Satellite Compass - What Type? - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

alanm · 29-07-07, 02:30 PM

After struggling with a cheap plastic ordinary sighting compass up a ladder and trying to align a Satellite dish and realising the shortcomings of said device, could I please have the Forum Members opinions on what would be the best Compass to use for occasional Dish alignment.
I had the most trouble trying to see the sighting marks.

Thanks

AlanM
(Newish Member)

nanochickin · 29-07-07, 02:56 PM

I find the ones you find in car accessory shops are quite good

Nano

Jimdefruit · 29-07-07, 03:08 PM

I have found the the bigest problems with using a compass up a ladder is the possibility of metal objects deflecting the compass and trying to hang on with one finger whilst the others try to hold the compass, move the dish and hold up my trousers.

If you can, get your angles set at ground level, by marking something a reasonable distance away. When you are up the ladder, its easier to aim in the general direction of the points you have marked/noted.

BGonaSTICK · 29-07-07, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimdefruit

...and trying to hang on with one finger whilst the others try to hold the compass, move the dish and hold up my trousers.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

I'm sure all of us with elevated dishes can relate to that!

I'm totally with Jim here. None of these compasses are any good when your trousers are round your ankles

Laying out a distant marker whilst on the ground is the way to go - more accurate, way more comfortable and whole lot safer!

madrat · 29-07-07, 03:51 PM

:roflmao:

yes set your angles before you go up the ladder. try to pick out a landmark, that is roughly in the correct direction from the dish.

Yorks · 29-07-07, 05:26 PM

I agree. A compass will only give you a rough idea of general direction for starters. You need a meter, or a wife with a strong pair of lungs watching the receiver, to really find the birds.

"40%.......50........60......70........BACK DOWN TO 40....................NO GONE AGAIN..................."

While you stand there with your trousers around your ankles.

ops:

BGonaSTICK · 29-07-07, 05:58 PM

Doh! You're giving away all the trade secrets! :roflmao:

alanm · 29-07-07, 08:27 PM

Thanks for the replies, I can see you have all been there and the one I forgot to mention, the compass needle being deflected by the metallic dish you are trying to align.
Next to the compass problem is trying to wrap self amalgamating tape around a 'F' connection with only one hand and hanging on for grim fear of death with the other.

AlanM

BGonaSTICK · 29-07-07, 08:46 PM

Nobody admitting to using their teeth for anything then? :clap:

Teeth are good for holding the spanners, and even the ladder when it gets windy :roflmao:

madrat · 29-07-07, 10:45 PM

Teeth yes, arm pits, between shoulder and ear, between legs are all good too

Hanging out the window with the wife hanging on to your belt with a spanner in yar gob always looks professional

29-07-07, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
alanm Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Satellite Compass - What Type? After struggling with a cheap plastic ordinary sighting compass up a ladder and trying to align a Satellite dish and realising the shortcomings of said device, could I please have the Forum Members opinions on what would be the best Compass to use for occasional Dish alignment. I had the most trouble trying to see the sighting marks. Thanks AlanM (Newish Member)

29-07-07, 02:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
nanochickin Satellite Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Today i'll be mostly cleaning up the forum Posts: 3,590 Thanks: 16 Thanked 144 Times in 127 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? I find the ones you find in car accessory shops are quite good Nano __________________ Dreambox 7020Si, 1m Orbital Dish, Triax Quad 0.2dB lnb, Technomate SG2200 Motor. Dreambox 600PVR & Technomate TM9100 Super I'm a Sat mod I know knob all about cable. Please don't PM me to ask about cable Keys

29-07-07, 03:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,775 Thanks: 10 Thanked 113 Times in 105 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? I have found the the bigest problems with using a compass up a ladder is the possibility of metal objects deflecting the compass and trying to hang on with one finger whilst the others try to hold the compass, move the dish and hold up my trousers. If you can, get your angles set at ground level, by marking something a reasonable distance away. When you are up the ladder, its easier to aim in the general direction of the points you have marked/noted. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreambox If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

29-07-07, 03:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? :roflmao: yes set your angles before you go up the ladder. try to pick out a landmark, that is roughly in the correct direction from the dish. __________________ *I want it and I want it now*

29-07-07, 05:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Yorks Just very slightly mad Join Date: May 2006 Location: S. Yorks Posts: 1,480 Thanks: 5 Thanked 45 Times in 43 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? I agree. A compass will only give you a rough idea of general direction for starters. You need a meter, or a wife with a strong pair of lungs watching the receiver, to really find the birds. "40%.......50........60......70........BACK DOWN TO 40....................NO GONE AGAIN..................." While you stand there with your trousers around your ankles. ops: __________________ They're coming to take me away haha TM1500CI, 53E to 61W


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29-07-07, 05:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? Doh! You're giving away all the trade secrets! :roflmao: __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

29-07-07, 08:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
alanm Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? Thanks for the replies, I can see you have all been there and the one I forgot to mention, the compass needle being deflected by the metallic dish you are trying to align. Next to the compass problem is trying to wrap self amalgamating tape around a 'F' connection with only one hand and hanging on for grim fear of death with the other. AlanM

29-07-07, 08:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? Nobody admitting to using their teeth for anything then? :clap: Teeth are good for holding the spanners, and even the ladder when it gets windy :roflmao: __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

29-07-07, 10:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Satellite Compass - What Type? Teeth yes, arm pits, between shoulder and ear, between legs are all good too Hanging out the window with the wife hanging on to your belt with a spanner in yar gob always looks professional __________________ *I want it and I want it now*