Motorised install issues

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ScuL

487 posts

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#190706 9-Jan-2016 16:51

Hey guys,

I've brought my entire sat install across from Europe and am trying to make it work in order to receive Optus D1 & D2.
So far, after many attempts I am still failing to get any signal.

The configuration is as following:
Dish: Triax TDS88
LNB: Inverto Black Ultra
Rotor: Alsat Dark Motor
Receivers: Dreambox DM7000 (testing unit) and DM800 HD

I've postioned the dish stand on a steady/even surface and levelled it out

I've set the Triax on 35 degree decl, according to the rotor manual

I've set the Latitude on 37 degrees for Auckland.
Also I have reset the motor according to the manual in order to erase any European satellite configurations.

Today I waited for 13:27 and aligned the LNB with the position of the sun using this tape trick

Now the dish should be perfectly aligned to position 0, TRUE NORTH, and the correct Latitude.

When it comes to the software configuration I've got the following situation:
* After entering the correct LAT/LON in the DM7000 menu (174.75E, 36.75S) the GotoX seems to work however partially
* DM7000 is able to drive to zero
* DM7000 is able to move left when turning WEST and move right when moving EAST
* DM7000 is NOT able to move to satellite of choice (ie. Optus D1/160E)

Then I grabbed my DM800 and tried the same
* GotoX configuration works flowlessly
* DM800 is able to drive to zero
* DM800 is able to move left when turning WEST and move right when moving EAST
* DM800 is able to move to satellite of choice (ie. Optus D1/160E) actually moves ~15 degrees to the left

After doing numerous scans, still no signal.
I tried wiggling the dish left and right on the pole, also tried raising/lowering elevation on the rotor.
No signal. I've also tried using a sat tester, no beep whatsoever.

By then I start thinking maybe faraway trees were blocking the view so I raised the dish on a higher pole and repeated the process.

Still nothing, no matter what I do.
I started thinking maybe my LNB had broken, so I placed my old Alps Universal Twin LNB, still NO SIGNAL!

I am at a loss as to what to do next :(

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

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8955 posts

Uber Geek

#1466602 9-Jan-2016 17:02

What's your skew like? Probably need to rotate the LNB about 45 degrees for the Optus sats.

Also, they'll all be on high band with a universal LNB over here, so make sure 22kHz is activating.

ScuL

487 posts

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#1466665 9-Jan-2016 18:56

Skew is zero, the LNB is straight and aligned with the LNB arm.. that's what I'm used to.
If it needs to be rotated 45 degrees, does this apply to all the satellites or just Optus? Otherwise that more or less defeats the purpose of having a motorised installation because you would have to manually skew the LNB every time..

I'm pretty sure the universal LNB should be able to cope with the frequencies, judging by Lyngsat the symbol rates & freqs are all similar to what I'm used to in Europe
http://www.lyngsat.com/Optus-D1.html

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Jase2985

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#1466686 9-Jan-2016 19:10

d1 and d2 you need ~ the same skew

try this site for info
http://www.satellite-calculations.com/Satellite/lookangles.htm

gumboot19

52 posts

Master Geek

#1466700 9-Jan-2016 19:39

Satellite: Optus D1N
LNB: either 10700 or 11300
Horizontal is normally 22500
vertical is ?? 11780?? cant quite remember

Brunzy

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#1466701 9-Jan-2016 19:40

There are so may variables best bet would be to try and eliminate some. It possible take your receiver to some with a working dish on D1
and set it up. Then change it to the frequency of your LNB , and manually set it to D1, skew is around 5 to 5 on a clock face looking from the front.
Once you have that working try the motor.

RunningMan

8955 posts

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#1466703 9-Jan-2016 19:42

Any of the Ku satellites will need the LNB skewed - it will be different for each sat, but within a couple of degrees so worth trying the motor.

There's no problem using a universal LNB, but most LNBs in NZ are single LO (high band on a universal) either 10750 or 11300, so as long as the LNB is switching to high band, there should be no issue.

Try http://www.dishpointer.com/ to compare skew or https://www.google.co.nz/#q=optus+d1+lnb+skew+nz and look at some pics.

RunningMan

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#1466704 9-Jan-2016 19:55

gumboot19: Satellite: Optus D1N
LNB: either 10700 or 11300
Horizontal is normally 22500
vertical is ?? 11780?? cant quite remember

OP is using a universal LNB so the LO settings won't need to be entered.

Wise

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gumboot19

52 posts

Master Geek

#1466731 9-Jan-2016 21:04

Point noted.
is the dish pointed/ aimed in a similar direction to the sky tv ones in the neighbourhood?

Apsattv

2389 posts

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#1466756 9-Jan-2016 21:25

Go back to basics
Confirm settings are correct and uptodate in your receiver for Optus D1 ,

lnbf enabled with correct l.o

LNBF set to approx. 7 pm angle when looking at it from the front
LNBF power ON

Forget about the motor for the moment

Try to Manually find Optus D1, C1, or D2, you said you have a tester ? I assume you are using a needle type satfinder?

The satellites you will be able to get when you are setup are.

180E Intelsat 18
172E Eutelsat 172A
166E Intelsat 19
160E Optus D1
156E Optus C1
152E Optus D2
122.2E Asiasat 4

ScuL

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1466770 9-Jan-2016 21:45

gumboot19: Point noted.
is the dish pointed/ aimed in a similar direction to the sky tv ones in the neighbourhood?

I've been comparing with the neighbours dish (seems to be dual head Sky LNB aimed at Optus D1) and I had it spot in, same direction same elevation.
His LNB is not skewed (maybe the LNB is skewed internally?) it appears to be at 0 degrees.

I will try skewing my LNB tomorrow and align it when the sun matches the position of 160E.

Apsattv:
Go back to basics
Confirm settings are correct and uptodate in your receiver for Optus D1 ,
lnbf enabled with correct l.o

All settings should be correct (I loaded in a sat index from http://satellites-xml.eu/ )
I don't have or need any LO settings as far as I know, the universal LNB has a wide frequency range and should do this automatically

Apsattv:
LNBF set to approx. 7 pm angle when looking at it from the front
LNBF power ON

Will try that

Apsattv:
Forget about the motor for the moment

It's just as easy doing a manual alignment when you pre-program the motor to go to a certain setting (such as 160E) and then remove the power, it will freeze the rotor as if it were to be in a fixed position. I've done this many times before

Apsattv:
Try to Manually find Optus D1, C1, or D2, you said you have a tester ? I assume you are using a needle type satfinder?

Yes needle satfinder, I've had zero signals with it so far, probably due to failing to skew the LNB?

Apsattv:
The satellites you will be able to get when you are setup are.

180E Intelsat 18
172E Eutelsat 172A
166E Intelsat 19
160E Optus D1
156E Optus C1
152E Optus D2
122.2E Asiasat 4

Don't you need different skews for the non-Optus ones?

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Apsattv

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#1466845 10-Jan-2016 02:55

Declination angle should be 35 -5.9
Elevation angle 37 should be near enough

have looked at manual here
http://www.scribd.com/doc/103935314/ALSAT-Manual-0430#scribd

ScuL

487 posts

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#1467260 10-Jan-2016 21:43

HURRAY .. I've made progress I've adjusted the LNB skew to 45 degrees (cable connection at 08:00) Unfortunately the weather was overcast and a bit wet today so I struggled to do the fine tuning as I intended at the sun's highest point

After changing the LNB skew I received a signal straight away. It appeared to be Optus D3 at 156E

I rotated the dish 4 degrees east to get Optus D1 at 160E

The signal was crystal clear as you can see. Even if I pull the pole 10 degrees out of line I still receive a 65% SNR signal. Prime (Freeview NZ) also came in very strong.

Now that I know that all the equipment is fine I can locate a more permanent spot for the dish and fix everything permanetely

Anybody good tips for roof installers on the North Shore ?

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

RunningMan

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#1467262 10-Jan-2016 21:51

Awesome!

I think these guys are North Shore based http://jayx.co.nz/ if you want a sat installer, otherwise https://www.nocowboys.co.nz/ perhaps.

Apsattv

2389 posts

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#1467291 11-Jan-2016 02:48

Now try driving it past D1 to 166E and do a scan there. You should get around 174 Channels.

Then proceed to 180E and see if you really are on the arc still

ScuL

487 posts

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#1477974 24-Jan-2016 23:21

I have taken my time over the past few weekends to perfect the tuning to the Clark Belt and am pleased to say I succeeded

Also went to Bunnings and got 8x pavers to add weight to the base.

I can happily receive

Optus D2 (152E)

Optus C1/D3 (156E)

Optus D1 (160E)

Intelsat 19 (166E)

Intelsat 18 (180E)

Haven't tried 122E yet. 174E doesn't seem to hold anything (maybe an object is blocking my way).. also tried those Channel 7 feeds but can't get them.

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

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