For an upcoming trip to the northeast and down the east coast a ways, I'm attempting to setup Dish Satellite (DS). It was suggested here on rv.net to use the eastern arc.I have purchased the 211K, 1000.4 antenna, tv4rv tripod and 50' of rg6 coax. The 211 and antenna (antenna was assembled with 1 coax coming out of the arm) were purchased locally here in Round Rock, TX.The guy at the store setup the 211 on a western arc antenna.At home, I set up everything in the rv using existing satellite connection. Found a eastern signal, program guide downloaded and then dropped signal. After that, I could not get a signal.I repositioned the antenna, directly wired the coax between the 211 and antenna. Got another 5 bar signal, downloaded programing, dropped signal.Also, I took off the LNB to see which connector the coax was connected to. It was connected to #3 connector (third connector from the left).Any suggestions?Thanks!Pat

Did you run the check switch routine and did it show that you have found the 3 satellites, 61.5 72 and 77?

Go to menu on your receiver. Installation...point dish..check switch. Are you sure the mast on your antenna is perfectly vertical? I have found that I can go thru everything including downloading program guide and then have a total loss of signal if my mast is not vertical. I go out and start over. Level, point and suddenly I have it. Do you use a signal meter? Remember, you are pointing the middle lnb. Good luck!

Remember to cover both of the outer lnb's with alum foil to allow you to be sure that you are only siting with the middle lnb.Remove the foil to allow the other two birds to be seen after you have found your original targeted bird (sat) and you should be good to go.

Bill.Winegard wrote:Did you run the check switch routine and did it show that you have found the 3 satellites, 61.5 72 and 77?I did not get all three to show up.After reading the posts after yours, I may need to redo the aiming process.I'll redo and look for all three listed.Thanks,Pat

bob213 wrote:Go to menu on your receiver. Installation...point dish..check switch. Are you sure the mast on your antenna is perfectly vertical? I have found that I can go thru everything including downloading program guide and then have a total loss of signal if my mast is not vertical. I go out and start over. Level, point and suddenly I have it. Do you use a signal meter? Remember, you are pointing the middle lnb. Good luck!I didn't know I was aiming with the center LNB and to cover the two outside ones.I'll redo everything.Also, I have only one short coax connected for the three satellites. I currently, have it connected to the connector labeled #1. Is this correct?Thanks, Pat

Setting up 211K and Eastern Arc 1000.4 Antenna

Jay_Pat
Explorer
Jun 29, 2013
TechWriter wrote:
Jay Pat wrote:
Yesterday evening, used the Acutrac III for the first time.
Found all three satellites with strong signals.

Congrats! That's quite an endorsement. What signal strength #s did you get?

Jay Pat wrote:

I hope it stays this easy!!

It doesn't. Keep spare batteries around.

I didn't make a note of it. It was over half way.

Tomorrow, I may get a chance to point it again.
Practice, Practice!!!
Pat
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Jay Pat wrote:
Yesterday evening, used the Acutrac III for the first time.
Found all three satellites with strong signals.

Congrats! That's quite an endorsement. What signal strength #s did you get?

Jay Pat wrote:

I hope it stays this easy!!

It doesn't. Keep spare batteries around.
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Yesterday evening, used the Acutrac III for the first time.
Found all three satellites with strong signals.
I hope it stays this easy!!
Pat
bob213
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
On TechWriters advice I just ordered an AccuriteIII. Found them here:
Accurite III

Thanks TechWriter.
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Jay Pat wrote:

TechWriter,
I'm gonna call Summit Source in the morning about the Acutrac lll.
I hope I can call on you to help set up the instrument.
Pat

Sure. Be advised that the Accutrac III is a "buggy" meter -- maybe "twitchy" is a better word. It does the job though as I've found no other meter that displays all 3 sat signals simultaneously.

However, start by getting a good 8-pack of AA NiMH rechargeable batteries as the ones that come with the Accutrac are not very good. You need good batts as a 1000.4 will deplete them very fast.

I tried Lithium Ions which are VERY good and VERY expensive -- but not rechargeable.

Then I switched to Energizers, and am going to try Duracell's next.
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I got all three satellites!!! Yay!!!
Thanks for everyone's input!
My area zip is 78664
Here are my final settings with center post, level
Azimuth 140
Elevation 50
Skew 54

The chart for the antenna says:
Azimuth 130
Elevation 45
Skew 54

TechWriter,
I'm gonna call Summit Source in the morning about the Acutrac lll.
I hope I can call on you to help set up the instrument.
Pat
TechWriter
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Jay Pat wrote:

The Accutrac lll appears to have been discontinued.

Another source.

Plus, they pop up on eBay from time to time.
Jay_Pat
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Thank you, everyone for tips and ideas!
The Accutrac lll appears to have been discontinued.
I keep hitting one sat. at a time.
Nuts!...
I have been working with azimuth and elevation only.

I have read on another forum about have to make a skew adjustment.
So, I'm wondering if I can hook up an analog meter (3 meters total) to each LNB connection and then go thru a three way coax connector.
Will this work?
If this would work, I can see what's going one and not guessing.
And, not buy a high dollar meter.
Thanks for any help!
Pat
TechWriter
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Jay Pat wrote:

I bought the dish finder app for iphone. It shows the eastern arc right next to the western arc. That caused me some confusion until I let it go and went with the compass.
Pat

I have a 1000.4 with both Eastern and Western Arc LNB arms and use a dish finder app to just get the general location of the sats.

But for sat acquisition I use an Accutrac III+. This meter displays the signal strength of all 3 sats simultaneously so as you aim the dish you see the results in real time.

BTW, the Western Arc arm I bought didn't need anything removed to fit on my 1000.4.
paulcardoza
Explorer
May 29, 2013
You can go HERE to find out exactly what channels are on which satellite. Locals vary by location.....

ghiotom wrote:
Also, make sure your skew setting is correct. It isn't something you usually have to mess with unless you have moved quite a distance from your last setup. By the way, 77 sat has a host of local channels including mine here in NE Florida which are CONUS, meaning I can pretty much receive them anywhere in the eastern half of the country.

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