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Started By
Message
DirecTV Tailgating Help UPDATE: SUCCESS!!!
Posted on 9/23/08 at 7:48 pm
Posted on 9/23/08 at 7:48 pm
I also posted this on the OT but wasn't getting much help there so here I am:
Ok, this is my first season at trying to tailgate with my DirecTV satellite and I'm off to a flying stop. I have a 3-LNB satellite (3 knob things on the front), an HD receiver, a tripod for the satellite, and of course a TV. I set everything up then tried to set up the satellite. Used a compass to get the correct (or at least extremely close) azimuth, and set the elevation and tilt on the dish. However, my signal strength showed as 0% no matter what I tried.
I figured this may be because there was a tree nearby that was blocking so to test that theory I just set up the dish in front yard (absolutely nothing in the way), put in the new zip code to get the new settings, and tried again. Still no signal at all.
I am obviously missing something. I am running 1 coaxial cable from the dish to the receiver. Do I need more than 1? There are 4 places on the dish to run a coaxial cable - does it matter which one I put it in?
Any help is appreciated. Also if nobody can figure out what I am doing wrong from this message, I tailgate in between the law school and U-High. If you tailgate nearby and think you can help, I would appreciate. I will also pay in kind with cold beer and food.
Ok, this is my first season at trying to tailgate with my DirecTV satellite and I'm off to a flying stop. I have a 3-LNB satellite (3 knob things on the front), an HD receiver, a tripod for the satellite, and of course a TV. I set everything up then tried to set up the satellite. Used a compass to get the correct (or at least extremely close) azimuth, and set the elevation and tilt on the dish. However, my signal strength showed as 0% no matter what I tried.
I figured this may be because there was a tree nearby that was blocking so to test that theory I just set up the dish in front yard (absolutely nothing in the way), put in the new zip code to get the new settings, and tried again. Still no signal at all.
I am obviously missing something. I am running 1 coaxial cable from the dish to the receiver. Do I need more than 1? There are 4 places on the dish to run a coaxial cable - does it matter which one I put it in?
Any help is appreciated. Also if nobody can figure out what I am doing wrong from this message, I tailgate in between the law school and U-High. If you tailgate nearby and think you can help, I would appreciate. I will also pay in kind with cold beer and food.
This post was edited on 9/28/08 at 6:55 pm
10
Posted on 9/23/08 at 7:55 pm to Geauxtiga
etm, if you tailgate in touchdown village I may be able to help you.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 7:56 pm to Geauxtiga
this is going to seem like a smartass answer but i'm serious. Get close to where you think it should be then have someone watch the screen for signal strength. SLOWLY move the dish until the signal gets stronger. It sounds like you've done everything else. Just slowly move the dish around. Slowly and slightly...even the slightest movement makes a big difference.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 7:59 pm to EofT
This is true. You probably don't have the dish pointed in exactly the right place. It has to be perfect.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:02 pm to Cornholio
It definitely matters down to the quarter inch which direction you are facing. Also, getting the bubble right in the middle helps as well. If you are on uneven ground, you might have to prop one leg higher than the other 2, so be prepared for that. I have the same dish near the Indian Mounds and hooked up what sounds like the same way you have, and works just fine. Usually get somewhere between 80 and 95%.
Having someone watch the screen is a HUGE help unless you are a human compass.
Having someone watch the screen is a HUGE help unless you are a human compass.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:04 pm to Cornholio
For the elevation, the satellite itself has the tick marks but it doesn't have an arrow for you to line up the elevation. So I have been lining up the screws in the elevation number. Is this correct?
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:05 pm to etm512
what kind of account do you have...D*?
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:18 pm to hondapa26
buy a satellite finder from rat shack to help point the dish.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:18 pm to etm512
who do you have your account with??? direct star?
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:21 pm to hondapa26
quote:
hondapa26
I really don't know what you're asking. I have a home account with DirecTV which the receiver I'm using is on.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:32 pm to etm512
I was just making sure that you had an existing account...you'd be surprised how many people think that they can just grab a used receiver and satellite off of EBAY and set it up at the tailgate thinking that everything is going to be ready to go. 
You do realized that you are trying to find a satellite the size of a minivan that is about 22,000 miles above the equator??? So, you can't be "just close" when you are aiming...it has to be perfect. I suggest you spend a day in the back yard trying to set it up until you figure it out. Also, find out who your provider is and they will be able to give you a website telling you where to point the dish based on zip code. Hope this helps
You do realized that you are trying to find a satellite the size of a minivan that is about 22,000 miles above the equator??? So, you can't be "just close" when you are aiming...it has to be perfect. I suggest you spend a day in the back yard trying to set it up until you figure it out. Also, find out who your provider is and they will be able to give you a website telling you where to point the dish based on zip code. Hope this helps
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:36 pm to etm512
Don't use the screw for elevation. It's actually part of the bracket that you can see through the screw slot. But like they said, get your azimuth right, turn the volume way up on your TV (mine has a tone that gets higher pitched as your sig. strength increases), and play with it.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:36 pm to hondapa26
also, what are you using for a power source...generator or cigarette lighter inverter???
When you plugged everything on and turned it on, did you get the blue screen that says searching for signal???
When you plugged everything on and turned it on, did you get the blue screen that says searching for signal???
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:36 pm to etm512
quote:
There are 4 places on the dish to run a coaxial cable - does it matter which one I put it in?
Not sure if it matters, but mine is in the one all the way to the left if you are looking at the dish.
Make sure the thing is level. If you are using one of those short tripods that comes with a level, ignore it, it does not work, get another level.
Make sure your compass is working correctly. If you are reading it and holding it very close to the METAL dish it will give you a false reading.
Get the thing level, get your two tilts figured out the very slowly sweep while someone reads the signal meter on the TV.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:45 pm to hondapa26
I am using a generator. Yeah the on screen display from the receiver is great. I get the start up screen and then go to the satellite setup.
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:45 pm to Fifthstring
these guys have done a great job, the only thing I can add is to try the slow rotation method that was mentioned already...I did this just a few weeks ago after gustav...go very slowly pause and get constant feedback...that actually sounds kind of dirty but you get the idea
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:49 pm to St Augustine
I appreciate all of the help, boys. I hope I can get this stuff working Saturday. 
Posted on 9/23/08 at 8:50 pm to etm512
well, you should be good to go then...have you been able to find the signal back at your house since you took everything down for the game??? If not, just keep playing with it, preferably with someone watching your TV while you move the dish around VERY SLOWLY...Keep in mind also that it takes about 5 minutes to get the feed even after the perfect signal is acquired ...Sucks, I know, but just sit back, have a few beers (maybe even a case), and try to figure it out in your back yard
...Sucks, I know, but just sit back, have a few beers (maybe even a case), and try to figure it out in your back yard 
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