Satellite Antenna Question

[mustang652]

We recently bought a used, less than 2700 miles on it, 2011 Winnebago RV with what I think is a near bottom of the line Winegard satellite antenna. It has to be manually raised and aligned for each use and so far, I haven't been able to figure out how to align it and get a signal. It has a ceiling mounted crank with a ring to set to north and a dial indicating degrees and a digital indicater to indicate elevation. So far I'm not impressed. I had the Winegard Road Trip automatic stationary antenna with Direct TV standard on the last unit so I guess I got spoiled. Is there any simple formula for getting the signal quickly and is realignment required when changing from local channels to the "satellite" channels. I'm already frustrated enough with trying to use it that I am thinking about ordering the Winegard Carry out version of the one that I had.

[Martind4]

Don't be so quick to throw the unit away, once you get a little practice I think you'll find that you can set up faster than the automatic.

I use the DirecTV receiver to provide the setup data by inputting the ZIP code. Once I have the elevation angle I crank up the antenna and watch the readout, the coach doesn't have to be perfectly level to get the right adjustment.

Then I use a compass to find north and the approximate setup azimuth. Rotate the antenna to the setup azimuth and very slowly, stopping about every 3 degrees, tune for the best signal strength displayed by the receiver. Lock it down and wait for the guide to update.

I can usually get set up and watching tv long before my neighbor's antenna is done searching, all it takes is a little practice.

[macnkat]

The first couple of times are a little slow, but after that it gets easy.

[JBDISCOVERY]

MUSTANG652,
we have the manual antenna and have found it to be very servicable. We added a Winguard elevation panel which attaches directly to the dish. It gives a readout of the elevaton degrees which the Internet site for Directv gives for the Zip code. Once the elevaton is set, the azmuth is easy to get if you move the dish very slowly. We have used this system for the last five years all over the US. Michigan,
Flordia, California, Texas. Great to have an easy system to get TV where every you go.
Regards,
JimB
PS we bought the elevation panel at camping world for about $95.

[mustang652]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martind4 ....I use the DirecTV receiver to provide the setup data by inputting the ZIP code. Once I have the elevation angle I crank up the antenna and watch the readout, the coach doesn't have to be perfectly level to get the right adjustment. Then I use a compass to find north and the approximate setup azimuth. Rotate the antenna to the setup azimuth and very slowly, stopping about every 3 degrees, tune for the best signal strength displayed by the receiver. Lock it down and wait for the guide to update. I can usually get set up and watching tv long before my neighbor's antenna is done searching, all it takes is a little practice.

Where do I imput and how do I imput the zip into the receiver. I've got a compass and know to set the outer ring to north so that azimuth can be approximated.

[Martind4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang652 Where do I imput and how do I imput the zip into the receiver. I've got a compass and know to set the outer ring to north so that azimuth can be approximated.

On your remote controll:
Press the MENU button and choose 'Parental, Fav's and Setup"
Choose "System Setup"
Choose "Satellite"
Choose "Repeat Satellite Setup"
Enter Dash (-) The key below the 7

Then follow the onscreen directions to get the Elevation & Azimuth values and use the Signal Strength option to fine tune.

[Diplomat Don]

mustang652.......Your new coach has HD capable TV's. Why not get an automatic Winegard HD sat, (Winegard TravLer) they've come down in price. The take out unit is nice and gives you some options when trees block your view, but I can count on one hand the times a tree caused interference over the last 5 years. Enjoy the HD picture.....its worth it.

[Not a Clue]

Also, if you are using a box from home, don't forget to change the type of dish in the setup, should be 18" round. It will come up in the menu mentioned in previous post.

[Dave 430]

Since you are having some much fun getting lined up, I would recommend purchasing a signal finder. It is a small box that has a signal detector scale on the front. Also, it has a very high pitched tone when your antenna finds a satellite signal. This little box works about 5-10 seconds before the signal goes through the box and registered on your TV. I found it so much easier to use with everything. This little box will let U know if and how strong the signal is. Then all you have to do is wait until the box tells U if you are on the correct satellite or not.
Here it is at "CW", but I think I paid less somewhere else on line.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...e-finder/14067
Good Luck

[hamguy]

Right on. It takes a couple times to 'get with the program' so's to speak. Then it becomes second nature. I have a KVH tracking dish but on those occasions when I park in a treed area and the tracker doesn't find the bird, I use a portable dish. I get the info from the DTV setup window and use a compass to get the direction. The elevation is per the book. Having the unit level is a MUST.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martind4 Don't be so quick to throw the unit away, once you get a little practice I think you'll find that you can set up faster than the automatic. I use the DirecTV receiver to provide the setup data by inputting the ZIP code. Once I have the elevation angle I crank up the antenna and watch the readout, the coach doesn't have to be perfectly level to get the right adjustment. Then I use a compass to find north and the approximate setup azimuth. Rotate the antenna to the setup azimuth and very slowly, stopping about every 3 degrees, tune for the best signal strength displayed by the receiver. Lock it down and wait for the guide to update. I can usually get set up and watching tv long before my neighbor's antenna is done searching, all it takes is a little practice.

[wa8yxm]

I see they have walked you through the receiver's menus so I'll skip that and get straight to pointing toward the sky.

Step 1: MAKE SURE YOUR RIG IS LEVEL even before you start do that. This is one case where even "half a bubble" is going to make a difference.

Now, crank in the suggested elevation.. ODDS are you will be withing 1 or 2 degrees there and may well never change it.

Now using a compass or GPS to find north (GPS finds TRUE north by the way, Compass Magnetic and the difference between the two varies from spot to spot, You can find charts but heck, The Receiver has that info programmed in so.. Just make sure you are using the same north it is)

now, I like to start say 10-15 degrees EAST of suggestion then SLOWLY turn to the west while watching the signal indicator.. When you find your bird it will shoot up quickly... let it sit to make sure you have the RIGHT bird, and once it confirms you are on target, adjust elevation SLIGHTLY (no more than one degree) both ways to see if you can "Fine tune" that. if you do re-check azimuth (Direction) though odds are it won't have changed.

Then let the Receiver finish setting itself up and ... ENJOY.

[mustang652]

Thanks for all the advice, but with nearly half a day later, neck and attitude hurting, and with nearly the last hour on the phone with Direct TV and I still don't have satellite in the RV. After running me through the sset up several times, disconnecting the cables and rehooking them up, it was still getting all 0's on the strength and the menue will not come up to load the zip code. The technician thinks that there is a problem either with the dish or the cables between it and the receiver box, so come Monday I'll be calling the dealership. Once I get some answers I'll update the thread.

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang652 Thanks for all the advice, but with nearly half a day later, neck and attitude hurting, and with nearly the last hour on the phone with Direct TV and I still don't have satellite in the RV. After running me through the sset up several times, disconnecting the cables and rehooking them up, it was still getting all 0's on the strength and the menue will not come up to load the zip code. The technician thinks that there is a problem either with the dish or the cables between it and the receiver box, so come Monday I'll be calling the dealership. Once I get some answers I'll update the thread.

If the box will not bring up the menu to type in the zip code, there may be something wrong with the box. That screen is independent of the dish or the cabling and should work even if there is no dish connected to the receiver.

If you can't get the elevation and azimuth by typing in the zip code and you have an internet connection, HERE is a link to an online satellite finder. Select DirecTV 101, type in your location (address, zip code or latitude/longitude), had hit "GO." It will give you elevation, magnetic azimuth and true azimuth as well as a satellite view of the area that you can zoom in on to see if there are any nearby obstructions. Pick up the little balloon and drop it on your exact location.

As far as the cables go, the first connections I would suspect are the ones on the roof right at the dish. These may be corroded due to weathering. As a test, you can disconnect these and connect known good cables to the dish and run them through the window to the receiver.

Stick with it until you get an answer. As has been said, manually aiming a dish for DirecTV isn't all that difficult if all your equipment is working and once you get the hang of it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Luckiest Dre]

I was told the reciever sends an 18V DC signal to the antenna and this can be checked by using a Volt meter, I did not have one and could not check and was equally frustrated. After changing to a new coax after three days of frustration, I recieved a strong signal. Winegard has technitions available by phone and they may be able to help!