Altitude is not the answer but the location is important. A clear sky between the satellite and your dish is the only goal and a pole may help with that but the tree (leaves and branches) will interfere.

The use of a pole is an attempt to rise above obstacles (roofs, tree-lines, etc.). If you installed it in an open field with no obstacles you'd likely not need a pole at all. A roof is one answer but I'd be careful not to damage your roofing materials.

We attached our dish to a pole that was attached to the house. Other people in our area are able to get the best signal by side mounting it directly to the house.

Unfortunately bad weather (clouds, rain, snow, fog) all qualify as obstacles and can interfere with a strong signal. Something too near the front of the dish (or that can blow in the wind and get in the way, like leaves or branches) will make keeping a signal more difficult.

Once you have the clearest view of the sky possible (in the direction of your satellite), your best bet is to make sure you're pointed at the satellite as accurately as possible.

http://www.mobilesatellitetv.com.au/images/satellite-dish_02.gif

The strength meter in your dish menu can help you align it but there are other tools and tips that may help (links below).

---Excerpt---
- Make certain that the pole or tri-mast assembly is vertically plumb. Check it with ... a level. ...A pole that does not have sufficient ballast will lean over time, causing you to lose the signal.
- When pointing the satellite dish, allow 5-10 seconds between any movements of the dish. This allows the receiver to complete a signal scan, and lock indicating that you have located the signal.
- A reasonable signal strength is between 50 and 80...
- ...If you have a high strength reading but are not able to lock on, try adjusting the dish slightly to the right or left....
---End Excerpt---
Source: http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Dish-Pointing-Tips.htm

There are tools at http://www.dishpointer.com/ that may prove useful in your alignment as well.

Asker's Rating:

Permalink | Report