Direct TV Satellite Dish Choice
What is the best and easiest Direct TV portable HD dish and tripod? We have been using a non HD 18" portable dish & tripod for years. But now would like to step up to HD but hear they are hard to g...
Forum Discussion
Whether it's Directv or Dish Network I always replicate the set-up with the same satellite antenna mounted on our home, usually purchase them online from Ebay for around $50 brand new. For years I just used a home made stand I put together from ideas on this forum, worked fine but for HD it is critical to have mast plumb before mounting satellite antenna.
To simplify the process we picked up a Winegard tripod (Camping World) with adjustable legs and compass imbedded in the tripod mast, much easier to plumb than my home made satellite stand taking just a couple of minutes to set-up. I have set-up satellite antennas for both satellite providers since the advent of Directv, after doing it a few times it has become second nature.
I also heard HD was difficult to attain, to tell the truth it is really the same process as SD satellite acquisition. The only difference is the added tilt parameter, azimuth and elevation are still set as if acquiring only SD satellite. With plumb mast and tilt set as indicated by receiver, lock in center satellite and the outlying satellites should come right in.
I think where many have problems is that they start from ground zero every time, I have traveled up to 800 miles and have only had to do miniscule adjustments to lock in satellites. Unless you have traversed half the country any adjustments made to your satellite pointing parameters will be minor. I always set-up new satellite antenna at home first to ensure functionality.
After getting your new equipment practice at home, once properly set-up it will take very little to lock it in at the campsite. I leave tilt and elevation set and when we get to our destination I use a compass after plumbing my mast to attain azimuth. Tweak elevation and/or azimuth to peak center satellite, tweak tilt only if outlying satellites are not locked in. Good luck!!!
To simplify the process we picked up a Winegard tripod (Camping World) with adjustable legs and compass imbedded in the tripod mast, much easier to plumb than my home made satellite stand taking just a couple of minutes to set-up. I have set-up satellite antennas for both satellite providers since the advent of Directv, after doing it a few times it has become second nature.
I also heard HD was difficult to attain, to tell the truth it is really the same process as SD satellite acquisition. The only difference is the added tilt parameter, azimuth and elevation are still set as if acquiring only SD satellite. With plumb mast and tilt set as indicated by receiver, lock in center satellite and the outlying satellites should come right in.
I think where many have problems is that they start from ground zero every time, I have traveled up to 800 miles and have only had to do miniscule adjustments to lock in satellites. Unless you have traversed half the country any adjustments made to your satellite pointing parameters will be minor. I always set-up new satellite antenna at home first to ensure functionality.
After getting your new equipment practice at home, once properly set-up it will take very little to lock it in at the campsite. I leave tilt and elevation set and when we get to our destination I use a compass after plumbing my mast to attain azimuth. Tweak elevation and/or azimuth to peak center satellite, tweak tilt only if outlying satellites are not locked in. Good luck!!!
