Help with SG2100A

[kp4gb]

I need a little help. I have a Pansat 2700A, SG2100A and a 33” dish with a Fortec Star FSKU-V LNBF.

Location: Olney, Maryland
Latitude: 39.1N
Longitude: 77.0W
Declination Angle: 10 Degrees 44’ West (Based on NOAA’s calculations)
True South: 180+10.75 (Aprox.)=190.75 Degrees
Motor Elevation: 51 degrees (based on the motor’s table and my latitude)
Dish Bracket Angle: 30-10.75 (Declination Angle)=19.25 degrees

Now based on the SG2100A instructions and the table settings for my latitude the following information applies:

Latitude: 39N
Longitude: 77W
Declination Angle: 6.1 (based on the instruction’s table)
True South: 180+6.1 (declination angle)=186.1
Motor Elevation: 51 degrees (based on the motor’s table and my latitude)
Dish Bracket Angle: 30-6.1=23.9 degrees based on the Motors instruction table

I am not using the 4X1 diseqc that came with the Pansat 2700A. The connection is as follows:

LNBF to Motor’s LNBF connection
Motor Connection to Receiver.

I have configured the receiver to various satellites to use Positioning Setting to USALS and configured the coordinates to the receiver. Once I do a Satellite Scan the motor works, it tracks the satellite, scans it but no signal is acquired.

Of course, I belief the problem lies within the calculations.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[DruzeTito]

here is all you need to know as far as calculations:

set your dish elevation to 24

set your motor scale to 39.. your latitude. Look at the latitude side and not the elevation side. I reckon you know the two scales on the motor are different.

according to your area, your magnetic variation is about 11 degrees so point your motor/dish with compass to 180+11 = 191.

make sure the pole is as level as possible.

Use USALS, input your lat/long values, and rotate it to your True south satellite: AMC 5 @ 79 west. Use tp 12182 H 23000 and try to peak the signal by moving the mast left/right and or moving the dish elevation at or around 24 degrees.

hope this helps.

[kp4gb]

Tito, thank you for your help. Now I have the numbers more clear and know what to do the next time. Still I have a concern.

Based on your recommendations you're suggesting to set the elevation of the motor at 39 degrees which is my Latitude but looking at the motor instructions (SG2100A) they have a table and they are suggesting that Setting Elevation Angle of the Motor (A) (refering to their table), that I should set the Elevation angle at 51 (based on Latitude) and not at 39 degrees which is my Latitude.

These are the spec's on the rotor's manual and the table for my latitude:

Your Site Latitude: 39
Your Elevation Angle (Motor): 51
Your Declination Angle: 6.1
You Dish Bracket Angle: 23.9

I now is not that difficult trying your suggestion of 39 degrees for the motor and see the results and then trying the manufacturers suggestion at 51 degrees and comparing the results.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

KP4GB

[DruzeTito]

yea well as i said, it depends on which side of the motor your looking at. The left side of the motor will have a scale based on your latitude and the right side is a scale based on Elevation.. so you can go either way they are generally the same.

So based on what the book says, if you set your elevation to 51 if you use the scale on the right side, then the left side will automatically be set at around 39. get it?

[kp4gb]

Tito. Once again, thank you. A minor overlook and yes, you were right.

I was able to accomplish everything and I got a good level (93%) on the bird near my true south but still not able to gain Quality, still at 0.

I have played with the dish elevation and positioning the motor for best Quality and still at 0. Small movements to make sure I don't miss a spot. Good level, the max being 93 but nothing. Clear site. The pansat 2700a is new, everything is new. Plumb is leveled. All elements as expected.

Any additional ideas, anyone? It seems that others have the same problem but not sure if they're using the Pansat 2700a.

Thanks in advance.

[DruzeTito]

did you input your lat/long coordinates and then moved the motor to AMC 5?

did you set your lnb settings (Universal 1)?

did you leave your LNB neutral? (No skew)

did you use the transponder i told you to use?

[kp4gb]

Thanks Tito. The following is the information on the Pansat 2700a:

LNB Type: Universal 1
LNB Local-Freq: 9750/10600
22KHz: --
DiSeqC: Off
Skew: 0
TP: (2) 12182 H 23.000
Positioner Setting: USALS
Satellite Position: 79.0W
My Longitude: 77.0W
My Latitude: 39.0N
Reference Position: OK
Move: 2.3W OK
Store: OK
Satellite Scan: FTA only

After this I perform the satellite scan. It moves the dish and locks it in. The goes through the scan and, of course, 0 channels found. Also, no quality.

This is not a mystery. I helped a friend in Puerto Rico just 3 weeks ago installing a much larger dish (2 of them) and although a bit tricky to setup the dishes I was able to point them to the correct satellites. Then using a Pansat 2500A was able to perform the satellite scan without a problem.

Maybe there is something I am not doing right but I can seem to find what that is.

Anymore ideas? Thanks again.

[pmb1010]

I would suggest going through your setup, using USALS to move the dish to the satellites postiion, but do NOT scan. Stop at that point.

Stay on the screen with the transponder settings, and adjust the dish's position to find the satellite using the quality level indicator.

You must find the sattellite signal, before you do the scan process.

[kp4gb]

PMB1010: I am more incline in changing the position of the dish. Although I fixed it to the ground and the mast is plumbed I think moving to another place in the property may help. I am getting just about the same "Level" measurement even when I flip to other satellites without actually changing the position of the dish, perhaps indicating a lot of noise from the LNB. Maybe my compass is bad but I've been moving the motor left and right until getting a good "Level" but the signal still at 0.

I might got out and buy one of those satellite finders (inexpensive one) just to get a bit of a help.

I am doing everything that is suggested but to no avail.

Please keed the comments coming.

[pmb1010]

Ignore the "level" indicator. you could point it at the moon or the ground and it would stay relatively the same. It is just not a reliable indicator.

Do you have a small tv out where your dish is?

the process is (as explained above):
- make sure you have clear view to sat (no trees or anything) even a twig can block the signal
- mast plumb
- settings as correclty calcuated
- position motor to 0, point all to true south compass.
- use USALS to have motor move to most south sat.
- be on active transponder.
- move dish elevation (not motor bracket) up/down, and whole motor side to side on pole, in small increments till you get quality blip on quality indicator. Adjust for highest signal.
- Do not move off of AMC5 in your receiver, or attempt a scan, until you get a signal reading. Attempting to move side to side with motor without being locked on arc is pointless.

The thing is it is very touchy. I think you said you found sats on someone elses setup. Being off an 1/8" will lose the signal level.

Good luck

[pmb1010]

One other thing that gets a lot of the Ultra users, is make sure you have the coax going into the correct port on the back of the unit.

I think it's "IF IN" (and not "antenna input").
I'm not famaliar with the model you have but it's something to check on...

[DruzeTito]

Originally Posted by pmb1010

One other thing that gets a lot of the Ultra users, is make sure you have the coax going into the correct port on the back of the unit.

I think it's "IF IN" (and not "antenna input").
I'm not famaliar with the model you have but it's something to check on...

Yea i once was caught by that! :mozilla_smile:

[kp4gb]

Well, pretty busy day with my kid in baseball and cutting the grass. Now I have heavey rain and thuderstorms in my area so I will pick it up tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your comments and help. Be back with some feedback later.

[kp4gb]

To all. I installed a DirecTV 18" satellite in my backyard and used one of my old RCA DirecTV boxes to find DirecTV 1R/2/4S bird at 101 degrees West. I was able to aim the dish so to the point where my RCA receiver was showing a signal strength of 88 and quality of 88 percent.

I proceeded to install the Pansat 2700A receiver and set it up to DirecTV satellite 101W. Setup everything on the receiver. The level is at 80% but no QUALITY. Still at 0. Proceeded to scan for active transponders and nothing.

Now I am beginning to wonder if the receiver is DOA.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I guess I have to call either the company where I bought the receiver or PansatUSA for support.

[pmb1010]

1. forget level.

2. the linear lnb most often won't see the circular dish/direct tv signals, at all (mine do not). Also, the frequency in the setup is different for FTA and dish/directv reception for the LNB (something like 10750 for one, and 11250 for the other, search and you'll see)

This is not a valid test, really. The FTA signals are much weaker and more difficult to find then the dish or direct signals. They use much higher output transmitters than FTA.

But it does show you know your stuff on finding the correct pointing angles. Keep working at it.

[vj9999]

Also, Directv is NOT dvb and you will not be able to lock in on any transponders with Pansat (or any other standalone dvb receiver). Directv uses it's proprietery format which is a variaton of dvb.

You can try one of Echostar satellites if you want to make sure it works. It uses dvb standard and you should be able to lock in (like mentoned in previous post, LO is 11250)

[DruzeTito]

yes your receiver is made for FTA MPEG-2 DVB transmissions.. DirecTV is not DVB as mentioned above.

What you CAN do is aim your DirecTV dish toward Echostar 7 @ 119 w, your LNB settings: Single, lo: 11250. Aim at an Echo 7 active transponder and adjust the dish.

Your reciever is probably fine. Just go ahead and try to get your motor/ku dish working.

If you can, send us some pictures of your setup so we might be able to spot something thats wrong. Just an idea.

[kp4gb]

Just an update, I have done everything that you guys suggest but I am having a very though time locking in a signal. In regards of sending pictures, I will soon. I did a lot of preparation before getting the equipment and the istallation looks fine. I have a bit of obstruction to my south and knowing how finiky pointing the satellite can be, the other possibility of relocating it will be the roof. In the mean time I am thinking to either seek professional help or getting one of the satellite meters to aid me in finding the closest bird to my true south.

I don't expect to buy a very fancy meter. Your comments in buying what kind of meter is appreciated.

I am not at the point of frustration yet as I am considering this a hobby and a challege.

Many thanks for all of your comments.

[pmb1010]

Just to verify, you are plugging your RG-6 cable from LNB into this port on the back of your pansat 2700A:

***edit to remove no longer needed link to picture of pansat***

[kp4gb]

Done that.

New development. I acquired a DIGISAT II from a friend who works for a satellite company did the following:

1. Turned on the Pansat 2700A and pointed the dish to the closest Bird to my True South and moved the motor automatically.
2. Connected the DIGISAT II to LNB part and to RECEIVER part.
3. Power ON the DIGISAT
4. Started to adjust motor and dish and adjusted to maximum strength
5. Able to acquire a maximum strength of 96%.
6. Disconnected the DIGISAT and plug everything back to where it belongs.
7. Double checked connections to make sure they were correct.
8. Proceeded to check the maximum QUALITY on the Pansat.
9. Changed TP's and still at 0. NOTHING.
10. Che