[starman]

here is a question: is it possible to aim at sbs6, get it perfectly, but still have the whole dish assembly be out of alignment? and if the answer is yes. how do i rectify that?

Yes, it is possible. If your motor is not on 0 when you start then you won't get other satellites. In your situation, if the motor is set at zero and you are pointing the dish-motor on the mast to true south(and your dish elevation is correct) then you will be looking at sbs6. If at this point you put your receiver in usals and select sbs6, the motor might move the dish just a tiny bit, maybe not at all. Make sure the longitude number you entered in the usals setup is accurate and set to west.
When you are getting sbs6(with your motor at zero) push on one side then the other side of the dish and see if the quality increases or decreases. If the quality increases, move the dish/motor on the pole in that direction, do the same thing with the elevation, push up and down on the dish and adjust the dish(not motor)elevation till you get the best signal.

secondly: how do i discover what firmware version is loaded in my receiver?

Well, in the Pansat 2500a I have, it is under system information. It should give you the firmware version and the date it was released.

You mentioned checking the pole for plumb, thats a good idea, sometimes its plumb before installing the dish but after, the weight of the motor dish will move it out of plumb.