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SteveRuff's avatar
SteveRuff
Explorer
Jun 16, 2013

Winegard Traveler

I am in a campground in Bow Washington. My satellite antenna can't seem to find a satellite. The campground lists Direct TV as 133 Azimuth and 31 elevation which of course means nothing to me as I just press the power button until it says connecting to antenna and then wait for it to lock onto the satellites. It searches forever but finds nothing. There are many trees around but I have positioned myself in the clear especially when looking at where other (ground level) dishes are pointed. Is it possible that since my dish is on the roof of the motorhome I just can't get low enough to lock onto the 31 elevation? It worked perfectly in the last campground which was about 3 hours south of here.
  • I have the same Winegard and we are also very far north in WA and our system has no problem getting to the required elevation, which is the same as yours. The problem with looking at other people's antennas is that it's difficult to really tell which way they are pointing, particularly the elliptical ones. You might have a tree in the way and not realize it.

    If you have a smart phone download a compass app to it and see which way 133 degrees is. That is where the DirecTV 101 satellite is located (magnetic compass reading) and that's the one you must be able to receive.
  • From the ground they may be looking under limbs etc. On top of the rv you may be looking at limbs and just not know it. Definitely get an app if you have the right phone. Saves lots of guessing.
  • How long does your dish search? Other than moving to a different location to see if it finds 101 it kind of sounds like what i just posted about yesterday. Might read my thread for some insite into this system. There are some tests you can do initially, but without some knowledge and the proper tools your basically stuck. Remember even the smallest branch will fool this system.
  • This happened to me one time. I finally went outside and noticed that the LNB did not unfold. Think that is the correct name. Had to climb on top the trailer and do it manually. Never happened again so I think it might have been just a small piece of trash.
    Don
  • SteveRuff wrote:
    I am in a campground in Bow Washington. My satellite antenna can't seem to find a satellite. The campground lists Direct TV as 133 Azimuth and 31 elevation which of course means nothing to me as I just press the power button until it says connecting to antenna and then wait for it to lock onto the satellites. It searches forever but finds nothing. There are many trees around but I have positioned myself in the clear especially when looking at where other (ground level) dishes are pointed. Is it possible that since my dish is on the roof of the motorhome I just can't get low enough to lock onto the 31 elevation? It worked perfectly in the last campground which was about 3 hours south of here.
    They're are a couple apps for smart phones that all you have to do is point it in the direction of the satellite and it will show you a dot in the sky on the screen where the satellite is and will show if there is a tree in the way. I use DP AR PRo for direc tv
  • Ranger Smith wrote:
    They're are a couple apps for smart phones that all you have to do is point it in the direction of the satellite and it will show you a dot in the sky on the screen where the satellite is and will show if there is a tree in the way. I use DP AR PRo for direc tv

    I use the app called DishPointer Pro. It wasn't expensive, and puts a red arc across the ecliptic so you can follow it, then puts a red dot on the satellite so you can see EXACTLY where the satellite is and if an obstruction is in the way. Way easy.