Orbital Location Tweaking on AZbox

[jduffin]

I have had my AZbox Ultra for a couple of weeks now and really like it with the exception of a few things.

My main issue is that my dish is not perfectly tracking the arc -- so I need to figure out how to tweak the orbital location in my AZbox (I'm using USALS) for a couple of satellites. It appears that I can't just edit the satellite with a "tweaked" location but have to create a new satellite at the "tweaked" location (ie 91.2 instead of 91).

Am I overlooking something? Is there an easier way to do this? This AZbox replaces my Pansat 2500A. It was a piece of cake to tweak the orbital location in the Pansat...

 

[Mikey11]

drive the dish using USALS to your southern most satellite,

now go outside and aim it at that satellite,

when adjusting horizontally swing the entire motor/dish assembly on the pole,

when adjusting vertically move the dish only, not the motor,

before you start this process make sure your latitude scale on the motor is set to your latitude,

peak in the signal for this satellite and tighten everything up, you should be on the arc now, check other satellites using USALS,

 

[comfrey]

For each Satellite you can change the setting from USALS to DiSEqC. I normally tweak it using 1 or 2 steps at a time. Once you've changed it and you are getting a good quality signal off one of the TPs, save the position. Note: There is a strange issue with the Azbox in that once you've "saved" you must then use the "go to position" before exiting. Otherwise it won't save it properly. Once you get the hang of it tweaking the Satellite position, it becomes second nature.

Have fun!

I have had my AZbox Ultra for a couple of weeks now and really like it with the exception of a few things.

My main issue is that my dish is not perfectly tracking the arc -- so I need to figure out how to tweak the orbital location in my AZbox (I'm using USALS) for a couple of satellites. It appears that I can't just edit the satellite with a "tweaked" location but have to create a new satellite at the "tweaked" location (ie 91.2 instead of 91).

Am I overlooking something? Is there an easier way to do this? This AZbox replaces my Pansat 2500A. It was a piece of cake to tweak the orbital location in the Pansat...

 

[jduffin]

Thanks Comfrey!! That is exactly what I was looking for. I got a chance to try it last night and was able to tweak it in DiSEqC mode. However, it would not save properly. How do you "save" on your box? I don't recall there being a save function (outside of just hitting "OK"). After I tweaked the position, I did try the "go to position" function with no luck. What version of firmware are you using?

In USALS mode, you can change the orbital location. But it doesn't seem to do anything. Hopefully this is something that will get fixed in the software soon.

I'm really digging the AZbox Ultra, I just wish that the software were more mature.

 

[comfrey]

Here are the steps I take.
1)From "TV channel"->"Antenna Setup"->"motor setting"
Choose DiseqC1.2

2)Then change the "step size" to either 1 or 2 (depending on the resolution you want)

3)Highlight "Move dish"
Move the dish West/East depending on what gives the best signal on any give TP you choose.

4)To save the position highlight the "Command Mode" and select "Save" ( I normally just leave it as auto for the number it gives)

5)Then the next step is important. Under "Command Mode" select "Go to position".
This final set seems to be required.

So now you have a position saved as a DiseqC1.2 position.

I use the 0.9.4890 version of firmware on my elite.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Comfrey!! That is exactly what I was looking for. I got a chance to try it last night and was able to tweak it in DiSEqC mode. However, it would not save properly. How do you "save" on your box? I don't recall there being a save function (outside of just hitting "OK"). After I tweaked the position, I did try the "go to position" function with no luck. What version of firmware are you using?

In USALS mode, you can change the orbital location. But it doesn't seem to do anything. Hopefully this is something that will get fixed in the software soon.

I'm really digging the AZbox Ultra, I just wish that the software were more mature.

 

[Mikey11]

I'm really digging the AZbox Ultra, I just wish that the software were more mature.

from what i have been reading, these azboxes seem to have alot of problems, especially with motor functions, i was thinking about picking one up for my motorized 10 footer and motorized 4 footer, not sure if i want to spend all that money on a product that seems to be sub par at the moment, i am quite handy and knowledgeable, and could probably figure it all out, but i dont feel like i should have to troubleshoot thier product for them,

 

[jduffin]

Comfrey -- thanks for the detailed instructions. By following them, I got it to work.

Mikey11 -- I agree with what you are saying. For me, upgrading to the Ultra which does HD, 4:2:2, and S2 is worth it even though their software isn't quite done yet. My previous receiver is a Pansat 2500A, so I enjoy being able to watch those extra channels that I couldn't watch before.

 

[Babadem]

Here are the steps I take.
1)From "TV channel"->"Antenna Setup"->"motor setting"
Choose DiseqC1.2

2)Then change the "step size" to either 1 or 2 (depending on the resolution you want)

3)Highlight "Move dish"
Move the dish West/East depending on what gives the best signal on any give TP you choose.

4)To save the position highlight the "Command Mode" and select "Save" ( I normally just leave it as auto for the number it gives)

5)Then the next step is important. Under "Command Mode" select "Go to position".
This final set seems to be required.

So now you have a position saved as a DiseqC1.2 position.

I use the 0.9.4890 version of firmware on my elite.

Hope this helps.

Detailed instructions. Well done!!

 

[comfrey]

Not a problem, glad to help.

I have to agree that the Azbox is temperamental. And I also agree that it is worth dealing with all the pain it inflicts to receive HD and 4:2:2 content.

Comfrey -- thanks for the detailed instructions. By following them, I got it to work.

Mikey11 -- I agree with what you are saying. For me, upgrading to the Ultra which does HD, 4:2:2, and S2 is worth it even though their software isn't quite done yet. My previous receiver is a Pansat 2500A, so I enjoy being able to watch those extra channels that I couldn't watch before.