Satellite Signal Meter Recommendations

cshrader · 07-01-2018, 05:18 PM

I'm new to satellite TV and recently switched to Dish Network. I'm trying to learn how to setup and point my portable dish and have quickly figured out I need to get a signal meter. I bought one of the cheap ($15) ones, but it was junk and didn't work. I'm ready to get a "real" meter, but I'm not sure which one to get. Anyone have any recommendations for a good, easy to use signal meter?

Thanks

Badbart56 · 07-01-2018, 05:53 PM

Can't help you with that, but we went from Dish Network to Dish Now, streaming tv. It ended up being much less expensive. You may want to check it out if you haven't already.

cshrader · 07-01-2018, 05:55 PM

Thanks, but Dish Now does me no good if I don't have internet access.

bill-e · 07-02-2018, 01:48 PM

I can't help you with the meter but I can tell you to download a satellite finder app for your phone so you at east have a starting poing.

Personally having pointed dishes at my home many times I'm done with that. I got a Dish Tailgater for under 300 bucks. I just sit it on the ground, plug it in and 5 minutes later have my channels. $7/month turn on/off as you want. Easy to store, maybe 15" square and fits under my bed.

**chuckster57** · 07-03-2018, 02:05 AM

We use a wineguard carry out. Plug it in and let it find the sat, no pointing or aiming. They aren’t cheap but totally worth the loss of frustration and wasted time.

If your still adamant about pointing it try these guys:
https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=sf-1000

I had this one for about one season before I switched to my carry out.

cshrader · 07-03-2018, 02:21 PM

I'm adamant about having more than one tuner so the self-pointing domes won't work for me. I have a Hopper 3 that I want to use in my camper.

The cheap meters won't work with the Hopper 3 so no go there. Doing more research, it appears that with a Hopper 3 and the Hybrid LNB, you can only use the Super Buddy 29 and it costs $700.

I'm having a really hard time learning to point the dish. It is very frustrating. When I switched to DIsh, everyone assured me that with a few practices, it would become simple to set up and point the dish.

Oh well, I'll keep trying.

cpaulsen · 07-03-2018, 03:36 PM

I use a portable dish....hybrid lnb's...hopper and wireless joey. I have been using a Birdog meter for a long time.......takes about 10 minutes at the most...usually less than 5 minutes to get all 3 satellites.

RoscoeV · 07-03-2018, 05:06 PM

Peaking the dish takes a little practice. Make sure you use the Dish assembly manual and set the Dish Angle and Elevation based on your zipcode and make sure they are as precise as possible. Next I put aluminum foil over the two outside LNBFs (119 & 129) Connect the cable to the 119 port on the LNBF. That is the middle satellite and center of the LNBF. Connect the other end to your Hopper 3 and using a compass move the Dish to the designated azimuth. Once you start to get a signal (using your check switch display) tweak it in to the best signal strength and make sure the display identifies the satellite as 119 and it's locked. You can then remove the tin foil from the other two LNBFs and you should have signal from all satellites ( 110, 119, and 129.

I hope this helps

cshrader · 07-04-2018, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaulsen

I use a portable dish....hybrid lnb's...hopper and wireless joey. I have been using a Birdog meter for a long time.......takes about 10 minutes at the most...usually less than 5 minutes to get all 3 satellites.

Do you have a Birddog Ultra? It appears from their website that the Ultra will work.

cshrader · 07-04-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoscoeV

Peaking the dish takes a little practice. Make sure you use the Dish assembly manual and set the Dish Angle and Elevation based on your zipcode and make sure they are as precise as possible. Next I put aluminum foil over the two outside LNBFs (119 & 129) Connect the cable to the 119 port on the LNBF. That is the middle satellite and center of the LNBF. Connect the other end to your Hopper 3 and using a compass move the Dish to the designated azimuth. Once you start to get a signal (using your check switch display) tweak it in to the best signal strength and make sure the display identifies the satellite as 119 and it's locked. You can then remove the tin foil from the other two LNBFs and you should have signal from all satellites ( 110, 119, and 129.

I hope this helps

I don't have that LNBF. I'm pointing to the Eastern Arc. I do own a Western Arc LNBF for use when I travel across the country, but it doesn't look like that. It only has three ports.

Thanks anyway.

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