Satellite Signal Meters

[az99]

Are there any good easy to use signal meters to setup Dish and SWM DTV for under $250?

Thanx

[buc1980]

I use compass to line up the slim dish .That all you need is the zip code.

[az99]

The new software allows you to lock on the sats but it does not identify them. Or at least I could not figure out how and the tech dept. at Solid Signal said it would not identify them.

[Carl_n_Susan]

az99 wrote:

(snip)
...The Sat Look Lite is worthless as an identification meter for Dish EA sats.
(/snip)

Dish has changed their signal and it is incompatible with most SatLook Lite devices. *BUT* if you email the SatLook people at Info@emitor.se they will educate you on a workaround. I am a DirecTV user but my Dish buddy had the same problem. He downloaded a updated configuration file which keys on the spot beams (signal format unchanged) instead of the newly changed signals. Now his meter locks on to all three satellites.

[CA_Traveler]

Yes, 99-103 are close, picture from WA.

[mikestock]

I know I have a very unpopular point of view, but IMO having the mount perfectly plumb is over rated if you are using a Slimline 3. This level factor only comes into play when setting the tilt between the 99/101/103 satellites and these are so close together in the sky it becomes almost irrelevant for a temporary setup. I do try to set up in a near vertical position but only eyeball accuracy is required and I have actually made an estimated tilt adjustment if I can't find a level spot in the right location. Maybe, for a permanent installation I would be a little more specific.

The level/plumb factor was very important back when we were trying to line up with the 101, 110 and 119 satellites because of the angular distance between them. But, I haven't looked for them in years, since the HD content was moved to the Ka band.

[az99]

The Sat Look Lite is worthless as an identification meter for Dish EA sats. Solid Signal lied to me about that.It is no better than a $12 buzz meter. They also sent a used meter to me that had already been updated and the battery would not charge(like many others). They also gave me a hard time about returning it and took over 2 weeks to issue the credit after they received it.
The last part I will ever buy from Solid Signal.

[tdsxt51]

nomad.297 wrote:
Who needs a meter when you have a level and a compass?

Bruce

I don't. I had one of those el cheapo $12.00 ones, used it for a while, and now it pretty much stays in the drawer. I only have DirecTV sd so I pretty much know where to aim my dish. I try to get the mast half-way plumb, try to get the azimuth halfway close, and then just adjust my tilt a little bit, and always seem to find the satellite. I've even had my dish knocked down by the wind, and just picked it back up and everything was fine. For me, I don't need all that other stuff i.e. fancy meters, fancy tripods, etc. That being said, the first time I ever set up it did take a while to find the satellite- about an hour. I think once you successfully find your satellite, it gets progressively easier every time.

[TechWriter]

az99 wrote:
$300 for a used part with no guarantee on Fleabay ? Not me. 🙂
Probably a good deal if you know the guy selling it.

Believe me, you don't want to pay full price.

[az99]

$300 for a used part with no guarantee on Fleabay ? Not me. 🙂
Probably a good deal if you know the guy selling it.

[TechWriter]

az99 wrote:

lynndiwagon wrote:
Let us all know how that works out. Thanks

The SatLook Lite is worthless for my use. I found out that it will not lock or identify the sats with using the 1000.4 EA dish I am using. It will just give signal strength. So really nothing more that a cheapo meter will do for me. Maybe it works better for other sats or legacy stuff.
I never got a chance to even try it as the batteries would never charge up.
Don't waste your money. IMHO

Then step up to a Super Buddy meter.

Works with DISH, DirecTV, and most everything else.

[LScamper]

This is my method to set up a satellite dish. It looks complicated at first but makes things easy after the initial setup.

The first thing is to level the dish. This is very important. I made an adapter to make this easier. The adapter is also used to set azimuth. It is made of PVC pipe with a plastic platform at the end. It is plastic so that a compass can be set on it without the metal antenna changing the reading. After setting up the tripod but before putting the antenna on it put the adapter in the tripod in place of the antenna.

Adapter.





Set a level on the platform and adjust the legs to make it level.

Level on adapter.



Next remove the adapter and put the antenna on the tripod. All of this is just to calibrate things. Peak the antenna using any method that you would normally use.

When the antenna is peaked make a mark on it at the base of the tripod. Also put a piece of tape on the tripod and mark the tape at the same place as the antenna.

Marking for calibration.



Now remove the antenna and make sure that the tape with the marking stays in place.

Put the adapter back on the tripod and set a compass on top of the adapter. Make sure the compass is lined up with the edge of the adapter platform. Turn the adapter until the compass shows the correct azimuth for your location.

Adapter and compass.



When the adapter is lined up make a mark on it to align with the mark on the tape.

Mark on adapter.



This completes the calibration!

The next time you want to set up the antenna start by putting the adapter on the tripod. Level the tripod. Next put the compass on the adapter and rotate the adapter until the compass points to the proper azimuth for your location. Put a piece of tape at the bottom where the mark on the adapter is. Mark the tape to align with the mark on the adapter. Remove adapter, set antenna elevation and skew, and put the antenna on the tripod. Align the mark on the antenna with the mark on the tape. The antenna azimuth should now be very very close to perfect alignment!

Peak using a meter or the receiver and baby monitor.


Baby monitor.





Here is the antenna installation instructions.

D1000.4 EA
and
D1000.4 WA
182947
Installation Instructions

1000.2 instrutions

The antenna settings by zip code are at the end of each files. I laminated them and use them instead of turning on my receiver to find how to set the antenna.

[CA_Traveler]

Here's one.

[CA_Traveler]

LScamper wrote:
Now I don't have a serial port to program the SatLook Lite anymore. I think it was a serial port, it has been a long time since I used it.

FYI I have an inexpensive serial to lan convertor on my solar controller. Might work for you.

[az99]

lynndiwagon wrote:
Let us all know how that works out. Thanks

The SatLook Lite is worthless for my use. I found out that it will not lock or identify the sats with using the 1000.4 EA dish I am using. It will just give signal strength. So really nothing more that a cheapo meter will do for me. Maybe it works better for other sats or legacy stuff.
I never got a chance to even try it as the batteries would never charge up.
Don't waste your money. IMHO