Setting of Sonicview 4000

[Satcat009]

I am a Newbie about to setup a satellite system consisting of Sonicview4000, SG2100 motor, Diseqc4x1, QHP-031 LNB and a Winegard 30" dish in Seattle area (zip 98199). In the setup instruction, I was to setup the motor latitude at 47degree, dish elevation 23 degree at my location, with the dish facing south.
Prior to search for the first southern satellite (Galaxy 10R 123W), the dish location has to be inputed through USALS, I read the Sonicview is USALS supported, but in the Sonicview manual, it is not mentioned anywhere, how do I input my dish location in prior to search for the southern most satellite?
I also read on the satellite installing instrucion, to set the motor latitude, and dish elevation for the SG2100 motor. The Winegard dish also come with a scale for the dish elevation setting, is both setting the same?
My last question is the DISEQC switch, is there a special way to hook it to the QHP-031 Quad LNB, most instruction just show it hooking to 1 linear and 1 circular connection, do I have to hook the linear to port 1 and 1 circular to port 2 on the DISEQC. Is there an advantage to hook up all 4 LNB port to the 4 port on the DISEQC?

Thanks..

[Vitruvius]

There are good experts on this forum who I know will help you. I just know basics and am not familiar with your receiver and LNB.

1. Somehow there should be an input option in your receiver to tell it your coordinates for USALS to work.
2. Fixed dish and motorized dishes are different. A fixed dish is simple to get the azimuth and elevation numbers that you just follow in aiming the dish. See WWW.dishpointer.com which will give you fixed dish azimuth and elevation. Remember to get your compass reading adjusted for magnetic north.
3. Motorized dish alignment - The satellites are in the same place in the sky, but your dish is moving on an arc... the sky is a big dome, and you have to find the right arc out of that dome. First thing, is to get your pole fixed perfectly plumb and level vertically. After that you have two settings for the motorized assembly - one is you set your motor to your Latitude and that should be on the motor somewhere at the hinging point. This is usually either by a latitude or elevation setting on the motor, some motors offer one type on the left side of the motor and another on the right side. After that you have to angle (declination angle) your dish off of the motor just right to compensate for the angle of the motor and relate the geometry to the arc. These settings should be in the motor's manual, or on the Sadoun website.
4. Best method is to have a tv and your tuner adjacent to the dish while you tune the dish and use the receiver as the meter. With your USALs running correctly and your elevation of dish angled correctly, and your dish pointing roughly due south you should be ready for adjustments. Tell your receiver to point the dish via USALs to your closest south satellite with a good strong signal. Now loosen up the motor on the pole just enough that you can gently rotate the whole assembly. You should have your dish angled correctly to the satellite, and now you are just rotating horizontally to try to get the best signal. After you have the best possible signal horizontally, loosen the dish angle attachement and adjust the dish vertically to find the best possible signal. Repeat this step a couple of times to tune in as close as possible. Scan the satellite stations to make sure it is the satellite you are aiming to. If it is not check to see which satellite it is, and adjust the disch accordingly.

Best wishes, and have patients... the first time is the roughest...

[Satcat009]

Thanks sending the information, I looked through some of the sites selling the Sonicview 4000 and some dealers quoted that it has USALS supported under the reciever specification. However, the Sonicview manual does not say anything about USALS supported.
If I cannot input my home dish location through USALS when setting up a motorized system, with my closest southern satellite Galaxy 10R, do I rotate the motor to the Galaxy 10R satellite and then try to set the dish elevation and declination to get the best signal for that satellite?

Thanks again.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by Satcat009

Thanks sending the information, I looked through some of the sites selling the Sonicview 4000 and some dealers quoted that it has USALS supported under the reciever specification. However, the Sonicview manual does not say anything about USALS supported.
If I cannot input my home dish location through USALS when setting up a motorized system, with my closest southern satellite Galaxy 10R, do I rotate the motor to the Galaxy 10R satellite and then try to set the dish elevation and declination to get the best signal for that satellite?

Thanks again.

Your receiver shows being 1.2 compliant which is USALS

[rainman]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

Your receiver shows being 1.2 compliant which is USALS

Disagree Steve Disqec 1.2 is not usuals 1.3 or gotox is.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by rainman

Disagree Steve Disqec 1.2 is not usuals 1.3 or gotox is.

Right you are. Got crossed wires in my thoughts on this one. I was thinking 1.0 moved motors and 1.2 was USALS but 1.0 no motor move, 1.2 move motor, & USALS. Kinda forgot about my BEC receiver

[rainman]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

Right you are. Got crossed wires in my thoughts on this one. I was thinking 1.0 moved motors and 1.2 was USALS but 1.0 no motor move, 1.2 move motor, & USALS. Kinda forgot about my BEC receiver

Just chalk it up to being a monday.LOL

[Satcat009]

But if the Sonicview is not DISEQC 1.3 compliance, how do you notify the reciever on your dish location when setting the dish up? Anyone got a Sonicview 4000 receiver?

Thanks.

[elgemcdlf]

You don't.

[Vitruvius]

USALS is easier in that it does the calcs for you. If you don't have diseqc 1.3 (USALS) and have Diseqc 1.2, then you don't need to set your position into the receiver.
To tune Diseqc 1.2 you need to get south just right. Set your motor to 0 (due south) and try to find your south most satellite with that. Yes, you rotate the whole assembly. Adjustments need to be made at your furthest east satellite, and your furthest west satellite by moving with the motor. Also check your true south each time. This is a tedious but necessary process. Good luck.

[Satcat009]

Thanks, I will have to set it to the satellite.