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After what seems like over 100 trips up and down the ladder in the last 6 months, and in the interest of helping other beginners, (if its okay), I would like to summarize some of the steps and lessons learned to get this system to work.
Final Setup:
Today the Fortec Dish, Stab Motor, & Invacom QPH-031 LNB are very accurately tracking Satellites from 72.0W to 127.0W. On my South Satellite G 25 / 97.0W I can now get Q signal levels on 11966 = 65%, and on IceBergs' list 12152 = Q of up to 75%, and 12177 = Q of 75%. See Pics 1 & 2. It must be duly noted that without the help of the many wise folks in this great Satellite Forum, I would have been hopelessly lost.
First Attempts - LNB Touching the Roof Shingles:/B
The first attempt was to try and install the Fortec Star Dish with the Standard Roof Mount. I was first sold a SG 2100 Motor. The low roof location resulted in the LNB hitting the roof shingles so it had to be turned upside down to avoid hitting the roof when rotating. See Picture 3. The whole setup was extremely shakey when walking by the dish. After many problems trying to acquire 97.0W I contacted Fortec Canada who instructed me to trade in my SG2100 Motor for a Stab HH 120 Motor that was $60.00 more. So I got the Stab HH 120 Motor.
Placing the Fortec Ground Dish Mount on the Roof:
Talked to my great friend George, telling him that likely the best mount for this dish and motor was the Fortec Ground Mount. George said then let's put it on the Roof! (Everyone need to have a friend like George). So went to a local Plywood Store and bought a 8 Ft. Cedar Fence Post. Got their professional Carpenter to cut the Cedar Post down to 4 Ft. The 4 foot piece was cut again to the exact angle or pitch of the roof. (To get the right roof angle we took 2 - 2X4s and nailed them together on the roof then took them to the Plywood Store so the Carpenter could measure the exact roof pitch angle). We then mounted the 2 - 4 ft cedar posts on the roof Peak for the Base of the Fortec Ground Mount Post. See Pictures 4 & 5. Used washers to Plumb up the Dish Post used tar to waterproof everything, and this month painted the fading cedar posts with 3 coats of wood preservative.
Problems Experienced trying to Find True South 97.0W:
Used a compass to get an idea where true South was and rotated the Dish and Motor to this point. See Picture # 6. By far The biggest problem was the Elevation of this Dish being so far off. Satcalculator.freehostia.com told me for Winnipeg (Canada) my Dish Elevation should be set to 22.7 degrees. But in fact it needed to set be 32.7 degrees!! The other major problem that needed to get resolved was someone on this Web site advised me that when in USALS on my ViewSat Receiver Antenna Settings you had to punch in your Longitude and Latitude coordinates then press OK to Blind Scan in each Satellite. This works well.
Satellite Meter Used:
On these pages I had read a Tip By IceBerg that the best Satellite Meter was a small TV and the actual Sat Receiver itself. This has worked very well indeed for this installation, since you can see the picture and actually fine tune in the Tp's on each satellite. If the Dish goes out of calibration, it only takes about 5 minutes to get it back in line with this setup.
Pivot Bolt and Plate for Fine Tuning Dish Elevation:
A major problem I had was trying to fine tune the Elevation on the Fortec Star Dish. Thanks to some great advice from Anole, Bill190, and many others, we installed a Pivot Bolt and Steel Plate which has helped immensely in trying to adjust the elevation of the Dish. See picture #7. The Pivot Bolt has been the difference in being able to attain a Q of up to 63% on 11966 Russia Today on 97.0W.
Other Problems:
The Dish & Motor had some side to side wind issues. Tightening up the U Bolts on the Dish has helped, but when the wind is up to 55 MPH as it was today The LNB tends to bob up and down at times resulting in a temporary loss of picture. Had some problems with a Motor Clamp and Nut stripping due to stainless steel nuts and stainless steel clamps (galling problem). Took off the Motor and rethreaded the Clamp, then put anti-seize compound on everything. See Picture # 8. Fortec Canada has since been good enough to send me 2 new Stab Motor Clamps for free!!
Final Thoughts:
I've been wondering if this setup can support a 1.2 meter Dish - but with the wind could this 1.2 Meter Dish be too big for the Roof?? Would this enable me to get Satmex 6?
My Garden:This is my other hobby - Vegetable Gardening - see final pics. Some Tomatoes are now ready for eating.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated, and I hope this helps other beginners in this great hobby.
Final Setup:
Today the Fortec Dish, Stab Motor, & Invacom QPH-031 LNB are very accurately tracking Satellites from 72.0W to 127.0W. On my South Satellite G 25 / 97.0W I can now get Q signal levels on 11966 = 65%, and on IceBergs' list 12152 = Q of up to 75%, and 12177 = Q of 75%. See Pics 1 & 2. It must be duly noted that without the help of the many wise folks in this great Satellite Forum, I would have been hopelessly lost.
First Attempts - LNB Touching the Roof Shingles:/B
The first attempt was to try and install the Fortec Star Dish with the Standard Roof Mount. I was first sold a SG 2100 Motor. The low roof location resulted in the LNB hitting the roof shingles so it had to be turned upside down to avoid hitting the roof when rotating. See Picture 3. The whole setup was extremely shakey when walking by the dish. After many problems trying to acquire 97.0W I contacted Fortec Canada who instructed me to trade in my SG2100 Motor for a Stab HH 120 Motor that was $60.00 more. So I got the Stab HH 120 Motor.
Placing the Fortec Ground Dish Mount on the Roof:
Talked to my great friend George, telling him that likely the best mount for this dish and motor was the Fortec Ground Mount. George said then let's put it on the Roof! (Everyone need to have a friend like George). So went to a local Plywood Store and bought a 8 Ft. Cedar Fence Post. Got their professional Carpenter to cut the Cedar Post down to 4 Ft. The 4 foot piece was cut again to the exact angle or pitch of the roof. (To get the right roof angle we took 2 - 2X4s and nailed them together on the roof then took them to the Plywood Store so the Carpenter could measure the exact roof pitch angle). We then mounted the 2 - 4 ft cedar posts on the roof Peak for the Base of the Fortec Ground Mount Post. See Pictures 4 & 5. Used washers to Plumb up the Dish Post used tar to waterproof everything, and this month painted the fading cedar posts with 3 coats of wood preservative.
Problems Experienced trying to Find True South 97.0W:
Used a compass to get an idea where true South was and rotated the Dish and Motor to this point. See Picture # 6. By far The biggest problem was the Elevation of this Dish being so far off. Satcalculator.freehostia.com told me for Winnipeg (Canada) my Dish Elevation should be set to 22.7 degrees. But in fact it needed to set be 32.7 degrees!! The other major problem that needed to get resolved was someone on this Web site advised me that when in USALS on my ViewSat Receiver Antenna Settings you had to punch in your Longitude and Latitude coordinates then press OK to Blind Scan in each Satellite. This works well.
Satellite Meter Used:
On these pages I had read a Tip By IceBerg that the best Satellite Meter was a small TV and the actual Sat Receiver itself. This has worked very well indeed for this installation, since you can see the picture and actually fine tune in the Tp's on each satellite. If the Dish goes out of calibration, it only takes about 5 minutes to get it back in line with this setup.
Pivot Bolt and Plate for Fine Tuning Dish Elevation:
A major problem I had was trying to fine tune the Elevation on the Fortec Star Dish. Thanks to some great advice from Anole, Bill190, and many others, we installed a Pivot Bolt and Steel Plate which has helped immensely in trying to adjust the elevation of the Dish. See picture #7. The Pivot Bolt has been the difference in being able to attain a Q of up to 63% on 11966 Russia Today on 97.0W.
Other Problems:
The Dish & Motor had some side to side wind issues. Tightening up the U Bolts on the Dish has helped, but when the wind is up to 55 MPH as it was today The LNB tends to bob up and down at times resulting in a temporary loss of picture. Had some problems with a Motor Clamp and Nut stripping due to stainless steel nuts and stainless steel clamps (galling problem). Took off the Motor and rethreaded the Clamp, then put anti-seize compound on everything. See Picture # 8. Fortec Canada has since been good enough to send me 2 new Stab Motor Clamps for free!!
Final Thoughts:
I've been wondering if this setup can support a 1.2 meter Dish - but with the wind could this 1.2 Meter Dish be too big for the Roof?? Would this enable me to get Satmex 6?
My Garden:This is my other hobby - Vegetable Gardening - see final pics. Some Tomatoes are now ready for eating.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated, and I hope this helps other beginners in this great hobby.
19 Replies
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7796 views
Nice pictures, glad you got everything going 
The 120cm dish probably wouldn't improve reception enough to warrant the extra expense (and they are VERY expensive to ship). Looks like you have a nice system!
The 120cm dish probably wouldn't improve reception enough to warrant the extra expense (and they are VERY expensive to ship). Looks like you have a nice system!
J
Thanks Tron, your comments have always been especially helpful. Re the 120 cm Dish, - the Dealer is here in Winnipeg, but trying to get it in the car like I did the 100 cm Dish - well that could be a problem!!
Nice pictures, glad you got everything going
Thanks Tron, your comments have always been especially helpful. Re the 120 cm Dish, - the Dealer is here in Winnipeg, but trying to get it in the car like I did the 100 cm Dish - well that could be a problem!!
Thanks
It would probably be difficult to get the thing into a car (unless you have a minivan or SUV). I did manage to get a Channel Master 1M mold into the back of a station wagon... but again, that was a station wagon. Buying locally will probably save you the cost of an additional dish in shipping, that's how expensive it can be to ship a 1.2...You could always consider tying it to the roof of your car (if you have a luggage rack), using blankets to cradle it. I did that with a local forum member, his minivan looked like a satellite news truck
That was with a 1.8 meter Andrew spun aluminum dish.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
No idea what improvements might be involved.
25 Replies
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1184 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5559 Replies
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460924 views
Ok, I'm bored .... actually - to be more precise - I'm bored of eating the same rotation of 9 or 10 meals that are currently my "go-to" meals. My wife works the long hours - I work from home as and when i feel like it ... which means i generally do most of the cooking ... and so by default - i also make out the shopping list ...
We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.
Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)
Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"
So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.
So again - I ask you ...
What's for dinner tonight ?
Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.
What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.
Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)
Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"
So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.
So again - I ask you ...
What's for dinner tonight ?
Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.
What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
4333 Replies
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331302 views
Smoked some salmon on the grill while enjoying some Blue Moon beer. Kinda cool tonight so I fired up the heaters. Here in FL, we fire up heaters once the temps get below 60 
As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
Lifetime Supporter
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
120 Replies
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1953 views
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
www.colts.com
Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties
Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
www.colts.com
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties
Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
43 Replies
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3768 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBW7wHp14ho
Direct YouTube Link - Whiskey Pick: Loup River Nebraska Straight Bourbon Whiskey
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBW7wHp14ho
Direct YouTube Link - Whiskey Pick: Loup River Nebraska Straight Bourbon Whiskey
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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3 views
Lon.TV
Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hWHGOObqEk
Direct YouTube Link - Alexa Tablet 11 Review - Amazon's New Google Tablets?
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hWHGOObqEk
Direct YouTube Link - Alexa Tablet 11 Review - Amazon's New Google Tablets?
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook
0 Replies
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5 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68547 Replies
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2674510 views
Season 2 order already in hand:
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
84 Replies
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3380 views
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.
Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home thoughI don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojDkPVLnkNI
Direct YouTube Link - Security Now 1101
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojDkPVLnkNI
Direct YouTube Link - Security Now 1101
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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10 views