DishPointer Pro Usage Instructions
Quick Guide
Compass Accuracy
Location Fix
G-Sensor Calibration
Satellite List Update
Other Settings
About
- Wait for a location fix. If the app cannot determine your location, enable GPS from the phone settings.
- Calibrate the compass each time you use the app. Just move the device in a large figure-8 motion while the DishPointer Pro app is running.
- Position the device where you'd like to setup the dish and point the device towards the sky.
- Check for line of sight issues by verifying that the desired satellite is on the clear sky and not on tree, building, etc.. If this is the case, you have a good spot for your dish and a clear line of sight towards the satellite. You can now point your dish in that direction.
- Set the elevation of the dish to the given value at the bottom. You might need to switch off the compass and move the satellites with your finger to get the settings for the right satellites as indicated at the bottom.
- Set the LNB or dish skew to the given value. Note that many multi-lnb dishes start their skew at 90 degrees (that's when the dish is not skewed). You would need to add or subtract
the skew value given by the app to 90 degrees on such dishes. Remember that you always skew into the direction of the satellite relative to due South. So, if the central satellite is East of South, you would rotate the dish like a steering wheel anti-clockwise when standing behind the dish.
The app accuracy depends on the compass accuracy of the phone. The internal compass chip is prone to electro-magnetic interferences. Things you can do to ensure good readings are:
- Don't use the device in a case with magnetic closure buttons.
- Calibrate the compass each time you use the app. To do so, move the phone in a large figure-8 motion while the DishPointer Pro app is running.
- Stay away from anything electrical or metallic. Don't put the phone on or next to the dish. If you need to do that, lock the compass first.
- On most devices, the compass generally works better when the device is held flat. Position the device correctly, then lock the compass and then lift the device without shifting it.
- If you have a better heading reference, you can switch off the compass and move the satellites with your finger by swiping across the screen.
To speed up GPS acquisition, you can also install the free app "GPS Status" and try obtaining the location first from the native maps app on your phone and then open the DishPointer Pro app.
The G-sensors of your phone might need calibrating. To check whether the sensors are off, point your phone in absolute landscape mode towards the horizon.
The value next to the crosshair should read 0.0. This value gives the current inclination of the phone. It should be zero when the camera is pointed at the horizon.
The value underneath the crosshair should read -90.0 and tells you whether you are holding the phone in landscape or portrait mode or anything in between. If it doesn't read -90.0.
To calibrate your device, you can either enter offset values into the "inclination level" or "skew level" boxes in the app settings or use the auto-calibration mode.
To enter the auto-calibration mode, press the calibration button below. Then put your thumb gently on the bottom corner and align the horizontal line with the horizon. Note that you are calibrating both the skew and inclination at the same time. When everything is aligned, slowly lift your thumb. If you are happy with the calibration, press the save button at the top.
The latest satellite list will be downloaded automatically at startup.
Other settings include a delay for the screen capture and a pixel to degree ratio. The default value for the latter is 9 and valid for almost all devices. One device which requires a different value is the Motorola Xoom tablet, which should read 24.
For more help regarding the app, please contact us by email at support@dishpointer.com or visit us at www.dishpointer.com.
DishPointer is a registered trademark of DP Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.