DirecTV There has to be a better way! Repeat.

[DonandBonnie]

I posted this topic yesterday but the Forum computer crashed before I could see the responses. So here goes again. Hopefully those who answered will repeat their responses.

Been going through all of the gyrations to set up my DirectTV dish. Plug in the zip code, get the three coordinates. Level the tripod, adjust the elevation and tilt accordingly and then turn the dish to find the signal. Meanwhile I am on the phone with DW inside as she watches the meter and hopefully yells out numbers. It should be easy but many times I have to adjust both the tilt and elevation before I get anything. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong?

[ols1932]

I have my antenna mounted on a piece of 2 X 6. Seldom have to change the elevation but just a little. The further south you go, the higher the elevation. I also have used a satellite finder purchased from Radio Shack in line with the receiver input. I just move the antenna around near where the azimuth is and bingo! I hit the signal. Satellite finder shows the max signal. I then nail the 2 X 6 to the ground with tent spikes. Never fails -- over 12 years!

Orv

[Carl n Susan]

Yesterday I crafted the ultimate treatise on this subject for you and now it is lost. This response may not be as complete.

There are several options for improving the process depending on:

• How much $$ are you willing to spend?
• Are you wedded to DirecTV or will you switch?
• Do you want HD or SD service?

Just so you know, I have a DirecTV SL3 (SWM) antenna feeding HD signals to a DVR and a standard receiver. I use a TV4RV tripod (~$100) to easily establish a level platform for the antenna and an Acutrack II meter (~ $80) to measure the signal strength. I set the azimuth and skew before I mount the antenna on the tripod. I usually have a signal up and running in under 10 minutes.

Since you say you are setting skew, I am going to assume you have a HD system. Here are your options:

* Automatic Roof Top Antenna - Weingard makes a roof top mounted antenna that is fully automatic. Push a button and it does the rest. It does both HD and SD. Of course you have to have an unobstructed view of the satellites for it to work. You need to carry a portable antenna for those times when the roof top antenna is blocked and you want to watch TV. Cost is ~ $1500

* Traveler - Weingard makes a portable antenna that you place on the ground (or wherever the coax will reach) that automatically finds the satellites. Cost is ~ $600. Once again push the button and go. You can move it so it has an unobstructed view. But for DirecTV, it only supplies SD pictures. Switch to Dish and it will do HD but the Carryout is cheaper (~ $300).

* Manual Antenna - This basically is what you have today. The TV4RV tripod, Acutrac II meter, and a little experience and you should be able to consistently get a signal in less than 15 minutes. There are at least five of us in our camping group using this for HD DirecTV and we often race to see who can be done first.

[DonandBonnie]

Carl, Just did a search for the tripod and meter that you suggested. The tripod is perfect and much less cumbersome than the cheap tripod that the DirecTV installer suggested. Interesting that the TV4RV wind package is exactly what I've been using to secure the current tripod. The TV4RV website says that the tripod comes with a meter. Do I still need an Acutrac II? I did a search and all I got was an Acutrac III which said out of stock and model discontinued.

[kylec2]

I have a similar setup to Carl and the Accutrac meter is worth it and makes the job easy. I recently installed the automatic Winegard antenna on the roof and now I realize how lazy I have become...and do not regret it.

[mazboy]

I have dish but a Acutrac II or some cheap meter OUTSIDE would help greatly.

I was taught to set the dish up with all the degrees and then move it left to right, a little at a time. works well for me.

here are meters that are cheap. http://www.hypermegasat.com/ and in ebay there are lots of cheap meters. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...+meter&_sop=15 a lot cheaper than camping world or radio shack

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by DonandBonnie



...Do I still need an Acutrac II? I did a search and all I got was an Acutrac III which said out of stock and model discontinued...

When I was getting my system I was told the Acutrac II meter was needed for SWM systems due to the 21V power on the coax. The Acutrac II was under $100 - more than a standard squealer type meter but much less than the Acutrac III or BirdDog. The Acutrac II (and the squealer type) meters don't identify the satellite you are aimed at, only the strength of the signal. The Acutrac III and BirdDog do show which satellite you are pointing at. Since the key satellite for DirecTV is the 101 one, and it is relatively easy to find, the lack of which satellite you are pointed at doesn't cause a problem.

Since then I have seen other DirecTV users using the old style squealer meters (Weingard and others) to peak the signal on 101. Someone said the 21V of the SWM system will eventually burn the meter out, but since it isn't inline for very long, it may take years. If you are not using a SWM system, the squealer meter is fine.

I have found the folks at Solid Signal to be very helpful and knowledgeable. They sell all kinds of pieces parts for DirecTV and Dish. I suggest you give them a call and see what they recommend. Given a choice between a $500 BirdDog or a $20 squealer type meter, I know what I would use.

[DonandBonnie]

Sounds like I need to search harder for the Acutrac II.

[mobil]

We also have DirecTv HD and SWM. Don't use any meter, just DW with a 2-way radio and built in signal meter on the dvr. We use the TV4RV tripod. Very easy to plumb the mast(most important step). Although we usually get a good signal in less than 10min also, I may have to get one of those Acutrac II's. Sometimes when we setup if I don't get a signal right away, I'll accuse her of reading her nook and not paying attention to the meter. she then accuses me of being an idiot. She's usually right. Might have to find a way to fine tune the tilt the way azimuth and elevation is fine tuned to peak the signal on all sats. Or,,, maybe I'm just being an idiot again wanting to see how many 100's I can get on the meter.

[bncinwv]

Like some of the posts above, we went with the easy-way-out solution. We did carry a back-up ground dish for a while, but since we never had to use it, it is now in a corner of the garage. I have marveled at how the dish picks up signal when pointed directly at leafy trees, but I have yet to not have signal. Press a button and by the time I get the water lines, sewer lines, etc. hooked up, the dish is locked in and Directv HD is on line. It is an expensive solution, but like Kyle, I have become lazy.....



Two wires to hookup and press and a button.....MAGIC!!



I am sorry that this does not help with your setup, and I feel sorry for the ordeals, but there is a solution!!

Bingo

[1retired06]

I have an old fashioned tripod, which I insure is level. I follow the same steps, ie zip code, elevation/azimuth, use the signal meter on the tv, and usually takes me five minutes or so to lock in, and have been doing it for years now. No HD, just regular signal. Have found minor adjusments from specified azimth/elevations are necessary. Only think I can think of: delicate adjustments, very delicate.

[Mike-C]

I've been using the Direct TV standard-issue free triple-LNB and tripod for over 5 years and am happy with it. As with "1retired06" posting above, every now and then, I must deviate a few degrees left or right and up/down to catch a better signal. I simply turn up the TV and leave the door or window open so I can hear the beeps when setting up outside and then ask the wife to let me know when I'm hitting 85% and higher signal strength.

After leveling, I'll leave the mast slightly loose to slowly swivel it left and right, then I'll lift the whole tripod up to see if I'm low on the elevation once I get a weak beep. I carry small wood blocks to level it to begin with. I bought a round, plastic bubble level and filed two notches in it so that I can set it on the mast top with the dish in place.

Usually, I have used a medium priced compass to get the direction, but lately, using my Android smartphone and free apps, I've moved into the higher-tech world. The "Satellite AR"" app allows you to point your phone up to the sky and the screen shows you were the satellites are, including Direct TV's. For tighter compass views, I also use the Smart Compass app, and the compass selection in the "Swiss Army Knife" app which has several other sub-apps to include a "flashlight" option that uses the cell phone camera flash as a flashlight.

I've used several types of weights, but the best (for minimal storage space) is two five-pound work out weights eye-bolt connected to about 15" of light chain wrapped around the mast and tripod base. I also carry some 8" spikes (from Lowes) that slide right through the leg bases for nail-downs in case the weather looks really bad and windy.

I've seen satellite users place their dish near the ground, but since I camp under trees a lot, having it mounted on a tripod gives me better chances of finding that sweet spot between branches. So far, I've never needed the extra 50' of cable I bought with a coupler, but other users have told me that they had used a total of 100' of cable and the signal was still good. I usually get the set up done in 5-10 minutes.

Hope this helps folks looking at the options.