Best Android app for aiming sat dish

edatlanta wrote:
I use Dishpointer Pro to verify there are no obstructions between my dish location and the satellite. My dish is a Slimline 3LNB SWM mounted on a tripod from tv4rv.com. I use a wireless baby monitor to aim the dish after setting up the tripod. I aim the camera at the tv screen so I can see the signal strength from outside using the remote. The DirecTV Genie HR44 brought back the audible tone when using their signal strength screen. When I hear the signal from outside on the baby monitor remote I can look at the screen for fine tuning.

I do this frequently and it literally takes me minutes.

I use an app from my phone, GPS Status, to give me lat/long. I have seen several degrees difference when using lat/long vs zip code when getting the sat settings from DirecTV's aiming menu. Lat/long is obviously more exact.

does this Dishpointer app work for DirecTv?

Ed and Phil: I, too, got the tv4rv tripod and, even though we've not set it up yet, think we're going to like it. Anyway, my question: Currently my dish is set up on a metal frame on the ground with 4 cement blocks in the corners. There are 2 ground wires...one goes to the "splitter" that was attached to the frame and the other was on a self-tapping screw on the frame. They both come off the LNB cable. In preparation for when we can use the tripod, I've moved the splitter to the back and installed it on the thing that holds the dish on. That is where the one ground wire is going to go but where do I attach the other one since there will be no metal from the tripod touching the ground. Can I just drive a 10" stake into the ground and attach it there?

I use Dishpointer Pro also. I'll often make sure I can "see" satellites before I choose a campsite. Or it will let me find a 'hole in the tree cover' to get at least one of the three birds.

And that tv4rv.com tripod is the best!

Phil

Fisherguy wrote:
Ya well what's the zip code when you're camped in the middle of the bush?.

You can also use coordinates. And, as mentioned, zip of a city within 100 miles.

Actually, I never use SatelliteAR. It's just another app I tried but never stuck with, because, another tool is much handier: Dishpointer.com on your computer.

K Charles wrote:
We have Directv in the house and used it for years in the TT. Now we have Dish in the TT. They both have a signal meter on screen and they tell you where to aim the dish when you put in the ZIP code. Why do you need a phone to aim a dish?

The phone app doesn't replace the receiver's functionality. The phone app lets you find the hole in the trees where the antenna can see the satellite. You don't just randomly place the antenna a dozen times hoping to get lucky.

edatlanta wrote:
I use Dishpointer Pro to verify there are no obstructions between my dish location and the satellite. My dish is a Slimline 3LNB SWM mounted on a tripod from tv4rv.com. I use a wireless baby monitor to aim the dish after setting up the tripod. I aim the camera at the tv screen so I can see the signal strength from outside using the remote. The DirecTV Genie HR44 brought back the audible tone when using their signal strength screen. When I hear the signal from outside on the baby monitor remote I can look at the screen for fine tuning.

I do this frequently and it literally takes me minutes.

I use an app from my phone, GPS Status, to give me lat/long. I have seen several degrees difference when using lat/long vs zip code when getting the sat settings from DirecTV's aiming menu. Lat/long is obviously more exact.

I have this one and it works for me.

Fisherguy wrote:

K Charles wrote:
We have Directv in the house and used it for years in the TT. Now we have Dish in the TT. They both have a signal meter on screen and they tell you where to aim the dish when you put in the ZIP code. Why do you need a phone to aim a dish?

Ya well what's the zip code when you're camped in the middle of the bush?
I've had a dish for years, you don't "need a phone" but I thought it would make it easier than my wife in the trailer relaying what's going on the screen, thanks for your help. :R

To the other guys, thanks, will try Satellite AR.

Pick the zip code for a town within 20-30 miles and there won't be any difference in the recommended angles. It's pretty rare to not have a town within 20-30 miles in the lower 48. Even if it's 50-100 miles, that's typicaly close enough.

The problem is the box is the one that counts, so in the end, relaying the meter from the box is the best way to get a strong signal that will handle thick cloud cover or peaking between trees.

Unless we are covering a lot of miles, we usually just point it in roughly the same direction as at home and we can pick up the signal in 20-30 seconds. If I'm not sure of the direction, I have a hand bearing compass which is quicker and more accurate than the phone compass apps, I've tried.

Another vote for Satellite AR.

I use Dishpointer Pro to verify there are no obstructions between my dish location and the satellite. My dish is a Slimline 3LNB SWM mounted on a tripod from tv4rv.com. I use a wireless baby monitor to aim the dish after setting up the tripod. I aim the camera at the tv screen so I can see the signal strength from outside using the remote. The DirecTV Genie HR44 brought back the audible tone when using their signal strength screen. When I hear the signal from outside on the baby monitor remote I can look at the screen for fine tuning.

I do this frequently and it literally takes me minutes.

I use an app from my phone, GPS Status, to give me lat/long. I have seen several degrees difference when using lat/long vs zip code when getting the sat settings from DirecTV's aiming menu. Lat/long is obviously more exact.

K Charles wrote:
We have Directv in the house and used it for years in the TT. Now we have Dish in the TT. They both have a signal meter on screen and they tell you where to aim the dish when you put in the ZIP code. Why do you need a phone to aim a dish?

Try finding the aiming settings for a Dish 1000.4 with a 3 satellite eastern or western arc LNBF on a VIP211.

K Charles wrote:
We have Directv in the house and used it for years in the TT. Now we have Dish in the TT. They both have a signal meter on screen and they tell you where to aim the dish when you put in the ZIP code. Why do you need a phone to aim a dish?

Ya well what's the zip code when you're camped in the middle of the bush?
I've had a dish for years, you don't "need a phone" but I thought it would make it easier than my wife in the trailer relaying what's going on the screen, thanks for your help. :R

To the other guys, thanks, will try Satellite AR.