Satelite dish info

[rfield54]

I just switched to DishNetwork here at the house, with plans on using the receiver with my Excella in UT (equipped with a Winegard dish). Aside from the correct coordinates, a compass and maybe a "satelite finder", what else might I need or what else should I be aware of? Any tricks or advice? Since the trailer is stationary, I assume I can set the azimuth and leave it? And thereafter just open and close the dish to the correct angle? Is there more to it than that? Thanks, Roy.


By the way . . . Lance Armstrong is GOD.

[myboyburt]

I believe you've got everything covered. We also use our DISH receiver along with a Winegard dish. We just get to our camping area, find out what the Zip Code is and then using the setup function we key in the Zip Code (using the remote) and find out where to point the dish. It takes us about 5 to 10 minutes to get a strong signal, but we are pretty new at this and it may take less time as we use it more.

[Tarheel]

I have been using my satellite reciever for the past 4-5 years in my trailer. I have found one gadget that has really helped me its a "Channel Master" Satellite Signal Level Meter Model 10041FD right off hand I do not remember where i purhcased it other than it was on-line oops I found it.

http://www.solidsignal.com/manu_disp...nnel+Masterway

. The cost is about $80 but it well worth it. I have used it in Maine and all the down the coast to Florida and as far west as Utah and back home to North Carolina. When you are in the woods and are looking for a " shot thru the trees" you can look at the meter and see when you have the best reception. Understand that you won't always be able to get a signal. Sometimes there are obstructions that you just can't avoid. I do carry two lengths of coax. The one connected to the trailer is 75' and I have a spare 50' that I can attach to it to give a combined length of 125' and I have used both to find just the right spot. You cannot run it through your existing system wiring it must be an independent line to your reciever. Hope this helps.

[Towhead]

Your thread caught my eye, since we just got our Dishnetwork installed yesterday. We actually got 2 dishes from them, since they had it as part of their offer (something about you need two dishes to pick up PBS). We are anxious to try out our dish on our CCD. However, I am trying to figure out where we will put the box in the trailer??

Yes, you are right about Lance. He is clearly Jordanesque and may be one of the greatest athletes of our time.

[JohnG]

I have an interest in a satellite system also, but I am wondering if it is just mounted on top of the trailer where the TV antenna is located or do you use an independent mount such as a tripod for the dish?

I have seen military satellite systems mounted on top of trailers and command vehicles where the system uses a locator of some sort. These systems use electric motors to move the dish up and down, back and forth until they find the desired setting. Does the system used on your AS operate like this or does it use the old TV crank inside to raise and lower, and to find the satellite?

[rfield54]

My is a Winegard with a crank and dial. I'm guessing it's a commonly used unit. From the inside, the controls look very similiar to (the same as?) the controls for a Winegard antenna system. I'll know more when I get to my trailers in the fall.

[wahoonc]

Airstream does not reccomend installing a dish on the AS itself. And I think I know why. The PO of my unit mounted one in place of the TV antenna, it has been a major source of leaks. I am going to remove it completely and do with out. If I want to watch TV I will go stand in front of the local electronics store If you really want satelite put it on a portable mount, otherwise you will have problems if you park under the trees trying to get a decent signal. And I just love watching people jockeying a trailer around in the state parks trying to get it just right so they can watch TV via sattelite

Aaron

[baldeagle]

I have a tripod which i use for my dish. I have learned the hard way that leveling the tripod before elevation and azmith makes shorter work of finding the signal. I also use a meter at the dish to "find" the signal then i use the audible tone from the receiver to fine tune. Put it permanantly? I park under too many trees!

Just my .02 cents worth.

dave

[Gunnyusmc]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Airstream does not reccomend installing a dish on the AS itself. And I think I know why. The PO of my unit mounted one in place of the TV antenna, it has been a major source of leaks. I am going to remove it completely and do with out. If I want to watch TV I will go stand in front of the local electronics store If you really want satelite put it on a portable mount, otherwise you will have problems if you park under the trees trying to get a decent signal. And I just love watching people jockeying a trailer around in the state parks trying to get it just right so they can watch TV via sattelite

Aaron

Aaron is rite about the mounting.
I use a mount that sits near my trailer and then I ran the lead into the trailer thru the banna rap.
I use Directv.
Works great.

Don

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by baldeagle

I have a tripod which i use for my dish. I have learned the hard way that leveling the tripod before elevation and azmith makes shorter work of finding the signal. I also use a meter at the dish to "find" the signal then i use the audible tone from the receiver to fine tune. Put it permanantly? I park under too many trees!

Just my .02 cents worth.

dave

Is your tripod commercially made especially for satellite dishes? If so where do you find them? I am considering removing the TV antenna from my AS as I agree that it is a source of leak problems.

Funny when you think about it, most campgrounds, and let me emphasize “most,” are really far from TV broadcasting towers and you're not going to get a good quality TV picture anyway. Also the newer TVs with digital tuning seem to cut in and out when signal strength is low unlike their predecessors. This can make watching TV somewhat stressful…………………………………….

[rfield54]

Funny when you think about it, most campgrounds, and let me emphasize “most,” are really far from TV broadcasting towers and you're not going to get a good quality TV picture anyway.

If we're still talking satelite TV, broadcasting towers do not apply . . . It's the satelite in the sky, dude.

[rfield54]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Airstream does not reccomend installing a dish on the AS itself. And I think I know why. The PO of my unit mounted one in place of the TV antenna, it has been a major source of leaks...If you really want satelite put it on a portable mount, otherwise you will have problems if you park under the trees trying to get a decent signal. Aaron

If, like me, your trailer is more or less a perminent structure and/or mostly in an area away from tall trees, AND you plan on retracting the dish when you're away (to avoid possible leaking issues caused by wind), THEN permenant installation is a sensible plan.

[baldeagle]

My son-in-law worked for a tripod manufacturer.... thus my good luck. I have seen lots of store bought tripods which seem to do the job very well... Good luck with your search and most especially with sealing that roof!


dave

[montanaandy]

Originally Posted by baldeagle

I have a tripod which i use for my dish. I have learned the hard way that leveling the tripod before elevation and azmith makes shorter work of finding the signal. I also use a meter at the dish to "find" the signal then i use the audible tone from the receiver to fine tune. Put it permanantly? I park under too many trees!

Just my .02 cents worth.

dave

I am interested in how you are able to set the azmuth & elevation and receive a signal from Direc TV (Pegasus in Billings) while camping in your AS. I spent several hours this past weekend trying to get a signal (6500' elevation, completely unobstructed southern view) but could not get anything other than a message that I need to move the dish "3 degrees" (which way?). No signal strength whatsoever. I purchased a tripod @ Radio Shack and run a 1 1/4' piece of PVC through the tripod and the back of this dish as per the instructions. I have the tripod on level ground. There is a nut on the dish that allows you to adjust the azmuth but I didn't see anything related to elevation. I also purchased a signal meter @ RS which supposedly tells me when I rotate the dish (from left to right) that I have locked in on the satellite. I have tried going through the coax coming out of the side of the AS as well as a direct connect between the receiver and the dish. Any assistance in getting this to work would be greatly appreciated. Montanaandy

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by rfield54

If, like me, your trailer is more or less a perminent structure and/or mostly in an area away from tall trees, AND you plan on retracting the dish when you're away (to avoid possible leaking issues caused by wind), THEN permenant installation is a sensible plan.

rfield,
I have a feeling that is how/why mine was installed. But now I get the pleasure of dealing with all the issues it has resulted in. When it was installed they used a regular pop rivet (not strong enough and leak) Some type of caulking that hardened to the point that the easiest method of removal is cutting the aluminum out. I may have to install a large patch plate to repair the damage caused by the install. Also I think a lot of the movement issues are caused by the raising and lowering of the dish as well as high winds, even when retracted. I was inside my AS this past weekend when we had a severe storm line blow thru, I kept hearing a "bumping" noise from the top, it was the dish flexing in the wind. It was in the fully retracted postion. If I do use a dish, I will go with a ground mount and run the cable thru the bottom fridge vent. The PO ran it thru the upper fridge vent, it was one source of leaks, the water was following the cable thru the vent in a heavy downpour.
Just a few of my observations.

Aaron

[Rick Alston]

I believe Camping World sells the tripod for satellite dishes.

[rfield54]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

rfield,
I have a feeling that is how/why mine was installed. But now I get the pleasure of dealing with all the issues it has resulted in. When it was installed they used a regular pop rivet (not strong enough and leak) Some type of caulking that hardened to the point that the easiest method of removal is cutting the aluminum out. Aaron

Wow, I'll keep an eye on mine. So far though, it's very solid. In your situation, I'm guessing there's the possibility that the PO's drove (at highway speeds) with the dish still up. I can't imagine that raising and lowering the dish is any more stressful than the same operation with a TV antenna.
Roy

[Gunnyusmc]

Originally Posted by rfield54

Wow, I'll keep an eye on mine. So far though, it's very solid. In your situation, I'm guessing there's the possibility that the PO's drove (at highway speeds) with the dish still up. I can't imagine that raising and lowering the dish is any more stressful than the same operation with a TV antenna.
Roy

According to Airstream, it's not the raising and lowering, it's the wind acting on the dish when it's up and when it's down at highway speed the wind try's to lift the dish off the trailer.

Don

[baldeagle]

Sometimes my signal hits very quickly and others i have to fine tune quite a bit.

However, I use my refirgerator (bullseye) level on the tripod to make certain it is level. This is very important in getting the signal.

Then i set the elevation exactly on the gauge at the dish where the systems says it should be.

I then use a small compas to roughly determine the azmith.

I use a signal strength meter in the cable at the dish and swing to the strong signal(s). I find that there are two signals which are close together. When i locate one of them i listen for the receiver strength meter to start a more rapid tone. I then remove the signal strength meter from the cable and use a connector in its place.

From there i just move the dish very slowly up and down listening for the tone to become constant and high pitched. Then i swing it around with the same criteria of listening for the best pitch signal.

I find that i can usually can get a minimum of 80 or so and many times in the 90's on the TV signal strength display.

Hope this helps a little.

dave

[montanaandy]

Originally Posted by baldeagle

Sometimes my signal hits very quickly and others i have to fine tune quite a bit.

However, I use my refirgerator (bullseye) level on the tripod to make certain it is level. This is very important in getting the signal.

Then i set the elevation exactly on the gauge at the dish where the systems says it should be.

I then use a small compas to roughly determine the azmith.

I use a signal strength meter in the cable at the dish and swing to the strong signal(s). I find that there are two signals which are close together. When i locate one of them i listen for the receiver strength meter to start a more rapid tone. I then remove the signal strength meter from the cable and use a connector in its place.

From there i just move the dish very slowly up and down listening for the tone to become constant and high pitched. Then i swing it around with the same criteria of listening for the best pitch signal.

I find that i can usually can get a minimum of 80 or so and many times in the 90's on the TV signal strength display.

Hope this helps a little.

dave

Dave:

I will bring a copy of your instructions & equipment with me this weekend and give it a go. Thanks for the info. Montanaandy