Setting up a satellite dish

[74vette]

We have a spot to call our home base this winter in Arizona. I would like to have satellite TV while at the space. It will not be a mobile installation. I have a Dish 1000 dish and need to purchase a receiver. Beside the receiver, dish,cable,and a contract what else is needed to set up this system? Any infromation is appreciated.

Thanks,

[Dutch_12078]

valhalla360 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

Or just go to DishPointer.com, enter your address or coordinates, select the desired satellite(s) and dish type, and get it all laid out for you.

Looks like someone else had the same idea.

Yep... In 2007 when the site was created. 😉

[valhalla360]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

Or just go to DishPointer.com, enter your address or coordinates, select the desired satellite(s) and dish type, and get it all laid out for you.

Looks like someone else had the same idea.

[Dutch_12078]

valhalla360 wrote:
If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

Or just go to DishPointer.com, enter your address or coordinates, select the desired satellite(s) and dish type, and get it all laid out for you.

[valhalla360]

WyoTraveler wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

With the Dish oval dish it is important to have it very level. Otherwise as you rotate it it throws off other settings. That is why many like Direct Vs Dish. Not a prblem but level is important because of skew adjustment.

See last point

[Bill_Satellite]

If you don't mind a 2 year contract, you can get all of the equipment, including a Hopper/Joey setup if you like, for free including installation. If you only need service 6 months per year you can still do the contract thing and suspend the service when not needed but this extends the contract time period.
If you only want part time service and don't mind paying for the equipment, you can sign up for Dish Pay-as-you-go and turn the service on (in 30 day blocks) and then off as necessary.
As to the actual setup, Dish, Cable, Receiver and service (contract or not) is all that's required.

[WyoTraveler]

valhalla360 wrote:
If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

With the Dish oval dish it is important to have it very level. Otherwise as you rotate it it throws off other settings. That is why many like Direct Vs Dish. Not a prblem but level is important because of skew adjustment.

[ryanw821]

There's also satellite aiming apps for smartphones if you have one, just search your appropriate app store.

[nomad297]

Get all the help and stuff you need at Tv4rv.com

Bruce

[valhalla360]

If you have to buy a system, they will come out and set it up.

Do you have an outlet on the side of the RV to get the cable from outside to inside?

Setting up the dish is pretty easy as long as you have a clear view in the direction of the satilite. What I've found better than a compass is:
- Pull up google earth on your tablet
- Zoom in on your site
- Draw a line starting where you are going to place the dish
- In addition to the distance it also gives the direction.
- Move the line until it matches the direction the setup screen provides.
- Look for a pole, tree, corner of a building or other object that the line crosses.
- When you set up the dish, simply point it at that object.
- If you have the dish level, it should be good to go.

[TechWriter]

74vette wrote:
We have a spot to call our home base this winter in Arizona. I would like to have satellite TV while at the space. It will not be a mobile installation. I have a Dish 1000 dish and need to purchase a receiver. Beside the receiver, dish,cable,and a contract what else is needed to set up this system? Any infromation is appreciated.

Save yourself some trouble and call a local DISH installer before you DIY.

[ryanw821]

74vette wrote:
We have a spot to call our home base this winter in Arizona. I would like to have satellite TV while at the space. It will not be a mobile installation. I have a Dish 1000 dish and need to purchase a receiver. Beside the receiver, dish,cable,and a contract what else is needed to set up this system? Any infromation is appreciated.

Thanks,

You don't even NEED a contract if you go DISH, they offer pay as you go now.
http://www.winegard.com/dishnetwork/

[WyoTraveler]

In addition to compass and on sat info off setup on Dish it is important to have the tripod plumb. I find it much easier to have a flat platform to sit on the ground. When it is level both direction the mounted vertical short post is plumb. I copied the platform design from other home made platforms made from metal I have seen in RV parks. I mounted RV levels on my platform. Just a rectangle made fron angle steel with Dish bracket mounted on it.

[sclark]

You may want to contact Satellite Oasis. They were helpful to me when I got my direct tv system. Sounds like you have everything you need except the receiver. Good luck.

[bob213]

A cheap compass or satellite signal finder will help. You can use the on-screen signal finder after that. If you are purchasing a contract in a permanent location see if they will come out and install it for you.