Satellite Signal Meters
Are there any good easy to use signal meters to setup Dish and SWM DTV for under $250? Thanx
Forum Discussion
This is my method to set up a satellite dish. It looks complicated at first but makes things easy after the initial setup.
The first thing is to level the dish. This is very important. I made an adapter to make this easier. The adapter is also used to set azimuth. It is made of PVC pipe with a plastic platform at the end. It is plastic so that a compass can be set on it without the metal antenna changing the reading. After setting up the tripod but before putting the antenna on it put the adapter in the tripod in place of the antenna.
Adapter.
Set a level on the platform and adjust the legs to make it level.
Level on adapter.
Next remove the adapter and put the antenna on the tripod. All of this is just to calibrate things. Peak the antenna using any method that you would normally use.
When the antenna is peaked make a mark on it at the base of the tripod. Also put a piece of tape on the tripod and mark the tape at the same place as the antenna.
Marking for calibration.
Now remove the antenna and make sure that the tape with the marking stays in place.
Put the adapter back on the tripod and set a compass on top of the adapter. Make sure the compass is lined up with the edge of the adapter platform. Turn the adapter until the compass shows the correct azimuth for your location.
Adapter and compass.
When the adapter is lined up make a mark on it to align with the mark on the tape.
Mark on adapter.
This completes the calibration!
The next time you want to set up the antenna start by putting the adapter on the tripod. Level the tripod. Next put the compass on the adapter and rotate the adapter until the compass points to the proper azimuth for your location. Put a piece of tape at the bottom where the mark on the adapter is. Mark the tape to align with the mark on the adapter. Remove adapter, set antenna elevation and skew, and put the antenna on the tripod. Align the mark on the antenna with the mark on the tape. The antenna azimuth should now be very very close to perfect alignment!
Peak using a meter or the receiver and baby monitor.
Baby monitor.
Here is the antenna installation instructions.
D1000.4 EA
and
D1000.4 WA
182947
Installation Instructions
1000.2 instrutions
The antenna settings by zip code are at the end of each files. I laminated them and use them instead of turning on my receiver to find how to set the antenna.
The first thing is to level the dish. This is very important. I made an adapter to make this easier. The adapter is also used to set azimuth. It is made of PVC pipe with a plastic platform at the end. It is plastic so that a compass can be set on it without the metal antenna changing the reading. After setting up the tripod but before putting the antenna on it put the adapter in the tripod in place of the antenna.
Adapter.
Set a level on the platform and adjust the legs to make it level.
Level on adapter.
Next remove the adapter and put the antenna on the tripod. All of this is just to calibrate things. Peak the antenna using any method that you would normally use.
When the antenna is peaked make a mark on it at the base of the tripod. Also put a piece of tape on the tripod and mark the tape at the same place as the antenna.
Marking for calibration.
Now remove the antenna and make sure that the tape with the marking stays in place.
Put the adapter back on the tripod and set a compass on top of the adapter. Make sure the compass is lined up with the edge of the adapter platform. Turn the adapter until the compass shows the correct azimuth for your location.
Adapter and compass.
When the adapter is lined up make a mark on it to align with the mark on the tape.
Mark on adapter.
This completes the calibration!
The next time you want to set up the antenna start by putting the adapter on the tripod. Level the tripod. Next put the compass on the adapter and rotate the adapter until the compass points to the proper azimuth for your location. Put a piece of tape at the bottom where the mark on the adapter is. Mark the tape to align with the mark on the adapter. Remove adapter, set antenna elevation and skew, and put the antenna on the tripod. Align the mark on the antenna with the mark on the tape. The antenna azimuth should now be very very close to perfect alignment!
Peak using a meter or the receiver and baby monitor.
Baby monitor.
Here is the antenna installation instructions.
D1000.4 EA
and
D1000.4 WA
182947
Installation Instructions
1000.2 instrutions
The antenna settings by zip code are at the end of each files. I laminated them and use them instead of turning on my receiver to find how to set the antenna.
