Getting ready to order a slimline dish and tripod. If we go with a SL3 SWM LNB I will need to also order a PI21 power supply and will not be able to use my triplett sat finder . If I order the older model HD LNB without SWM technology I do not need the power supply and will be able to use my sat finder . Would these be correct statements ? Our receiver is a H24-700 and is swm compatible. I am leaning toward the old style LNB. I would like to thank you all for your help on my previous post.

Unless you're wedded to this sat finder, I suggest using a different method. Like, another person watching the TV screen, or a Swift Hitch camera. Or get a Genie box where the beeps are back.

Since you only plan to use 1 single tuner receiver it doesn't matter which you choose. The old style LNB will work just fine. If you thought you might want to use a HRxxx or a Genie in the future then I would go with the SWM setup.

SWM is Directs latest technology and will be for the foreseeable future. Think foreword to what receivers you might go with next. The Genie and wireless slaves is probably the future, so upgrade now is probably smart. I figured out how to get my Birdog to work, just need to connect after the power supply so that the meter is reading a powered LNB.

Contrary to what Direct says and unless you are in the northern US you do not need the big slimline dish and a BIG tripod to get Direct HD. Yes to begin with you needed all five sats but for over six years you only need the center three (99, 101,103) which the SL3 lnb will receive.By using a 18X20 multi sat dish and a SL3 lnb and a SMALL tripod you can get HD as the center portion of a slimline dish is all that's being used. A SL3 lnb will bolt on this dish which has the tilt adjustment that you need. My neighbor (a direct installer) had several of these dish in his junk pile for free.

My cheapie meter still works with my SL-3 SWM, but I rarely use it since I have Dishpointer and a wife with an iPhone.

Direct TV Slimline hardware question | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

filrupmark
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015
Thanks
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2015
Winegard Carryout tripod (dome goes on top). Very lightweight and would need to be modified somehow to accept an open faced antenna.
filrupmark
Explorer
Aug 12, 2015
Ivylog wrote:

What brand of tripod is this.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
Another consideration is whether you move a sat box between the RV and house. Its a plus if both dishes are the same type so you don't have to reconfigure the sat box every time you move it.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 11, 2015
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
Ivylog wrote:
.. a SMALL tripod you can get HD as the center portion of a slimline dish ..
After 3 years of using an HD tripod, I can't imagine a beginner trying to use a small tripod for this task. You not only have to have a plumb mast, it has to STAY that way.

If it's the tripod I'm thinking of, the legs are not adjustable. Assuming that, I'd like to know how you accomplish that task.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
My cheapie meter still works with my SL-3 SWM, but I rarely use it since I have Dishpointer and a wife with an iPhone.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Aug 11, 2015
Contrary to what Direct says and unless you are in the northern US you do not need the big slimline dish and a BIG tripod to get Direct HD. Yes to begin with you needed all five sats but for over six years you only need the center three (99, 101,103) which the SL3 lnb will receive.
By using a 18X20 multi sat dish and a SL3 lnb and a SMALL tripod you can get HD as the center portion of a slimline dish is all that's being used. A SL3 lnb will bolt on this dish which has the tilt adjustment that you need. My neighbor (a direct installer) had several of these dish in his junk pile for free.
donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
SWM is Directs latest technology and will be for the foreseeable future. Think foreword to what receivers you might go with next. The Genie and wireless slaves is probably the future, so upgrade now is probably smart. I figured out how to get my Birdog to work, just need to connect after the power supply so that the meter is reading a powered LNB.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Aug 11, 2015
Since you only plan to use 1 single tuner receiver it doesn't matter which you choose. The old style LNB will work just fine. If you thought you might want to use a HRxxx or a Genie in the future then I would go with the SWM setup.