Satellite TV

[rangerscott275]

I was wondering if anyone knew of a quick tool or easy solution for sighting in a satellite tv dish to acquire signal? I currently have a dish mounted on my vessel for while in the marina. I was looking into getting a Tracvision system then I saw the price tag. So, now I'm back to keeping my dish, but in planning for my cruise, was thinking there must be some kind of tool the direct tv guys use to zero in the dish quickly. Figured maybe I could get whatever it is they use to make acquiring signal in new harbor's stress-free (if such a tool, or such a state of being actually exist!! ) Anyone know what they use or have a tip of their own? Thanks!

 

[doc g]

There is a relatively simple and inexpensive system which I think is called "Follow-Me TV" . It tracks only in one plane, but supposedly works quite well at aquiring a signal and following it as you swing on the anchor. I found the website http://www.follow-me-tv.com/..........Pat

 

[Pascal]

i you just want to align the dish manually once you're tied up to a dock, a compass is all you need and hopefully you have aboard !

tune to the align page on the receiver, put in the zip code and you will get the heading to point the dish. elevation doens't chang much unless you move over, 60 or 70 miles.

pump up the volume on the TV to hear the audio, and slowly turn the dish to the heading. move around a little to fine tune the best signal (higher beep). t

takes 2 minutes...

if you want to track the signal on the hook and dont' want to pay the price of a fully stabilized system, Follow me TV works very well. I've had one for a couple of years now, it works all the time even turning leaving the slip.

the only downside is that you dont' have a slick looking dome... I painted my dish white, mounted on the rail at the rear of the flybridge...

FMTV costs about $800.. there is also King Dome, aroudn $2200, cheaper than the KVH units.

 

[Mike36c]

I had a long talk with the folks at the Miami boat show. Earlier this year I bought a nice flat screen HD LCD for the our Hatt but if you want HD at sea hold on to your wallet for little while. NONE were compatible as of the show. Mike

 

[Boss Lady]

They use a signal meter in line with the coax to aim the dish, here is source for $119.00 http://www.summitsource.com/digisat...ker-rechargeable-battery-part-dg3-p-5787.html

The more signal you have to work with the more tolerant it will be of movement, but it doesn't take much movement to throw you off the satellite, a la larger, higher gain dish will help keep the signal level up too, so look at the larger diameter dishes or just get the FMTV. I have a friend that uses a ratchet strap to mount his to a piling when he is docked with a long coax, he doesn't have to do anything until time to leave.

 

[Freestyle]

I dont know about Dish Network but Direct TV has a signal meter built into the box. Follow the screens : Hit Menu-System Setup-Dishpoint-Signal Meter

I hate that I know it by heart.

The key to this black art is to get the azimuth right. On Direct TV you can look up the proper azimuth for your zip code in the menu system. The tick marks on the side of the dish are not very accurate so if the correct azimuth should be 57.5 degrees be patient and play in a three degree range around there. I sort of wiggle the dish in a circular motion until I get a ping on the meter (very exciting).

The azimuth setting increases or decreases for every degree of latitude you travel north or south. Once you ever get it tuned take an indelible marker and mark the correct settings on the dish and from then on work from there.

I have the Follow Me system and love it for its price an dfunctionality.

It still requires the black art of satellite tuning from time to time though which I find to be a lot like fishing until the signal hits.

Bruce

 

[rangerscott275]

I feel like I could ask any question on this forum and get amazing answers! Is there any subject matter that our participants aren't experts on? thanks!

 

[Pascal]

Aligning a dish is easy, usually you'll hear the beep from the receiver on the first pass... as long as dont' move it too fast

no need for an expensive meter, the receivers have a built in on. I you can't hear the beep, be creative.. use cel phones or whatever

I used to have a DishNetwork system too, and it had a slight delay when tuning. the beep woudln't come on right away so you could miss it. i'd move 3 degree pause 3 degree pause.

there shoudln't be any problem having a fixed dish on a hatt in a slip... the angle isn't very narrow. I used to setup a dish on a tripod on my previous 37 express and even that was stable enough.

 

[SCALAWAG]

Just for everones info I have had a king dome for over a year Good people .great at hook. 100 miles offshore bimini dry fort and under way. People that are not die hard fisher folks always thank me for having great T.V.So if your thanking about it i hope this mite help.