All day install - no signal

[freak]

I spent my whole day today trying to get my new fta system working. I have a very solid and level pole with my dish mounted. I got all the correct angles and was fairly sure I aligned correctly. It was always 40% signal strength no matter what direction the dish was pointed. One thing I noticed was that I got 40% signal strength even with the lnb lying on the ground pointing into a hole. The signal quality was always 0%. Is my lnb ok?

[pmb1010]

most likely, yes. Everyone thinks their LNB is bad at first.
The aiming spot is very small and very difficult to hit.

You didnt say if motor or not but the quick answer is:
- set motor latitude to your location and leave it there.
- Align motor at center point (0)
- point the whole mess to compass adusted true south heading with a compass.
- use the receiver out at the dish with short cables & a tv to move the motor using USALS to your highest satellite on the arc.
- adjust your receiver settings to correct LNB type, power etc.
- adjust your reciever to KNOWN ACTIVE transponder at that satellite.

THEN - slowly move the dish side to side on the pole and the dish up & down from the calculated setting a minescule hair at a time waiting for a quality blip indication, while waiting a few secs while doing so. There is some lag. YOu might have to move the dish up 10 degrees from calculated value - sometimes these fortec dishs just do that.

Be patient. It is a challenge, but the sats ARE out there.

And yes the thing will give signal level pointing at the ground. THe value you need to focus on is the QUALITY level indicator. Thats the one that matters.

Good luck. report back your results.

[freak]

> The aiming spot is very small and very difficult to hit.

Very true.

> You didnt say if motor or not but the quick answer is:

Yes motor.

> set motor latitude to your location and leave it there.

Did that. 41.4.

> Align motor at center point (0)

Did that.

> point the whole mess to compass adusted true south heading with a compass.

Did that but I don't see how anyone could ever use the supplied compass. I didn't expect a $50 compass but to tell 6 degrees on that thing was almost impossible.

> use the receiver out at the dish with short cables & a tv to move the motor using USALS to your highest satellite on the arc.

Did that.

> adjust your receiver settings to correct LNB type, power etc.

Did that.

> adjust your reciever to KNOWN ACTIVE transponder at that satellite.

I used the transponders from the instructions but how do I know that the are active?

> THEN - slowly move the dish side to side on the pole and the dish up & down from the calculated setting a minescule hair at a time waiting for a quality blip indication, while waiting a few secs while doing so. There is some lag. YOu might have to move the dish up 10 degrees from calculated value - sometimes these fortec dishs just do that.

That's what I did all day. Still more to do I guess.

> Be patient. It is a challenge, but the sats ARE out there.

I'm beginning to wonder.

> And yes the thing will give signal level pointing at the ground. THe value you need to focus on is the QUALITY level indicator. Thats the one that matters.

That's what made me think the lnb was bad.

> Good luck. report back your results.

I will. Is it easier to get an inline signal meter?

[rainman]

Did that but I don't see how anyone could ever use the supplied compass. I didn't expect a $50 compass but to tell 6 degrees on that thing was almost impossible.

as long as you are in the vicinity you will be ok this is just a rough starting point. also mark your pole so you can have a reference point to go back to.


I used the transponders from the instructions but how do I know that the are active?

check LyngSat - Lyngemark Satellite.

[Jim-S]

How to install an HH Mount DiSEqC USALS Motor? Applies to DG280, DG280B, DG380, STAB HH100, HH120, Moteck SG2100

If you haven't seen this video watch it, I wish this was avalible when I set mine up. It's a tedious job but you will get it.

[freak]

I watched it numerous times.

[rainman]

ck out this page it will help you get the setup closer to your true south and give you a ideal where the sats are..
Satellite Look Angles Satellite Heading Calculator Azimuth Elevation Skew Tilt LNBF Latitude and Longitude values

[freak]

I used that. That's why I say it is hard to set 6 degrees off the compass. I'm going to mess with it again in a bit.

[freak]

I played for about 90 minutes today before giving up. I guess I'll order a cheap level meter unless you guys think that's a waste. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble. I have done two dishnetork installs without problems.

[rainman]

I played for about 90 minutes today before giving up. I guess I'll order a cheap level meter unless you guys think that's a waste. I don't know why I'm having so much trouble. I have done two dishnetork installs without problems.

the cheap meters is a waste in my opinion the receiver you have is a excellent tool to lock signal. don't give up when you think you are moving the dish slow enough just go slower it's not easy to hit the linear birds but patience will pay off in the end.