Hi Guys, My first post, so bear with me. I installed the Mkit-1 Bundled System (80 CM Dish and motor) and the Fortec Star
Mercury II Digital Satellite Receiver about 4 weeks ago. As always, tried to read ALL the instructions that came with the units. Used the Governments Sun Transit program to determine my TRUE SOUTH position. Just happens to allign with the edge of the car-port cover installed on my city lot. ( I do wish Fortec-Star had included an INDEX and Table of Contents to the various sections of their Users Manual !!)
On my first attempt, I installed a lot of channels there were encoded. So I did a Factory Reset without saving anything and started over with FTA only searches. Finally built up a fair store of satellites and channels.
But when I noticed that some satellites had the same channels, I got suspicious. I made the mistake of deleting one or two satellites from the list. (APPARENTLY A NO NO from what I read above? ) Then I manually tried adding back one of the satellites, apparently with some success.
BUT NOW, I read above, that I should be using the USALS choice over the DiSEqC 1.2 format. I did input my present Lat 96.4 and Lon 32.6 into the USALS menu. I checked my position data from your calculator using my physical address AND also from my own GPS handheld reciver.
After several attempts to set the motor elevation angle and the 80 CM dish declanition angle, I went to Harbor Freight and bought their $10 ANGLE FINDER ( Item 94963 ; UP Code 7-92363-94963-7 ) This device with a large protractor scale AND a spirit level on a swinging arm was very helpful in measureing (or setting) various angles of the motor ARM or the str8 BRACKET on the back of the dish. I now think I could set these angles in my sleep !
At my Lon, I chose Galaxy 25 97.0W as my first satellite for set up. It is only 0.5 degrees W of my TRUE SOUTH location. I installed a signal meter in-line at the base of the motor housing and lowered the sensitivity, and made final adjustments to the motor and the dish brackets. Then I slightly rocked the dish in four directions to make sure I was centered on the Galaxy 25.
Last week we had some local storms and wind speeds of 30 MPH and gusts over 50 MPH. I did not have the clamps on my post tight enough, so the AZ was changed and the post was shifted out of PLUMB toward the South. I corrected that and re-tightend the clamps that hold the post against a post that holds up that corner of the car-port.
I then noticed there was some slack in the motor arm. I read and followed the instructions for adjusting the anti-slack mechanism inside the motor. Only error I may have made.. can it be tightened down TOO much?
Then I began to notice that the motor would not always position to the selected satillite. I even went to the Antenna Setup Menu to force it to move. It always seems to move back to Zero positon. ( BTW, I have manually gone thru the Set to Zero function several times. I attached TWO 9 V batterys to connectors and wired to a stub of F-cable and connector, so I can move the motor w/o the receiver connected ) The motor does go to both East and West limits when I use the DiSEqC 1.2 format.
NOW.. I did a Factory Reset the 2nd time and am starting over. Today (Sunday) I have not spent any time actually working with the system. Just several hours reading as many posts as I can about simular situations.
I am now concerned that I may have erased some of the satillite data out of the receiver ? If so, where can I find the data to manually re-enter the two that I erased ? Not sure I want to dnload Fortec-Stars firmware tables. Will need instructions if I do.
I may have to take the receiver and a small TV up on the roof of the car-port and work from there. I should be able to see Hispasat 30W on my East and Galaxy 129 W from my position. My receiver does presently displays T-STAR12 15.0W thru Echostar1/2 148.0W . I will ck the list again to see if any are missing, if I can find the original list. Is that list in the back of the DG-280B Motor manual ?
I guess the MAIN QUESTION I would like answers for (If you have read this far !!) is why does my motor NOT always go to the directed position ? All cables are new and connectors are new.
Any hints, suggestions.. etc will be greatly appreciated. I am also registered over on SatelliteGuys.us under this same nick/ID.
Thanks again for your patience... Regards, George (aka TexRedNK)
