C-band signal lock quandry

[mct1]

Hi guys,

I just scored an 8' BUD off Craigslist for free and got it hooked up OK. When scanning for the first time, I was only able to lock on single transponders for only
2 different satellites (Galaxy 14 @125W and AMC11 @ 131W). They were both H and V transponders and signal strength was good at ~75-80%, but quality was lower at~ 65%. I've done a lot of FTA Ku scanning before and usually the quality is always higher than the signal strength. Once I lock a Ku signal, I can usually tweak and fine tune until I find everything I want on that satellite. No matter what I do with this BUD, all I get are these solo transponders on these 2 different sats. I manually enter all settings that I think will help, and still nothing.

Hopefully somebody has some tips for this newbie as it doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks for any help,

mct1

 

[turbosat]

Sounds like you don't have the tracking down yet, and possibly the lnb/polarotor needs to be set, provided you're using one. Once you're tracking the arc properly you should get fairly high signals from an 8 footer. Far as the meter reading, if you're signal reading is reasonably high/stable, quality reading may be higher or lower. I get signals like that on my 10', depends on which fta box I'm using at the time, the meters vary greatly from one brand to another.

 

[mct1]

Thanks, turbosat
I'll try re-tracking the arc and getting my string of pearls all lined up. I just didn't understand how you can get a very strong signal on one transponder and not get a blip from any of the other transponders on the same sat. Guess logic doesn't always work.

 

[Anole]

Getting the BUD to track the arc is slightly different than using an SG2100 motor on a Ku dish.
I suggest you digest the four pages here on Geo-Orbit for some guidance.

Also, you didn't specify how you were moving the motor, nor how you were moving the polarotor.
To be able to help, a person would need to know a lot more about your setup.
A picture or two would probably drum up a bit more interest, too. -

 

[mct1]

Thanks, Anole.

After going back through the setup, it seems one of the connections needed to be reset as did the lnb. It was locked in one position. That's why I could only get one transponder on any
satellite. It didn't make sense that a signal could be so strong on one transponder and nothing on any others.

Thanks for continuing to help newbies, guys.

mct1