Problems receiving satellites

[dumb&dumber]

Hello
We have set up our own dish before with Primestar and Dish Network so thought we could handle FTA dish, only to find out we have earned our user name! My husband and I have been trying for about 2 weeks, please help prevent a divorce!

We have a Coolsat 4000 Pro receiver
HH90 motor
LAVA single LNB
FC90V dish (84cm high x 94 cm wide)
Located at Chatsworth GA 30705, 34.75N 84.79W elevation 40

So far we been able to get channels on 6 satellites , but the only channels on each satellite are the same channels and they are in Urdu.
The picture is quite good, an occasional ripple.
We have tried to do blind scans and auto scans on many different satellites but dont get any different channels. Are we missing something?
The receiver came preprogrammed with some satellites and then we have added a couple.
Could you please help us find a satellite with different channels
What satellites should we try for and do you have to set the Transponder frequency even if you are using USALS
What does the 22kHz do?

Sorry if we have asked any silly questions, we have read many post and replies, it is great that you are willing to help people set up their FTA systems.
Thanks for any help given.

[kevision]

Hello. Sorry that you haven't gotten a reply yet. I missed this the first time.

Im not sure exactly what is going on. I'd guess that your dish is not moving. I know that sounds simple, but have you visually verified that the dish is moving? If USALS is turned off, and you do a blind scan on what you think is a new sat. it will often just save the new channels under the satellite name you selected, but it's still on the old satellite. This can cause alot of problems. I have made this mistake several times when attempting to add satellites to the ones pre-loaded on the reciever.

Id suggest resetting the reciever and starting over.

Some other thoughts: Is your LNB universal?
22khz is for switching. it doesnt sound like you have a switch on your system so i wouldnt worry about it.

you dont need to load transponders for USALS to work. USALS works by simply mvoing in a pre-programmed postion based on your location. If there are no active transponders loaded for a specific satellite, you may need to run a blind scan when the dish is pointed at the known sat location. but it's best to try this when you know it is tracking the arc properly.

[dumb&dumber]

Thank you for replying.
Yes, the satellite moves, we have verified this on the roof.
We have the USALS on when we do a blind search.
We can now get Atra 2D, LyngSat , Intelsat 602 but are still getiing the same channels, URDU, jewellry sales and a knife sales channel.
By getting some channels on these satellites, is the dish set right or do we still need to work on alignment.
Should there be more channels on those satellites? It seems there are more when we look at the Lyngsat.com How do we get more FTA channels?
Our LNB is LAVA, is that universal? It came with our dish.
One question we are not sure which is our True South satellite , our location is 30705, Chatsworth GA 30705

[kevision]

Hmmm, here is my guess. I think you may be getting part of IA5, but are then tracking off of the arc when the motor moves. See this link to see what I mean:
http://www.sadoun.net/viewtopic.php?t=5028

I hate to suggest more work for you, but I think you may need to start over by zeroing motor and dish and all onto your south satellite. I say this because the satellites you list as recieving are on the other side of the planet and thus cannot be seen from your location. So you may be scanning for signals that are not there.

Let's start here:
http://www.lyngsat.com/america.html
everything in green and yellow is what you can see from where you live. Click on one of the green or yellow satellites and everything with a 5 digit frequency (left hand column) and the letter 'F' in the 'video encryption' column is recievable.

Your south satellite is AMC9, but this is tough for pointing purposes because there isnt alot of regular programming on it. The next best option is AMC3. I'd start there.
Very detailed info on how to align you dish to true south is here:
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installati...stallation.htm

basically, facing south, AMC3 is going to be very close to 180 on the compass (after subtracting magnetic declination). If you can get the best possible signal on this (look for the PBS stations) then you should be better set up on the arc.

[dumb&dumber]

Thank you so much for taking the time for such a comprehensive reply, it is much appreciated.
We will work on the things you suggested and let you know how we go on.
Thanks again!

[DruzeTito]

does your lnb look like this: or this: ?

[dumb&dumber]

Hello again

In the last post to us from Tito, he asked about the type of LNB we have. The one we are currently using is like the first photo, single LNB, but we only seem to get a picture if we have the LNB type set to universal

We have been trying to get channels and this is where we are up to now.

We took the small TV on the roof as we have seen suggested. We can pick up the due south satellite if we move the dish manually. The motor moves but wont fix on a dish. The channels we pick up we tried to find on lyngsat so we could see which staellites we were picking up on but could not find the transponder numbers on any channels, so dont know which satellite we picked up. The numbers are close but never the exact transponder number.
When it moves from the first satellite which we homed in manually, it seems to move all the way east until the motor strains slightly, then tries to home in, then returns back to the position that we manually set, aprox due south.
Each time it searches for a different satellite it does the same thing.

[DruzeTito]

Sorry I didn't realize this thread got hijacked by the guy wanting to know about the star choice lnb. Shawnfoo: create another thread!! do not post here anymore.

Ok dumb and dumber. I am going to give you some info I usually always give to people setting up a motor. Please read and reread and double check what I write. Also it might help to read my sticky in the HH motor forum.

--------------
As you probably know, you must have a good view of the sky at least for the satellites you want to view. Do not base it on your dishnet or directv satellte. These satelltes are very strong and can penetrate a lot of trees and branches before they lose signal. Ku FTA satellites are very different and need accuracy.

First, the elevation of your dish needs to be adjusted to about 39 degrees. So adjust as close as possible to this area. The dish elevation adjustment will be used for fine tuning your signal.

Second, make sure the actual motor is adjusted to your area's latitude, your Latitude is 34.7 N. You only set the motor to this number, and leave it. It will not be used for fine-tuning a signal.

And last, I calculated the magnetic deviation in your area to be +4 so point your whole motor/dish aimed as close as 184 on the compass as possible. I got this by adding 4 to 180.. which is south. 184 on your compass will be your true south. Make sure you use a good, accurate compass and stay away from metal objects when pointing.

As for the LNB, LEAVE IT to neutral.. 0 position. The lnb is NOT USED for fine tuning the signal because the motor automatically does polarization adjustment.

Make sure your connections are good: lnb goes to motor lnb input, motor output goes straight to receiver IF Input. Nothing should be in between this connection.

Now, as for the pole, make sure that it is tightened very good because the combination of the dish and motor put a good amount of weight on the pole and if the pole is not stable then it will probably not be level any more once the dish and motor are on. The pole must be level from BOTH sides, not just one side.

Ok once you have everything up above in good shape then time to do what you need on the receiver.

Goto the installation setup and find AMC 3. Set your LNB settings; I'm not sure what your LAVA needs, but if you had quality reading with universal than use that. Switch positioner to USALS.. then go into the USALS menu and input your latitude and longitude and press MOVE. The dish should move to 87w to AMC 3. Check to see if AMC 3 has the transponder 12110 H 14025. If you find it, set it to that, if it's not there, manually add it in using the specific procedures for your coolsat.

After you have done this, now is the time to adjust the signal and quality. You may or may not have a signal quality but chances are you don’t.

First step is to move the whole motor/dish mount by hand. Move it VERY SLOWLY left or right noticing any signal or quality changes. You are looking for good quality. If you notice your signal rise when you move left or right then you are close!! keep moving left or right.. if it starts to go down again.. then move back and leave the assembly to where you saw the highest signal.

At this point, adjust your DISH ELEVATION. Move it verrrry slowly up or down. Notice any kind of changes you see on your signal. If your signal gets higher and moving around this area does not give you any quality, then leave it to the highest possible signal you are getting and tighten it there.

Repeat the above 2 steps and use combinations of slight dish elevation change and left or right on the motor until you get a good quality and signal.

By this point you should have successfully found your closest to true south sat AMC 3. Your longitude is near 84 w and AMC 3 is located at 87 W so it is generally your true south sat.


The next step will be to find the western most sat, Galaxy 10R. Do the exact same thing you did for amc 3, goto antenna setup, g10r ku, this time set the tp to 11805 H 4580. Again if this isn’t in the TP list add it manually. Then goto usals, your lat and longitude should be already stored and hit move. Your motor will move to the G10R position. If you have signal and quality here AWESOME, if not, go back and adjust your dish elevation and or motor mount/dish to peak signal and quality. Once you are done hit store. Then scan in some channels.

Now the way you can confirm if you can track all the satellites correctly is by exiting all the way to channel viewing. Make sure you have scanned in channels. Check to see if the channels are working in AMC 3 and galaxy 10R. To move to either satellite press SAT on the remote and choose the one you want to goto.

If one satellite works, but the other doesn’t even though you have adjusted for max signal quality for both then chances are the pole is not level!

I now this is a lot of information but if you do it step by step and double checking every step you should be able to do it. If you have any question feel free to ask. GOOD LUCK!

[kevision]

The motor moves but wont fix on a dish. The channels we pick up we tried to find on lyngsat so we could see which staellites we were picking up on but could not find the transponder numbers on any channels, so dont know which satellite we picked up. The numbers are close but never the exact transponder number.

Very little to add to Druze's awesome post except for 2 details:

-When a motorized dish is moving, it is not detecting and locking on to signals. It only moves in a pre-determined manner to known positions on the arc. If these positions are not set for each satellite in your reciever, then the dish will do what you describe; go from index position, all the way over, then back. I do not know where in the coolsat menu system you would make the settings. Probably under USALS (if that is the protocol you are using)

-Most recievers are off 1-3 Mhz from the posted Lnygsat tp frequencies when they scan. So don't be suprised if they dont match exactly

[dumb&dumber]

Thanks for the info, will try it and get back to you. Appreciate the help.

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

Sorry I didn't realize this thread got hijacked by the guy wanting to know about the star choice lnb. Shawnfoo: create another thread!! do not post here anymore.

Good point. I didn't realize he had hijacked this thread. I created another thread with all the Starchoice related posts.

kat

[dumb&dumber]

Sorry to be so long in getting back to you.
We followed the instructions in your excellent post., thank you.

The first question that arose - in my receiver software it lists AMC 3 at 87 and also AMC 3/C at 87. On the AMC 3 there is no TP 12110 but when I went through the transponders I can get a green signal on several TP. On the AMC 3/C there is a transponder 12110. When set manually to this transponder there is no quality and poor signal, even by moving the dish. I did adjust it to the AMC 3 manually, and got channel WDSU from new orleans amongst them.
So my question is , if I can receive the station WDSU, (the TP is 12190) is there a way to tell which satellite I am receiving.
Also, when advise me to find AMC3, how do I know if I have found it, and not another satellite?

Thank you again

[rainman]

yes wdsu is on intelsat 8 which is next to amc3. rainman =D>

[alfi]

Originally Posted by dumb&dumber

Sorry to be so long in getting back to you.
We followed the instructions in your excellent post., thank you.

The first question that arose - in my receiver software it lists AMC 3 at 87 and also AMC 3/C at 87. On the AMC 3 there is no TP 12110 but when I went through the transponders I can get a green signal on several TP. On the AMC 3/C there is a transponder 12110. When set manually to this transponder there is no quality and poor signal, even by moving the dish. I did adjust it to the AMC 3 manually, and got channel WDSU from new orleans amongst them.
So my question is , if I can receive the station WDSU, (the TP is 12190) is there a way to tell which satellite I am receiving.
Also, when advise me to find AMC3, how do I know if I have found it, and not another satellite?

Thank you again

dumb&dumber

In AMC 3/C, C stands for C-band and to get this sat you will need a big dish, 6 ft or bigger. Choose only sats with K or Ku.

Alfi

[dumb&dumber]

Hello again, thanks for all the input. We are having relative success. Followed the instructions and got AMC3, cannot get signal on 12110 on AMC 3 but is available on AMC 3/C
Continued on, using USALS, blind searched and got AMC 3 , no radio stations but got 27 TV channels, most of them are subscription,. Channels we got include Bloomberg affiliates, Channel 300, to 304, newsource main, live events, entertainment REQUE, market source, channel 5 washington, no PBS which lyngsat shows to be free.
Moved over to Galaxy 10R, seems to duplicate channels when scanning. Total number of channels are 26, no radio stations, about half the channels are duplicates so about 13 unique channels, most are subscription.
Channels found on this satellite start with channel one, then channel two, channel three VBA, channel 4, then EES, channel 5, TV2 11804V, TV1 11804V, test channel, volkswagen GALXE, volkswagen GALXE FR, voldwagen GALXE E etc

Where are the other channels that are listed in the lyngsat for these satellites, especially PBS, the TP listed dont pick up quality signal. When scanned I can pick up the above channels but not all those listed.

We can switch from one satellite to the other, numerous times, but not tried any other satellites as we dont seem to be getting the full amount of channels yet.
Is there something we are not doing?

Thanks again for everyone's help, is Druze Tito out there?

[kevision]

Originally Posted by dumb&dumber

Hello again, thanks for all the input. We are having relative success. Followed the instructions and got AMC3, cannot get signal on 12110 on AMC 3 but is available on AMC 3/C

AMC3/AMC3C is the same satellite. They are separated in your reciever becuase, as mentioned, one is for Cband channels (C) and the other is for KU. For some reason, you have a KU frequency (any 5 digit freqency) programmed into the Cband side. I'd delete the entire satellite (AMC3C) to avoid additional confusion.

Continued on, using USALS, blind searched and got AMC 3 , no radio stations but got 27 TV channels, most of them are subscription,. Channels we got include Bloomberg affiliates, Channel 300, to 304, newsource main, live events, entertainment REQUE, market source, channel 5 washington, no PBS which lyngsat shows to be free.

That's AMC3. I just scanned it too and did not get the PBS stations. There was a thread somewhere about people losing those, but I wasn't paying attention. It's weird.

Where are the other channels that are listed in the lyngsat for these satellites, especially PBS, the TP listed dont pick up quality signal. When scanned I can pick up the above channels but not all those listed.

Lyngsat is not the most up to date resource (though it is relatively current), so that list will, im most cases, not match what you scan. I have a giant wall blocking my view to G10, so I can't confirm what you have there. Try some more sats. If you are consistantly not getting everything you think you should, then you might need to tweak the elevation very slightly.
You are very very close though to locking this all down.

[kevision]

ha! i just followed my own advice and very slightly adjusted the elevation on my dish. PBS is there. maybe at lower power than before, but good enough quality.

[DruzeTito]

Hello D and D...

i am glad to hear you have success. If you can get some channels on G10R to AMC 3 then you are definitely getting closer to track the arc perfectly. Have you tried Intelsat 5 ? And yes.. the pbs channels on AMC 3 are weak as hell even with my 90 cm dish. That is why you need to do your best with millimeter tweaking (mostly the dish elevation) to get it decently. I don't know which receiver you had but anything over 40 percent quality i think is decent.