20% Signal 0% Quality, All the time East to West. Bad LNB?

[mhoward]

Hi, Great Forum!

I have read the postings where someone else had this same problem. My pole is level, my dish is on the correct elevation and skew. I used a compass when setting my azimuth. All the time, for alll satellites, I have only 20% signal, 0% quality. These numbers never change, east to west. I have a Fortec Star LNB Lol: 9.75-10.60 I have a clear view of the Southern Sky with no obstructions at all. I am in Atlanta, GA. My Elevation for TELSAT 5 is 48.5, Azimuth 201.

I thought my LNB was bad, so I switched out for a Dishnetwork Generic LNB, but still I have the same readings: 20% signal, 0% quality. Even when there is no LNB at all these readings are the same.

What else could my problem be, I have tried different satellites, different Local-Freq., different LNBs... Help!

Thanks, --Mark

[Sadoun]

Your receiver has nothing wrong. I would recommedn you start over with a "factory reset".

Make sure you are using a "LIVE" transponder to check for signal and quality. For Telstar 5 use 12152. That transponder has a strong signal.

Fortec Star just released their latest firmware software upgrade for the Lifetime receiver to make the signal/quality bars more responsive to dish movement. This will help you. Go to www.fortecstar.com download section and download the proper software.

[mhoward]

Thanks for the Advise, but still problems.

I have tried to download the software from the fortec website, but I can not get the uploader to install on my computer, I am using Windows2000. It seems that the software requires Windows XP. Upgrading to XP would cost more than twice the cost of the receiver, if there is no workable software solution I guess I have no choice but to return the Satellite Receiver.

I can not even read the directions, there is no indication on the website if this file is Text, IE, PDF etc??

Very frustrated in Atlanta, --Mark

[mhoward]

Please Forget about my last post, I just noticed the files are zip files. I just unziped and the files are just fine.

Now I just have to buy a cable to connect the receiver to my computer.

Still frustrated in Atlanta, --Mark

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by mhoward

I thought my LNB was bad, so I switched out for a Dishnetwork Generic LNB, but still I have the same readings: 20% signal, 0% quality. Even when there is no LNB at all these readings are the same.

Mark:

A DishNetwork LNB will not work on Telstar 5; it is a circular polarity LNB; you need a linear polarity LNB like the one that came with your dish package from Sadoun. Unless you are refering to the old "DishNetwork Canada" LNBs that Bell ExpressVu used to use. These are readily identifiable as the kind that have the output connector(s) pointing straight down.

For the Fortec LNB make sure your receiver is configured for 10,600 MHz (universal LNB) and also make sure that LNB POWER is set to "ON" in the receiver setup menu.

Then do as Sadoun advises and slowly move the dish from west to east while tuned to a strong transponder (such as 12,152; make sure you have HOR polarity and 20,000 symbol rate). If still no signal try setting the dish elevation one degree up and move dish azimuth again; then try one degree down -- and "rinse, lather, repeat" until you get signal.

Keep us posted on your progress. We are here to help.

kat

[dtsexpert]

If I were you, I would not upgrade the new software since it WILL not make you lock the signal easier.
I have seen people lock up their receiver by not following the software ugprading procedure correctly.
About the azimuth, did you +/- the magnetic deviation?
How bout the skew?
Also, check the LO to make sure it is set as Low 9750, high 10600
Michael

Originally Posted by mhoward

Please Forget about my last post, I just noticed the files are zip files. I just unziped and the files are just fine.

Now I just have to buy a cable to connect the receiver to my computer.

Still frustrated in Atlanta, --Mark

[elhilayla]

Originally Posted by mhoward

Hi, Great Forum!

I have read the postings where someone else had this same problem.

Yes it is me who passed the same prob.
Pls update us with your latest status.
Perhaps I may B able to add a +ve remark

[mhoward]

I was unable to update the reciever software, but somone suggested that it is typical that the signal on the receiver will jump from 20% level 0% quality to 70% level and 95% quality when the dish is perfectly aligned, this was true of me also.

I set up the dish with the STAB motor I ordered, using the nudge function I was able to locate Telsat 5 but had difficulty "locking" the signal. Finally I used the nudge function until I found the signal level I needed, I then ran outside and disconnected the cable from the STAB and connected it directly to the LNB. When I returned the level was back at 20% and quality 0%, but I did a scan and found all of the Middle East/Asian/East European stations. I have tried to find my Due South Satellite to install the STAB Properly, but with the signal meter on the Receiver so sensative, I find it impossible to locate my due south satellite (I am in Atlanta 84 Lat. So my Due south is AMC 3 at 87?).

Does anyone know a good Transponder for AMC3? Would an inexpensive Satellite meter be useful in helping me find AMC3, and the other satellites in the arc?? Lastly, How does one read the Transponder information on Lyngsat.com?

Any advice??

[dtsexpert]

No, your due south is not AMC3. The closest sat to your LAT is AMC9 at 85W, but since there are no 24/24 active transponder one that satellite, let use AMC3 as your "true south". You must move your dish 3 degs toward West, then try to tune your dish to get lock on AMC3.
Check out the link below for AMC3 transponders:
http://www.lyngsat.com/amc3.shtml
If your receiver is USALS compatible (Diseq 1.3), key in the LAT and LONG, then use the Diseq 1.3 to move to AMC3, then fine tune the dish to get lock.
Chekc Sadoun instruction on how to set up the H-H mount.
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installati...stallation.htm
How to read lyngsat:
1. Freq:
C-band: 4 digits
Ku-band: 5 digits
2. Provider name, channel name
3. Video encryption: DC2, DVB..., only look for DVB.
4. SR, VPID: Symbol Rate, Video Pid
5. Audio: Audio Pid
6. Beam: Where the channel beamed to.
7. Soure update: name of contributor.

An inexpensive meter might help you to find signal quicker, but it will not indentify the satellite. You have you use your receiver to verify the satellite where your dish aims at.
Check the connector. If possible, try another cable to see if there are any differences.
Note: Every time you switch the cable, I recommend you to unplug your receiver. Turning if off is not good enough, some receiver still sends voltage to lnbf even in standby mode.
Michael

Originally Posted by mhoward

I was unable to update the reciever software, but somone suggested that it is typical that the signal on the receiver will jump from 20% level 0% quality to 70% level and 95% quality when the dish is perfectly aligned, this was true of me also.
I set up the dish with the STAB motor I ordered, using the nudge function I was able to locate Telsat 5 but had difficulty "locking" the signal. Finally I used the nudge function until I found the signal level I needed, I then ran outside and disconnected the cable from the STAB and connected it directly to the LNB. When I returned the level was back at 20% and quality 0%, but I did a scan and found all of the Middle East/Asian/East European stations. I have tried to find my Due South Satellite to install the STAB Properly, but with the signal meter on the Receiver so sensative, I find it impossible to locate my due south satellite (I am in Atlanta 84 Lat. So my Due south is AMC 3 at 87?).

Does anyone know a good Transponder for AMC3? Would an inexpensive Satellite meter be useful in helping me find AMC3, and the other satellites in the arc?? Lastly, How does one read the Transponder information on Lyngsat.com?

Any advice??