The old question...dish alignment?

[1beertap]

I am trying to align a 8.5 Birdview dish with a DMX741 and using a SatHawk HD PVR800 receiver. I can't get the signal intensity above 45% or signal quality above 5%. I can find a signal using a satellite finder in-line with the coax. I do plan on using a GBox as soon as I install safety limit switches on the motor, for now I just want to align my true south bird. Below are my specs and location.

DMX741
SatHawk HD PVR800
RG6

My location:
35.9275 Degrees Lat.
-75.6981 Degrees Long.

I think my true satellite is 75.0W degrees or Brasilsat B3. If so, my elevation should be 48.3 degrees and the Azimuth using a compass is 189.7 degrees. Could someone verify this for me? If this is correct, I have a feeling that either the lnb or the receiver has bit the big one. Also, I've read at different places in the forum that the the lnb may need a rectangular dielectric block placed into it for circular polarization. My lnb did not come with the piece and I am thinking that this could be my problem. Again, could someone clarify this for me? I just think I would be able to get a signal maybe no TPs but atleast a signal. Thanks.

 

[qwert1515]

According to SatStar Brasilsat B3 is only beamed to South America, so I would use 74.0°W Horizons 2 Ku band, I am not sure what you would use for C-Band.

 

[Mr Tony]

for C-Band would probably be 72W

 

[1beertap]

Thanks for the quick response qwert1515 and Iceberg. I moved the dish to both locations and again coax satellite finder beeps strong but the best I can get on the PVR800 OSD is 45% on signal intensity and 5% on signal quality. I'm starting to pull my hair out - LOL

Seriously, I think it may be a defective receiver. I just got it yesterday and after waiting a little over a month to get it, I'm very disappointed.

 

[Lak7]

coax satellite finder beeps strong

I'd guess you are picking up the DishNet Sat at 72.

Assume the receiver is working.
Only connect to the C Band LNB on the DMX741.
What did you enter into the Sathawk for LNB Settings?
What TP did you manually enter to lock your first signal?

 

[Mr Tony]

Lak7
Everything on Dish 72.5 is Turbo 8PSK which the Sathawk wont pick up

 

[Lak7]

Everything on Dish 72.5 is Turbo 8PSK which the Sathawk wont pick up

Yeah, I know, but his "coax Satellite Finder" may not.

 

[B.J.]

I am trying to align a 8.5 Birdview dish with a DMX741 and using a SatHawk HD PVR800 receiver. .....
....
My location:
35.9275 Degrees Lat.
-75.6981 Degrees Long.

I think my true satellite is 75.0W degrees or Brasilsat B3. If so, my elevation should be 48.3 degrees .....

Curious how you're using that "elevation"?
Ie that may be the elevation of your south, but make sure you are setting it in the right place. Ie there are two elevation measurements. One is that of the rotation axis of the mount, usually set by some big nut/bolt on the mount (I'm not familiar with the birdview). This "elevation" should be set to approximately 90 minus (your latitude+0.6) or if it has a latitude setting, to your latitude + 0.6, depending upon how the measurement/setting is made. The 48.3 degrees is the actual aim of the dish, and will be the rotation axis elevation minus your declination, which is approximately 5.1 degrees.
Ie 90-36.6=53.4 and 53.4-5.1=48.3

Anyway, measure 2 elevations, one of the mount, and one relative to the dish aim.

 

[1beertap]

On BV mounts, with the exception of having the pole plumb, there are only two manual adjustments. See attached photo.

 

[1beertap]

Could someone verify what signal intensity and signal quality they have when their Sathawk (Solomend) PVR800 box is not hooked-up to a lnb? I am getting...

36% intensity
5% quality

I'm trying to determine if my box is bad or lnb. The only thing that changes when lnb is connected is the intensity (45%) and occasionally, I see signal quality vary from 3% to 5%.

Just for fun, microwaves do wonders for lnbs - LOL

 

[Lak7]

With those numbers, sounds like both are fine.

 

[B.J.]

I'd guess you are picking up the DishNet Sat at 72.

Assume the receiver is working.
Only connect to the C Band LNB on the DMX741.
What did you enter into the Sathawk for LNB Settings?
What TP did you manually enter to lock your first signal?

Lak7
Everything on Dish 72.5 is Turbo 8PSK which the Sathawk wont pick up

Actually, there is a regular DVB transponder on both 72.5 anf 77. If his LNB goes that high, he could use those to align.

On BV mounts, with the exception of having the pole plumb, there are only two manual adjustments. See attached photo.

The elevation adjustment shown should be set to 90 minus your latitude (also subtract 0.6), not the elevation you mentioned above. There should ALSO be an adjustment of some kind on the movable portion of the mount, ie an adjustment that allows the dish to aim a bit lower toward the southern horizon for declination. I'm not familiar with that mount, but on some mounts this is an actual screw adjustment, while on others it is acomplished by other means, like using shims or different mounting points, etc. Can't really see in in your pictures, as it would be up above in part not pictured, or not attached. But you've got to get the dish pointed 5 degrees lower than the elevation that the adjustment you indicated gives you.

Could someone verify what signal intensity and signal quality they have when their Sathawk (Solomend) PVR800 box is not hooked-up to a lnb? I am getting...

36% intensity
5% quality

I'm trying to determine if my box is bad or lnb. The only thing that changes when lnb is connected is the intensity (45%) and occasionally, I see signal quality vary from 3% to 5%.

Just for fun, microwaves do wonders for lnbs - LOL

I don't have that receiver, but with most receivers, if the LNB is dead, you don't get anything. I'm guessing that your system is working but just not aimed right.
Your little hand held meter will always give an indication, depending on how the gain is adjusted, but what you're looking for is a change in the reading when you move the dish. The hand held meter should pick up STRONG readings on Ku from the above mentioned DN sats, and that should help you find the proper elevation/declination. I'd also recommend a inclinometer, measuring both axis elevation and dish elevation to assure that you have the proper declination.

 

[1beertap]

So for my latitude of 35.9276°, I get an elevation angle of 53.4724° and an declination angle of 5.3724°. First, I set elevation by moving bar that the motor sets on by the amount listed above. Next, I move just the dish bowl and not the mount, downward toward the southern horizon by the amount of declination. I know some sat mounts are different and birdview is definitely one of them. I really don't see a declination adjustment. I will have to install washers between the dish and it's mount to obtain correct declination angle as it's the only way I see to do it. Well, back to the hardware store to get longer bolts and more washers.

 

[Lak7]

I really don't see a declination adjustment. I will have to install washers between the dish and it's mount to obtain correct declination angle as it's the only way I see to do it

Correct. The Birdview has a fixed Declination, wahsers is what most use.

Here is a page that might help....
Footprints by Dish Size - Latitude Declination Chart - C/Ku-Band Satellite Listing
I use the Modified Angle Chart...
Footprints by Dish Size - Latitude Declination Chart - C/Ku-Band Satellite Listing

And another page that may help...
Footprints by Dish Size - Adjusting the Polar Mount for Prime Focus Antenna - C/Ku-Band Satellite Systems - Tuning, Tracking, Azimuth, Elevation, Declination Angles, F/D Ratio, Focal Distance, Inclinometer, LNB/Feedhorn Assembly, Actuator Assembly, C

 

[1beertap]

Lak7, sorry to be a thorn but do I use the angles I calculated for 72.0W for my location or do I use those found on the modified chart for my latitude?

 

[phlatwound]

Here's what I came up with for a declination adjuster:

 

[Lak7]

...sorry to be a thorn...

Start simple.....
Drive the Dish to it Highest point - Center
Set Elevation to 36.6, don't worry about Declination now
Only connect to C Band LNB
Double check that you have LNBF installed properly
Bring TV and Receiver to Dish if Possible
Setup Receiver for 72 West, L.O. = 5150, and Pick / Enter a known Hot Transponder
Loosen the Mount Bolts just enough to allow you to rotate the whole thing on the Pole, watching for the Quality Bars to Light Up.

 

[1beertap]

Drive the Dish to it Highest point - Center
Set Elevation to 36.6, don't worry about Declination now
Only connect to C Band LNB
Double check that you have LNBF installed properly
Bring TV and Receiver to Dish if Possible
Setup Receiver for 72 West, L.O. = 5150, and Pick / Enter a known Hot Transponder
Loosen the Mount Bolts just enough to allow you to rotate the whole thing on the Pole, watching for the Quality Bars to Light Up.

Dish at highest point - yes
Elevation set to 36.6, Do I need to account for fixed declination (which is 5 degrees)?
Connected DMX741 from LNB (for C only) to Receiver's LNB IN connection. I have not checked whether LNBF is pointed at center of dish.
I have brought TV and Receiver to Dish each time I have tried to align.
I have setup the PVR800 Receiver: Satellite AMC6 or 72W, LNB FREQ to 5150, and AUTO for Polarity. I can not pick or enter a TP as there is none. Lastly, with a 36.6 Elevation tried to rotate on pole with no signal quality found.

 

[Lak7]

I can not pick or enter a TP as there is none.

2 items below Single Sat Search, you should see "TP", select that, then press the "Green" button on the remote to enter a known Hot TP.

I have not checked whether LNBF is pointed at center of dish.

If it's not centered, it's very difficult to set the proper elevation. Also, make sure you have the DMX set for proper Polarity, with the Dish at it's highest point, pop the Feed Cap off, the 1/4" metal rod should be "dead nuts" Horizontal.

 

[1beertap]

Lak7, I finally locked in on 72w...yeah!!! and got picture, but now I have a new problem. When I try to blind scan for new TPs I loose the signal on this sat. I can make the signal come back either by unplugging the coax at LNB IN on the receiver and plugging it back in or by turning the LNBF off and on. Also, I can turn the switch off and on. these three things make the signal come back. When I reboot the receiver no signal is found until I do either one of the above mentioned things. I think the receiver or LNBF is possessed. Lastly, I did adjust the dish to get the best signal I could when it was available and as long as I am looking at a TV show the signal does not drop. Again, it's weird.