How to properly align your satellite dish - Discussion and Tips - Page 58 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Chickenman · 2012-06-11, 08:56 AM

Just use 4 small screws to mark where the dish was. The roofer should be able to do this & then just install the dish back in place after the shingles are installed

Pinza · 2012-06-11, 02:22 PM

You are having a new Roof installed then making holes in it for the Dish Mount.?

Is there nowhere else to mount the Dish.?

Chickenman · 2012-06-11, 03:09 PM

A little tar & all is good but ya it is better to have the dish somewhere you can easily reach it

JoeLouie · 2012-06-11, 09:03 PM

In my experience, most people around here prefer it on their roof for some reason. My dish is on the side of the house about 6.5' off the ground. High enough the nobody is going to hit their head on it, but low enough that if it's covered in snow and I'm not home, my wife can easily clear it off without me having to hear the complaints about her not being able to watch tv all day lol.

mitigator · 2012-06-12, 06:24 AM

Thanks for the comments Chickenman & guys. Pinza, the Bell Dish is now - on the East Peak of my Roof where the Coax Cable leadin goes down the wall and thru a white caulked and white foam insulated pipe above the window concrete wall into the basement. To reroute this would be a major job and the mounting screws for the Dish are Felt or Tar Tipped making them waterproof. I have had no problems in 7 years with the Dish, & as JoeLouie has noted almost everyone around here has their Bell or Shaw Dish on the Roof.

bluegirl · 2012-07-03, 08:43 AM

We have a 2700 receiver and a dual LNB dish. Previously able to get 50-60% of a signal with only some of the channels working (seemed to depend on the transponder). Now after many hours trying to repoint the dish we have NO signal and don't get any sort of response (wrong satellite or even a lower percentage of signal). I have checked all the connections and even purchased a new RG6 cord and nothing still. Could there be something wrong with the LNB? I did switch them out for the one we do not have connected. Since we are only using sat 91 (no HD) I have the cable connected to one side of the 91 sat LNB. Did a check switch, but I know we do not have a switch. We have trimmed trees which I don't think are in the way. There are a few large trees way off in the distance, but have not been an issue in the past. Others around us have alot more obstructions and are able to get a signal. I have pointed the dish previously and not had any issue doing this. Is there a sensor that can be purchased in order to determine the location of the signal? Any advice is greatly appreciated as I am ready to throw out the dish!

46FD04 · 2012-07-04, 09:40 AM

Bluegirl, don't throw out the dish.

It sounds like you have the basic Bell dish with two LNB's on it.

Make sure you are connected to the LNB in the 91 slot of the Y-bracket.

Make sure the RG6 line is going straight to the receiver (no splitters).

Are there 4 cables coming from the dish into the house?

If yes, you may have an SW44 switch installed in the house somewhere where the cables enter the house.

If you do, then disconnect it, AND find the Power Inserter & power transformer and disconnect those too.

Connect an RG6 line directly from the 91 LNB to the receiver.

Now, DISCONNECT the incomin RG6 cable from the rear of the receiver, and do a Check Switch.

The test will fail (obviously), then reconnect the RG6 line to the receiver.

Using the remote, return to the Signal Strength window, and change the satellite to Bell 91 and change the Transponder to #1.

DO NOT use Transponder 11 like we used to, because it no longer works on Std Def'n receivers.

Now go back to your dish.

REMOVE it from the pole, use a level and make the pole perfectly plumb, re-install dish.

Set the dish at around 40 degrees elevation.
Set the skew (sideways rotation) at 96 degrees.

Now, slowly turn the dish in the vicinity of 197 degrees by compass.

These are London Ontario values.

You will eventually find it. The key is rotating the dish SLOWLY a little bit at a time.

If there are no obstructions, you should easily obtain 100% on Transponders 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Be patient, and good luck.

FYI Transponders 5, 9, 11, 17 DO NOT work so don't knock yourself out trying to find them!!!

Gord
GT Installs
Ajax, ON.

NewGear · 2012-07-14, 08:32 PM

I have spent the last 3 days trying to convert dish from SD to SD/HD. I installed the DISH 500 with dual LNBs and locked into 91 quite easily. Ran in and did a Check Switch and all seemed well. However within a couple of hours I started to encounter "interruption". Lost certain channels. The screen on the 6131 said to hold the power button for 10 seconds which I assume resets the box. Subsequent Check Switch attempts do not recognise the SW44 and only odd parity transponders on 91.
I have since done the following (without success)
1. replaced all coax with RG6 and compression fittings.
2. checked all 4 outputs from the LNB bypassing the SW44
getting signal 95-100 on 91, 65-70 on 82(it may be partially obstructed by a naighbour's tree)
3. checked dc voltage at the SW44 end of cable going into Port 1( 26V)
4. run Check switch with the receiver disconnected and connected
5. Checked that centre connecter on all fittings going into the SW44 are reasoably long.
The only things I can thinks of now are to lenghthen the centre lead on the coax going into port 1 or replace the SW44 with 2 SW21s.
Could the fact that signal from 82 are low be causing this?

Pinza · 2012-07-14, 08:40 PM

Those are low levels for 82 but it should still work.

Odd only is normally an indication of a splitter, I know you have replaced all the coax but did you just replace the 'visible' coax.? Could there be a splitter behind a wallplate.?

If you are only going to use 2 feeds I would be using the SW21's, or better yet a DPP Twin LNBF.

NewGear · 2012-07-14, 09:02 PM

No, there are no splitters. Cable was completely replaced. The only coax junction is through a grounding block. The SW 44 is near the mast under the eaves and about 50 feet from the power injection point.

monkeyhunk · 2012-07-14, 10:26 PM

Funny how it's much easier to troubleshoot a fault when it's right in front of you than it is seeing somebody's explanation.

lightbender · 2012-07-15, 10:03 AM

try temporarily bypassing the grounding block. I've had one go faulty.

NewGear · 2012-07-15, 10:41 AM

On a hunch, I moved the SW44 power inserter from the receiver end of line 1 and inserted it in the cable in place of the grounding block connection about 6 ft from the switch. Check Switch now shows:
Satellite Input
1 2
91 82
OK OK
Status - Reception verified
Switch SW44

Possible problems I see are:
1. Too much dc voltage drop on 50 ft of coax (or bad compression fitting in the line)
2. I have messed up the dish to switch cable connection order in all my testing.
3. Problem with the grounding block (also replace when replacing coax).

As the power inserter is now outdoors and isn't weatherproof, I will have to move it.
I may still go the DPP Twin LNBF route as suggested.
Any other suggestions?

Pinza · 2012-07-15, 11:30 AM

50' is not too far unless there is bad cable/connectors.

NewGear · 2012-07-15, 02:30 PM

Pinza, thanks for you quick replies.
I DID find one loose compression fitting snd replacing it seems to have fixed the power problem allowing me to move the power inserter back inside (just in time as we had a couple of thunderstorms just pass through). Am now getting both satellites. Now I just have to figure out why check switch only shows 2 feeds active from the LNB

2012-07-03, 08:43 AM	#861
bluegirl Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Location: London Ontario Posts: 7	from 50-60% to nothing We have a 2700 receiver and a dual LNB dish. Previously able to get 50-60% of a signal with only some of the channels working (seemed to depend on the transponder). Now after many hours trying to repoint the dish we have NO signal and don't get any sort of response (wrong satellite or even a lower percentage of signal). I have checked all the connections and even purchased a new RG6 cord and nothing still. Could there be something wrong with the LNB? I did switch them out for the one we do not have connected. Since we are only using sat 91 (no HD) I have the cable connected to one side of the 91 sat LNB. Did a check switch, but I know we do not have a switch. We have trimmed trees which I don't think are in the way. There are a few large trees way off in the distance, but have not been an issue in the past. Others around us have alot more obstructions and are able to get a signal. I have pointed the dish previously and not had any issue doing this. Is there a sensor that can be purchased in order to determine the location of the signal? Any advice is greatly appreciated as I am ready to throw out the dish!

2012-07-14, 08:32 PM	#863
NewGear Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Markham, ON Posts: 6	SW-44 Problem? I have spent the last 3 days trying to convert dish from SD to SD/HD. I installed the DISH 500 with dual LNBs and locked into 91 quite easily. Ran in and did a Check Switch and all seemed well. However within a couple of hours I started to encounter "interruption". Lost certain channels. The screen on the 6131 said to hold the power button for 10 seconds which I assume resets the box. Subsequent Check Switch attempts do not recognise the SW44 and only odd parity transponders on 91. I have since done the following (without success) 1. replaced all coax with RG6 and compression fittings. 2. checked all 4 outputs from the LNB bypassing the SW44 getting signal 95-100 on 91, 65-70 on 82(it may be partially obstructed by a naighbour's tree) 3. checked dc voltage at the SW44 end of cable going into Port 1( 26V) 4. run Check switch with the receiver disconnected and connected 5. Checked that centre connecter on all fittings going into the SW44 are reasoably long. The only things I can thinks of now are to lenghthen the centre lead on the coax going into port 1 or replace the SW44 with 2 SW21s. Could the fact that signal from 82 are low be causing this?

2012-07-14, 09:02 PM	#865
NewGear Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Markham, ON Posts: 6	SW44? No, there are no splitters. Cable was completely replaced. The only coax junction is through a grounding block. The SW 44 is near the mast under the eaves and about 50 feet from the power injection point.

2012-07-15, 10:41 AM	#868
NewGear Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Markham, ON Posts: 6	SW 44? Partial success On a hunch, I moved the SW44 power inserter from the receiver end of line 1 and inserted it in the cable in place of the grounding block connection about 6 ft from the switch. Check Switch now shows: Satellite Input 1 2 91 82 OK OK Status - Reception verified Switch SW44 Possible problems I see are: 1. Too much dc voltage drop on 50 ft of coax (or bad compression fitting in the line) 2. I have messed up the dish to switch cable connection order in all my testing. 3. Problem with the grounding block (also replace when replacing coax). As the power inserter is now outdoors and isn't weatherproof, I will have to move it. I may still go the DPP Twin LNBF route as suggested. Any other suggestions?

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2012-06-11, 08:56 AM	#856
Chickenman Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 63	Just use 4 small screws to mark where the dish was. The roofer should be able to do this & then just install the dish back in place after the shingles are installed

2012-06-11, 02:22 PM	#857
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,684	You are having a new Roof installed then making holes in it for the Dish Mount.? Is there nowhere else to mount the Dish.?

2012-06-11, 03:09 PM	#858
Chickenman Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 63	A little tar & all is good but ya it is better to have the dish somewhere you can easily reach it

2012-06-11, 09:03 PM	#859
JoeLouie Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 906	In my experience, most people around here prefer it on their roof for some reason. My dish is on the side of the house about 6.5' off the ground. High enough the nobody is going to hit their head on it, but low enough that if it's covered in snow and I'm not home, my wife can easily clear it off without me having to hear the complaints about her not being able to watch tv all day lol.

2012-06-12, 06:24 AM	#860
mitigator Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 80	Thanks for the comments Chickenman & guys. Pinza, the Bell Dish is now - on the East Peak of my Roof where the Coax Cable leadin goes down the wall and thru a white caulked and white foam insulated pipe above the window concrete wall into the basement. To reroute this would be a major job and the mounting screws for the Dish are Felt or Tar Tipped making them waterproof. I have had no problems in 7 years with the Dish, & as JoeLouie has noted almost everyone around here has their Bell or Shaw Dish on the Roof.

2012-07-04, 09:40 AM	#862
46FD04 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ajax Posts: 449	Bluegirl, don't throw out the dish. It sounds like you have the basic Bell dish with two LNB's on it. Make sure you are connected to the LNB in the 91 slot of the Y-bracket. Make sure the RG6 line is going straight to the receiver (no splitters). Are there 4 cables coming from the dish into the house? If yes, you may have an SW44 switch installed in the house somewhere where the cables enter the house. If you do, then disconnect it, AND find the Power Inserter & power transformer and disconnect those too. Connect an RG6 line directly from the 91 LNB to the receiver. Now, DISCONNECT the incomin RG6 cable from the rear of the receiver, and do a Check Switch. The test will fail (obviously), then reconnect the RG6 line to the receiver. Using the remote, return to the Signal Strength window, and change the satellite to Bell 91 and change the Transponder to #1. DO NOT use Transponder 11 like we used to, because it no longer works on Std Def'n receivers. Now go back to your dish. REMOVE it from the pole, use a level and make the pole perfectly plumb, re-install dish. Set the dish at around 40 degrees elevation. Set the skew (sideways rotation) at 96 degrees. Now, slowly turn the dish in the vicinity of 197 degrees by compass. These are London Ontario values. You will eventually find it. The key is rotating the dish SLOWLY a little bit at a time. If there are no obstructions, you should easily obtain 100% on Transponders 1, 2, 3 and 4. Be patient, and good luck. FYI Transponders 5, 9, 11, 17 DO NOT work so don't knock yourself out trying to find them!!! Gord GT Installs Ajax, ON.

2012-07-14, 08:40 PM	#864
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,684	Those are low levels for 82 but it should still work. Odd only is normally an indication of a splitter, I know you have replaced all the coax but did you just replace the 'visible' coax.? Could there be a splitter behind a wallplate.? If you are only going to use 2 feeds I would be using the SW21's, or better yet a DPP Twin LNBF.

2012-07-14, 10:26 PM	#866
monkeyhunk Join Date: May 2012 Location: ON Posts: 398	Funny how it's much easier to troubleshoot a fault when it's right in front of you than it is seeing somebody's explanation.

2012-07-15, 10:03 AM	#867
lightbender Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 131	try temporarily bypassing the grounding block. I've had one go faulty.

2012-07-15, 11:30 AM	#869
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,684	50' is not too far unless there is bad cable/connectors.

2012-07-15, 02:30 PM	#870
NewGear Rookie Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Markham, ON Posts: 6	Pinza, thanks for you quick replies. I DID find one loose compression fitting snd replacing it seems to have fixed the power problem allowing me to move the power inserter back inside (just in time as we had a couple of thunderstorms just pass through). Am now getting both satellites. Now I just have to figure out why check switch only shows 2 feeds active from the LNB