C Band Dish Installation Update

[JFOK]

gpflepson,

Yes, I'm using my microHD receiver as a meter/finder and since I'm just searching for C-band right now, I have my LNB set at 5150.
Thanks.

John

 

[. Raine]

When I've setup my C band dishes here, I've always had to use 83W as the closest sat to my true south point that is usable, 78W never seems to do it on my initial setups. True south here is 180 degrees and 83 W is 196, so it's quite a way off, but that's what I've had to do here.

You're pretty close to me, I'm at 72W, 42 N, so maybe 83W might be a better choice for your first sat to try and lock onto, or even to roughly align on, maybe.

It sounds like your first dish was like one I have here, a 9' RS dish with a HH mount, which was much easier for me to setup than my 12' Conifer. It has a hand crank you can use for azimuth adjustments prior to installing the motor and the other adjustments for el and such are within easy reach, although the declination adjust on that dish is a PITA if you don't have it right initially. Very nice dish though.

You'll get it!

 

[JFOK]

A Raine,

Thanks for the tip. I might just end up using that satellite if it works well for you.
I still have that Radio Shack dish in my garage attic...great performer.
BTW...I lived in your area of Ct. for 11 years and loved it...beautiful countryside.
Thanks for your help.

John

 

[FaT Air]

FaT Air,
Here's a close up of my dish from that same picture you worked with.
I think you can see some declination, but more may be needed.
I did check that the feedhorn was centered, but do you have a surefire method yourself ?
Thanks again.
John

Ok, it was the angle of the picture making it look like the dec was '0'. The declination is the most important setting to 'get right' as it's not adjusted during tune-up. If it's off, it will be a bear to tune. Take your time in getting that right and it goes a lot smoother. (there is a procedure to correct it if necessary, but it's repetitive and time consuming)

Back in the analog days was a LOT easier, just swing the dish and watch for video, then peak it with the meters. Not so anymore with digital signals. Got to remember it takes some time for the receiver to lock the signal and display Q. So make small adjustments and wait a bit before making another.

As for feed centering the only way, I know of, is to measure scalar to dish rim a 3 points around the dish. And that can look 'off' if the feed isn't parallel with the dish face.

 

[JFOK]

FaT Air,

This weekend I'll retune my dish to the coordinates you came up with.
Thanks again !!!

John

 

[JFOK]

Hi All,

Well I'll be going out this weekend to give it another go at finding the satellite arc.
Was too busy last weekend with yard work.
Thanks again to all of those to helped...much appreciated.
Wish me luck.

John

 

[JFOK]

Hi All,

Here's where I stand.
All is hooked up properly, then I go to move the dish east or west and it stops after a short burst.
Error on ASC-1 screen says motor blocked which it isn't, or limit switch/sensor error.
What next ?? Suggestions ? It was moving perfectly last week.

John

 

[KE4EST]

The ASC1 is not getting feedback from the reed switch on the motor.
Either a bad switch, broke wire, corroded wire, etc.
Take everything out to the dish or....
Take a car battery or something similar out to the dish with a short cable.
Fix your meter across the reed sensor and move your dish back and forth a little with the battery.
Are you seeing pulses on the sensor?

 

[JFOK]

Hi KE4EST,

Everything is out at the dish....TV, ASC-1 and microHD receiver.
If the switch does turn out to be bad what next, is it replaceable or do I need a new motor?
Going to open up the Venture 18 box now to inspect.

John

 

[KE4EST]

Yes, you can fashion your own, or call up Venture.

 

[JFOK]

KE4EST,

I was able to carefully remove the Venture cover (without stripping screws in place for 16 years) to find that there was a disconnected wire.
I re-soldered it and all is now well...whew !!!
I have my dish positioned to the coordinates given me FaT Air for 70W (southern most satellite) and now will try to find 83W suggested by A. Raine since the footprint of 70W doesn't reach my area.

John

 

[KE4EST]

John,
Glad that is all it was! Good to hear all is working.
Now to get that thing lined up on the arc.
Yes, I agree. 83W will be a good starting point!

 

[JFOK]

KE4EST,

Thanks for the words of encouragement.
I cannot find 83W for the life of me. I'm using a satellite finder app called Sat Scope and as far as I can tell I'm spot on. I'm using 4000 H 29126 as a guide, but again nothing.
I even loosed the dish on the pole to move a little right or left...nothing.
The only steady signal I'm getting is a 45% gray bar on my micro HD receiver telling me that the LNB is working.
This was so easy for me initially 16 years ago. Guess I've gotten dumber since.
I'm just about ready to send out an APB for a visit from one of the members here if that's even possible.

John

 

[KE4EST]

John, if I were closer I would should come over and help.
Don't forget to make sure your LNB(f) is set right.
Keep checking and changing elevation a little at a time.
It can take awhile sometimes. Once you get it though it will only get easier from there. I promise.

 

[JFOK]

KE4EST,

I'm just using C-band right now and its set to 5150.
I did tweak the elevation a bit as you suggested, checked the focal depth setting again, and the feedhorn is centered...nothing.
At least I know the LNB is working a steady 45%. Should the microHD be set to something I'm not aware of ?
Appreciate the offer and I too, wish you lived closer.

John

 

[FaT Air]

I'd 're-adjust' and look for 78. It's got a good signal. Lower SR & DVB-S so should let the receiver lock onto it quicker. http://www.satbeams.com/footprints?position=282
3885 V 23000
I'd move the dish to the west with the actuator, about the width of the feed, from Zenith
"about the width of the feed"
When the dish is at zenith. Stand behind the dish and look at the feed.
notice the feeds right edge and it's 'place'
Move dish west, with the actuator, until the left edge is where the right edge was.

CP from my Bud Manual:
While watching your receiver for an indication of Quality (Q). In small increments, move the dish towards the path, and past. Do this by twisting the mount on the pole, not with the actuator. Wait a few seconds at each movement, as most DVB receivers will not lock and show Q immediately. Waiting 10 seconds isn't unreasonable. When you do get a Q indication, carefully adjust the latitude angle and the mount's twist on the pole for maximum Q indication.

If Q is not aquired
Adjust your Latitude angle slightly, one way or the other, and repeat the procedure in the paragraph above.

Once you have that one nailed, Continue with Azimuth adjustment:
http://www.wisegise.net/BUD/4066/

 

[KE4EST]

What about the skew?

 

[JFOK]

FaT Air,

The footprint looks to be only for South America.

John

 

[JFOK]

KA4EST,

I left the skews at + and -45.

John

 

[KE4EST]

No I mean for your LNBF. In the holder.