Dish Satellite Signal Meter

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Using the satellite receiver to dial in the dish works well when the dish is located close enough to the RV. I've set my dish up as much as 150' away though,

That is why I suggest using a battery operated portable color TV (hook it to the outside TV jack) to watch the meters from the tripod site.

This is very simply the best meter made.. I mean the software invoked by MENU-6-1-1 is every bit as good as the kilobuck used Bird Dog, it gives you the signal strength and the ID (Address actually) of the bird you have sited, It picks the LNB so you know when you hit the right angle

Hint to those who do not under stand dish, the Satellite numbers we talk about are 1/3 of it's address... The other 2/3s are the same for all birds so that's all we need.

the 3 parts: Latitude = ZERO
Longitude = Number of satellite
Altitude =about= 1/8 light second

So if you want 110 and you see, say 97, Look farther to the west.

What works good for me I have the wife watch the TV we both have cell phones so I call her and put my phone on speaker and she reads me off the #s as I turn the dish

Using a battery powered tv at the dish isn't a solution unless you also use a battery powered receiver or a long piece of coax.

jerryspoolman wrote:
Does anyone make a smart satellite meter that shows the Satellite number and signal strength? Preferable that it would show both 110 and 119 at the same time.

Why yes several companies do, One is called a BirdDog, I have seen them USED for like 1,000 dollars (do not have one)

But wait, put away your checkbook, re-pocket your credit cards.

The meter you want.. If I recall correctly is MENU-6-1-1 (Checked the on board manual) there it is, Use a small battery operated portable TV at the dish.
NOTE: on the VIP-211 line you may have to wait for it to time out and press * to get to the set up menu.

We have DISH and use a signal finder to lock on to the 110/119 satellite. It works great. You can get them at Camping World.

jerryspoolman wrote:
Does anyone make a smart satellite meter that shows the Satellite number and signal strength? Preferable that it would show both 110 and 119 at the same time.

If you just use a meter to find a good signal on 119.....you will also automatically find 110 and 129. I do that all the time. I use an Align-A-Sight.

Horizon170 wrote:

cooperwl wrote:
Not to hijack the thread, but where did you find the info to program the SF-500?

It should be in the manual that came with it.

The 6 Dish sats I'm interested in were already programmed along with a number of others. I deleted a bunch that I don't expect to ever need.

K Charles wrote:
The signal meter in the Dish receiver works for me also.

I use a cheap in line meter to get close and then use the receiver and TV to fine tune. I'm close though and can adjust the antenna and see the TV or wife will give me a one second apart count of the strength meter registered on the TV sometimes.

cooperwl wrote:
Not to hijack the thread, but where did you find the info to program the SF-500?

It should be in the manual that came with it.

Not to hijack the thread, but where did you find the info to program the SF-500?