Newbie needs guidance!

[SDA_FL_USA]

Ok thank you... I have these choices: 11836 v 20770
11842 h 22000
11960 v 22000
12028 h 22000
12053 v 22000
12060 h 22000
12115 v 22425
12146 v 22000
12152 h 22000
12177 v 23000
12184 h 22500
Any idea which is best?

I am south of you probably an hour. The strongest transponder of my dish here is 12146 V 22000. If you can find the option to blind search that may scan something in and let you know what satellite the signal is coming from.
Your list is out of date and missing a few transponders.
11966 H 21600 active
12084 V 20760 active

11836 V 20770 is not active 12115 v 22425 is not active

 

[rimichael]

Got ya, Will mess more with it tomorrow and report back to you guys.... Thank you for always giving me a hand and education! LOL

 

[a33]

Well. looking at the picture of your motor setup:

It looks like the motor angle might indeed be at latitude 29 setting (you're at Pine Ridge, Florida?).
But the dish seems to have a way too high elevation. What is the elevation scale reading on the dish?
Or post a picture from the side, of the whole setup, with dish aiming due south.

Greetz,
A33

 

[cyberham]

...But the dish seems to have a way too high elevation...

You're right. The dish is looking up too high. Below is an article about this same motor. Check how the dish looks in these photos:

Technomate TM-2300 article

 

[a33]

You're right. The dish is looking up too high. Below is an article about this same motor. Check how the dish looks in these photos:

Technomate TM-2300 article

I checked the modified angles:
For LAT=28.9, modified LAT setting of the motor should be about 29.45,
and modified declination offset angle 4.25.

If the bend angle of the motor-tube is 30 degrees, the dish elevation scale should have a reading of about (30 - 4.25) = 25.75 degrees.

Greetz,
A33

 

[rimichael]

Thanks guys on the info. Thanks again for the motor info also but at this point I have not set it all up correctly but am just trying to get a signal setup for 97w ku sat. I am disregarding the markings on both the motor which I am not using yet and the dish. I am using my phone with sat finder and a simple satellite finder as in my photos with the receiver trying just to see if the system is ok as suggested by fellow poster. When I get it to the point I can get a signal correctly then I will start the process of setting up the motor. I will keep everyone posted as to what's going on. I can't say it enough guy's... Thank so much for the help/education as I try to set this setup correctly.

 

[rimichael]

Oh, I also guess the little sf-95dr sat finder is useless since I can point in anywhere and it shows 99% signal. Lol!. I have to learn how to use my gtmedia v8 finder 2 meter since I paid over $80.00 for it!. There are very few you tubes on this model.

 

[primestar31]

I am disregarding the markings on both the motor which I am not using yet and the dish.

Why would you do this???

You, as a newbie, can NOT disregard the "markings" on the dish. They are absolutely CRITICAL to getting a signal. You can NOT shotgun this! KU signals are the size of a pencil lead. You simply can't just point your UNTESTED dish by guessing, or even with a so-called phone app and be likely to get any signal at all!

You MUST eliminate as many "unknowns" as possible, since you don't even KNOW if your lnb or such is even good. Use DishPointer - Align your satellite dish to get your elevation, azimuth and lnb rotation settings for your dish, and SET THEM FIRST.

 

[FTA4PA]

Thanks again for the motor info also but at this point I have not set it all up correctly but am just trying to get a signal setup for 97w ku sat. I am disregarding the markings on both the motor which I am not using yet and the dish. I am using my phone with sat finder and a simple satellite finder as in my photos with the receiver trying just to see if the system is ok as suggested by fellow poster. When I get it to the point I can get a signal correctly then I will start the process of setting up the motor. I will keep everyone posted as to what's going on. I can't say it enough guy's... Thank so much for the help/education as I try to set this setup correctly.

Sorry to be blunt but this is the exact reason you are not finding anything. You simply can't disregard the markings on the motor and dish. You need to set up the dish and motor properly or you will never get a signal or be able to track the arc of satellites. Remember you are aiming at an object over 22,000 miles away in space. You can't be more than a fraction of an inch off or you will get nothing. Just saying...

 

[rimichael]

Why would you do this???

You, as a newbie, can NOT disregard the "markings" on the dish. They are absolutely CRITICAL to getting a signal. You can NOT shotgun this! KU signals are the size of a pencil lead. You simply can't just point your UNTESTED dish by guessing, or even with a so-called phone app and be likely to get any signal at all!

You MUST eliminate as many "unknowns" as possible, since you don't even KNOW if your lnb or such is even good. Use DishPointer - Align your satellite dish to get your elevation, azimuth and lnb rotation settings for your dish, and SET THEM FIRST.

Ok, I will do this today and figure out my info needed to set it up correctly. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[primestar31]

Ok, I will do this today and figure out my info needed to set it up correctly. Thanks for the suggestion.

IF the dish is still on the motor, REMOVE IT from the motor, and put the dish on the pole by itself, and get your first signal that way.

TRUST ME on this! IF you've never set up one of those motors before, they can drive a life-long teetotaler to drink... EVEN people with experience can have all sorts of issues trying to setup a dish system with a USALS motor.

 

[a33]

So, as you have the motor already up, I would ask:
- is the pole plumb?
- did you put the motor on zero? And fixed the dish on the motor tube exactly in line with the zero-angle?
- does your receiver have USALS? (And have you set the correct site coordinates?)

When 3 yesses, then I would suggest:
- Check motor elevation angle/motor latitude angle with (modified) setting angle above.
- Set dish elevation scale value with (modified) setting angle above.
- Go to the 97W-position, with a USALS command from the receiver. (The motor should move, to about 16.7 degrees [Edited, because typo!] from zero.)
- Install sat-finder/satbeeper (I believe you have one?).
- Rotate the whole setup around the pole, till your satbeeper finds a signal.
Then check on your receiver if that signal is from 97W. Or do a blind scan to check what satellite you are aimed at.

If you have any questions about one of these steps, please ask.
No need to do further steps, when the former step has not been completed! So please check, and ask, if needed, every step.

Greetz,
A33

To add: I notice others have posted in the meantime, and advised another route.
You can choose the route you wish.

 

[rimichael]

Ok I'll make sure I don't develop a drinking problem and remove the motor. LOL seems like a nightmare of a project!. I'll do everything else and let you guys know what's going on.

 

[a33]

Ok I'll make sure I don't develop a drinking problem and remove the motor.

Personally, when first temporarily setting up a 'fixed motor setup', I would put the motor tube exactly vertical (at elevation scale 30 degree), and use the motor tube as the vertical dish pole.

That would mean:
- you would have less dismantling work to do,
- you would get familiar with the motor elevation scale indication of 30 degree (it might be at a different location than you think),
- you would have more time to keep thinking about not developing a drinking problem.

But I guess I was outvoted by the american votes...?


Greetz,
A33

 

[primestar31]

But I guess I was outvoted by the american votes...?

Trying to eliminate UNKNOWN variables. He's NEVER done this before, his entire system is unknown if it even works, etc, etc. UNTIL he at least gets a true signal an watchable video, everything is suspect.

The simplest way is to get him to absolute basics, dish on pole, leveled, elevation, azimuth set, and lnb set and hooked directly to a tv set right up there at the pole.

 

[rimichael]

I didn't mean to start a ruckus but i am going to strip it down then build it up as I accomplish each goal. today is tear down and build up.

 

[rimichael]

I didn't mean to start a ruckus but i am going to strip it down then build it up as I accomplish each goal. today is tear down and build up.

just to note, i do appreciate each and every suggestion since I'm a newbee at this as well as over the hill! LOL!

 

[primestar31]

I didn't mean to start a ruckus but i am going to strip it down then build it up as I accomplish each goal. today is tear down and build up.

No ruckus, you haven't done anything 100's of people haven't done before! lol

Maybe you took a little too long to ask for help than the average person, but it's all good either way.

 

[rimichael]

Also to note...note... I have a ton of notes with everyone's suggestions...Needless to say I'm obtaining an education here!

 

[rimichael]

Primestar are you suggesting that I am dumb? LOL ! I will admit I have been called stupid a few times but I'm not dumb! LOL! Only joking!