brand new and i would like a few tips

[Cm2seabee]

hello to all!! i am just back from deployment where i stayed awhile in Spain. i ended up obtaining what i think is a FTA receiver. the brand is Orcid. it worked great in spain however i am back in Mississippi and i am having troubles with getting it to work here.. can anyone help?

thanks in advance!

 

[harshness]

I'm guessing this is an Orchid. Could you offer verified manufacturer and model number information?

 

[raoul5788]

to Satelliteguys Cm2seabee!

I'm moving this post to the FTA section, you should get a better response there.

 

[Cm2seabee]

hey thanks for the fast reply.. you are indeed right receiver is a Orchid sat s30 the lnb is an IE-320

 

[Cm2seabee]

confusing page you guys have here... where is the FTA section?

 

[Titanium]

This receiver is a basic standard definition unit that would be good for receiving a satellite located SSW of you in the southern sky. You will need a clear open sky towards the satellite position and a 36" dish (90cm). You can use the existing universal type LNBF. Do you have a 90cm dish?

The satellites found in the US are probably not programmed into the S30 and you would need to add or edit one of the current satellites in the list to detect a satellite in the US.

Some basics that you will need to install: Proper dish and know where to aim it, adjust the LNBF to the proper rotation, add or edit a satellite with the proper parameters of an active transponder. Once the satellite is found, do you know if the menu has a feature called Blind Scan or automatic search mode? If so, then the rest of the transponders will be logged and the channels scanned into the receiver. If the receiver does not have blind scan or automatic search, then each transponder would need to be manually entered and then scanned for available channels.

 

[KE4EST]

Welcome Cm!!!!!

Posted Via The FREE SatelliteGuys Reader App!

 

[Cm2seabee]

Thanks for the informative reply!
I do in fact have a 36’’ dish. Also the s30 does not have any of the correct transponders preprogrammed.. it has about 30 or so programmed but they are for the Spain location I am assuming from the searches that I have come up with. As far adding or editing a satellite with the proper parameters of an active transponder, do I need to type the name correctly?? I am really Un sure about this procedure. It box has the function of “blind scan” however I know not what its for.

 

[FaT Air]

The satellite name is not important*. I put 97W Ku G19 as the 'name' for Galaxy 19 @ 97W
Suggest you 'try' that satellite first. For transponder info to enter, check this list:
97.0°W Galaxy 19 Ku by Northgeorgia You don't have to enter them all. Once you've aimed the dish and peaked the Quality reading, doing the 'Blilnd Scan' will enter them all for you.
For the 'bearing' to aim the dish, www.dishpointer.com
Good satellite hunting.
*Satellite names change as they are replaced, moved, or sold to others, the only 'constant' is the orbital positions.

 

[Titanium]

Let's get you up and running on the most popular satellite used for direct to home in North America.

It doesn't matter the name of the satellite, you can use an existing satellite name and only you will know at it is wrong. The satellite receiver doesn't care what name is used.

Erase all current channels.
Select a satellite and set the LNB type to universal (LO 9750/10600)
Add a new transponder to the selected satellite (Transponder Frequency: 12152, Polarity: Horizontal, Symbol Rate: 20000) and save.
Go to WWW.dish pointer.com and find the compass reading, dish elevation angle and LNBF Skew setting for Galaxy 19 at 97w.
Make sure that the view of the sky is unobstructed and clear with no branches or other obstacles in the direction of the satellite.
Make sure the mounting pole or mast is solid and perfectly plumb and level.
Set the LNBF skew (rotation in circular clamp).
Attach coax from the LNBF to the receiver and a small TV next to the dish.
With the receiver set to the new transponder and the Signal Level and Quality meters displayed, set the dish to the approximate compass and elevation .
Watching the signal Quality meter, make slow panning movement to the East and/or 10=15 degrees. If no signal Quality reading is noted, increase/decrease the elevation in 1 ° increments and repeat. Slowly paint the sky while observing the signal Quality meter.

Once you get signal Quality and optimize it, then select the Blind Scan mode and search for all FTA channels.

This process should find over 200 channels on the Galaxy 19 satellite.

 

[Cosmo Blatz]

Let's get you up and running on the most popular satellite used for direct to home in North America.

It doesn't matter the name of the satellite, you can use an existing satellite name and only you will know at it is wrong. The satellite receiver doesn't care what name is used.

Erase all current channels.
Select a satellite and set the LNB type to universal (LO 9750/10600)
Add a new transponder to the selected satellite (Transponder Frequency: 12152, Polarity: Horizontal, Symbol Rate: 20000) and save.
Go to WWW.dish pointer.com and find the compass reading, dish elevation angle and LNBF Skew setting for Galaxy 19 at 97w.
Make sure that the view of the sky is unobstructed and clear with no branches or other obstacles in the direction of the satellite.
Make sure the mounting pole or mast is solid and perfectly plumb and level.
Set the LNBF skew (rotation in circular clamp).
Attach coax from the LNBF to the receiver and a small TV next to the dish.
With the receiver set to the new transponder and the Signal Level and Quality meters displayed, set the dish to the approximate compass and elevation .
Watching the signal Quality meter, make slow panning movement to the East and/or 10=15 degrees. If no signal Quality reading is noted, increase/decrease the elevation in 1 ° increments and repeat. Slowly paint the sky while observing the signal Quality meter.

Once you get signal Quality and optimize it, then select the Blind Scan mode and search for all FTA channels.

This process should find over 200 channels on the Galaxy 19 satellite.

Well said! I doubt there is any FTA receiver owner's manual that explains the procedure better than you just did!

Thanks for the post.

 

[Cm2seabee]

thanks a lot! very informative write up.. so far i have "labeled" 97.0W and set LNB to the settings stated above. still no signal...it reads 45% strength 5% intensity. as far as i can tell its alining in what should be the correct direction.

 

[FaT Air]

Did you also enter transponder information: frequency; 12152, Polarity: Horizontal, (SR) Symbol Rate: 20000.
Then go to the tune up screen and select and watch that transponder for an indication of Quality?
(You have to 'watch' a known active transponder to see a Quality indication)

 

[primestar31]

A pencil LEAD thickness is the difference between signal and NO signal.

Yes, that tiny bit of movement is the "size" of the signal, so don't be discouraged.

 

[Cm2seabee]

i am going to chalk this set up as deteriorated.. i am determined to learn this. i am about to order a very cheap dish,lnb,signal meter and receiver from amazon and try my luck with new equipment and see how it goes. my current dish is very weathered. the elevation indicators are non existent anymore and if a hard rain drop feel on my LNB i think it would crack the protective cover.haha i will ask questions again when the new stuff arrives.. thanks a lot for ALL of the help..

 

[FaT Air]

my current dish is very weathered. the elevation indicators are non existent anymore and if a hard rain drop feel on my LNB i think it would crack the protective cover.

That would only encourage me to 'make it work'.
As I tell often: "new doesn't always mean it is better".
Elevation,, offset dishes look 'up', from the perpendicular of the dish face somewhere between 24 and 27 degrees. So I'd calculate the required dish face angle to aim at the satellites elevation. And 'go from there'.
Don't be too quick to purchase, could maybe get a new DVB-S2 / HD box for little more than what you find. Run it by here for comment.
EDIT: when moving the dish back and forth, do so in very small steps. Wait a while for the receiver to lock the signal and display Quality before moving it again. 10 seconds is not unreasonable. The signals 'this side of the pond' are weaker than just about the rest of the world.

 

[Titanium]

How about a little less cheap stuff that you won"t regret buying in two weeks?

Check out this gear on Ebay:
1. GEOSATpro 90cm / 36" dish and PLL LNBF combo $99 shipped.
2. Amiko mini HD SE Mpeg2/4 SD/HD receiver $99 shipped.

Complete package that will be some of the best gear currently sold that you will use for years!

 

[Cm2seabee]

I GOT IT TO RECEIVE >>>>SOMETHING?? lol I'm not sure what it is...? 124 channels mostly religious .. however, i am up and running with my deteriorated equipment !

 

[KE4EST]

Now it is time to start to upgrade slowly to a better receiver and dish.
...or if you got the dough do it all at once..

 

[Cm2seabee]

198 out the door for the 2 items listed in the above comment. will i receive different type of channels with them?