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[b]Good morning, girls! Well, tomorrow we leave FL and make our way up to TN to visit my younger brother and his fam. It is bitter sweet! I love FL and the friends we have made here, but know that I may not see them next year. Some may stop for a visit in IA this summer, tho, so that would be nice! Today we load the mtc's on the trailer and stow the chairs, etc. I have a hair appt at noon and will get groceries while I'm out. The papers arrived from the Clerk of Court in SD, so will be working on those tonight, I'm sure. Soon to be XDH wants to get it done yesterday! Can't believe he asked me to sign papers so he could pay his taxes in installments! NO WAY!!! I'm not signing anything that attaches me to paying money to anyone! I think I shocked him when I told him no way because he backed down! Boy, did that feel good: -) Supposed to be another gorgeous day here! Hope it is where you are![b]

Sounds like you're getting all your ducks in a row and ruffling some feathers at the same time You've obviously been listening to "I am WOMAN, hear me roar", and your almost ex wasn't paying attention. We're also preparing to leave on Friday-going SE from Sarasota, but don't know where yet. Nice to just be rolling in jello after a stationary 6 months-although I really enjoy my time here, seeing friends and playing a lot of tennis which is very sparse when I'm on the road. Waiting for the fix-it guy to come and see what's wrong with our roof satellite (glad I convinced tGM to bring along our portable one just in case). OK, need my 2nd cup of coffee and then off to play some tennis. carold

There are three significant and somewhat difficult pieces to getting a satellite dish aimed properly after a move.

FIRST....It helps immensely to have a general idea of where the satellite is located in the sky. It will always have an altitude (up and down) and an azimuth (sideways) which change as you move about the globe.

The following altitude and azimuth observations (for Direct TV with our dish) are not completely reliable. The observed measurements are compass bearings and the azimuth indicated on a Winegard circular dish. There are probably as much as 5 degree +- errors on my observations for both because of a little compass...and nonlevel ground.

You can get your longitude and latitude from your GPS. If you keep track of where you finally find the satellite, your past observations will help a lot in getting started. As you move North, the altitude of the satellite appears to drop one degree for every degree you move North. As you move west, the satellite appears to move East. So...at Bar Harbor, Maine the altitude is 25 degrees and the azimuth direction is 225.

Bar Harbor ME.......68 W 44 N.........225/25 Observed
Sarasota..............82 W 28 N .......201/47 Observed
Sault Ste Marie.......84 W 47N.........208/30 Observed
Marquestte, MI.......87W-47N......... 205/30 Observed
Mountain Home, Ar..92W-36N.........195/42 Observed
Walker, Mn...........94W- 47N.........195/32 Observed
Wichita, Kansas .....97W-37N..........179/47
Gt Sand Dune, CO..105W-37N.........171/44 Observed
Gunnison, Co.......107W-38N.........169/42 Observed
Vega SP, CO........108W-38N.......... 170/42 Observed
Bluff, Utah ..........110 W-37N.........148/44 Observed
Moab, Utah..........110 W- 39N........148/42 Observed
Page, Arizona........111W-37N.........148/43 Observed
Mono Lake CA........119W 37N.........155/43 Observed

SECOND: it is very helpful to have a satellite signal strength tuner. These cost about $40. You can buy one in radio shack. They are not waterproof, so wrap it in a baggy to avoid losing it if they water the lawn by surprise. They hook up in line with the cable between the dish and the receiver and buzz when you are pointed at a satellite (even if it's not yours).

THIRD: The setup function of your receiver will confirm that you are correctly pointed by showing a strong signal strength for each transponder in your satellite.

I can spend up to 45 minutes finding the signal, but once in awhile I hit it right away. It's no fun in the sun. Soos, Bob does this, so I thought he'd be better to explain. That is one reason, when we bought our new RV, we wanted an automatic satellite. However, there are parks we stay in that have too many trees, so we still have to use the portable. I think it's a great idea that you will be trying it at home before you travel. Are you signing up with Direct TV or Dish? When you do, check about the main channels, ABC. NBC, CBS. Sometimes they require you to show proof of living in an RV before they will assign those channels. If you already have satellite at your house, you might be able to put the box in your trailer. carold

(CarolD's spouse)

Good grief, Carold! I think I'll just read a book....forget TV while traveling.

I think I've had tv a couple days since I left TX the first of April 2009 Actually - they get a few stations from antennas where I'm parked. But I don't think my old antenna will work anymore - didn't upgrade it. Might check tomorrow or sometime this weekend just for kicks. TV is just not that important to me. But I am thinking about getting satellite for internet - have decided I do NOT want to spend all the time setting up - so if I do, will get the one installed and then will have to try to not stay where it doesn't work (or will use an aircard or the tethering I currently do in those cases). I really want the satellite for Canada and MX - and the really out-of-the-way places. Carol, you just convinced me I don't want the portable system - thanks. Even though I understand why it can be better in some cases.