DirecTV self powered setup meter recommendations?

[mikestock]

I have been RV’ing, using the DirecTV, Slimline 3 ever since they came out, replacing my Phase III. I switched to SWM soon after it became available. Tried the direct method for SWM setup, but got tired of unhooking and rehooking the receiver. I have used every method you can think of, to aim the dish. Finally, I settled on taking the legacy LNB and dropping it into the arm, hooking up my self- powered Acutrac III to max out the 99/101/103 before swapping to the SWM horn and running the cable to the PI. Pretty fool proof for me.

Alas, the Alabama heat has, apparently, ruined my old Acutrac III.
I haven’t been in the market for a setup meter in a few years and am way behind on the products available. I would be fine with a meter that just finds the ku satellites, as long as it is self powered, although a ku/ka would be preferable.

Any recommendations for a “simple to operate”, self powered meter in the under $130 range would be appreciated.

[lynndiwagon]

Heck of a deal. good luck.

[mikestock]

That was one I had been looking at.

I was lucky to find this Acutrac III. I seemed to be the only Ebay bidder and won it with a bid of $37.50 plus $12.95 shipping. Really felt kind of bad. Expected the bidding to get up to about $80 or $90. The meter looks and works like brand new. Box looked like it may have been on a shelf for a while.

[lynndiwagon]

Mike, I will answer your question. I use this one with great success. The only problem is that you need to have the coax connected to the receiver so to supply power for the LNB for SWM. This hasn't been a problem for me but you wanted self powered. It DOES supply power for the older LNB's and Dish LNB's. Sounds like you have found a good alternative.

[mikestock]

As said in my original post, I am not looking for a new way to find the satellites. There must be a hundred ways to do it. I like the process I have been using and am not trying to convince any of you to do it my way.

My favorite campsite in my favorite campground, for example, requires that the dish is about 85 feet from my electrical bay, where my PI and splitter are located. I have a 7", battery operated tv but to take it to the dish location I would need a receiver, 85 feet of power cable, another 85 feet of coax and an a/v cable to attach the tv. Then I would need a wagon to carry all this stuff plus the Slimline and tripod.

This, of course, is a worst case scenario, but I am a big fan of wooded campgrounds and frequently have to search a wide area for an open view of the 99/101/103 satellites.

Just as an update to the original post: I was able to find a like new, self powered, Acutrac III that works like a charm. Purchased on EBay for under $50, even with a good set of rechargeable batteries. All I take to the setup site is the dish, tripod, legacy slimline 3 LNB (the meter doesn't work with a SWM), my SWM Slimline 3 LNB and a compass. Once the dish is aligned I go and run my coax from the PI to the dish. Pretty quick, when you get used to the process.

I am happy with this setup after trying many of your suggested methods, in the past. Yes, including the baby monitor.

[wa8yxm]

Regarding above reply....

I always used a smaller TV than he did.. but the same concept

A lot of work... Well over all yes but not here is the complete job

1: On my RV which did not come with it I had to install a "Outside" tv Port, it is in the inverter bay... Many RV's come with that already.

2: TV is battery operated. one I have has "D" cells (not currently in place) the other uses a "Jump Start" battery and 12 volt cord.

3: Hook up the coax.. that's all folks

[tdsxt51]

mikestock wrote:

I use an app ( Free ).. and a 19 inch flat screen ($89) with receiver outside to align..

It has to take some time and a lot of work to take complete setup out to find your location.

I do most of my camping in a heavily wooded COE campground. There are some sites that I can't find a setup spot and several that require almost my entire 180' reel to get to a clear spot. It would be ridiculous to have to carry an extension cord to run a tv, power inserter and receiver out to my spot.

Personally- and this is just me- once you get the hang of aiming the dish, which took me about 2 camping trips, you don't need any kind of satellite meter. Waste of money to me. That being said, I've always had my wife to help when searching for a signal. But if you're by yourself- they sell meters on ebay for about 10-15 bucks. They work just fine. More expensive ain't more better.

[mikestock]

EBay

Delivery package 1 of 1
Estimated delivery Monday, Oct 3, 2016
+ Show shipping details
Perfect Vision Acutrac III Satellite Signal Tracking Meter No Reserve
Perfect Vision Acutrac III Satellite Signal Tracking Meter No Reserve
Item price $36.87
Quantity 1


Got a, supposedly, unused spare for less than $50, with shipping.

[Chuck_thehammer]

16 contact points... and 16 battery ends... only one with dirt/oil/oxidation, will stop power. and may not be visible to the human eye.

spinning does very little to cleaning electrical contacts..

the little block rubber type pencil erasers are best

[mikestock]

This thing is powered by 8 AA batteries. I changed them out, even though they were fairly new. I usually spin them around with my palm if they fail to make good contact. There is no sign of corrosion. :?

[Chuck_thehammer]

battery terminals have always been a problem in portable devices.
pencil eraser is your friend here.

[mikestock]

Mystery of mysteries: My Acutrac III came back to life. I had replaced all the batteries before declaring it dead. Dragged it back out one last time, yesterday and reinserted the (new) batteries and it began working again. Failed to mention before, that it would come on, but shut down when coax was attached. This time it came on and stayed on.

I'm still looking for a replacement. Never trust anything that repairs itself. After owning and using two different Acutrac products I am not their biggest fan. Probably, storing them in the hot motor home basement is a factor.

[mikestock]

wa8yxm wrote:
I have always found the Receiver's antenna set up page to be better than any meter.. Just use a portable TV (color) in the 5-10 inch range next to the tripod.

I actually used the A/V inputs to a 7" tv and ran an extension cord out to my setup, when possible. When I went to SWM I had to add a PI to my bucket of tools and it became a hassle and time consuming waiting for my DVR to go through the setup, so that I could actually get to the signal strength page.

With my meter and compass I can have the 99/101/103 maxed out, to a usable level, before my DVR would even let me see the signal strength page.

If patient, I think I can come up with what I need. Until then I will use one of the other methods you are all describing. After all, I have used most of them before. I can always wait for my wife to help with cell phones or even resort to SD only from the King Dome, if my surroundings allow.

[Dutch_12078]

wa8yxm wrote:
I have always found the Receiver's antenna set up page to be better than any meter.. Just use a portable TV (color) in the 5-10 inch range next to the tripod.

That would not be fun to do when I have 150'-200' of coax stretched out to reach a clear sat view. Even setting it up with just 50' run would be a PITA compared to just hooking up a meter. It rarely takes me more than 15 minutes to do a complete setup and aiming with my current meter, however the LCD display is failing, so it's time to look for a replacement, preferably in the same sub-$130 price range the OP is looking for.

[wa8yxm]

I have always found the Receiver's antenna set up page to be better than any meter.. Just use a portable TV (color) in the 5-10 inch range next to the tripod.