On my way to work I saw a few of the dishes, just like yours Bark. They appeared to be aimed about 9 degress up, so almost flat, and were aimed right into the trees. I figure they get a signal anyway, but I wasn't going to stop and ask. I will check out craigs list as well. Thanks guys

 

Well thanks to Craigslist I got a Dishnetwork dish and receiver, with 50ft of RG6. For 100$ also, they owners got it when they moved in and never used it.

Did a little research, for the 110 sat I need a Azimuth of 118 (magnetic) and a Elevation of 11. I plan on mounting it on the peak of the roof on one end of the house, should have the most unobstructed shot. Maybe this weekend we will have some TV!

 

You might want to call DISH and verify that there is no balance against the receiver, if there is... have to pay out the current balance in order to activate, they need the smart card number to check the status. What receiver model did you get?

 

It is a PRO 301, the card is in there, looks brand new, but I have not called to check the balance. I know the previous owner I just bought from had it for 2 years, and never used it. I will be calling soon, right after I figure out how I want to mount the dish. Not sure if I want to put the bracket on the eave, a solid board, or through the vinyl siding into the plywood. Ideas?

 

Rather then the eve, if your house has an over hang, I have installed them over the part that doesn't go over into the attic, if its a shingle go over top, and if its a concrete tile just remove it. You might catch a truss this way for some good support...

 

I have a shingle roof, but I am having a hard time visualizing what you're saying...

 

I sketched an elevation, does this help?

 

Oh OK, gotcha, so if water does get through holes it's not going to lead into the house, just under the edge. On the ends of the house, there is about a 1ft eave also, I may do it there so i can mount it higher, the trees in the back worry me.

 

Yes, I have a program I can send you and you can calculate the distance required for clearances for obstructions, the program does a whole lot of other things as well, just PM me you email and I can send it...

 

I have been tied up for a couple of days so wasn’t watching the posts but: The 301 receiver is an older receiver and doesn’t have any bells and whistles but is tough! We use our 301 when traveling in the lower 48. It has been up and down the Alcan twice and has traveled in a suitcase for numerous airplane trips (in its original box).
Dish will occasionally offer really good deals on their newer receivers with DVR. I LOVE my DVR. I record everything and watch it later, skimming through the commercials.
I am assuming you got it from somebody in your area so hopefully it is not the little dish that we use when in the states and is a larger one.
After you mount the thing on something (like your house) run an extension cord outside so you can plug in the receiver and a TV. Connect some coax from the LNB on the antenna to the receiver and connect the receiver to the TV. The reason for doing this is so you don’t have to have somebody in the house yelling at you while you are trying to tune it in. You can just watch and listen to the tuning bar on the TV yourself. With the 301 there is a lag from when you point the antenna to when you actually get the signal so go slow. Also, echostar has a couple of satellites. The initial one you are looking for is EchoStar 119 west (basic programming). The other sats carry other programming. You should not need an account with Dish to tune it in and set it up.
Hopefully you get a manual with the receiver, if not they have them on the dish network website. It will help you figure out the setup and tuning signal menus.

 

Thanks for all the info, will set it up sometime soon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI

 

Oh! One more thing. About four months ago (or more or less), I cant remember. Dish sent out new smart cards for all receivers (they are free when you have a subscription). Something all the company's do every once in awhile. Your set may not have the new smart card. When you go to get it activated you might have a delay until they send you a new card.

 

Cool, thanks again. I am taking a trip to see family in CO and will be hooking it all up when I get back in a few weeks. I let you know how it works.