Dish 500 Set UP

[gagetguy1]

I am in the process of setting up a Dish 500 Pro and 301 receiver.

Can I set up the Dish alignment and tune the signal strength before
inserting the Magic 2 card as it is being ordered.

Thought I could get the Dish set up before the snow flies next week.

[smithers]

as long as you have a card, yellow or blue. The receiver does not like to get into the menu screen without a card in the slot.

[gagetguy1]

I have no card so what do I need to do.

[smithers]

wait until you get one, borrow one, or do the entire set up with a compass and a sat meter. In the meantime you can mount the dish and run all the wires. But without a card you are going to have a difficult time accessing the install menu.

[gagetguy1]

Can I use an old Dish card unactivated.
Would any old Dish Card work from e-bay would the number matter.

[smithers]

yes the number matters, but for purposes of testing, if you can be fast enough with the remote control and hit the munu button, you may be able to get into the menu and to the install screen. The receiver just needs a card in the card slot.

[gagetguy1]

What number card should I look for for the set up purposes

[speed]

What number card should I look for for the set up purposes

Well, you would need at least a ROM 10 or 11 (Blue) card or any yellow one. But what model 301? (-010, -013, etc.)

Depending on the model will determine if you can use a Blue Card. If it doesn't accept a Rom 10 or 11 Blue card then you need to modify the unit to accept one. The Magic card is based upone the Rom 3,10 & 11 Blue Cards. Good luck with the snow, Brrr.