Is anyone using the DISH portable satellite dish- not the automatic kind but the kind that goes on the tripod? I always used that type for DirecTV and had no problems; could find a satellite in about 3 minutes and 5 minutes later I was watching TV. When we switched to DISH, we got the Wally with the Playmaker automatic satellite finder. Just cannot get it to work right; it finds the satellites but cannot lock onto the signal. I have a new Wally receiver on the way, and had Winegard check the Playmaker, but I'm not holding my breath. So I'm thinking I may go back to an open dish type. Are any of you guys still using this setup? Thanks for any info.(I also posted this on the FR forums.)

I have Dish and carry both a Tailgater and a tripod mount. If the Tailgater has any problem locking on the sats, I pull out the tripod mount. Doesn’t really take much more time for the tripod than the Tailgater.

BB TX,Do you use a signal meter or the receiver? I just changed from Direct to Dish last week and I went from a Slimline 3 to a Tailgater. I would just use the receiver and the signal tone and could lock on in a couple of minute.I'd like to get a tripod dish and just wondered if I need a signal meter and which one I should get....Thanks.

Just two weeks ago, after 20 years with Directv I switched to Dish, using the same tripod and a new Dish antenna. I have set it up 3 times and have easily locked in on the three satellites with little problem and no meter. Almost seems easier than Directv for what ever reason, maybe just lucky. Love their Hopper 3 receiver and lower bill.

I've used a Dish 1000.4 triple LNB dish mounted on a tripod for the past 5 years or so. I switch the LNB between the eastern arc and western arc versions as needed to get the best view on treed sites. I use the DishPointer app on my phone for best tripod placement, and a then $50 meter I bought on eBay that identifies the satellites for dialing in the signals. Setting up and aiming takes me no more than 15 minutes in most cases. Less when I have the dish and mount pre-assembled and stowed in the toad between sites.

Range Maggot Bob wrote:I'm thinking I may go back to an open dish type. Are any of you guys still using this setup?Besides my rooftop Winegard Travler, I also use an open-face dish on a tripod when I'm parked under trees or need to use DISH's Eastern Arc sats.I've been setting up tripods for over a decade, but recently bought a Super Buddy sat meter. It was expensive, but makes setting up a dish very easy.Apparently, some folks can set up a tripod dish blindfolded. Good for them. Give it a try with no meter or a cheap one and see how it goes. You may be a dish whisperer too.

DISH TV | Good Sam Community

Ralph_Cramden
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2018
cpaulsen wrote:
Use a tripod and a Dish 1000.2..........takes about 5 minutes to set up.

Wow. I have the 1000.4 EA which has a screw adjustment for elevation and a surveyors tripod setup, along with an interchangeable LNB to hit the WA birds if needed. You're doing great setting up in 5 minutes. It takes me longer than that to dig it out of storage, set up the tripod and plumb the mast / pop the dish on, and roll out the cable which sometimes has been 200' due to trees. Aiming and peaking the dish is the easy and fast part.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Oct 05, 2018
Use a tripod and a Dish 1000.2..........takes about 5 minutes to set up.
goducks10
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
ford truck guy wrote:
I use the Pathway X2 along with the Wally...

I do not have issues setting up, just plug in, and do an auto search while doing other things.
Once all set up, I go on the app and change my locals, they are updated usually in a few minutes after the call.

I like the idea of having Dish for my RV,,, With our main camping during summer and fall, and ZERO from late October to early April, we only pay for 30 days at a time... We pay no penalty and no dish service during those down months.

x2 exactly
ljr
Nomad
Oct 04, 2018
I mostly use a tripod mounted 1000.2 and have for years. With a good tripod, level, compass and a decent meter it’s a piece of cake. I often run into people having lots of problems. They are almost always missing one or more of those.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2018
Be aware that none of the dome style dishes work with the Dish Hopper series of multi-tuner DVR's. Only the open face multi-LNB dishes can be used, either the automatic aiming models like the Trav'ler or the manually aimed tripod mounted models. The domes can only be used with the Wally or the previous VIP series receivers like the 211k or 211z.
BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 04, 2018
Mmwtdh wrote:
BB TX,

Do you use a signal meter or the receiver?

.....

Yes, I do use an in line signal meter to maximize the signal. Then I remove the meter.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2018
I was told that it’s because I have a residential account. RV accounts get the option.

The agent blamed the FCC and said they were negotiating.
Solo
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
Solo wrote:
Big Katuna wrote:

You can now reauthorize your sat box with their app.

I can have locals added with the app but their directions never do coincide with the app it appears.

OK, may have finally talked to someone at Dish who knows why I could never manage locals from the APP but why others could. Dish is still in a trial phase with the managing locals via the APP with an Outdoor account. Some customers have the feature enabled during this trial period and others do not according to the representative I just visited with.

My account apparently falls in the category of "not available" yet. I'll just continue to use Chat to manage locals when traveling to the next spot beam.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Oct 04, 2018
I use the Pathway X2 along with the Wally...

I do not have issues setting up, just plug in, and do an auto search while doing other things.
Once all set up, I go on the app and change my locals, they are updated usually in a few minutes after the call.

I like the idea of having Dish for my RV,,, With our main camping during summer and fall, and ZERO from late October to early April, we only pay for 30 days at a time... We pay no penalty and no dish service during those down months.
Solo
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018
Big Katuna wrote:

I now call to change locals as soon as I level so they will be there when I search.

You can now reauthorize your sat box with their app.

I do the same thing via a call or usually Chat but, customer service keeps telling me I can have locals added with the app but their directions never do coincide with the app it appears. I can see "reauthorize" on the app but, will this provide locals when I have moved out of the previous spot beam? What am I missing with the app? Can't complain about their service when using Chat but, using the app to obtain locals would be nice.

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