Does this make sense about motors?

[giraffejumper]

Ok. If you set the motor to zero - then use USALS to make it go to a certain satellite - then tweak it to get that satellite at peak signal and quality - then the motor then knows where the others are from that position.
So does it really matter if it is the True South satellite?
Could you not find ANY satellite and drive USALS to it and then find it and tweak it?
Would it not be the same?
Would it not still be on the arc as long as it is on the right satellite that USALS thinks it is?
This is something I am still a little confused about.
Thanks,
-phil

 

[caddata]

... the motor then knows where the others are...

You have discovered the magic of USALS Grasshopper.

I usually just rotate the dish/motor assembly to the nearest satellite with the most active FTA transponders using USALS and tweak from there. Don't tighten anything down hard till you're tweaked to the max.

Harold

 

[glater]

Same here, works for me.

 

[qwert1515]

Are you trying to use a satellite that is not your true south satellite as your true south satellite?

 

[voomvoom]

You have discovered the magic of USALS Grasshopper.

I usually just rotate the dish/motor assembly to the nearest satellite with the most active FTA transponders using USALS and tweak from there. Don't tighten anything down hard till you're tweaked to the max.

Harold

Couldn't have said this better myself! I believe you are on to something?

Al

 

[giraffejumper]

Are you trying to use a satellite that is not your true south satellite as your true south satellite?

Yes! Or at least if that would work.
My true south satellite is amc 3 and I was wondering if I could put it on something REALLY easy to find like nimiq 1. (which is not THAT far off my true south satellite)
Would it mess up the arc to set the USALS to nimiq 1- get it to come in real clear, and then tighten everything up?
Will it really matter if it isn't the "true south" one?
Because in my weird logic - if the elevation is right on that one it should be right on the others.
But then again, I suck at math!
I am not yet "spot on" with the physics of these motors and why it has to be the "true south" satellite. (and maybe because it has been a real pain in the butt to find this true south satellite!)
-phil

 

[iafirebuff]

The only problem I see is that depending on what satellite you are peaking it at, the dish could be skewed enough that it would make it hard to line up. Just a thought.

 

[Wescopc]

My true south satellite is amc 3 and I was wondering if I could put it on something REALLY easy to find like nimiq 1. (which is not THAT far off my true south satellite)

That is the best way to do it! Find a strong TP/Satellite close to TS. Motor over to it and then tweak for best signal by setting dish elevation (up/down) with the dish elevation setting, and the azimuth (left/right) by turning the motor at the post.
Bob

 

[caddata]

... and then tighten everything up?...

Phil:

Don't tighten anything up till you've tweaked full East and West.....just tight enough for the motor to rotate without moving on the pole. After you're satisfied that everything is maxed out, tighten it just a tad more.

Mark everything (shaft and motor [if you can] and the dish elevation points) with a scribe mark, crayola, centerpunch, or paint so that if high winds turn it, you can realign the marks, Easy to do and you run less risk of stripping out those plastic gears.

Harold

 

[qwert1515]

As long as the satellite you pick is close to your true south satellite you should be ok.

 

[updatelee]

the reason you pick a satellite close to your true south is only for the fact that adjusting your elevation up/down is accually adjusting your elevation up/down. if you pick a satellite on your far outer arc then adjusting the dish elevation is accually moving the dish east/west. makes it kinda complicated to aim.

pick any satellite close to your true south and you'll be fine.