Can't find signal

[dssrocks]

I was installing my new dish and I can not for the life of me find the satellite signal. There are other dishes in the area, and I pointed it in the general direction that they were pointed and all around. Could not find crap. I did not have a level so I could not make sure that everything was completely level, but I thought I could get some sort of signal. Is getting it level that vital or could it be something else? Thanks.

[fordruid]

Take a piece of string, tie a weight on the end of it and use it as a plumb:)
Being "level" makes it easier to follow the coordinates the IRD provides.
And yes, its possible (but not likely) that its a bad cable, LNB, connection or IRD.

[Mechanic]

http://desert007.tvheaven.com/sat-angles.html
Also if you are using the dish pointing screen, set you transponder to one in the low 20's when aiming.
Good luck.

[slappy_bender]

when I was setting up my emu it took me at least 3 hours to get it aligned and tightened down securely....(course I didn't know what the hell I was doing, but still) The best signal that I can get at my house is about 75-80%.(stupid neighbors have a huge tree almost in my line of sight)
I just hooked up my friend's emu today and after mounting it, I aimed it in the direction I thought it was, moved slightly two times and nailed the 101 with a 90% signal strength(the whole thing took maybe 15 seconds) I was happy, but pissed that it was so easy for them....) three minutes later, they were happily flipping through the best that DAVE has to offer.....Moral of the story would be with satellite patience is the key, location is everything if you want an easy setup.:)