What kind of meter do you use for DirecTV

[K-Star]

I've had DishNetwork for years and never had a problem setting up my dish.

Now I have DirecTV with a Slimline3 dish. I had an Accutrac III+ meter but that did not work. Apparently I needs some other module connected for it to work. My Channel Master doesn't work with this dish either.

What are you using to setup your Slimline3 dish?

[Rodneykrantz]

I use the gauge built in the reciever

[TN Bill]

Same here plus I do have a cheap meter I bought on Ebay if I have problems.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star I've had DishNetwork for years and never had a problem setting up my dish. Now I have DirecTV with a Slimline3 dish. I had an Accutrac III+ meter but that did not work. Apparently I needs some other module connected for it to work. My Channel Master doesn't work with this dish either. What are you using to setup your Slimline3 dish?

I use a radio shack meter if needed. But normally, I use the info given by telling the receiver where we are (ZIP Code) and then use a compass. Rarely takes more than 2-3 minutes to zero in.

[K-Star]

that is what i've been doing as of late. thanks for the responses

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy I use a radio shack meter if needed. But normally, I use the info given by telling the receiver where we are (ZIP Code) and then use a compass. Rarely takes more than 2-3 minutes to zero in.

I have a RS meter also and never could get it to work. I say 'doesn't work'... I mean when the needle moves, it PEGS". Even if I turn the signal strength thingy down, it STILL pegs. It's like the modern oil pressure gauges. Either you have FULL pressure or NOTHING!
I give up and used the DirecTV receiver meter, like you did.
I may have been doing something wrong too. Do you NEED the voltage from the receiver to power the LNB before the RS meter works right?
michigancamper

[TN Bill]

Yes, you do need voltage from the reciever for any meter to work. The inline meters can be very touchy.

[Tallyrver]

I have been using the Dish Pointer app for a few months. works well if you are in a shaded area ,point it into the sky and you can see the sats . find a hole and you're ready to go.

Wayne
Android app released | DishPointer.com

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TN Bill Yes, you do need voltage from the reciever for any meter to work. The inline meters can be very touchy.

Aaah, that explains it.

I have the 'slimeline' I think it's called, at home. It used a 28v (I think) 'external' power supply and in the campground situation, we use a single LNB to grab the signal off the 101 satellite. you have to make the a change on the receiver to get the 18v out to power the LNB.
I'm not sure if I did that before trying to use the RS meter or not.
I'll have to try it again.


Wayne, (Tallyrver) I see they got a sat app for the fancy cell phones. My phone is a Tracfone,... no apps available. Don't think I'm in the mood to buy a $100 a month cell phone to use that app once in a while. If I has a 'smart phone', I'd have that app though. I think it's only about $5.
michigancamper

[Tallyrver]

I don't have a smart phone ,I use the DW's phone ,when the DW gets a new phone ..I'll have a smart phone (her old one)

Wayne

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallyrver I don't have a smart phone ,I use the DW's phone ,when the DW gets a new phone ..I'll have a smart phone (her old one) Wayne

I did check at a phone store to see if I could get a phone with the Sat finder app without phone service. (to cut out the cost of phone service) She looked at me like I was nutz. LOL

Honestly, my Tracfone costs me about $100,... for a YEAR. Again, not about to get a $100 per month service just to get the satellite finder app.

I wonder why the satellite folks don't come up with something to do the same thing without the phone part?
michigancamper

[wa8yxm]

I consider the in-line meters to be JUNK! Some of the stand alone are decent but they are expensive... The best in my opinion is a small portable color TV (Salvation Army? GoodWill? Left over from the Analog days!!) the outside TV jack and an extension cord... Or in my case a portable battery (Jump start kit) and use the meter built into the receiver (Antenna pointing page) DirecTV's is better than the in-lines as it will tell you "Wrong bird" (the inline types don't much care which satellite you peak on, 83, 92, 101 110, 119 all the same to the meters, but NOT to the receiver (and more)

DISHnetwork receivers not only tell you "Wrong bird" but which way to move (Larger numbers are to the west) so if you nail 101, (Which is the proper bird for DirecTV) it will tell you AMC-4 101 wrong satellite, you know to look more to the west.

DirecTV just says "Wrong bird" at least the ones I've seen.

True story: Man had strong signal on his automatic dish (it points itself) but no signal on his TV screen..... (DirecTV) I offered to help.. Took a look at the dish control panel. said "Directv, right?" he confirmed, I pressed a few buttons and PICTURE appeared.

What did I do... Like I said, 101W is DirecTV, he was looking at 110.

[brabono]

How do you get to 101W? On direct and not pinging on any transponders. We tried 99 1l1 ll5 ll9 nothing

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brabono How do you get to 101W? On direct and not pinging on any transponders. We tried 99 1l1 ll5 ll9 nothing

MENU/SETUP/SYSTEM SETUP/SATELLITE/REPEAT SAT SETUP or do SAT SETUP.

Then plug in your zip code and set the dish to the direction indicated. OR set the dish to the elevation listed and aim your dish toward Amarillo, TX which is at about 101°.