Community Forums

Emperor · 06-18-2016, 09:47 AM

Just having a tough time aiming my Winegard portable sattelite dish even with Winegard sattelite finder. There has to be an easier way. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

VestaDave · 06-18-2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor

Just having a tough time aiming my Winegard portable sattelite dish even with Winegard sattelite finder. There has to be an easier way. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Did you buy it new? If you did, return it and get a portable automatic! There is no easy way to aim your dish. There are apps and compasses that can help however. Good luck.

mchero · 06-18-2016, 10:09 AM

What model antenna? We have DISH & replaced the KVH dome with the Winegard X2. We full time & need to see East & West coast satellites. Antenna gets power from set top bocx. East as long as no trees in the way.

OB-One · 06-18-2016, 10:28 AM

We use a totally manual antenna on a tripod. We have Dish. I use an App called DishPointer Pro on my Android phone plus a simple analog meter and then the standard Dish aiming function on the receiver. Most of the time I can aim the antenna in a few minutes, although it occasionally takes longer. The longer aiming times can be very frustrating especially when the Dish aiming function on the receiver say one thing, the App says another and me and the analog meter are convinced the previous two are wrong. During these frustrating times moving the the entire antenna a few feet often cures the problem.

We carry a 50-foot coax cable and a 100-foot coax cable. This allows us to place the antenna where there are no or minimal obstructions. The DishPointer Pro App allows you to "see" the satellite positions relative to where you are standing and any obstructions that might obscure the signal.

Falcon190 · 06-18-2016, 10:39 AM

Like many we use a Tailgater (with a 211 receiver) and just point it south. From there it's all automatic. We also have a long cable so positioning away from trees and such (which is important) is pretty easy. And it's routed directly into the receiver. We've seldom had any problems getting all three satellites (110, 119, and 129).

But if you get an automatic dish, don't use the outside cable input (if you have one) cos automatic dish's are powered so chances are it would not be fully comparable with the dish plus it'll add another 50 or so feet to the cable run which can significantly weaken the signal.

Scarab0088 · 06-18-2016, 11:19 AM

Totally agree with the OP!
We have a 1000.4 and rooftop RM-DM46...they are VERY reliable, but set-up is a bit of a chore.

So, here's another vote for the Dish Tailgater...great, but Dish only.
And, the Tailgater 2 (new model) feeds 2 receivers.

For DirecTV (or Dish), the Winegard G2 has good reviews (but, FYI no portable gives HD with DirecTV)

These portable antennae are so easy...just point them in a general direction and they do the rest.
Plus, there is never a problem with evil signal sucking shade trees like with a rooftop mounted...and they cost much less than a Trav'ler.

Best luck

Emperor · 06-19-2016, 07:23 AM

Than you for all the input. I agree totally with OB-1 it is frustrating. The dish I have is a Winegard MP-1 portable. I was told that the portable allowed more aim options and with the trees here in Washington I thought it might be the answer. I found out that if I trust the asmuth and elevation numbers and add a little patience and the promise of a cocktail afterward I am more successful.

FlaSam · 06-19-2016, 08:12 AM

I found the biggest issue is getting the tripod level. Once it is level, get the azimuth, skew and angle from the tv by putting in the zip code. I use the signal meter on the tv. Once I am close, fine tune. I did drop one dish and bent the arm. Fortunately I have the service plan and they replaced the dish. I could not see any bend, but the technician couldn't aim it with his meter.

vsheetz · 06-19-2016, 05:55 PM

It can sometimes be a frustrating to align a manual dish, in my experience. Dishfinder app is indispensable. Ensure level. Ensure skew is correct. Use a signal strength meter.

After quite a bit of use with a manual dish, mostly positive but with a few very frustrating experiences, I bought a Tailgater - works great.

YC1 · 06-19-2016, 06:05 PM

Start level, level, level as mentioned or you will drive yourself crazy., I mean not a half bubble off.

Do use an app that lets you look through the trees or you will go mad from that too. You can often peek through some difficult places where no one else can.

You will find that you have much more range when moving it right and left. The up and down is about pin point. So once you have it level and you thing it is the correct height just slowly move it back and forth. If you don't get a hint of a signal then tilt it up or down the slightest bit. The second you get any kind of signal, pause, and then without letting go, put pressure on the dish up and down to see which way you need to go. Again, right and left has a much broader range.