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Mody n Domy · 02-03-2016, 07:39 AM

Once I finely get my manual dish pointed to get the best possible signal. I get out my cell phone and use a compass app. I put the top of the cell phone on the center LNB and hold it horizontal and take a reading. I then change to a degree app and put it on the center LNB putting it on the side of the phone and take a reading. I then go to my memo app and wright down what state and park I am in. I then record the compass and degree readings then I record the skew in the memo. The next time we are at that park it gives me a very close place to start my set up for pointing the dish. We move every few weeks to different parks and states. This gives me fighting chance for my set up. I list all the parks in one state together and list it state by state.

vsheetz · 02-03-2016, 08:10 AM

If you frequent the same CGs that can be a good record to have. Manually pointing a dish is usually fairly straight forward and easy, but sometimes is challenging. Thanks for sharing the idea.

halftimer · 02-03-2016, 08:14 AM

I was at Rusk state park full of tall pine trees went set the dish up notice the guy next to me had his tripod folded up against his Rv I got my compass out found a hole in the trees. Now I am a poor boy I mounted my dish to a 2x10 the guy next door came over about the time I set it down and told me I was wasting my time. I nudge the board a bit with my foot and you could hear the TV pick up the signal.the guy went down on all fours to look at my setup asking if it was a 2x8 or 2x10 poor boy wins again.

mel s · 02-03-2016, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mody n Domy

Once I finely get my manual dish pointed to get the best possible signal. I get out my cell phone and use a compass app. I put the top of the cell phone on the center LNB and hold it horizontal and take a reading. I then change to a degree app and put it on the center LNB putting it on the side of the phone and take a reading. I then go to my memo app and wright down what state and park I am in. I then record the compass and degree readings then I record the skew in the memo. The next time we are at that park it gives me a very close place to start my set up for pointing the dish. We move every few weeks to different parks and states. This gives me fighting chance for my set up. I list all the parks in one state together and list it state by state.

Mody n Domy
There's an iPhone app for that: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sato...505857707?mt=8
Mel
'96 Safari

Mody n Domy · 02-03-2016, 11:34 AM

I have an Android phone, we full time spending summers in Michigan and winter where there is no snow. In Michigan we move between 7 + parks through out the summer moving every 3 weeks. We revisit several parks in the summer. Having the information on my phone makes it faster/easier to set up. I use a app called Satellite Director to find a good line of sight.

wa8yxm · 02-03-2016, 04:09 PM

Here is a shortcut that might work

Record the compass reading, also elevation and "tilt" if needed.

now When you return pre-set Elevation and tilt, (Make sure the mast (pipe) the dish is mounted on is properly plumb) and then you can just swing the dish slowly while watching a portable TV on the antenna pointing page.. Done that in many cases where a dish got knocked off axis.. Once you have the tilt and elevation,, azimuth is easy.

NOTE: Dish Network receivers tell you how strong the sinal is and what bird they are looking at.. Best software made... Direc strength and "Right/Wrong" satellite, Not nearly as good. Less they have upgraded since I last pointed one.