Aiming a CBAND

[jself1982]

My current project is getting my FREE 10' c-band dish that my aunt is giving to me, still just haven't had the greatest time in the world to do this...my one aiming question:


Back when I installed the FTA dish, I had to aim the motor at 83 degrees, and that was my true south axis point for my FTA, taking that into consideration, would I also set my C-Band axis up at 83 degrees as well or would I set it up for another satellite location?


I am in Easley SC, and the lat/long I think is 82/34

Thanks


Also how long of a pole would I need for a 10' dish, how much would be safe above ground, and how far to go below ground for a steady/plumb fit?

 

[dfergie]

I went with an 8' pole on my first BUD ... 4' in the ground with cement... Links here as to setup from the FAQ's

 

[voomvoom]

Well, you can do the aim at your truesouth bird if you like. But, with the BUD, it's not necessary. What's important is getting the polar mount pointing to north and south, not magnetic, but true. If I remember correctly, the pole angle for the polar mount should be your latitude of 34 degrees. If you have an analog receiver, it should be close and fairly easy to find a signal. If you have to use a DVB receiver, it may be a little harder, but do-able.
I agree with dfergie on the pole, 8' pole should be good, get it at least 3' deep or more. Really depends on how high you need it, I've seen people with poles next to there house and going above there roofline, but most are in the yard, and you need to get it as close to the ground as the dish/location will allow. To make it easier/safer to do any tweeking or other possible maintenance.

Al

 

[john green]

You could always go with the lawn chair method as I have done.

 

[jself1982]

Does the lawn chair method work w/ the wind as well?? LOL Thats talent!!


I know I shouldn't have to change much with the settings from the way my aunt has it, she is only 30 miles away...my issue was how to set it on top of the pole and finding that 1 sat that would make it track the belt...

 

[Covack]

After you get it installed , I would run the jack to it lowest point in the arc,
ballpark(AMC-7)
Then if You have a anaolg receiver, channel 6 is a test pattern in the clear.
I would rotate the dish on the pole to see if You could get some kind of picture.
Having the tv out at the dish, would be a big plus, if possible. If no picture,
I would bump the dish east a little bit and rotate again. If she had this bird programmed in ,You should be ok for polarity. anyway if you get a picture, snug it
down and select Galaxy 14, channels 15 or 16 are in the clear, run Your jack east and see if You are tracking at least that much of the arc, If You get it You are close. Then it usually a matter of tweaking.There are other ways to get it. this is just one way, I hope You get it, keep Us posted

 

[jself1982]

Thanks, this is my weekend project for the next several weekends...

She has a 10' black mesh C-Band dish, w/ Uniden 4400 receiver, which the VCII board is still good...she hasn't used it in 5 or so years but all worked when she turned the programming off...not even sure what satellite it is on now...also not sure if the actuator still works, but the dish and all the parts are still in good shape, the mount is a little rusty but thats about it, no damage to the dish or warping...I do know it only has the C-Band, its not setup for KU which isn't that important to me--I just want to get it to my house and get it going. She just wants it gone and said I could have it for free...!!!

Another question, do I have to get another FTA receiver to get the CBand FTA? Or can I use the receiver connected to the KU dish as well...(I know this is kind of a FTA ? but maybe you all know)

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

Yes, you can use the Fortec to get C Band digital (MPEG2). Just slave it off of the Unifden when you get that going.

 

[Covack]

You can use the same fta receiver for both C/KU there is a couple or three ways to hook it up.

 

[cspiteri]

G-14 Location

What is the location of G-14?? I can`t seem to find it on my satellite charts.
Are there any analog transponders currently in use??

 

[voomvoom]

G14 was formerly G5. You can find G5/G14 at 125.0w. It is a C-band only satellite.

Al

Edit: Ooooops, forgot this, TBN analog ITC can be found on channel 3 (3760). And, there are some Radio frequencies ITC scattered across the bird.

 

[cspiteri]

G-14

Thanks!!!!

 

[Covack]

I mean't G16 in My earlier post, not G14 ,sorry if I misled anybody I didn't catch it till cspiteri posted, if the dish will track from amc 7 to G16 You should be close in
Your setup.

 

[voomvoom]

Well G16 was formerly G4 and can be found at 99.0w. And channels 15 and 16 are ITC like Covack says.

Al

 

[dashaund]

Easley, SC huh? Well, I'm just outside Travelers Rest. I've gotten into Ku and I REALLY wish I had a big C-Band dish to go with it. My dad had one years ago but got D* and got rid of it. What a shame. Of course, not a lot of LOS room here on ground level due to trees...had to put my dish on the roof...definitely don't want to put a 10 footer on the roof. Good luck with it and keep us posted! You might want to get one of those C/Ku LNBs to put on there down the road. The signals are stronger with a bigger dish.

 

[jself1982]

Nice to see someone close by into FTA, thought I was the only one down here!

 

[dashaund]

No, I don't see many at ALL. On my drive to school (Greenville Tech) there's one guy I've seen with a Winegard 76cm on his chimney and a D* triple-lnb dish made into a FTA dish. Outside of that, haven't seen anybody else. If I look, I see quite a few BUDs...obviously the BUD boom in the 80s struck around here pretty big. Then everyone went back to cable (YUCK!). Now it's D* and E* for everyone since Charter (IMHO) is so bad.

 

[jself1982]

I must 100% agree with you on charter, I only keep them for internet!

 

[Inno]

If you can determine what satellite the dish was on when it was all shut down (might still be displayed on the receiver) you may be able to plumb your mounting post and rotate the dish on the post 'till you get a strong signal, after that the rest may just fall into place without too much tweaking. I've used this method a few times with reasonable success. Good luck!

 

[jself1982]

The receiver doesn't still have the sat set on what it was on previously...I'm also seeking a remote to work the Uniden 4400 as well but haven't had much luck. Guess I need that before I can start anything.