FTA newbie requesting some advise!

[cyunquer]

Hello guys!
As I said before I'm new at all FTA matters but willing to take some new challenges. I've been reading around, you know doing my homework on what these FTA deal was all about until it was time to get my hands dirty and my behind numbed . I've already set everything up; post (plumb), dish with motor, LNBF and receiver, now, after setting latitude, longitude and azimuth I'm still getting a 45% of signal Int. and 5% of signal quality, moved it bit by bit east to west and up and down without having much result.

Questions:
1. I would like to understand better how to deal with the transponders (active or dead and where do I get this info.) and LNB freq. when trying to acquire one of these birds.
2. Is my dish elevation correct and does it vary depending on the sat I'm looking for?
3.Which satellite should I start with that has a good strong transponders?

Location Info.
Newark, NJ 07104
Latitude: 40.78°
Longitude: -74.17°

(Sadoun-Satellite Dish Look Angle Heading Calculator)
Motor Latitude: 40.8°
Declination Angle: 6.4°
Dish Elevation: 39°
Elevation: 42.9°
Azimuth (true): 180.0°
Azimuth (mag.): 193.1° using Compass

The equipment:
Openbox S9 HD-PRV
RG-6 coax cable
33" Dish
STAB HH90 motor
JSC322-2 Universal KU LNBF - Twin

Okey guys, I don't want to over do it for now, although I know I have a lot more questions.
Any suggestion, guidance, instruction or help will be more than appreciated.

[Jim-S]

Make sure you have your lnbf freq correct in your receiver.......
You say you have a 33" dish what brand is it or if you know the offset angle, subtract the offset angle from the elevation (42deg) and set your dish angle at that angle with an inclinometer using a straight edge vertically across your dish.
Aim due south Using 74W Horizion 2 as your most south satellite and use active TP 12144/V/2573..............and start from there moving your dish ever so slowly east and west by leaving the bolts on the motor a little loose. Have you motor set to zero.
Remember this is just a start and have patients.

[cyunquer]

Hey Jim, thanks for your reply!
Now, since I'm a rookie at these let me ask you... how does one know wich LNB Freq.'s are correct for a specific Sat.? or is it that the Freq. are only related to the LNB used in the whole dish setup? bit confused there!!!
The dish offset angle is 22.75°... so if Im not mistaken it should be 42°-22.75°=19.25° with the inclinometer, chek ... now question, when aiming at 74°w should I still be ussing my Azimuth (mag.): 193.1° using compass? (something tells me that this is an idiots question)
Again, Im very greatfull for you quick answer and advise, will take these as referance next time I go up and let you guys know what happens!
Regads, Carlos!

[Jim-S]

Hi, you say your lnbf is universal so in the antenna setup under LNB freq you put in (9750,10600). That will be the same for all satellites.
Don't confuse transponder freq's with LNB freq. Under transponder you would put in an active freq for that satellite ie 74W Horzion 2 would be 12144/V/2573. It's a Christian TV broadcast channel.
Yes to the dish angle it's a good place to start.
Just point your dish due south.
Check www.lyngsat.com for satellite info. for North America.
Jim