Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-04-2012, 06:25 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: "Where we Park It"
Posts: 1,071
Dish Network HD Dish / Tripod Setup

This is a question for those of you that use a HD Satellite Dish on a tripod.

We have Dish Network HD dish that has 3 lmb's.

What do you use to use to aim the dish and locate the Satellite's?

Looking for tips, tricks and feedback to make setup and aiming as painless as possible!!!
__________________
Robert & Bale the "Traveling Dog"
SOB
2012 GMC 3500HD DRW
Rob_Fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 06:50 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 148
Thumbs up Dish/ Direct Tv Set Up

After much cussing, discussing on setting up HD, I bought a Bird Dog Meter on line. I can set up dish in about 10 minutes or less, No more hassle or having the wife holler out the door the picture just left the TV. I spent $200.00 on the meter worth every penny. You will become the best buddy in the camp ground!

Other than the meter, or a good signal meter and compass, will work but takes a lot of time and very frustrating!
buckeyejim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 07:35 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
RoyBraddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: King George
Posts: 2,761
I used a Satelitte Finder meter that looks similar to this that connects in-line close to the SAT DISK side and has a gain adjustment on it. You crank down the gain untill you just barely hear a noise. Then move your DISH to the area in the southern skies where you think the satellite should be located and when the dish picks it up it will start giving off a louder tone. Keep turning the gain of the meter down and keep peaking on the louder tone until you pin point the maximum signal.

photo from google images

I think I got my satellite finder from Wingard $30

After I have found the strongest signal I usually remove my meter but it probably isnt necessary to do it.

There is one drawback I found with using this method is you cannot tell the difference between the DirecTV signal and the DISH signal so when you go the TV to see what you have you may be looking at the wrong satelitte. I thing I remember the DISH network is centered south of CALIF and the DirecTV signal is centered south of TEXAS...

I dont use SAT TV anymore in the RV since high def NATL BROADCAST digital television is available just about everywhere we go. If we really want to watch something from the CABLE TV side when camping off the power grid we use our laptop and watch it on-line.

I had great reception when I went to the tri-pod setup. I originally was setup on the RV Trailer but since you always want to setup under the shade trees you ended up blocking your SAT signal.

Having a multi-mode head like you have is great. Run one head output cable to the SAT RCVR setup in the bedroom and the other cable output to the living room SAT RCVR setup. Then run the third dish output cable to the pass-thru storage area and watch TV sitting out around the bon-fire.

I never had any luck whatsoever trying to use the SAT CONNECTION on the trailer. I always ran my SAT CABLES into the trailer and connected directly to the SAT RCVR. Then I would run VIDEO OUTPUT cable from the SAT RCVR to the VID 1 input on my TV set. Now I can swicth between SAT TV and CABLE TV with my remote.
__________________
Roy and Carolyn
I claim Horse Creek Country in Southern Ill - Momabear is from North Texas
We live in King George VA
RETIRED DOD DOAF DON CONTRACTOR Electronics Tech 42YRS

"We're burning daylight" - John Wayne
2008 STARCRAFT 14RT OFF-ROAD POPUP with PD9260C and three 85AH 12VDC batteries
2010 F150 FX4 5.4 GAS with 3.73 gears - Super Cab - Towing Package - 2KW Honda EU2000i Gen
K9PHT (since 1957) 146.52Mhz
"We always have a PLAN B"
RoyBraddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 09:42 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
82corvette's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fairbury,Nebraska
Posts: 241
Do yourself a favor buy a Winegard Carryout automatic dish for $600.00. I tried the tripod with 3 LNBs & it is near impossible to set up even with the best meter. The Carryout is all automatic & makes life so much easier.
__________________
Alan, Kim, & Kaitlin
2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab
6 Speed Auto 3:92 Posi
Rambox Hemi Hard Loaded
Airlift Bags 20" Goodyears
2004 Jayco Eagle 308 FBs
Sold trailer starting search
82corvette is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 09:31 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 29
Dish pointer iPhone app works well to find the sat and then you can fine tune it. It shows if you have line of site as well as azimuth and altitude.
Daxton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2012, 06:33 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 371
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daxton View Post
Dish pointer iPhone app works well to find the sat and then you can fine tune it. It shows if you have line of site as well as azimuth and altitude.
X2 this app helped me with the line of site when trees and such are close.
__________________
2016 Silverado duramax
2012 Jayco Eagle 330RLTS
Added fireplace https://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=5015
Added Bedroom light switch and outlet https://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=7582
dlfeather is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2012, 06:59 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: "Where we Park It"
Posts: 1,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daxton View Post
Dish pointer iPhone app works well to find the sat and then you can fine tune it. It shows if you have line of site as well as azimuth and altitude.
Guess I need to see about getting a iphone!!!
__________________
Robert & Bale the "Traveling Dog"
SOB
2012 GMC 3500HD DRW
Rob_Fla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2012, 10:21 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 21
My setup

I have a HD 3LNB Directv dish. I bought a mounting pole (The same one that is used to mount on the roof) and took 2 pieces of plywood, mounted it to the wood and the wood to the top of my ladder. You cannot see it from the inside of the RV. I climb the ladder (A frame, not the attached ladder), place the dish on the pole (It is vertical, when the RV is level) and just swing the dish until I get the signal. I set the azimuth the first time out, now I just swing 'till I get good signal strength on the screen. 5 minutes, max. Secure in the wind, also.
jstme1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 05:40 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Tanker42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 223
I get the elevation and azimuth from this site:

http://www.dishpointer.com/

I bought a tripod from this company:

http://www.tv4rv.com/sunshop/

You aim the tripod with a compass which is included. The nice feature of the tripod is the legs adjust using the provided level bubble. That allows the tripod to be exactly vertical. Then set the dish elevation. Then set the dish on the tripod and fine tune. It took about five minutes. The picture reception was perfect.
__________________
Joe
2004 F150 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, Max Towing, CIPA Towing Mirrows, Timbren
2006 Jay Flight, 31 BHDS
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam
Prodigy P2
Tanker42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 05:55 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
drfife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 788
The best satellite dish mount I ever tried was the Bullseye RV dish mount.

http://www.rvdishmount.com/bullseye.html

Unfortunately, it is no longer being made. If you see one for sale on eBay or Craigslist, snag it.

__________________
Russell
'13 Excel Winslow 34IKE
'12 GMC Sierra 3500HD
Previous RV's: '03 MobileScout Titan 29DBS; '01 Sunnybrook Lite 2708 SLE; '99 Coleman Utah
Previous TV's: '02 Chevy Suburban 2500 8.1 4.10; '99 Chevy Express 1500 5.7
drfife is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 07:44 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
jim44646's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 225
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob_Fla View Post
Guess I need to see about getting a iphone!!!
There's also an new Dish pointer app for android phones
jim44646 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2012, 07:45 AM   #12
Member
 
Jayco1101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Clermont, Florida
Posts: 67
I'm not sure that you can get the HD to lock in too easily, I have Directv with a 18" round dish, single l&b with a sd box... I face due south and then turn the dish to my 2 o'clock and it locks in everytime. You do need to go into the box settings and enter the zip code of where you are at and change the dish type from sat oval dual lb to the 18" round dish as it is different from the one the box uses in the house. I have a friend that works as an installer for both satellite companies and he says the Dish Net is a little tougher to lock in than Directv when using a tripod.. good luck and i hope that helped some!!! Oh and I dont use anything other than the signal meter that is inside the box already!!!!
Jayco1101 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2012, 07:47 PM   #13
Member
 
gilldawg79's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 63
Dish Tailgater
__________________
Jimmy
West Central Alabama
2012 Jayco Jayflight 26RKS W/ Side Bunks
2006 GMC Ext Cab 2500HD 4X4/6.0/4.10
RTR!
gilldawg79 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 05:01 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Tanker42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 223
How is your dish reception? Receive a signal?
__________________
Joe
2004 F150 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, Max Towing, CIPA Towing Mirrows, Timbren
2006 Jay Flight, 31 BHDS
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam
Prodigy P2
Tanker42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 05:27 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
tnchuck100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sparta, TN
Posts: 1,174
This is the cat's meow when it comes to setting up your dish. A little pricey, yes. But it sure saves a LOT of time and aggravation when you have trees in the way.



http://www.amazon.com/Align-Site-Pro...tellite+finder


I have tried several tripod mounts and this is the BEST tripod I have found. I have never had to secure it as the footprint is wide enough that it can stand a moderate wind load without any problem.



http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-TR-35...xp_grid_pt_0_1
__________________
Chuck - Sparta, TN
2012 Jay Flight 22FB, 2 x Honda EU2000i
2013 GMC Yukon XL Denali AWD

EDUCATION is what you get when you read the fine print.....
EXPERIENCE is what you get when you don't.
tnchuck100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 06:22 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
edatlanta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
I have DirecTV and have used the tripod/compass system from tv4rv.com. I have an HD Slimline dish with 3 LNB's. You initially are aiming to the 101 satellite and then tweak it from there. I can typically set my tripod and dish up in less than 10 minutes. I don't use a meter other than the built in one on my sat receiver. This tripod system is so accurate that I typically see a 95% signal with an initial setup with no tweaking.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL

2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
edatlanta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 07:39 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Da Bud Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Nicholasville, Ky
Posts: 285
Quote:
Originally Posted by edatlanta View Post
I have DirecTV and have used the tripod/compass system from tv4rv.com. I have an HD Slimline dish with 3 LNB's. You initially are aiming to the 101 satellite and then tweak it from there. I can typically set my tripod and dish up in less than 10 minutes. I don't use a meter other than the built in one on my sat receiver. This tripod system is so accurate that I typically see a 95% signal with an initial setup with no tweaking.
X2 on the tripod from tv4rv.com. Best money I've spent related to the satellite setup.
__________________
Kirk, Natalie, 2 Kids & 1 Dog
'14 Ram 2500 4x4 CC w/Cummins
'16 Jayco Eagle 325BHQS
'13 Suntracker PB 22
Da Bud Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 05:56 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Tanker42's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Eastern Virginia
Posts: 223
Quote:
Originally Posted by Da Bud Man View Post
X2 on the tripod from tv4rv.com. Best money I've spent related to the satellite setup.
X3 no problem getting an HD signal.
__________________
Joe
2004 F150 SuperCrew Lariat, 5.4L, Max Towing, CIPA Towing Mirrows, Timbren
2006 Jay Flight, 31 BHDS
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam
Prodigy P2
Tanker42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2012, 09:19 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
Quote:
Originally Posted by 82corvette View Post
Do yourself a favor buy a Winegard Carryout automatic dish for $600.00. I tried the tripod with 3 LNBs & it is near impossible to set up even with the best meter. The Carryout is all automatic & makes life so much easier.
AMEN to that. Dish now have their own carry out and I have been told it is a lot less than $600. Just set it on the ground, hook up the cable, and turn on the television. The down side is that they can be easily carried off.
__________________
2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
clutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2012, 04:15 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
edatlanta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
I have DirecTV and like HD. Unless things have changed recently, none of the auto dishe systems provide HD. It takes me so little time to aim my dish, I don't need or want a portable that can be taken away in the middle of the night. Yes, my dish can travel also, but it was cheap.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL

2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
edatlanta is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.