mikestock
Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2002
View Profile
|
I still have an issue with those who are so hung up about a perfectly plumb post. With the Slimline 5 that was an issue but with the Slimline 3 it is not so critical. The only adjustment that is affected by not being plumb is the tilt (skew) of the dish and with the SL 3 this is far from critical. I use an Acutrac II and ASL-1 to set my SWM dish. It's usually about a 3 minute process.
I often use a homemade PVC stand with 4 legs and just look for a fairly level place to position it. Sometimes I have to place it on a slope because that may be the only open location around. If this is the case I usually just make a rough visual correction to the skew. There was a recent thread here about the skew adjustment not needed at all, for SL 3. I somewhat agree but try to keep it within 5 degrees.
When the 110 and 119 satellites are in play the level issue is critical but otherwise, forget it. I haven't used a bubble level in years.
2005 F250 Crew Cab LWB Power Stroke, 2007 Montana 3500RL Fifth Wheel,Honda EU3000IS, Twin Honda EU2000i's, S&W security system
|
2oldman
Wilson Creek WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
 Offline
|
mikestock wrote: The only adjustment that is affected by not being plumb is the tilt (skew) of the dish and with the SL 3 this is far from critical. Elevation perhaps? I'm sure 'perfectly' plumb is not needed (or possible) but I guess the question is: how plumb?
|
rhochnadel
Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 09/08/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I do not use a level or a bubble, and the skew is not that important. I set up on a 4 legged pvc stand, get an approx elevation and azimuth, then zero it it.
After a few times it is fairly easy. Good luck, and enjoy your HD!
'05 Keystone Challenger TPK
'01 Chev 2500HD Duramax/Allison
Corgi "Pippin" & cat "Sundance"
|
mikestock
Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2002
View Profile
|
I was beginning to think I was the only person not hung up on level,level,level. I constantly read advice to newbees with SL 3's about how important a vertical post is and wonder why folks make such a big deal.
|
KampingKrazies
San Diego, CA
New Member
Joined: 12/20/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
schneid wrote:What was that tech smoking? Never believe what a CSR tells you. Listen to the people who do it all the time here. HD is no harder or really any different than SD. The dish is bigger so you need a more stable tripod and you need set the Tilt which requires zero skill. As you managed to get here and post, you have already earned your official DirecTV Tilt Setting Certificate.
I agree, I went to KOA and found that plenty of RVers have this similar setup. I did a little more homework and with the help from all who gave me advice, I have more than enough confidence that I will be able to setup an HD system.
schneid wrote:I recommend duplicating what you have at home when starting out. Monkey see, monkey do. A SWM dish will have only one wire port on the dish while a non-SWM has four. SWM on dish will feed eight tuners over one wire while non-SWM will feed four over four wires. DVR's have TWO tuners. Have more tuners you need what I call "old" SWM which are gizmos labeled SWM-8, SWM-16, SWM-32 or combinations for installs supporting multiple receivers.
Tell us what you will use:
SWM or non-SWM Slimline?
What DVR's/receivers you want to take on the road?
and we will help you go from there.
On my rooftop I have a DIRECTV SWM3 (SWM3R0-02) Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna (SWM3R0-02) and I found several on ebay for approx. $65 - $75. I'll use ratchet straps to secure the tripod and as for the receiver, I will initially grab the one from my kids room (H25-100 High Definition Receiver) but eventually might buy one exclusively for the trailer and activate it as needed.
Concern / Question:: Other than the Winegard Trav'ler DirecTV Slimline Satellite Dish, are there smaller compatible HD dishes that I would be able to use (on the tripod)?
 KAMPING KRAZIES
San Diego, CA
2010 Keystone Springdale 267BHS
2005 2500HD Chevrolet Silverado
|
|
|
DrBaker
Oklahoma
Senior Member
Joined: 09/02/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
mikestock wrote:I was beginning to think I was the only person not hung up on level,level,level. I constantly read advice to newbees with SL 3's about how important a vertical post is and wonder why folks make such a big deal.
Nope, you aren't the only one.
I don't have any issues with it not being perfectly level. I also haven't had any problems with the the shaky PVC stand. It wobbles in the wind, but it doesn't affect my picture.
2011 Chevy 2500HD CC/SB 4x4 Victory Red
2003 Crossroads Cruiser CF27RL
Champion Screamer, Reese 16k, and a Blue Status Symbol
|
mikestock
Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2002
View Profile
|
2oldman wrote:Elevation perhaps? I'm sure 'perfectly' plumb is not needed (or possible) but I guess the question is: how plumb?
Sorry I missed your post earlier. I use a meter to get maximum signal using elevation and azimuth adjustments. Whether or not it is plumb is not that important to me as long as it's in the neighborhood. Like I said, if the ground is visibly uneven in the plane perpendicular to the target I will sometime adjust the skew a little to compensate.
|
2oldman
Wilson Creek WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
mikestock wrote: I use a meter to get maximum signal using elevation and azimuth adjustments. I don't use a meter, so if I spend more time aiming and leveling the tripod, I am more likely to have the correct elevation using the dish markings.
|
schneid
In the Wind
Senior Member
Joined: 03/28/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I do a site survey with a compass and Android Dishpointer.
I orient the tripod toward the 101 and level the mounting surface.
I the pre-set the Elevation and Tilt and mount the dish.
I use a meter to peak the 101 Azimuth and then the Elevation.
No shortcut's for me.
OP:
See if you can locate an installer that will give you a used dish free or at least cheap. AN SL3s, a PI, and a splitter (not needed for one box) can be had for $30 or so on eBay.
An H25 is SWM only.
SWM Diagram
Ignore the DECA stuff. One box wiring is Dish (ODU) PI Receiver (IRD)
Read the previous posts here on SWM dish setup. Find the one started by 2oldman and his First Strike meter. Lot's of inf there.
|
mikestock
Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2002
View Profile
|
We each have our own routines. for getting the SL3 set up. I was just pointing out that a perfectically plumb mounting post is not necessarily as critical as some would have you believe. I am accustomed to setting up my dish without the help of anyone else so the meter is a critical part of my routine. In an open area, the aiming takes a minute or less.
|
|
|
