Frustration with Dish

[CedarCreekWoody]

We recently bought a Playmaker with Dish Wally receiver. I have a terrible time getting it set up and tech support hasn't been much help. I know I need to point it south, free of trees, but if that doesn't work the only guidance has been to move it and wait 20-30 minutes to see if it works elsewhere. Is there any type of app, signal meter, or whatever to help with the pointing? Trial and error is a very frustrating process.

[TowPro]

Does it aim but not authorize? Or not even sim

[CedarCreekWoody]

Sometimes it works so I suppose it is ok, it is just a big frustration if it doesn't connect on first try.

[JRHERE]

You can download an app that will give you an "AR" view of the sky where the satellite resides. Google Play or Apple Store offers them.
Simple to use. And definitely accurate enough to assess blocked view. I use "SatFinder" in Android and locate holes in tree canopies and set up a DTV dish on 101W. SatFinder works for me. There may be better available. Dunno.
You'll need to know zip code and what satellite(s) you're after. The Dish sat setup will probably display that info. If standard broadcast, very easy to verify view.
Regarding that 30 minute aquire time....I'll stick with my manual setup!
HTH

[DougW]

I use the Winegard app to find the satellites, it has an AR view that will superimpose the satellites on the screen when you point your phone at the sky while it uses the camera so you can see for sure if you have a clear view of the satellites. Works great for me on the IPhone.

[JRHERE]

This is SatFinder home screen. Once your data is loaded, it automatically locates your view. No further data required.
In AR mode it reads azimuth and elevstion thru a bullseye thru your smartphone camera. The view is superimposed, in real time, over the sky view. You literally look at where the sat is located.
Attachment 240591

[NMWildcat]

Download 'Satellite AR' app. Select Echostar (Dish sats). Move your phone around according to the arrows on your screen until you see the satellites. Your phone (and you) will be pointing in the correct direction and you can see if there is anything in the path that will prevent your dish from seeing the satellites. Easy peasy.

[elind]

I would start by trying the Wally on fixed dish to see if it's upgraded to the latest software. A couple of years ago I had issues and had a Dish service dealer fixed it. To start off, have your home Dish antenna connected to the Wally. Start it a home and see if the Wally works. The Wally needs to configure to the Dish network. If it works there, then connect it the Playmaker with a clear sky. Then it will find the satellite to finish the connection. You will find only a channel or two when it connects. That's when you call Dish to get you local channels. I have placed the Playmaker on my RV roof if there is a hill when I'm up north. Sometimes you need to rotate the playmaker 180 degrees because the rotating antenna inside hits the stoppers before it lines up. GOOD LUCK!


ps I have little faith in some Dish techs.

[elind]

Some times when I get one dish channel come up, try hitting the guide button to bring up the guide.

[TowPro]

I see they switched Satellite AR back to the old version .
I had removed the app since the version they pushed keep telling me to shake my phone . Now if I could just read that main menu, text is way to small.


anyway, I guess your behind trees or something. I have found with mine, I pull into a spot, plug in RV and start to setup camper. by the time I get to TV its already aimed. Even if receiver is set to FL and I have moved to Charlotte, it still finds the satellites. Yes I have been in places that I only receive 1 satellite, but that is trees.


With the satellite AR you will see what your aiming at, but its its mounted to roof your moving the whole RV. This is the advantage of the X2, you can move it around to where it works. But you have to watch out for sticky fingers.



When we are just traveling I leave my X2 at home and stick with the playmaker on roof. I find most places digital TV is enough for that one night where I am under trees.

[formerFR]

our Tailgater II works perfectly every time - no worries - but if you having 'issues', you have to simply reset your RECEIVER. The receiver powers the antenna, and is really more of the 'works' of the satellite system than the antenna is - the antenna simply 'sees' the satellites, but the receiver 'computes' that and changes the signal into something your TV can then process.

with portable antennas, you shouldn't have to worry about much of anything, AS LONG AS there really IS a clear path from the antenna to at least ONE of the satellites in the sky. Some folks might imagine that just 'pointing' it south is all they have to do, and many times that will certainly work, but it's really more southwest, and trees, even though they may seem low, can impact it's ability to see them. The HIGHER you have your antenna, the easier, but it certainly can work on the ground as well. There are several if not many apps to 'see' the satellites with your phone to know for sure.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Download 'Satellite AR' app. Select Echostar (Dish sats). Move your phone around according to the arrows on your screen until you see the satellites. Your phone (and you) will be pointing in the correct direction and you can see if there is anything in the path that will prevent your dish from seeing the satellites. Easy peasy.

Thanks Scott, I will download it and see if I can figure it out. My Playmaker has worked fine at times, not work at all other times. Often it appears to be a clear view but with a tree or two off to the sides. If I knew which one was blocking it would help a lot. Hopefully the app will help.

Thanks!

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Thanks Scott, I will download it and see if I can figure it out. My Playmaker has worked fine at times, not work at all other times. Often it appears to be a clear view but with a tree or two off to the sides. If I knew which one was blocking it would help a lot. Hopefully the app will help.

Thanks!

Here's a screen shot from phone pointing at my ceiling like I'm taking a picture after entering the app and tapping Echostar. If there was a tree branch in the way, you would also see it in your screen behind the satellites. So be close to your dish to be more accurate.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I've got the app working now. (Satellite AR). I'm impressed with the way it shows the satellites. We move tomorrow to Ridgway State Park and I will see how well the
Playmaker works. Thanks to NMWildcat!