Aligning new dish with SL3S LNB

Aligning a Slimline dish from scratch can be a daunting task. However it can be done if you’re patient. Go towww.dishpointer.comand determine the azimuth, elevation and tilt settings for your location. Determine that your mast is perfectly plumb. Set the elevation and tilt to the markings on the dish. Use a compass and set the azimuth about 10 degrees East of the recommended setting. Slowly, a degree at a time, move the dish to the West until you get signals on the 101 satellite. Lock down the main bolts.

Tune your receiver to display the signal strengths on the 99c satellite, then choose the green signal bars. Have someone watch (cell phones are handy to advise) while you adjust the fine tuning screw on the azimuth setting. Go slow, only tiny amounts will make a big difference. You'll soon know if you're going the wrong way and a couple of turns will likely max out the improvement. Lock the bolts and do elevation next. It should not be necessary to adjust the tilt. You should be able to get the signals into the 90's quite easily.

Thanks dcd.  Please clarify. You say get the signal from the 101 but fine tune the receiver to 99?

Yes.  The 101 is a SD satellite and as such has a broad flat topped beam easily found.  If you peak the dish to the 101, then go to the narrow pointed top beam of the 99c, then you can really zero in.  If the mast is perfectly plumb, peaking the 99c will peak all of the satellites.

Fantastic.  Thanks agian.  That sounds easier than all the stuff that's contained in the  insturctions I got with it.

dcd,

After all the times I've set up my RV dish on a tripod, I must say that those are the most concise(yet accurate) alignment procedures I've seen to date!!!! One question, though, from a "compass-challenged" individual........when standing behind the dish which direction(right or left) would you turn the dish to obtain the initial "10 degrees East of the initial dishpointer.com recommendation". I'm thinking left because you are aiming the dish towards the SouthWestern sky. With these instructions(and my Accutrac III meter) I should be able to get my 15 minute setup down to about 5 minutes:0)

You're right, when standing behind the dish, 10 degrees East would be to the left.  Looking down at the dish, it would be counter clockwise.

Hi dcd,

I just wanted to tell how easy it was to align my dish. I preset the elevation and tilt on dish before setting it on the mast. Installing and squaring the mast took the most time. Anyway, one sweep through the azimuth and I picked up the 101 and roughly peaked it and locked down the mast bolts; wife on the TV, me on the roof with cell phones. Went down and tuned in 99c but no signal. Back on the roof,  adjusted the fine azimuth screw and picked up and maxed the signal.  Locked down all the azimuth bolts and then peaked the fine elevation. Went back and re-peaked azimuth just for a check. This all took me about 20 minutes and couldn’t believe how easy it was. Maybe I was lucky but I don’t think so. I can’t believe I have not seen this alignment procedure before.   Especially not in any literature from DirecTv or the dish providers.  I’m sure you have told a lot of people about it though. Thanks again.

I'm pleased it worked so well for you.  I have a small story.  When Directv first came out with the HR20, I had one installed but the signal strength was terrible.  I came here (for the first time) and Texasbrit (another of the TechKnow Guides) patiently taught me how to align my dish. 

I was so grateful I stuck around and began coming here regularly.  Some time later I joined the TKG group.  So, in short, kudos to Texasbrit.

I’ve been with DTv for about 8 years now so I’ve seen both you names quite a lot as I’ve visited the forums. Keep up and good work and thanks again.

dcd,

That's a spot on assessment!!! I thought I pretty well understood HDTV resolutions, conversion scaling and how to best utilize my DirecTV equipment for my HD viewing pleasure. That was until Texasbrit enlightened me to some of the more complex, not so obvious aspects of HD resolution. When it comes to DirecTV signal strength and attaining optimum HD picture quality he's one of the best!!!!

I have an H25 high definition receiver and will be installing the Slimline dish with the SL3S LNB at my seasonal campground, and have been actively searching the forum to get as much information as possible. One question still remains -- can I use the H25 receiver (instead of an inline signal meter) and procedure outlined in this thread to do the setup? I thought I recall reading somewhere that the newer H25 receiver could not be used to do this.

Yes, provided that your new dish is a Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) dish with a Power Inserter.  SWM dish LNB will have just one coax output instead of four. 

Yes, that's the dish I have (along with the Power Inserter). Thanks for the quick reply!