Help with SG2100A

[pmb1010]

Originally Posted by kp4gb

PMB1010:

I was carefully reading again your instructions and something stroke me. You mentioned to make sure the LNBF Power to be in the ON position. I am looking at the configuration menu on the Pansat 2700A and there is no LNBF Power setting to turn the LNBF ON.

Now, I am doing a lot research on the forums available and other places and I can't find anything about this feature on the Pansat 2700A. Maybe I'm wrong but a new set of eyes is appreciated.

As I stated earlier, I have not seen a Pansat 2700 receiver.

I can only offer comments on [potentially] similar characteristics on the setup of Fortec models (ie: Lifetime Ultra, and 786NA) as there is an option to send power to the LNBF on those units.


Maybe the Pansat does it by default. I don't know. Just trying to offer any suggestion to get you running.

This is what the Fortec screen kinda looks like

[vj9999]

Can you do me a favor. In your Antenna setup, when you select the satellite you are currently pointing to, can you give me all the option in the menu on the right hand side and values it has?

Also, whet is the positioner option set to (and when you select it what values it has in the sub menu it opens).

Thanks.

[vj9999]

I think pmb1010 and me are thinking along same lines

Can you post all the values you have on 2700a in that menu?

Thanks.

[edit] I found this screenshot from 2500a. Is this what you are seeing? There is no lnb power setting. Could you still post all the values you have?

[kp4gb]

Sure I will and thanks again for your postings. I was kinda dissapointed that I packed away the receiver. It is raining today here in MD., but I will post my settings again.

The settings shown on the Antenna Setup are identical to mine only with the particulars for AMC5 satellite which is closer to my True South. I also have the "Positioner Setting" set to USALS and Scanning ALL. Also TP to the strongest one on this satellite and Skew set to 0 according to previous postings.

More details to come.

[pmb1010]

Originally Posted by vj9999

Can you post all the values you have on 2700a in that menu?

vj:
I think he did, prev. on page 1 of this thread.
Everything I can see looks right. Universal LNB, etc.

He should be getting knocked over by the signal of AMC5 at 79W.

[kp4gb]

Here are some images from my webserver. I hope this images can help.






I hope you can see these images correctly. If not, I can describe every setting.

Help is appreciated.

[kp4gb]

In any case just to be sure you can see the images and if not, here is the text:

LNB Type: Universal 1
LNB Local-freq: 9750-10600
DiSEqC: Off
Skew: 0
TP: (2) 12182 H 23.000
Positioner Setting: USALS
Satellite Scan: FTA Only

Satellite Position: 79.0W
My Longitude: 77.0W
My Latitude: 39.9N
Move: 2.3W

The Digisat II Reads : 79.0 Signal Strength

Any ideas?

[kp4gb]

I prepared my system to accomodate the new Invacom QPH 031 Combined Circular and Linear LNBF that I am going to purchase within the next week or so. Also, I tested every cable and connector and connection. Right now I am not using the DiSEqC yet as I don't need it now, so everything is pretty streight forward, LNB cable to LNB connection and Receiver to Receiver connection on the Motor.

[DruzeTito]

wow those are hefty pictures. You should lower their resolution so they can have a smaller file size. Took me 5 mins to dl the pics with a broadband connection.

Anyway, all your settings look fine. Obviously there is something that is impedeing you from getting quality from 12053 H 23000 on AMC 5.

Triple check your connections. Does the motor move?

Are you sure you have a clear view to the sky where the dish is pointing? Nothing in the way?

You have to expiriment. Adjust the dish elevation then move the mast left or right. Keep on spending time trying to find quality! I don't believe there is anything wrong but you just can't catch the signal.

[kp4gb]

Druze Tito and gang. I know, the files are big, so sorry, I will work on them later. I have done everything exactly the way that has been suggested here. Also, I setup the antenna with the help of the meter. I am tempted to situate the antenna in a different spot, especially the roof but I am getting a new roof in a few days so that will have to wait.

I think I have played enough with the dish. The last thing I will do is to get in on the roof but if that doesn't work, then there must be something wrong with the receiver.

Thanks again.

[pmb1010]

yes, please resize to 640x480

I hope you are not adding "fuel to the fire" as it were, by introducing a combo LNB to the mix...
I've never heard of combo circular/linear lnb. Sounds neat though.

[kp4gb]

Images again:






Perhaps someone can see something that I'm not. Your help is greatly appreciated.[/img]

[kp4gb]

No, I'm not. This addition will be for the near future once I get the darn thing to work. Here is the link where you can see the LNBF that I'm talking about.

Moderator note: website removed - NO reference to outside vendors other than Sadoun's website please.

Again, I re-posted the images at a lower resolution and in gif format for your review.

TNX

[vj9999]

I have never used Digisat II, but I don't think it gives you any kind of signal quality reading. It is showing you that you are on a satellite, but no indication on what satellite. 61 signal strength is not all that great.

My guess is that you are either on a wrong satellite and/or your dish is few degrees of. You think you are locking in on AMC5 and you are trying to get signal quality on a non existant transponder (since you are on a wrong satellite).

Try doing this (if you don't want to get out and nudge your dish). Stay on the same transponder, change positioner to 1.2 and go into the 1.2 menu. Go to the nudge and click once ata a time. After every "nudge"/click wait 5-10 seconds for signal to lock in. Try nudging 5-10 clicks to east and to west. See if you get any quality. Maybe you are 2-3 degrees off and your quality might be low, but it will tell you if that is your problem.

[kp4gb]

vj9999

I will follow your suggestions perhaps tomorrow when the weather gets better (raining at this time). I used the meter to adjust to the maximum signal strength while moving the motor manually east-west and then the satellite angle up and down to a better reading. This is after setting up the motor to 0 and then finding my True South. Then opting for AMC5 and having the motor adjust to the position, then doing all of the manual setting using the meter.

Regardless of the procedures I follow, I will try yours as well.

Again, many thanks to all of you for your postings and ideas.

[DruzeTito]

Did you use a compass? Do you know how to use it?

[kp4gb]

I have the help of a friend who is a professional satellite dish installer helping me out. He used a Suunto Tandem Compass/Inclinometer and the Digisat II to find and help configuring the dish to my True South and to make sure the angle of the dish itself was correctly pointing to AMC5 once we setup the motor.

About your question on how to use a compass, I guess that 10 years of active military service in the US Army tought me how to use it :-).

Any more ideas welcome.

[pmb1010]

What is the black box below your motor, on the pole?
Does any of the RG-6 cable go to it?

Are there any TV splitters in your coax from motor to Pansat?

You say you are "moving the motor manually east-west". How are you accomplishing that?

Did you try a TV at the base of the dish, outside with 6 foot of coax between motor and Pansat box?

Can you take a picture of what the dish is seeing (towards the sky)?
(hold camera at center of dish point towards LNB and snap pic if you can)

[vj9999]

I know people don't recmmend this, but I never use a compass. I have taken my dish down many times and put it back up. It takes me 5-10 minutes to track the arc.

This is what I do. Set your motor lattitude stting to your latitude and don't mess with it any more. Set the dish elevation as close as possible. Point the whole setup in a general direction where your true south should be. Go to antenna setup on your receiver, select your true south sat and an active transponder. Move your whole dish setup (dish and the motor on the pole) east or west in very very small increments. Every time you move it wait few seconds to see if signal will pop up (it can take 5 seconds for the receiver to lock on the signal). IF there is no signal, I play with dish elevation (Every time after I move dish east or west a litltle, I loosen up the elevation nut and slowly adjust it up down to see if anything will happen). Repeat steps until you find something or kick your dish out of frustration

[kp4gb]

PMB1010

To answer your questions, the gray box below the motor is to house the DiSEqC once I purchase the LNBF from