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51 Messages
Tailgating Info
For you tailgaters out there that are spoiled like I am and are having difficulty get other games in HD here is something I did with success - at least from my driveway.
Upon the suggestion of a poster on DBSTalk, I put my SL3 on a Phase III dish. Set the elevation and tilit on the Phase III to what it should be for the SL3. Put it on my tripod and pointed it of course to the azimuth setting for the SL3. I was able to get my locals, NFLN and the NFL package in HD.
Not only did I get the HD I wanted, I don;t have to bring the much larger Slimline dish and have to worry about tithering every time I set it up in the parking lot.
Good Luck.
P.S. I have a Slimline 5 at home with 6 HD-DVRs. The equipment information I listed is just for tailgating use (in the winter and the patio in the summer).
litzdog911
ACE - Sage
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46.4K Messages
13 years ago
This is not trivial because the geometries and LNB mounting points don't line up optimally. More details here ....
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=139735
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jscarpelli
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51 Messages
13 years ago
I'm not sure I got your point? Matt posted "If you use a slimline 3 LNB with the phase 3 dish just set receiver to slimline 3 and you are good to go!" that is basically what I did.
I will tell you this, the first time I set it up I only received locals and MLBN in HD. I fooled around with my Slimlibe dish (ti no avail) and again set up the SL3 on the Phase III dish. This time I got NFLN and the NFL package in HD but no locals.
So I figured there is a strong signal right in the middle. Moved it about 1/16 of an inch and voila, got em all. Real tricky. I got strong signals on 101, 110, 119 and 99c. The alignment is real fine, but to me it is a lot easier than trying to dither. Plus the dish is much smaller.
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jscarpelli
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51 Messages
13 years ago
I finally got a chance to test this setup at the Meadowlands. I did in fact get all the HD channels. But what I found interesting is that the azimuth was supposed to be 231. But in fact it was more closely to 210. You can see the difference in the attached document. The black line is where I had to point.
Joe
1 Attachment
dishpointer.docx
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TexasBrit
ACE - Expert
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14.1K Messages
13 years ago
That's probably because the geometry of the Phase III dish is designed to line up on the 110 satellite whereas the slimline is aligned on 101, so you should probably start with the Phase III settings, but of course with a mismatched dish and LNB, anything is possible.
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jscarpelli
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51 Messages
13 years ago
Yes, that's what I thought. But the triple's azimuth is 240? Strange. But if the setup is consistent every week, I am not complaining. Just thought you guys would find it interesting fodder.
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chendrickson
Scholar
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356 Messages
13 years ago
This is an idea that's been kicking around for quite a few years. Because of the geometries involved, its not possible to obtain good signal strength simultaneously on all three satellites, or else DIRECTV would have designed the antenna that way in the first place. As you've found, you can get adequate signal strength in decent weather conditions, which might be acceptable in short-term situations like tailgating. If you've made it work for you and you're comfortable with setting it up, that's great. However, for others who might be following this post, be advised that you are totally on your own, and if you have problems, you should not depend on technical support from this forum or any other source.
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dcd
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20.7K Messages
13 years ago
However, for others who might be following this post, be advised that you are totally on your own, and if you have problems, you should not depend on technical support from this forum or any other source.
Amen to that. I had exactly the same thoughts as I was reading this scenario. These odd ball setups are okay for the individual, but as general advice I see them as a no no. Directv made the reflector of the Slimline the size and shape it is because it has to reflect multiple satellites which the Sat 3 reflector was never designed for.
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TexasBrit
ACE - Expert
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14.1K Messages
13 years ago
Yes, it's just an interesting approach, and the thread at dbstalk that litzdog posted contains lots of info on trying this. Personally I don't think the advantage of a slightly smaller dish is worth all the hassle.
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jscarpelli
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51 Messages
13 years ago
Hassle?
To me, trying to set up (leveling/dithering) the Slimline (every home game) is a much bigger hassle then point and shoot my makeshift setup. Keep in mind, my original post started with those of us that are spoiled and want HD. So, Yes there are easier alternatives.
But like anything else, its in the eye of the beholder.
One other comment. I would not expect to get any support from DTV on this. But I dont agree with the comment not to expect technical support from this forum or any other source. Isn't than what this forum and the likes of DBSTalk are for. After all, it was from DBSTalk where I learned of this setup and it surely helped me and anoither poster from Redbank, NJ in another thread.
Thanks,
Joe
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chendrickson
Scholar
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356 Messages
13 years ago
No, the purpose of this forum is definitely NOT to support users who want to modify DIRECTV's equipment design.
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dcd
Expert
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20.7K Messages
13 years ago
No, the purpose of this forum is definitely NOT to support users who want to modify DIRECTV's equipment design.
Amen again. Most folks who post here are not as involved in electronics as those at DBS so I figure sticking to the designed in basics is the best advice we can offer. I say again I have no problem at all with folks trying whatever they like, but do object to offering off the wall ideas as general advice.
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