"Dish For My RV" Satellite Finder App

[SarahW]

As relative newbies to satellite TV, we recently activated our dome and started the Dish pay-as-you-go service. So far, so good! Today I was putzing around on the internet when I happened to find an iPhone app called "Dish for My RV Satellite Finder". I downloaded the app, then took my phone outside to the end of our driveway, where we THOUGHT we would get ZERO satellites because of our neighbor's trees. Here's what I found...



All three Dish Network satellites!

This seems to be a cool app, but right away I'll say that this is NOT a tool to use for aiming your dish. It simply allows you to determine whether there is line-of-sight for your antenna.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

I use an Android app called Dishfinder Pro. I do use it to aim the dish. I point my phone and find the sat. I then make a visual reference to where the sat is to something near by. I aim towards that reference and usually get a picture in a few minutes.

[Bubwheat]

...just needs a clear view to the southern skies, then it does it's magic, all by its own little self!

[papaw.1]

X10 om tailgater

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Bubwheat

...just needs a clear view to the southern skies, then it does it's magic, all by its own little self!

Our KVH dome also automatically finds the satellites. I just like that I could carry my phone around a campground and find the "best" site for setup.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376

I use an Android app called Dishfinder Pro. I do use it to aim the dish. I point my phone and find the sat. I then make a visual reference to where the sat is to something near by. I aim towards that reference and usually get a picture in a few minutes.

Good idea. I'm sure this could be used in a similar fashion. I'm thinking we will use this for scouting which campground site to choose.

[kjburns]

Trees really aren't much of a problem in the southern part of the country since you're aiming pretty high. Up north the angle is a lot lower and trees are more likely to block the signal.

I also use Dishpointer Pro. I just used it to setup a tripod so the TVs work while the motorhome is parked in the garage. Normally, I use the Winegard Trav'ler on the roof, but I do keep a tripod for those times when trees are blocking the signal.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by kjburns

Trees really aren't much of a problem in the southern part of the country since you're aiming pretty high. Up north the angle is a lot lower and trees are more likely to block the signal.

You know, I had wondered about that. I wasn't too sure exactly how high off the horizon those satellites are, since our antenna is automatic. Is it a problem to get a signal in the Rockies?

[JMonroe]

I have a Droid phone and use a free app, Satellite AR. It works similar to what yours does Sarah. Sometimes you can avoid frustration by moving the rig a couple feet in either direction before you get all set up.

[vsheetz]

The Dishpointer app does much the same. A great tool. Does not matter if manual or automatic dish, one still sometimes does not have an obviously clear LOS to the southern sky. Using an app such as those discussed in this thread is a great aid to setup in less than optimal scenarios.

[kjburns]

Originally Posted by SarahW

Is it a problem to get a signal in the Rockies?

It depends on where you are and what obstacles are around. The further north, the lower you have to aim. The satellites orbit around the equator.

In 2001, I moved from Tucson to Bellingham, WA, just south of the Canadian border. I thought setting up the satellite antenna would be easy, until I realized how low I had to aim. My house also had lots of huge trees. Finding a spot where I could get a signal wasn't easy. In Tucson, aiming over trees wasn't much of a problem. In Tucson, Dish satellite 119 is up at 51.5°. In Bellingham it's at 33.9°, almost 20° lower. Add tall trees to the mix and finding an opening in the trees is a lot tougher.

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by SarahW

Our KVH dome also automatically finds the satellites. I just like that I could carry my phone around a campground and find the "best" site for setup.

Yes, it's a great little app. Our summer volunteer campsite in Oregon had very limited sky view due to trees around the site. The volunteer coordinator assured me that previous occupants of the site had good satellite reception. I was able to use the app to demonstrate to him that the "window" had become overgrown. He came along with a pole saw and fixed it so we could at least get two out of three satellites.

[pddgm]

I don't understand the statement about southern locations and the aim of the dish is high. Right now we are in northern Georgia and it 46 degrees. When we were is south texas it was 43. Any kind of bush or tree would block the signal. Must be Dish satellites that are high, 101 direct is pretty low to the horizon..

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by JMonroe

I have a Droid phone and use a free app, Satellite AR. It works similar to what yours does Sarah. Sometimes you can avoid frustration by moving the rig a couple feet in either direction before you get all set up.

Thanks, Jay. I have an Android tablet; I'll check for that app. (Free is good. )