Typical Noobster question...

[blakes]

Hi all,

I have tried looking through the forum but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for (perhaps what I want to know is really simple?!?).

I'd like to know about positioning dishes please.

I'm going to fit another mini dish so I can watch the FTA/FTV channels whilst on the computer.

The only thing I can think of doing is bascially pointing the mini dish in the same direction as another which I can see on another wall. What is the easiest way to point a dish? I believe you can get meters that plug in to the LNB to detect signal strength but I'm hoping there is a way of doing it without spending money?!?!!

Does 28E means 28 degrees East? 19W mean 19 degrees West?

I've looked on the sites that help you calculate angles etc and they look a bit complex at first glance. Once you have the angle how do you know your dish is at the right angle?

What is the name of the satellite which most people watch FTA/FTV via?

Sorry for all the questions and the post length! Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer me advice.

Cheers.

[Robbo]

Hi blakes,

Most of the English FTA channels are indeed at the 28E (or thereabouts) orbital position.

All Sky dishes that are receiving Sky will be pointing that way. So yes, as a start if you want 28E, point it the same way as a nearby Sky dish.

If you have a SKY dish already, you can replace the existing LNB with a QUAD, and run a new cable to another receiver.

However, if you need to setup a new dish:--

To adjust the postion more accurately, you can use a satfinder meter like this one from Maplin:-

a96fg.jpg

or use the signal level and quality meter on the receiver itself.

The satellite positions relate to their orbital positions around the earth above the equator, and are directlly related to the logitudinal gridlines around the the earth.

For example 28.2E, is 28.2 degrees east of the Greenwich meridian.

1W, 1 degree west.

If you stood on the equator, at a longitude of 28.2E, the satellite would be directly above your head.

We use 28 degrees east of south for example, because we are in the northern hemisphere.

Some calculators are easier than others.

Here are some:-
Dish Setup - Angle Calculators

I find the Satlex.de easy to use, just enter the satellite name and your postition, press calculate.
and up pops the elevation angle, the azimth angle and the LNB skew angle.

Robbo

[blakes]

Cheers Robbo. Thats a good help.

Another thing..... (tsk!)

Just say Satellite mounting on the outside wall is a problem - are there other options? As in other means of picking up a signal?

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by blakes

Cheers Robbo. Thats a good help.

Another thing..... (tsk!)

Just say Satellite mounting on the outside wall is a problem - are there other options? As in other means of picking up a signal?

You can stick a dish in the garden on a pole,sturdy fence post, or on the ground if you have a clear view of the satellite.

You can also point a dish through a window, if you are lucky. Or you can stick one on a roof. (Not for me though)

The best option if you have a dish already pointing where you want is a TWIN or QUAD LNB.

[blakes]

There is a minidish on the same building already which has a quad LNB on it but all imputs are being used

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by blakes

There is a minidish on the same building already which has a quad LNB on it but all imputs are being used

You can also get 'Octo' LNB's .

Depends whose dish it is I suppose.