At home we switched from Direct TV to Dish Network. While the service guys were here switching us we shared a lot of personal things. Anyway, maybe he manipulated the conversation a bit, but we ended up getting set up for 5 televisions in our home with 3 receivers. But the thing that we really got excited about was the fact we purchased a separate dish and tripod for the travel trailer. Tonight after work the wife and I tried setting up the tripod dish system and of course get it working with the camper and everything before heading out on our next trip (next week) over the 4th of July.So we struggled with the tripod dish. We got everything working eventually and actually, I think it's going to be fantastic having satellite anywhere we go now.But, here's the problem. We went through several small steps to get the dish angled just right and wonder if there is an easier way to do it. The nice thing about our system is it has a set-up feature that displays on the television for Asmuth, Elevation, and Skew for any zip code you enter... pretty cool.... except?Is there an easier way to get those angles a better way than trial and error and guessing? I was in the Army and did my share of marching, map reading, and taking little walks of paradise through some wonderful woodland acreages in Korea. So I am familiar with Asmuth, Elevation, and Skew, degrees and all that. So, apart from a good compass (Asmuth), a carpenter's level to ensure the dish pole is straight up and down and a protractor (for Skew and Elevation), is anything that can make the job a bit easier to get the single dead on?Today was my first attempt at setting it up (at home), and will practice again tomorrow and probably again the day after, so when we take off this Saturday AM and reach our destination I won't look like a total idiot!Thanks for your help.

There are three tools that you will want to make this a simple task.First, if you have a smart phone, download dishpointer,Second, there is a product called Align-A-Site that once setup per the instructions at home allows you to setup the dish and not worry about level and plum because it shows you the correct angles. Last, if you want to get the best possible signal in a hurry, buy from places like ebay a Birdog satellite meter.

My dish has a bubble level, a compass and hash marks with numbers. If you want X elevation you set it to that number, the same with the slew.

Sooner or later you are probably going to want an automatic-aiming dish, such as Tailgater.

Make sure your pole is level when you first setup then make sure it is level every time there after and you won’t have to set the elevation and skew again unless you travel far north or south. Then it is a simple matter of setting the dish on the level pole and swinging it left and right until you pick up the signal. With dish you may hit the wrong satellite so using dishpointer will help you point in the right direction.

DutchmenSport wrote:ATonight after work the wife and I tried setting up the tripod dish system and of course get it working with the camper and everything before heading out on our next trip (next week) over the 4th of July.So we struggled with the tripod dish. We got everything working eventually and actually, I think it's going to be fantastic having satellite anywhere we go now.Do you know the type of dish (1000.2, 1000.4, DISH 500) you have on your tripod?What model DISH receiver are you taking with you (VIP622, 722, 211,...)?Knowing these two things would help.

Help with television Satelite Dish setup | Good Sam Community

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jul 02, 2013
Set up at the campground went great. We ended up switching sites to get trial under the trees. When we made the reservation we did not have the dish so reserved for shade. All is well. Wife is exhilerated. She got to watch Duck Dynasty, Glades,and Longmire. Momma is happy, life is eautiful.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Well, I've been practicing setting up the dish in my yard at home ever evening after work. Every attempt is getting better and better.

I ended up getting a satellite finder from Radio Shack. OK, it might not be a high end quality one, but it does work. I set my receiver for the satellite I'm looking for and the "finder's" meeter arrow jumps off the charts when I hit the signal and it squeals nice and loud. I then disconnect and connect the finder and connect the two ends of the coax and I've got a signal.

Last night, I found the satellite right off. But had problems figuring out the steps to go through on the receiver. Trial and error I think we figured it out.

Tonight I set up again from a cold start. Put the dish in a different spot in the front yard and tried again. This time, hit the signal right off, and got the receiver steps correct. It took a total of 5 minutes from dragging everything out of the house to watching HGTV! Sweet. So, I think I've got this "thing" down. Now the real test will be at the campground this Saturday.

Once again, thanks everyone for your tips, helps, and web site suggestions. I think think once at the campground, I will be using a combination of all your help!

Wonderful! Thanks again!
cpaulsen
Explorer
Jun 27, 2013
I took my tripod and set it my garage....made sure everything was level. Then used some string levels which I siliconed to 2 sides of the tripod. That way when I set up the tripod....I just make sure it is level to start with. My Dish is a 1000.4 and have only had to set the skew 2 times when traveling. Have never had a problem finding the "birds"....and use the phone app.
rbtglove
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Dish set up using a tripod 3 beers (half the time can't even get it trees in way), dish with Vu Qube 1000 easier but still 2 beers and need a clear view, dish with the Tailgater - less than one beer and almost always works.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2013
djgarcia wrote:
Go to Camping World and buy an electronic hand held satellite finder. After you find the Zenith, elevation, azimuth settings and set up your satellite, Hook the electronic finder up between your satellite and receiver. Just scan the dish satellite to the south, move the satellite until you see the needle reach it highest readings and then move the satellite to the right until you see the needle reach it's highest reading. Now move the satellite slightly in the direction between these 2 points. Done.

And hope like heck you are settling in on the correct bird! Those cheap meters are just that, CHEAP. Have about three of them and none works worth a crud unless you are using the most basic setup possible. Mainly because they do not lock onto the exact satellite you want. But will chirp on any sat it sees.
Using an Align-A-Site your mast does not have to be perfectly plum. A good thing in the woods. Using a decent meter that will only sound off on the correct satellite is a better thing. At least then you have a fighting chance to get a quality sat signal.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Go to Camping World and buy an electronic hand held satellite finder. After you find the Zenith, elevation, azimuth settings and set up your satellite, Hook the electronic finder up between your satellite and receiver. Just scan the dish satellite to the south, move the satellite until you see the needle reach it highest readings and then move the satellite to the right until you see the needle reach it's highest reading. Now move the satellite slightly in the direction between these 2 points. Done.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Popsie wrote:
Dishpointer can be very helpful.

Very helpful site. I made print of my home with all the angles and land marks to set it up again tonight after work. And am bookmarking it on my Ipad. With this tool and the information displayed on the set-up on my receiver, I should have the angles pretty good. And this web site shows land marks and maximum height of the angles, and such ... very cool site .... THANKS!

And am planning on using Fultimers advise tonight. Get the dish set up, marked, and then have a good starting point when setting up in a new location.

A friend at work (who does a lot of tailgating at auto races with his MH) is loaning me a locator devise. Not sure how it works yet or what it is.

Thanks for the tips. This is exactly what I was looking for! Now ... practice, practice, practice before heading out Saturday morning!
Popsie
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Dishpointer can be very helpful.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
DutchmenSport wrote:
A
Tonight after work the wife and I tried setting up the tripod dish system and of course get it working with the camper and everything before heading out on our next trip (next week) over the 4th of July.

So we struggled with the tripod dish. We got everything working eventually and actually, I think it's going to be fantastic having satellite anywhere we go now.

Do you know the type of dish (1000.2, 1000.4, DISH 500) you have on your tripod?

What model DISH receiver are you taking with you (VIP622, 722, 211,...)?

Knowing these two things would help.
Fulltimers
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Make sure your pole is level when you first setup then make sure it is level every time there after and you won’t have to set the elevation and skew again unless you travel far north or south. Then it is a simple matter of setting the dish on the level pole and swinging it left and right until you pick up the signal. With dish you may hit the wrong satellite so using dishpointer will help you point in the right direction.

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