Satellite Aiming

[tman701]

Hey guys,
I tried doing a search but didnt really come across anything that i havent tried already.

Due to the hurricanes that recently wreaked havoc down here in Fl I took down my Dtv dish and my OTA antenna. I just got around to putting it all back up this week. The OTA has no problem getting the signals.
But i can not get the freaking dish to get the signals like before.
I can get the "B" bird with 95-98 signal strength, but bird's "A" and "C" elude me. This is an oval Dish with the 3 LNB's. I dont have a compass but i never really needed it before. I tried the orientations that the receiver gives me but i get nothing, i then tried the orientations that Dtv's website gives me, which are different, and that is the only way i can get the "B" bird.

I dont have the little handheld signal meter or a compass. I am going to try and buy those this weekend. I would appreciate any suggestions anybody else can give me before i have to call Dtv to come out and align it for me.

Thanks,

[Ratman]

Could it be that the LNB's or the multiswitch are damaged?
Bad coax/connectors?

[fredinva]

RULE #1 -- Make sure the post is PLUMB with a post level.
It makes aiming much more accurate.

fred

[tman701]

Ratman,
I havent ruled out the LNB's as being bad yet. I will re-crimp the coax at each end. The coax is only about 2-3 months old max. I took care not to damage them while i stored them away and i hope it isnt that.

Fredinva,
I made sure it was level and plumb just in case the wind had messed with it.
Anybody know where to get the satellite finder dohicky other than radio shack? None of my local stores carry them.

Thanks,

[hd4me2]

Try www.channelmaster.com, they have satellite signal strength meters.

[fredinva]

If you are perfectly plumb and your azimuth and skew/elevation are correct, you should be able to do it with your receiver signal strength meter.

fred