I'm switching from DISH to DirecTV because of the distant network service going away on DISH. The installer is coming on Friday to install my receiver and a SWM3 slimline dish on my tripod. If any of you use a setup like this I'd like to know how hard/easy it is to aim the dish, and the process you use to aim it. Do you use a separate meter, or do you use the meter on the TV screen? Thanks.

Is the post on your tripod 2"? The slimline dish requires a 2" post which I doubt you have. So, have them install the slimline dish on your house although you want your account for a RV (Not your house) so you can get the East and West feeds.The installer probably has one of these for free and it will fit on your smaller tripod. Buy a SL3 lnb that will fit on this smaller dish which is all you need to get HD since you are not in the north.Getting Direct HD is not that hard once you set the tilt on a post that is plumb. I use a $14 meter and all you do is peak 101.

Jimdee wrote:do you use the meter on the TV screen? Thanks.I do. To see the screen from outside the RV, I use a Swift Hitch camera. As for how difficult it is, that is largely dependent on the stability and level of the tripod. Without that, it's realllly difficult.Perhaps, one day, Directv will decide to put the beeps back in the receiver. Never could understand that one.Seems odd that an installer would be mounting the dish on a tripod for you. The first strong wind is likely to either move the dish or worse, knock it over.

Are you sure DirecTV is going to pick up your local BROADCAST STATIONs when on the road. I haven't used my DIRECTV setup in awhile now but when I was using it on the road I would lose my LOCAL PROGRAMING for the NATL BROADCAST stations as soon as I left my ZIPCODE area.I could call DIRECTV and have them change my local area but I don't think they like doing this very many times...After the NATL BROADCAST went to DIGITAL TV mode I just stopped bring along my DIRECTV setup and now we watch the local NATIONAL BROADCAST stations (CBS-NBC-etc) using our OTA BATWING antenna setup from the local towns... These digital HDTV signals are in full blown high definition full screen mode and is FREE to the public.Just wanted to be sure you have checked with DIRECTV and will be able to get the local NATIONAL BROADCAST stations like you think you can???Things may have changed with DIRECTV over the past few yearsJust saying...Roy Ken

I have a dish antenna on a tripod and I found it very inconvenient to aim. Elevation is hindered by being very front-heavy so it requires muscleing it to aim. Azimuth was somewhat easier but still crude.So I built screw-type adjustments using faucet handles and all-thread. I still use the signal meter, but I try to set up outside a window where I can see the TV screen also.

Folks, unless you are way north in the US you DO NOT need the big slimline dish to get HD now that you only need sats 99, 101, 103. A 18x20 multi sat dish which has the tilt adjustment plus a SL3 lnb (which bolts right on) is all you need (see my first post). You can use your old 18" tripod and if it has adjustable legs which you really need to plum the mast. If you put one leg 180 degrees from the sat azimuth you can fine tune the elevation by changing this leg's length slightly once you get a signal.OP, with a little practice it's not that hard to get the three usable signals you need for Direct HD.

DirecTV SWM3 Slimline Dish on Tripod--How Hard Is It to Aim?

2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 05, 2014
Jimdee wrote:
do you use the meter on the TV screen? Thanks.
I do. To see the screen from outside the RV, I use a Swift Hitch camera. As for how difficult it is, that is largely dependent on the stability and level of the tripod. Without that, it's realllly difficult.

Perhaps, one day, Directv will decide to put the beeps back in the receiver. Never could understand that one.

Seems odd that an installer would be mounting the dish on a tripod for you. The first strong wind is likely to either move the dish or worse, knock it over.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Feb 05, 2014
Is the post on your tripod 2"? The slimline dish requires a 2" post which I doubt you have. So, have them install the slimline dish on your house although you want your account for a RV (Not your house) so you can get the East and West feeds.
The installer probably has one of these for free and it will fit on your smaller tripod. Buy a SL3 lnb that will fit on this smaller dish which is all you need to get HD since you are not in the north.
Getting Direct HD is not that hard once you set the tilt on a post that is plumb. I use a $14 meter and all you do is peak 101.

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DirecTV SWM3 Slimline Dish on Tripod--How Hard Is It to Aim?

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