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.

[SparkDr]

OP wants what OP can't have (because it doesn't exist) and is now getting snarky at the thought that someone would offer a workaround. Funny though, OP's Accutrac method was nothing more than a workaround of it's own. The DirecTv AIM meter is the right tool for the job. With this meter, I can set up and lock in signal on my SWM tripod in about 5 minutes without using a receiver or any assistance. Good luck finding one for less that $400 on any given day, though. Only a fool would let one go at the under $130 price point. Sound advise and valid options have been given. It would appear that the OP is gonna be trolling eBay for a while looking for a replacement Accutrac III+.

[YC_1]

I have done lots of research lately but have not found one near that price range. I still use my Sat Buddy 2 but the internal battery has very short life even when new.

The Swift Hitch camera might work well to peak those stubborn narrow birds. The price is just a bit much at this time but sure looks like it is built well.

So do I buy the Hitch Camera or put a few more dollars into a meter than cannot have any other useful things to do in its life.

I am thinking the Hitch Camera could even be used as a security camera in places.

I recently converted my slimline dish head to a swm head. I am pleased my old meter still works well enough to get started. Peaking of the two narrow birds is nearly impossible without the wife watching the tv screen,.

With the hitch Camera I can do it myself and actually help others that have Dish for example.

I have the align-a-site, and dishfinder app on my Droid. The App on the droid is excellent. The align-a-sit is expensive and a bit tricky to use,.

I am providing this information not for the OP so much as for others that read this thread. The OP has most of these devices already.

With the tools I have if there is a chance of a shot through the brush I can make it. However, peaking those two narrow birds on the Direct system is critical.

[mikestock]

SVCJeff wrote:
Self powered satellite meters are not cheap, and they get really expensive if you expect to do HD alignment.

If I can see the 101 then I'm good to go. Not looking for a perfect permanent setup. 99/103 signals in the 80's suit me.

RVhiker wrote:
mikestock, I use an Acutrac III+ as well. So far, my meter is still working but it is getting old. My legacy (4 cable out LNB) is permanently mounted to my dish; after aiming with the Acutrac III+, I use a SWM-8 multiswitch at the dish to convert the output to SWM signals.

The cheapest alternative to the Acutrac III+ I've found is the Satlook Lite at about $285. I'm not sure if it is a quality meter or not.

Another alternative would be to find a used meter that just aims KU signals on the 101; although I like seeing 99 and 103 signals as well, if the 101 is peaked properly 99 and 103 should be there.

Thank you very much for reading the OP and offering one useful post. I got all of the posts I hoped to eliminate in my original post. I don't know what happened to the guy who used to say, "read a book instead of watching tv".

I used to use a regular Acutrac 22 that only recognized the 101. This was really good enough, but it bit the dust and I got the Acutrac III from craigslist for $70 about two years ago and I too like seeing the 99 and 103. As I said, I cannot imagine a method I haven't tried before settling on the method I prefer. With a compass, a legacy LNB and my meter I am usually less than 5 minutes from being able to string my RG-6 and swapping to the SWM horn. Don't use the screws.

Thanks again.

[RVhiker]

mikestock, I use an Acutrac III+ as well. So far, my meter is still working but it is getting old. My legacy (4 cable out LNB) is permanently mounted to my dish; after aiming with the Acutrac III+, I use a SWM-8 multiswitch at the dish to convert the output to SWM signals.

The cheapest alternative to the Acutrac III+ I've found is the Satlook Lite at about $285. I'm not sure if it is a quality meter or not.

Another alternative would be to find a used meter that just aims KU signals on the 101; although I like seeing 99 and 103 signals as well, if the 101 is peaked properly 99 and 103 should be there.

[Dutch_12078]

I'm currently looking at a "Sathero SH-200HD" self-powered sat meter as a step up from the meter I'm currently using that doesn't ID the Dish eastern arc sats correctly. I don't know how well it works for the DTV sats, but at $130 it might be worth looking into.

[Chuck_thehammer]

Satellite AR is the app.

I have 200 feet .. both RG 6 and extension cord. EASY. and I am over 65....
antenna and mount is the heaviest part.

maybe you can get very lucky and find a used 500 dollar meter.

or the piece of junk thing Radio Shack Sales.

[nomad_297]

mikestock wrote:
I attempted to word the original post to communicate this, but I'm not looking for alternate suggestions. I have been reading posts for years, dealing with suggested ways to set up and doubt if there are many I haven't tried or read about. I even have a Line-of-Site device attached to the dish. But, what I do is what I do and I will continue with this method once I find a replacement.

This is what the man said:

Didn't the last few posters see this?

Bruce

[edatlanta]

mikestock wrote:
I appreciate all of the recommendations for self powered signal strength meters for under $130. :R

Thought somebody might actually read my OP and respond with useful information.

I did read your OP. You have a meter built in to your receiver (no new $$) and wireless baby monitors are cheap and the one I have will work over 100' away from my rig.

[SCVJeff]

Ok then I will.... There are none that work well. Either they're just lousy or cannot supply the current needed to run the LNB and need their wall wort to operate

Self powered satellite meters are not cheap, and they get really expensive if you expect to do HD alignment. It's easy to search eBay for pricing and adjust your budget to match. Just make sure you know what you're buying. Allot of those found on eBay are not meant for the DirectTV service

[mikestock]

I appreciate all of the recommendations for self powered signal strength meters for under $130. :R

Thought somebody might actually read my OP and respond with useful information.

[edatlanta]

Simple and cheap. Use the signal strength screen on your DirecTV receiver and a wireless baby monitor. Aim the baby monitor camera at the signal strength screen on your TV and take the remote outside with you. Been doing this for years.

[mikestock]

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.

[Bill_Satellite]

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

easy..

"I use an app"? Could you give us some details?

[Chuck_thehammer]

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

easy..

[donn0128]

Go buy an Align-A-Site cost about 200 dollars and works great as long as you have the coordinates.