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Click for larger pic When aligning the Dish 500 using a dual analog meter you, once, connect your meter to the two LNB leads, and SIMULTANEOUSLY view the signal from both! With every adjustment you make, you see how it affects BOTH satellites, simultaneously! Simple and done. Simultaneous Multi-Signal Metering or SMS, provides a platform for truly peaked satellite dishes. Using SMS metering with the Dish 500, you will normally leave behind signal similar to this: Satellite 119 on transponder 11 = 119 signal strength Satellite 110 on transponder 11 = 109 signal strength. Your signal strength will vary depending on many factors, but the signal strengths recorded above are what I call typical in the St. Louis area. For instruction on using a dual meter see: NOTE: The best results come from using a legacy Twin (or quad), or a Dish Pro Twin, or quad. When using a quad use ports 2 and 3. The Dish Pro Plus can be used (not as accurately) but be sure to add receiver power to your meter and don't depend on your battery alone. So, if your mast
is plumb, and your
elevation is correct (add 2 degrees to the
dish elevation given-i.e. if dish says elevation 38, start at
40)you only need to swing your dish "across" the arc of
satellites in the sky. Here's what happens IF your elevation is
correct, mast is plumb, and skew is set: ...if you start from no signal (aiming to the right/west of your azimuth reading) and start moving the dish to the left, you will intercept the Clarke belt, the arc of satellites in the sky. If you don't have a visual idea of what you are looking for, see "What Does the Dish See?" and Clarke Belt. Your meter will first show a rise of signal on one side of the dual meter as the dish bounces one of the satellites into the wrong LNB. The second meter will not have an equivalent signal reading, but keep swinging the dish and the meter that had good signal will begin to drop as the "wrong" bounce goes out of alignment. As you continue to move the dish, then you should see both meters begin to show signal. They will both become "stronger" (but not equal). This is the correct signal. Here is where you stop at the highest point of signal and adjust the gain on your meter. (You can swing the dish further and watch the signals drop and then partial signal will pop up on one meter, then nothing. You won't get another signal reading until you get to the southeast where you will cross the Clarke Belt again, and see signal again.) Using the gain adjust knobs, make the signals "equal" on the meter, and in the high end of the meter. (The meter is most sensitive at the 80 to 100 range on the meter.) So, you adjust the gain knobs to "match" the signals so that the meters look identical, and are at a point 80 or higher. NOTE: Keep the sound on as the meters will harmonize and give you further clues as you align the dish. If you then take a look at the gain knobs, you will see that one is turned up considerably higher than the other. The one that is turned up higher is the weaker 110 satellite, and the stronger one (lower gain knob) is, of course, 119. Note: You can perform a quick check of which meter is which satellite by covering one of the "eyes" of the LNB and seeing which meter drops. With gain adjusted and needles in sync on the meter, now you can "fine tune" the dish. Any slight push or pull on the dish will show immediate movement on the needles. Push or pull gently on either right or left side of the dish to find azimuth peak, and gently push and pull on the top of the dish for elevation peak. When you've got the highest signal, tighten the collar bolts, and then, once you've found the best signal as verified on the receiver, MAKE NOTE of the elevation, and take a new azimuth reading across your dish. THESE NUMBERS will be the starting point for all future Dish 500 installs. The closer you start to the peak, the easier and faster it will be to find it again. NOTE: VERY tight-so tight that the metal of the collar begins to collapse-just a bit. If the metal doesn't bend a little, it may swing in high winds and cause a re-alignment. NOTE: You can peak on 119 only, and you will get a slightly higher signal for 119, BUT, it considerably compromises the satellite 110 signal. (i.e. 119 @ 121 signal, 110 @ 70's and lower.) With any multiple satellite dish, every move you make for one satellite, always affects ALL satellites! Things get more complicated with a Dish 1000+ and it's (4) four satellites, and you can see why there is HUGE advantage in using SMS metering. It is this principal of "adjust one, effect all" that is causing the average technician difficulty over Dish 1000+ or DirecTV's Ka-Ku dish.
A. Dish 500 with legacy twin LNB (Oldest - not compatible with Dish Pro or Dish Pro Plus LNB's or switches.) No logo. B. Dish 500 with Dish Pro Twin (DP Twin)- Dish Pro Logo. C. Dish Pro Plus LNB for Dish 500 or Dish 1000 (Newest and most commonly used in installs, at present.) Dish Pro Plus logo. Pictures with notes: Click to enlarge. A.
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You have a right to an antenna! The rule prohibits most
restrictions that: (1) unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance
or use; (2) unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use;
or (3) preclude reception of an acceptable quality signal. Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule Send questions or comments about this web site.Copyright © 2009 WOWVision! Ministries Last modified: 01/16/10
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Dish 500 - Satellites 110 and119, also used for single
satellite wing dish also called a "must-carry" dish. 
