Satellite TV

[TWO4THEROAD]

Hi there, I feel for you, I go through the same problems each time I set up the Satellite. I have the signal finder, compass, dish on a tripod wired right and still have trouble. Eventually I do get it but it takes some doing. At first I thought it was the connections, but they were o.k. I tried running the cable from the dish straight to the box and still had problems. I finally realize that it takes time for the box to aquire the signal so patience is key. With the signal finder you can see the needle and hear the beeps if you're getting a strong signal. But as I mentioned, it takes the receive awhile to locate the dish. A tiny movement of the dish's angle makes a big difference. I too was thinking of getting one of those automatic dishes, but can't justify $700. Good luck !

[DAISY BOYKIN]

Channel Master Satellite Signal Level Meter Model 1004IFD, sells for around $55-65 dollars. I tried using the small $15.00 meters but had bad luck every time. Purchased the MOD 1004 IFD meter, works great. You can also use a 36" jumper from meter to dish.

[slpybeartx]

VuQube! That gets my vote. Used it again this Labor Day weekend and was all smiles.

[bmg]

Originally Posted by Bruck

Hi folks....I'm new to Direct TV. Love it at home and the installer was nice enough to give me a dish for the trailer too. Unfortunately I'm having a hell of a time getting a signal even when I have a direct view of the southern sky. I have the dish on a tripod, it is level and I even tried using a signal finder. Still no luck. Now, I have been attaching the coax to the outside cable connector instead of going directly to the receiver. Is there some alternate wiring through the antenna that is tripping me up or do you know of something else that I could perhaps be doing wrong.....or.....is pointing the satellite really just that hard and I should drop the $700-800 on an automatic satellite finder? Thanks for any tips you may have.

What year and model of RV do you have? We have an '06 SV264 and the outside cable connector will not carry the signal. It has the old RU or RG 59 cable, which is ok to receive catv if the campground has it. For satellite you need RG 6 cable. I bought 2 outside cable connectors and installed them for the bedroom and living area tvs. I bought a short RG 6 cable to connect from the inlet to the DTV receiver. The outside connectors have a weather cover and I caulked around the box. Last week we camped and I had 2 satellite receivers, the camp ground catv and for good measure I put up the antennae to get HD for couple of ball games!

When checking for signal make sure that you first connect to the DTV receiver and adjust the signal strength about halfway on the meter. My meter goes to 10 and adjust to get a 5 reading. Then connect the meter to the dish and aim to your satellite. When you lock in on the satellite signal the meter will give a full 10 signal strength on the meter. Then check your picture and the receiver should be searching. I talked to a DTV installer and he said some receivers get a signal immediately and some take as long 5 to 7 minutes.

When I first started doing this I was not patient and thought there was something wrong with the dish or receiver, when if I had been a little patient the signal would have pulled right up in a few minutes. I've found that the DTV equipment generally finds the signal pretty quickly. The Hughes usually takes a few minutes.

[bmg]

Originally Posted by pondlady

Not yet. And I was in the sporting goods store today. I did not have my list with me and I have a mind like a sieve. The tripod/satellite is not here yet. When it arrives, I will make another trip.

Depending on what comes with your dish you might not need the tent pegs. My tripod came with a screw in anchor that goes in the ground and a bungee cord that connects between the anchor and the bottom of the tripod. That keeps the dish anchored solid. It didn't move at all in the some pretty gusty winds last week in the mountains. When locating the dish I do try to place where the TT acts as a wind break just in case.

[bmg]

Here's a link that may be helpful to all of us:

Satellite TV for your RV

[pondlady]

Of course, I bought the pegs today. Good timing.