Dish Pointing 101

[creativegenius]

c/p
Originally posted by Grasshopper / ABAdss SuperMod

What is the easiest way to aim a dish??
This is the most asked question, and the most common problem. I will tell you my technique, which I believe is the easiest. This is not the only way to aim a dish, but I find it the least confusing.

The problem with FTA irds is that you will see signal and quality on all DBS satellites. 61.5, 82, 91, 110, 119, 148....all of these operate on the same frequency, so when you are aiming at one of them, and you find another, you will see a quality signal. Of course, if you are aimed at the wrong bird, all you will get is "scrambled or bad channel" or a bunch of "ghost channels" and duplicates.

So, here is what I do to avoid confusing the birds...

1. Flash your receiver with the latest bin.

2. Load a channel list with the sats you will be trying to get. I always do this because it helps with the aiming technique later. If you prefer scanning, after you find the birds, you can delete all your channels and scan away. BUT...load up a channel list in the beginning.

3. Set the default key just in case it doesn't set automatically.

4. Connect ONE LNB at a time. Do NOT use your switch yet. Run a cable directly from ONE LNB to your receiver.

5. In the menu, make sure all your diseqc settings are at OFF.

6. Now, pick the sat you are going to aim at. Connect this cable directly to the receiver, and tune to a channel on this sat. Example: trying to hit BEV 91?...tune to TSN. By doing this, the correct tp will be picked automatically. Again, no confusion! Some tps may not have anything on them, and so if you have your receiver set to a blank tp, then you will never find signal, even if you find the bird!! That's another reason why this method is easiest (I think).

7. Use a satfinder program to get your coordiates. This can be found in this section of these forums.

8. Go and move your dish SLOWLY. When a picture appears, then you know you have found the correct bird. If you hit a different DBS bird, then you will not get a picture....so no confusion. Once you get a picture, then use the receiver's signal meter to fine tune the signal.

9. Move onto the next sat. Connect it directly, and follow the above directions. Do one sat/LNB at a time until all the sats have been found.

10. Incorporate your switch, and adjust your diseqc settings in the menu accordingly.

11. Enjoy TV...