Dish 500 Antenna

i have the antenna aimed already for dish (El Paso TX) but my local channels with the inside hdtv antenna i have dont have good reception and i was planning to use the dish antenna instead

You need a Terk clip-on antenna to attach to your dish to receive free local over-the-air channels.

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005T 3A8/103-4422885-9123814?v=glance&n=1 72282
but there are plenty to choose from.

2006-08-19 17:58:42 by bora

I have an older Dish 500 system. It has worked well for about 4 years. 110 has been dropping out, 119 was fine. I figured the antenna had shifted so I nudged it, and when I did, I lost 119 also, now I get nothing. I did all the usual reboots,switch checks and all that and have even gotten so desperate that have run a coax from the rf out on the receiver to a tv out at the satellite pole so I can watch the satellite strengh meter. In addition to the recommended setings, I have scanned god's blue sky (slowly, for 4 hours) for a sattelite signal. I get nothing. I wonder if the lnb has died. If you can be of any help, please answer as my girlfrienf has had to bury her sister and is distraught, and the tv helps distract her. I'm going to call a dealer tomorrow, but any help tonight, I can't tell you how apprecitave I would be.

OK, without the proper meters, the best way is to again bring the TV out and use it as a meter. Use a level and make sure that the pole is straight up and down. THIS IS KEY!

Next, use a compass and set the azimuth (side to side) remembering that you are not pointing the thing that sticks out, you are pointing the center of the dish. The best way to do this is by looking at the mount and lining up the clasp that holds the dish to the pole. It has 2 bolts with nuts passing through it.

Next, set the elevation. Then set the skew if there is one (if there is its on the very back of the dish and goes left and right as if the dish is a steering wheel).

Now, if you have done all of these things right, you should be able to just sit BEHIND the dish and pull it slowly to the left, right, up, down, and find the satellite. Don't loosen anything while doing this until you find the satellite and remember that it takes a second or two for the meter to register and show signal strength.

If you changed satellites or transponders in the setup menu, start the guided setup over so that you know you are on one that works.

If you still can't find the sat, loosen the azimuth (left and right) and slowly pan back and forth (move a tiny amount and wait 5 seconds, then move again). If you still can't find it, go up 2 degrees on your elevation then start the azimuth pan again.

Good for you for trying to do this for your GF. Please remember, it's very hard to find a sat this way so don't be too hard on yourself if it doesn't work. The LNB could indeed be bad.

Good Luck!

2007-10-28 17:17:31 by steve.c_50

Price: $149.00

View over-the-air SD and HD broadcasts (requires optional over-the-air module).
On-screen Caller ID with history (optional).
Supports one independent HDTV with remote control
Compatible with Tailgater

I have moved from my home at around 150 kms.
want to take Dish tv with me.
Will i be able to adjust the dish tv myself or I have to call the engineer.
calling engineer means to shell out around 500 Rupees.

This is a 2-man job. First, the pole that holds the dish needs to be leveled almost perfectly. Then one person adjusts the dish while the other checks signal strength at the tv while communicating with each other.

2008-11-06 22:35:08 by Harinderpal Singh

Price: $74.99 $58.59

Easy Installation On Masts Up to 1.63" Dia
Increases Indoor Signal Strength for Peak System Performance
Provides 11 dBi of gain
Increases indoor coverage area
Increase indoor signal strength for peak system performance

I live in a mountainous area, and I get a marginal signal on my dish 500 system. I get about 34 on 110 and about 40 on 119. Compounding the problem is the antenna is 130 feet from the receiver to get a shot at the bird away from the trees. I have two problems: First, the slightest weather problem, even a light rain knocks the signal out. Second, the smallest nudge of the dish not even 1/16 of an inch is the diffference in signal and no signal. (This may be normal, I don't know). Can you think of anything that will help, a bigger dish, an amplifier,etc.? The two dudes that came out here from Dish wont touch it cause their lil plastic protractor says it won't work at all, but It has worked for 7 years. I think if I could squeeze a lil more signal out of it it would be OK. What do you think? Thanks!

What actually is interfering with your view of the southern sky? If it is trees, can they be cut down or can the dish be mounted on a tall pole?

It bothers me that you have clearly moved the dish in order to make the statement "the smallest nudge of the dish not even 1/16 of an inch is the difference in signal and no signal". The satellites you are aiming at are at least 25000 miles up and all it takes is the smallest of movement before the aim is off. I'm concerned that when you push on the dish, it is not going to come back to its original aiming point.

The workers Dish has sent out are likely contractors who are paid a flat rate and not very much at that. Pull out your yellow pages or the yellow pages of any larger city that is somewhat close by and find a someone who knows Dish installs. Contact them directly and tell them your problem. You may end up calling a number of them before you find one willing to take on the challange.

I'm on Directv and I don't have the same issues as your install has. However, I needed a piece of hardware called an SWM installed that do not normally get installed in single family homes. I called many installers who did not even know what SWM meant and others who did but said they could not install it in my house. Then I found the right guy... and he took care of it. That is the type of person you are looking for.

2009-06-08 05:48:59 by Steve C

have a dish 500 old, not used after smart card message, that i was wondering if you can use it as smart antenna i.e. by hooking it into smart antenna port on the rca dta800b1?

NOPE....

2009-06-14 11:30:53 by sicurry