs to feed two different receivers. A dual LNB is two LNB's with two separate outputs. In my case the Dual LNB would feed Sat 1 and Sat 2 inputs on a single receiver. The Three LNB is switched/split in the head to feed a two input satellite receiver and provide 3 satellites. (That's my story untile someone more experienced comes along.)

[ljr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter .....A $30 meter won't cut it. I use an Accutrac III+ because it can display the signal strength of each of the 3 LNBs at the same time. VERY handy when tweaking the dish alignment.....

It also powers the dish so you don't have to drag a coax around behind you while you pick a spot with the right view of the sky.

I've been spending 4-8 months on the road each year for quite a while, typically moving every 2-4 weeks. 1000.4 setup is quick and simple with the right meter and tripod. Same with a 1000.2 but the 1000.4 is easier to aim and works with both arcs if you have both LNB assemblies.