Much sympathy we have just spent all weekend trying to sort the same thing. Finally got it last night.
Tips
Read Satellite for caravans website its not massive help but a bit.
Search Satellite on here read some of the threads which were a big help.
Here is the basics that we have got
-If a tree or building is in the way imagine the tree lying on the ground your dish will need to be the tree length plus its length again to get a signal.
- You will need a compass and don't use it near the dish, the dish will interfere with your compass. We tried 4 compasses plus an electronic one same problem with all.
-The dish doesn't need to be tilted up toward the sky, it needs to be vertical (almost 90 degree angle to the ground). You then gradually change it to pointing toward the sky to increase signal strength once you have the signal.
-The Astra satellite it in a se direction around 28 degrees east of south. Use the compass to measure this.
- Google satellite direction finder and use one we liked this one.
well I have the answer.....after trying to connect our dish...even using a proffesional signal finder and getting nowhere...I take my son and his family with us.....he is a sky engineer !!!! get a signal everytime.....
------------- Coming home back to a caravan
2013
Whit week Kelpie Manorbier
July/Aug Carpenters Farm Isle of Wight
david..thats hubbys job.... ..its not that easy son had a go with small signal finder...had trees to contend with...he eventually gave up and got his work one...got it eventually.. van is all set up for next weekend before we have to pack up for our week away....without our son and family....that will be the test.!!!
------------- Coming home back to a caravan
2013
Whit week Kelpie Manorbier
July/Aug Carpenters Farm Isle of Wight
Hopefully the information shown Here will prove useful to people. The satellite finder I've shown is the just over 100 quid job I spoke of in an earlier post and not the expensive professional model installers use.
Fact is it just works, takes less than 5 minutes to set up and doesn't require spirit level, a tripod, a huge dish and lots of testosterone.
Just the iphone / android app, a compass and the meter - guaranteed results every time so you spend your time watching tv not trying to set it up!
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If a tree or building is in the way imagine the tree lying on the ground your dish will need to be the tree length plus its length again to get a signal.
That is in fact just less than the minimum requirement, and will only work in southern Britain. North of Birmingham you need 2 1/2 tree's length, and towards the top of Scotland 3 tree's length is required.
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You will need a compass and don't use it near the dish, the dish will interfere with your compass. The Astra satellite it in a se direction around 28 degrees east of south. Use the compass to measure this.
I agree. I normally stand upon the point where I propose to locate the dish and find a landmark at 145 degrees magnetic. Throughout Britain the Astra satellite will be very close to that bearing.*
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The dish doesn't need to be tilted up toward the sky, it needs to be vertical (almost 90 degree angle to the ground).
This only applies to offset dishes, and depends upon the dish's geometry and whereabouts you are. In Scotland the dish may end up pointing towards the ground.
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We also have a photo of the system set up at the correct angles...
I recommend taking an elevation reference point from a 'set up' dish by putting sufficient coins beneath one end of a spirit level placed upon the dish's arm to make it read level. You are then in a position to recreate that reference elevation.
If your level happens to be a popular 9" one, then each modern 2p coin you add or remove will change the indicated elevation by 1/2 degree.
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Google satellite direction finder and use one.
http://www.dishpointer.com is another good website. It's always a good idea to get the readings for your proposed caravan site before setting off because this will also enable you to identify potential tree problems.
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We did find even though we knew we were on the correct signal direction we had to reset the system to get the signal going.
This is usually the case that if your satellite box has seen another satellite system before finding the correct one.
*To better understand the size of the target you are aiming out, hold up your thumb on an outstretched arm against the sky. Your thumb's width at its top joint covers approximately 2 degrees. Throughout Britain the Astra magnetic bearings range from 142-148 degrees, and the elevations range from 19-26 degrees, which is effectively 3 thumb widths either way.
With a 145 magnetic bearing and a known elevation, you should be get into that box very easily.
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Topic: Help, can`t get satellite to work!
