Will equipment work correctly?

[KSkid]

Recently bought a dream star 32" dish which has a declination scale A 10 to 70 degree and B 50 to 90 degree. Dish is faced with an Invacom Quad LNG
with C L C L
00 00 Switch is viewsat 4n1dISCEQ switch super min LNG 1-2-3-4 and a switch EMP Centauri Dise gc 2.0 switch P164-1W
Pos A Opt A, Pos B, Opat A - Pos A Opt B, PosB Opt B

Also, a DigiPower Motor SG2100 - motor has 45 degree setting and a total up to 7 degree.

Also the receiver is a SonicView Hd8000.

We have followed the directions on setting up the system, but cannot locate a sat that has any quality. Strength settings about 60 to 64 on most.

Our information is that if we can find one satelitte, the remainder would go directly from Sonic View and the Motor.

It appears to us that the Dish could possible need a skew fitting in order to get the dish set up correct. Does anyone have any information on setting this equipment up together, rather than just "good luck"?

We have followed the dish pointer information for 45.1 and -118.5.

Any or all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[turbosat]

I'd start by aiming the motor/dish assembly at due south, assuming you didn't already. Then, find a satellite nearest your longitude, and determine the settings for it from dishpointer or whatever aiming website you consulted. Once your elevation is close to the setting for that satellite, pick a transponder/freq from The List ,here and add it to your receivers TP list for that sat. You should be able to pinpoint the satellite by slowing panning the dish/motor east/west on the pole. It may take sev attempts, elevation scales may not be perfectly accurate on your dish so you may want to increase/decrease a degree or so at a time, and keep panning the dish slowly back and forth until you see a hint of signal activity on your rec.
Once you get signal AND quality showing on your rec signal-strength meter, try scanning the satellite . I don't know if your model has blind scan, but if it does that will help you find the other channels avail. Once you've located that first satellite, the USALS function of your rec should put you very close to the locations of the other satellites. Some minor tweaking of east/west & elevation might be required to find all the satellites in the arc, it takes patience.

 

[DishDigger]

In addition to Turbosat's suggestions, make sure your mounting post is set perfectly vertical. As for skew, your lnb should have "zero" skew when aimed true south. The tilting action of the motor will "automatically" set the skew for each satellite.

 

[Anole]

One of our members did an in-depth post on setting your motor the first time.
Only thing I'd add (if he didn't already) is that maybe you should start out with NO SWITCH to make sure you aren't hindered by a dead or mis-commanded one.


AcWxRadar does a pretty good step-by-step motor setup:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/170861-motor-setup-questions.html#post1778160

 

[AcWxRadar]

One of our members did an in-depth post on setting your motor the first time.
Only thing I'd add (if he didn't already) is that maybe you should start out with NO SWITCH to make sure you aren't hindered by a dead or mis-commanded one.


AcWxRadar does a pretty good step-by-step motor setup:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/170861-motor-setup-questions.html#post1778160

Anole,

I just wanted to thank you for being so kind with your approval of my other post. This is quite a compliment from someone with as much background as yours and I appreciate it very much!

RADAR (Gordy)

P.S. I do believe that I mentioned not to use a switch during the process just to play it safe so that fits with your recommendations as well.

 

[Anole]

only the best:

I have about seventy-five links, with answers that cover some fraction of the common questions asked.

One of the biggest problems for newbies, is in knowing what to search for, when they don't know the subject matter.
For anyone with a serious interest, links to discussions of the subject they're asking about, will provide 90% of their answers.
Then, they can get personal help on the remaining 10%.

I was tired of seeing folks re-type the motor setup story, often leaving out some steps.
I could never remember all the little gotcha's, either.
When I saw your very comprehensive post on the subject, I added it to the arsenal!

That's also why I compiled the Switch FAQ last year.
It's based on all the excellent bits 'n pieces posted to the forum by many members over the years.
Iceberg's list of hot transponders is another basic commodity that every newbie needs to refer to.
I'm sure there are many others... oh, the reviews are a great source that most overlook, too!

I know everyone likes the personal touch of a custom answer, but pointing them to a page/picture in the FAQ, that deals with their exact problem, sure does cut down on typing.
And when the answer is as comprehensive as yours was, they should be able to get it right the first time!

 

[AcWxRadar]

I have about seventy-five links, with answers that cover some fraction of the common questions asked.

One of the biggest problems for newbies, is in knowing what to search for, when they don't know the subject matter.
For anyone with a serious interest, links to discussions of the subject they're asking about, will provide 90% of their answers.
Then, they can get personal help on the remaining 10%.

I was tired of seeing folks re-type the motor setup story, often leaving out some steps.
I could never remember all the little gotcha's, either.
When I saw your very comprehensive post on the subject, I added it to the arsenal!

That's also why I compiled the Switch FAQ last year.
It's based on all the excellent bits 'n pieces posted to the forum by many members over the years.
Iceberg's list of hot transponders is another basic commodity that every newbie needs to refer to.
I'm sure there are many others... oh, the reviews are a great source that most overlook, too!

I know everyone likes the personal touch of a custom answer, but pointing them to a page/picture in the FAQ, that deals with their exact problem, sure does cut down on typing.
And when the answer is as comprehensive as yours was, they should be able to get it right the first time!

Anole,

You are so right. There is so much information to be covered that a greenhorn to this hobby has so much information to wade through that it has to be a very ominous adventure for them.

Some people understand it fairly easily and some require more guidance. We were all at that stage ourselves at some point in our own adventure.

My friends from work and around the territory where I live have always thanked me for introducing them to FTA TV. They didn't realize that this was an option which was available to them and now that I have got them interested and acquainted with it, they are very happy!

Not everyone is impressed with the FTA channels, but many of them are very happy with it. There are enough channels up there to satisfy many. If they do not like these channels, then I tell them not to give up their subscription service channels.

I am personally not a huge fan of TV watching, I am more of an outdoors person. But, this is a great hobby for me in the winter. And I will always assist my friends with this subject.

RADAR