My tip is this: Instead of wasting money on those signal meters (Unless you pop for a Bird Dog,over 400 bucks) use the ON-SCREEN-Display on your receiver. It is way better, a portable battery operated TV brings the OSD right out to the dish
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
I agree! I got rid of mine too. A signal meter sees ANY signal. It doesn't differentiate between the 'correct' satellite and a signal coming from a wrong satellite. Your receiver will if you run set-up and use it's onboard signal meter (the chirping that'll get more rapid as you peak on the correct satellite (or satellites)).
And remember, it's all digital, so the signal doesn't have to be tweaked and zero beated like an analog signal. Once you get it, you've got it. A higher signal strength MAY help stop some rain fade, but that's about it.
Arctic Fox (SFE) 29-5E 5th Wheel
25K Air Safe Hitch / Prodigy controller
2007 GMC Sierra Classic 2500HD, SRW, Extended Cab, Long Bed
8.lL Vortec, Allison 6 Speed Tranny
I use the Align-A-Site Satellite Finder ($150 from Camping World). I got it for Father's Day last year, and it has been great. Would I spend that much of my own money? Depends on how frustrated I got setting it up manually.
I have done both, using the Align-A-Site and manually. Doing it manually requires that the pole be plum (not close, plum) and knowing your settings. Plus a good compass. I have done this for a living so it is not that big of a deal for me.
However, using the Align-A-Site is much quicker, and much, much easier. Clip it on the dish, align the compass needle and levels, and the satellite is there. Tune for best signal if interested, if not, it works fine. Best thing about the Align-A-Site is that it shows where the dish is looking, so I can set it up in trees and shoot through openings. It has never failed me, and helped many others when they couldn't get it.
But if you practice, and practice, and practice so more, you won't have a problem doing it manually. You learn as you go. The more you do it, the faster and better you get. The tools just make it idiot proof.
What you buy and how much time you spend setting it up is up to you. Me, I wouldn't have purchased the Align-A-Site, but as a present it was well worth it. My wife thinks it is worth more then what she paid, as I don't have to ask her to help tune the dish anymore! LOL
For Dish network, the 119 satellite is a little bit down and to the right of the 110 satellite. Using my meter, if I can find both,then I know I have the right ones even without looking at the receiver display.
Noel and Betty Johnson '99 Hurricane 1 wife, 2 1/2 dogs
I can't live without my signal meter. The TV is too far for me to see or utilize the signal meter on the screen, so the portable signal meter is a lifesaver. I only use the compass if there are no neighbors to see which way their dish is pointing.
bdpreece wrote: The compass gets you the signal. The meter lets you tweak to get the strongest signal.
Exactly, and you don't need your DW hollering at you that need you to move it some more.
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise) 06 Silverado LT 2500HD D/A 2006 Crossroads Cruiser CF30SK
Prodigy Brake Controller
16K Reese Slider with a Bedsaver
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