Forum Discussion

app2app's avatar
app2app
Explorer
May 27, 2014

Winegard G2 carryout satellite

I recently purchased this unit and I am unable to get a satellite signal. I finally got a signal after moving the unit to a spot by the lake where there was not a single tree, twig or bush on the whole southern horizon ( Dang Georgia Pine trees!). Then we had to move to a site two sites up on the same side and placed the unit again near the lake facing same direction, no satellite signal GRRR... Tried moving it and retesting for a couple of hours and finally gave up. How much southern sky exposure does this thing need? A whole horizon isn't enough? Is it the placement in relation to an open southern sky (does it have to be overhead, if that even makes sense?)or is it something other than the unit placement that I am doing wrong. For the direct tv I have it set to the 18 and 20 and multiswitch. I am fairly new at this rving thing and sure hope there is a learning curve!!!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 27, 2014
    There are apps for your smart phone One for Droid is called SAT FINDER.

    Now I have it , but since I do not use sat tv I"m not yet expert at it.

    But as I undersand it (YES, just checked it) You tell it what bird you want to see (119 is my recommendation) and tap the camera icon, it activates your Phone's rear camera so you are looking THROUGH the phone toward the sky.

    The app puts a cross hair on your screen

    You move the phone to center the cross hair on the small circle in the middle

    IF you can see the sky, so can the antenna behind you.. If you see trees.. ...
  • chiefneon's avatar
    chiefneon
    Explorer
    May 28, 2014
    Howdy!

    Just guessing but it may have to do with the unit not being level. I read on some other post that the new Pathway 2 I beleive need to be close to level when setting them up. You are the first to comment on the new G2, and I will be following to see if you get the problem worked out as we are considering purchasing a new portable fully automatic unit. I like the VuQube Flex unit as it is self leveling and only need one coax cable and no 12v power coard. It appears the Winegard units may need to be closer to level to start with.

    "Happy Trails"
    Chiefneon
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    May 28, 2014
    app2app wrote:
    I recently purchased this unit and I am unable to get a satellite signal. I finally got a signal after moving the unit to a spot by the lake where there was not a single tree, twig or bush on the whole southern horizon ( Dang Georgia Pine trees!). Then we had to move to a site two sites up on the same side and placed the unit again near the lake facing same direction, no satellite signal GRRR... Tried moving it and retesting for a couple of hours and finally gave up. How much southern sky exposure does this thing need? A whole horizon isn't enough? Is it the placement in relation to an open southern sky (does it have to be overhead, if that even makes sense?)or is it something other than the unit placement that I am doing wrong. For the direct tv I have it set to the 18 and 20 and multiswitch. I am fairly new at this rving thing and sure hope there is a learning curve!!!


    I recommend you start out using the receiver setting of 18" round and nothing else. You need a completely clear view of the sky but it's not necessarily directly South. From GA you will be pointing SW toward TX as that's where the DirecTV 101 satellite is located. If you enter your current zip code into the receiver setup link it will give you the exact azimuth so you can use a compass to determine which part of the sky needs to be clear.
    As mentioned above, if you have a smart phone there are several apps (Dish Pointer/Pro by Augmented Reality is the best but not free) you can also get a pretty good handle on the general direction where each satellite is located.

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