Finding Direct TV Signal

[moldmkr]

I just had Direct TV installed in the MH with a slim line dish. When they installed it we got good signal. We moved to a different location. Got the coordinates from the TV and adjusted the dish checked signal strength and had all zeroes. Moved the dish around numerous times to try to find a signal but no luck.
Does anyone have a good idea on how to adjust the dish to pick up a signal. I used a cheap compass from Walmart to get the southerly direction and adjusted the tilt and elevation per the zip code we are currently in.
Thanks in advance

[whem2fish]

im guessing you have the 3 lnb if so i just went through this most web site sat. charts are for the old small dish basicly they said to point south i think it was about181 degrees with a slim line you are off 16-20 degrees from due south standing behind dish move to the left about 20 degrees have someomt watching tv or where you can see it when you get close the box will show it found sat then you can go to the signal strength to fine tune ill check back
dave

[Gary RVRoamer]

You should have an azimuth (compass bearing) as well as tilt. Just point "south" is not sufficient.

[wa8yxm]

I use a hiker's compass to survey the site (this one lets me dial in the azimuth setting. then line up the arrows and site along the long other arrow)

one problem in many campgrounds is when you do this you see... a tree.

There is a product called an "Align-a-site" that costs baout 150 dollars, works a bit better than my 8 dollar hiker's compass. This one you dial in azimuth, and elevation (And for that matter skew or tilt) and line up the compass needle, center the level bubbles and site.. if you see a tree.. move and try agaiin

Mount it on the dish, and.. WHen everythign lines up (Non-metallic dish) you should have signal.

I rather like the hiker's compass and a good guess on elevation though.

But then I know how to guess elevation well.

The new 3-lnb slimline dish the 3 birds are what 99-101-103 you aim on 101 and tilt to get the other two.

[kjburns]

If you have a Droid or iPhone, the DishPointer app will let you see where the satellites are and if there are any obstructions.

[Route 66]

It never hurts to see where your neighbor's dish is pointed for a general idea.

[wa8yxm]

R-66 has a good point... NOTE: in the US there are usually 4 different dishes

If you see a dish that looks JUST LIKE YOURS.. point the same way

if the dish is the older DirecTV dish with a single lens (hockey puck) point the same way

If ti's a twin or triple (2 or 3 lens or hockey pucks) that's dish, they either look farther west or farther east depending on which coast you are on (central US they look more west)

Direc, either single or 3-LNB slim line, centes on 101 west

Dish half way between 110 and 119, or on 119 depending on the service

the numbers are 1/3 of the bird's address which is

Altitude: Geo sync or about 1/8 light second
ZERO north and Number west (Whatever the number is)

This can help you find the proper bird if you have a receiver that has good antenna pointing software (DISH)

The other two birds for DirecHD are 99 and 103,, so you still center on 101

[Bill Adams]

To try to help those who might read the above post and say "what the....."
Altitude is not relevant to pointing an antenna but if you happen to be curious, the satellites are located approximately 22,300 miles about the earth (about 1/8 of a light second).
They are located at 0 degrees Latitude (directly above the equator) and the name of the satellite refers to it's Western Longitude. Therefore, the DirecTV 101 satellite would be found along the NS Longitude on a globe or map that lines up Longitude 101 (somewhere between Midland and Abilene, TX) and the Dish Network 119 would be found somewhere along the Longitude that includes Oxnard, CA.
Both DirecTV and Dish Network have similar pointing software. It's called the signal meter. Enter a zip code and get the azimuth and elevation settings (skew is only necessary if it is a multiple LNB antenna) and go point the dish.
Some of the above post I don't understand so some parts I will not attempt a guess at an explanation, but the gist would be if you point your dish in the general direction that other dishes are pointed you should be able to find the signal. The main DirecTV and Dish Network satellites are 18 degrees apart so make the necessary adjustment and go watch some TV. I think Dirk's post might have said that already.

[tnau]

Hey Moldmkr, I too use Directv when traveling. I use the single dish with a ground tripod. I use the angle and elevation given from the setup menu and adjust from there. Last time I had issues I just dialed the wife sitting inside and tweaked for strongest signal. Sometimes it pops easy, other times not.

You do get lucky sometimes. Last Spring I was set up with dish attached to my rear ladder. Needed to move for more water, (long story, one faucet for 20 campers). I drove away and pulled right back to the same tracks. Never had to adjust. Sweet!

Happy Watching
Terry