How to aim portable Dish Network satellite

[DC_MC]

We have a new Dish service with the automatic Winegard on our roof. We have an extra dish and tripod for if we end up parked under a tree. When we had DTV we knew how to get to the screen that you entered the zip code to get headings but I can't find a similar screen for Dish. Can someone tell me how to do this so I'm prepared when the problem comes up?

[DC_MC]

The menu on mine must be completely different. There is nothing that says setup. The closest thing I have is the screen that shows the signal strength

[wa8yxm]

Ok, how to do this may take a bit of reading but first access the Antenna pointing page. On VIP receivers you wait for it to fail, then press the * Key on the remote if I recall correctly..

Now, on the antenna page enter the ZIP CODE that applies to your parking spot and then select sat 110 or 119 (i'd go for 119)_ and the type of antenna you have (500 or 1000) You will get 3 numbers
Azimuth, Elevation, Skew

On the tripod, Make sure the mast the dish is mounted on is plumb (Straight up and down, not tilted (Shim and adjust as needed to get there.. Then tie the tripod down DO NOT SWING WEIGHTS, make sure the weight (if you use that method) sits upon the ground, or stake it down (The CLAW from Harbor Freight)

Now preset the Elevation and tighten just enough to be snug, Likewise the skew (Tilt)

Now while watching a portable color TV attached to the Receiver SLOWLY swing the dish through the azimuth (use a compass) I like to start on the east side and work west.. When it peaks, Snug that down a bit, Now push/pull gently on the top to mess with the elevation and see if the signal improves/gets worse. If it improves peak it and re-adjust azimuth. You should not need more than 3 itterations (2 repeats) to finish the job. now tighten well, Job done.

Two notes
1: The hardest part of this is waiting for a VIP to error out so you can press the * key.

2: By the time yove done it a few times you will finish faster than I typed this and I type fast.

[Gonzo42]

I use the app SatFinder on my Android, and before I leave on a trip I use http://www.dishpointer.com/ for anyplace I plan to stop.

[VoodooMedicineM]

Menu
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[bob213]

If you are using the 3 LNB western arc remember you are pointing the middle lnb for sat.#119.

[ljr]

I use Dishpointer.com.
If you're going to do this very often, a decent meter is a worthwhile investment.

[Chrisatthebeach]

Go to the menu button, press setup and then select point dish.

It will then give you the screen to enter the zip code.

I used to take the receiver outside with a small TV and set it on the ground so that I could see the meter and hear the tone change as I got closer. If I had a good line of site from a location close to the RV that did not interfere with outside activities I set the dish right outside the window and could look in at the screen and hear the tone.

We also kept several different lengths of co-ax just in case we had to go a long way for a clear shot.

Having the tripod mount as close to level as possible helps.

Practice a few times and it will get a lot easier as you do it.

Getting a good compass helps, I used one from the camping section of Wal-Mart.

[turbojimmy]

I have DirecTV and a portable dish but never use the receiver to locate the satellite. I use a downloadable, free app (there are many out there) and a cheap signal meter to tune the dish. It's much easier than running back and forth between the TV and the dish as you adjust it - especially on longer cable runs.