Satellite Signal Meters

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.

LScamper wrote:
Now I don't have a serial port to program the SatLook Lite anymore. I think it was a serial port, it has been a long time since I used it.

FYI I have an inexpensive serial to lan convertor on my solar controller. Might work for you.

lynndiwagon wrote:
Let us all know how that works out. Thanks

The SatLook Lite is worthless for my use. I found out that it will not lock or identify the sats with using the 1000.4 EA dish I am using. It will just give signal strength. So really nothing more that a cheapo meter will do for me. Maybe it works better for other sats or legacy stuff.
I never got a chance to even try it as the batteries would never charge up.
Don't waste your money. IMHO

CA Traveler wrote:
"The tripod base turn buckle is to fine tune the azimuth vs an adjustment on the dish?"

Yes, the 1000.2 does not have an azimuth adjustment. You have to loosen the bolts and turn the antenna and then tighten the bolts. Sometimes it is hard to make small adjustments. I think the 1000.4 has an azimuth adjustment on the antenna.

az99 wrote:
"Did you do the firmware update to SL46-US ?"

Yes, but modified the sat list to use only the sats that I wanted. Now I don't have a serial port to program the SatLook Lite anymore. I think it was a serial port, it has been a long time since I used it.

LScamper wrote:
Got out my SatLook Lite meter, have not used it in about a year. My dish is set up semi permanent now. Don't remember much about using the meter. The main problem I had with it was the battery only lasted about 10 min.

It used to show lock and sat identification on 110, 119, and 129 the last time I used it. Now it does not show locked when I select the sat that I want to look at! I did not try eastern arc.

There is another mode of operation - scan mode. In this mode it showed locked and sat identification on 110 only.

Shows locked and ID.

Did you do the firmware update to SL46-US ?

LScamper,

Excellent pictures, very creative. The tripod base turn buckle is to fine tune the azimuth vs an adjustment on the dish?

Got out my SatLook Lite meter, have not used it in about a year. My dish is set up semi permanent now. Don't remember much about using the meter. The main problem I had with it was the battery only lasted about 10 min.

It used to show lock and sat identification on 110, 119, and 129 the last time I used it. Now it does not show locked when I select the sat that I want to look at! I did not try eastern arc.

There is another mode of operation - scan mode. In this mode it showed locked and sat identification on 110 only.

Shows locked and ID.




Shows scan mode.




Elevation adjustment modification.




azimuth adjustment modification.




Antenna setup.




Folding arm modification.




Level adjustment on each leg.




Strengthening in one place.




Weights on each leg. When camping I use 10 lbs barbell weights instead of bricks. Note quick connects.




Hope this is useful.

I Use a SWM3 and have used many methods to set up. For the last year or two I have used legacy Slimline 3 horn, a self powered meter and a compass to get the dish set up. Then replace the head with a SWM head after getting the signal locked. This, to me, is as easy as any method and usually takes 5 minutes to get going as long as there are no location issues due to obstructions.

It is a great advantage to have a battery powered meter that doesn't need any other power source to attain the set up.

LScamper wrote:


So now that Dish has changed the format I wanted to know if the meter can still show that it is locked on to and identify which satellite it is looking at for Dish satellites.

I would like to know the same. I am having no luck with it locking on an already setup 1000.4 EA dish. No matter which of the 3 LNB cables I use or any of the 3 sat screens (61.5,72.7,77) I try, it never locks. Just shows the signal strength.