Installation of Fortec 80cm dish with Invacom QPH-031 lnb

stasram4000 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2005, 08:03 PM

OK, I unpacked & put together my new Fortec Star 80cm dish, & installed the Invacom QPH-031 universal LNB, mounted the dish & connected one of the circular outputs of the lnb to my Bird dog sat finder. I am trying to hit Dishnetwork 110. All I can get on the Bird dog is "searching" with a signal of 68%. I can not get anything higher. The bird dog display shows "BR" for circular polarization. and "Dishnetwork 110". I set the birdog to a couple of other sats & tried to hit them also, with the signal quality never going over 60% - 65%. And never locking in on a sat. Is there a special procedure when using a universal lnb like the QPH-031. When I secured the lnb into the clamp, as per the instructions that came with the dish, show 30mm from the front edge of the lnb to the front edge of the clamping ring. Also if I place my hand in front of the lnb the signal only goes down 5% -10%. Does anyone have any ideas???. I am sure it has to be something simple that I overlooked.

DruzeTito · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2005, 08:45 PM

have you done some calculations on the general position of dishnetwork 110? You need to calculate elevation, azimuth and skew. Also make sure that you put the mounted the pole perfectly LEVEL and did not just plop it on somewhere.

stasram4000 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2005, 09:40 PM

I used the dish website & lyngsat website to obtain my elevation, azimuth, etc. The mount is perfectly plumb. I used one of the small bullseye bubble
levels that drop into the top of the tube. I also used a torpedo level & the
dial level that sadoun gives for free when you buy a bird dog. I also have
a smaller dishnetwork dish mounted directly above this new dish, which is
aimed at dishnetwork 110, so I know the general direction.

stasram4000 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 08:47 PM

WOW!!!, 51 views & 1 reply, don't tell me the majority of the people on this forum have no clue how to troubleshoot a dish installation. I have another question. When I go to the bird dog web site, there are 2
downloads for the bird dog to aim the dishnetwork 110 sat, there is
dishnetwork 110, and there is dishpro 110. I have tried again last night to
hit the 110 bird, the highest signal i can get is 71 - 72. After I peaked my
azimuth & elevation, I rotated the lnb approx 5 degrees counterclockwise, and the signal jumped another 5- 6 higher. I went back & tried to move
the dish east west & up & down, nothing improves. On the bird dog it shows "B R", circular polarization/right, is there a way to switch it to "B L"
circular polarization/left. I am located in Newington, CT. I live high on a hill with a totally unobstructed view of the clark belt. I helped my neighbor set up a directv system, and we pinned the signal strength scale
at 100%+, hitting the directv bird at 119 degrees without a problem.

pmb1010 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 09:29 PM

I think most of us have no clue how to setup this new combo Invacom LNB. Most of us have a diseqc switch and dedicated LNB's, typically taped side to side.

You're not the only one that posted here with troubles getting this thing to work. I remember at least 1 other.

bobkat · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb1010

Most of us have a diseqc switch and dedicated LNB's, typically taped side to side.

LOL !!! Yup...that's us. :mozilla_wink:

kat

Admin · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 10:14 PM

In the BIRDOG, use the DirecTV 110 settings to lign up the QPH-031 to 110. Since DN and DirecTV use the same 110 spot, you dish will be aligned perfectly.

stasram4000 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 11:48 PM

Thanks, I am going to load the directv 110 & the dishpro 110 into my bird dog & try it. I am thinking this has to be a problem with either the lnb or the bird dog, because I have tried to hit several other sats, with no luck.

DruzeTito · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 11:51 PM

how bout not use the birdog and just use a receiver. Always works. I don't understand why people spend hundreds of dollars for "satellite finders" when you can just use the receiver.

bobkat · #10 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

I don't understand why people spend hundreds of dollars for "satellite finders" when you can just use the receiver.

Well, when you install hundreds of dishes a Birdog is worth its weight in gold, trust me. Not for the average DIYer though, I do agree.

kat

misterdk2 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 12:39 AM

stasram4000....I would suggest that you read, read, read this and any other forum you can find. Most of the answers are there. I'll bet that there is nothing wrong with your Birdog or the LNB. I have the same LNB and it's working fine. I would double-check all your calculations. You didn't mention a motor I think. Are you just trying for one sat? Also, I believe the LNB should be mounted as far away from the dish as the mount allows. Double-double check that the mount is perfectly level and plumb. Good luck. The people here are very helpful so be patient. Not everyone is online every day.

stasram4000 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have double checked & plumbed the mount, & yes I have an hh90 motor, but not installing yet. I want to keep it simple & make sure the dish & etc all work first. The instructions that come with the dish tell you to put the lnb 30mm from the front edge of the mount to the front edge of the feedhorn on the lnb. I have since loosened the mount and slid the lnb as far back as it will go. by rotating the lnb for skew I was able to peak a few % more of a signal, but still no "found" on
the bird dog. The reason I bought the bird dog was for positive ID of the
sats, I have a few friends that i help set up their sats, & figured it would
cut the set up time of trial & error method down when setting up & aiming
dishes. Tomorrow after work I am going to give it another try. The reason
I get discouraged is that with a small dishnetwork dish I have a signal now, but I figured a larger dish, with a better quality lnb with a lower noise figure & better db rating would improve my signal. I wonder what the specs are for the directv & dish lnb's.

stasram4000 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-22-2005, 10:44 PM

My brother-in-law sold his house last week & when he moved out, the buyer stipulated that he had to remove his dish 500. Of course I volunteered to do this for him, as I would get the dish out of the deal.
I mounted the dish above my Fortec star & used the bird dog to aim it.
The dish has the dishpro 110/119 combo lnb. I used the bird dog, which
worked perfectly!!!. I peaked the dish with a balls to the walls 200%+
signal strength & 100%+ data quality. I tried hooking it up again to the
Invacom on the fortec star, & just can not get a lock on either 110 or 119.
The signal level only gets up to 59% to 70%, and thats it.