I am not saying that the tripod HAS to be perfectly level. I am saying that as a practice, it is easy to level the surveyors tripod and set up the nominal settings to what the sat box says for my zipcode. When I do this, my three sats usually come in at high 80s and 90s. When I don't, I often get a high signal on the 101 but the HD sats are lower. In Florida with the rain, I want as much signal as I can get.
I also have a tripod from TV4RV with a slimline 3. Very easy to setup. I got an Orbit Tracker Plus meter(designed for Directv and Dish). I am set up with a great signal in less than 10mins (including setting up the tripod).
First, ditch the splitter. Not needed for one box. You bring a cable from the dish to the ODU input on the PI and one cable from the IRD output to the box (receiver/DVR). PI must have 120V and should be a 21V one for SWM on dish. Splitter is only needed for multiple boxes. Unused terminals must be terminated.
My Accutrac meter will fail once the box boots if connected.
To use a "squawker" while setting up SWM on dish you really need an ASL-1. Lot's of debate about this but I have one and use it. The ASL-1 has connections for the dish, the 101, the 119 (if needed), the PI, the box, and power for the meter (if needed).
I start with a level tripod (plumb mast) as I think that is important. Debatable. I aim the tripod sight marks to 101 magnetic. I preset the dish Elevation and Tilt and mount the dish. Do that and you will have useable signal.
Look out for Magnetic Deviation and receiving the wrong bird.
I swear by a TV4RV.com HD Combo Kit. Also debatable.
I received my DIRECTV SWM 3-LNB KAKU SlimLine Satellite Dish and set it up in backyard in order to test it. I was confident that it wouldn't be too much of a hassle from the feedback and instructions I received. I am using a military compass for the azimuth and a Winegard SF-1000 satellite signal finder meter to help me find the satellite; I have it connected as follows:
SWM Diagram
•LMB to the SWM Multiswitch (Splitter);
•Splitter to the SWM Power Inserter (Power to SWM end)
•Power Inserter (Signal to IRD end) to the HR24 HD DVR (Receiver)
•Receiver to the Television
I am not sure what I may be doing wrong however, even after peaking with the signal finder and fine tuning the Dish, I continue to get zeros on the signal strength screen. I have unsuccessfully spent nearly 10 hours within a week’s span in attempting to get any strength number. I have nearly given up and will probably return the dish because when go out, I would not want to spend too much time trying to obtain a signal.
NOTE:I have tested the equipment (including the LNB) on my current home system and concluded they are working. I am also using the proper RG6 cable.
KAMPING KRAZIES San Diego, CA 2010 Keystone Springdale 267BHS 2005 2500HD Chevrolet Silverado
This is my usual setup. If conditions don't allow this I have to go with my homemade PVC stand. My dish is not really a Slimline but rather a DISH 1000.2 modified to mount a SL3 LNB.
2005 F250 Crew Cab LWB Power Stroke, 2007 Montana 3500RL Fifth Wheel,Honda EU3000IS, Twin Honda EU2000i's, S&W security system
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