Fortec 90cm and fsku-v LNBF pointing troubles...

[bmo]

After installing my new dish I am having problems locking a signal from telstar 5. After several days of setting up the new dish, I am using a signal strenght meter to help me locate the satellite. I think that I am on the satellite, or at least a satellite. I am using a BL2030 pci card for a tuner. I can get signal strenght of around 70-80 only when my SR is 24000 and above on any frequency but, no lock.

The only thing that I have noticed is the the elevation on the dish doesn't seem to be right, When I set the dish for 37* on the dish and measure with my Johnson angle finder off the back of the mount of the dish then adding 24.6* for offset it seems to be off about 5* The mounting pole is perfectly level from 3 sides.

I even went as far as mounting my Direct tv LNB to the fortec and tuning into Dtv's Satellite @ 101* and locked perfectly with signal strenght of 98.
Measuring the elevation it was still about 5* off from Dtv's elevation calulations.

I don't mind using the johnson angle finder to set elevation, but I just want to make sure that I am pointing at the right place.

I don't have a signal quality meter so it's hard to make sure that I am on telstar 5. Is there away of doing this with out one. I can't spend 150-300 dollars on meter right now...

Well just seeing if there is any ideas out there...

Thanks for your time
Bmo

[Sadoun]

It is very difficult to lock on a satellite using your BL2030 pci card. It is not sensitive enough. You will need a DVB receiver or analog receiver if you have one.

Dish elevation scale on the dish is accurate to +/- 1 degrees roughly.

DirecTV signal is 4 time stronger than T5. With a 90cm dish, of course you will be able to lock on it even with your eyes closed.

~ Also, make sure your LNBF type is setup correctly on your PCI card (i.e. LO frequency).
~ The LNBF should have a small tilt to the right or left depending on your location.
~ The LNBF should not be pushed all the way in towards the dish. It should be all the way out away from the dish.
~ If your LNBF has a high noise ration (over 0.70 dbs) it make it more difficult to lock.

[bmo]

Thank you for your fast responce...
and for the input, I will see if I can fine a locator or maybe a receiver.

Any ideas or what kind i should get ? I really would like to use the BL2030 as my main receiver.

Bmo

[Sadoun]

You can buy a Fortec Star 786NA receiver http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Forte...vers/786NA.htm

Then use the loop through on the receiver to connect to your PCI card. That way, you could use both at the same time (you could only watch similar polarity channels that way) or one at a time.