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Directv Satellite Elevation App


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We have always use Sat Finder to get our numbers. On this trip we have found that Sat Finders numbers, primarily azimuth, are way off and we can't receive a signal. This has happened in 2 of the last 4 nights. Example: what we see on Sat Finder is 217, what we see on Directv is 233. That is a pretty big difference and very frustrating to us. I downloaded some other sat finder type apps and they all have the numbers that our Sat Finder shows.

 

Does anyone have an explanation for this?

 

Thanks

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Depending on where you stand with the compass can cause a Deviation in the reading. Deviation is caused by the magnetic lines of flux passing through near-by metal, like the dish. I usually add 10 degrees east of the Mississippi. I have observed as high as a 54 degree Deviation. As you go west, the Deviation can go negative.

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It is not our aligning the sat, it is the numbers that Directv has vs. the numbers that Sat Finder has. Sat Finder has 217 azimuth and Directv will have 233. Big difference. I have calibrated the compass on my phone but that doesn't seem to help.

 

We like using Sat Finder as it works in Canada(normally) since it is based on your location while Driectv only accepts US Zip Codes.

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Depending on where you are in North America the difference between magnetic north and true north (magnetic declination) can be significant and can easily be as large as the difference in numbers you are talking about. SatFinder Online can provide azimuth data relative to both true and magnetic north. You didn't say where you are in Canada, but in Calgary, for example, the DirecTV 101 satellite would be at an azimuth of 231.5 but relative to true north it's at 222.2. But at White Horse YT the true north azimuth would be 225.5 and the magnetic would be 108.8

 

Since these differences are the same order of magnitude as you are talking about, I assume that's why you're seeing two different readings.

 

Here's the link to SatFinder online: http://arachnoid.com/satfinderonline/satfinderphp.php#scrolldown

Sandie & Joel

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As long as you are not trying to "shoot" thru the trees, the difference between 217 & 233 doesn't seem to be a big problem to me. Can't you just swing the dish back and forth a few degrees until you get the signal on your receiver. As long as the elevation is correct.

 

Several years ago when I was putting our dish on a tripod, I just estimated at the azimuth and swung the dish back and forth till I found the signal.

 

I was using Dish Network, but I wouldn't think that would matter.

Al & Sharon
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Put a Trav'ler on the roof and enjoy it finding the satellites. :)

While you are inside out of the weather sun/dark/hot/rain/cold/wind

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This thread has gone off on a tangent. I am just fussing as to why different apps give such different numbers; why it just started occurring; why the numbers are sometimes right on and sometimes way off..............

I was having a similar problem last year, but it turned out to be the compass I was using to set my tripod. It was 10-12 degrees off. It was becoming suspect and one day I decided to use an old boy scout compass that I have had since the mid 1950's. It was dead nuts on so I threw the other one away. I guess the original one had been dropped too many times.

Ed

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This is nothing physical with the setup. This is the computer programs behind the apps that provide your starting numbers. To me they should be the same, math is math. But they are not and this just started occurring that Sat Finder and others were so far off. I know they didn't move the sats.................

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Where are you getting the numbers from DirecTV?

 

The satellite programs usually have a selection of satellites, or groups or satellites in the case of multi-headed dishes. Perhaps the selection is differing from what DirecTV is offering.

 

And there is the Variation (about 11 degrees) between True North and Magnetic North. Some of the satellite programs show both.

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Mark & Dale
Joey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel Supreme
Sparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019
Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info at
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It is an option on the receiver under Settings. It is in various locations depending on your receiver. In 10+ years of sat service we never used it until starting to have these problems. You put in the zip code and it comes up with the numbers. All of these are for 101. You just need to line up 101, change the skew if you are doing HD and you are done. It is very simple if you have the correct numbers.

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Can't say for DirecTV but in the Dish Receivers, the built-in settings were for DPP 500 (dual head) dishes and not valid for the current DPP 1000.2 (triple head) dishes. To get the correct settings for a DPP 1000.2, you have to go to the DPP 1000.2 manual or sites like Dish Pointer. Perhaps that is the variance you are seeing.

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Mark & Dale
Joey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel Supreme
Sparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019
Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info at
www.dmbruss.com

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I use the same app to find a clear shot thought the trees. I've had much better success using the DirecTV set up and zip code. Set for 101 and wiggle the dish utill we see numbers. Usually on target in a few minutes. Always seems to take an extra tweek for the elevation to zero in. Love having SatFinder to start the process and funny with the others in the park staring when the found tone goes off.

Jerry and Joan

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