Finding one end of the arc

[schnitz411]

Hi all-
Consulting the group one more time getting set up.
I have a 4dtv pointing a BUD and using a new coolsat 7100 for viewing.
Have succesfully located AMC3, G28, G11, and G26 in their respective locations. Am now trying to find the west(?) end of the arc: AMC6, G17, AMC5 and AMC9.
Unfortunately the 4dtv signal meter barely changes at all once I get past AMC3 so I'm basically shooting blind trying to find anything, especially since few of these have any Analog C to test the tuning and I have to run a full scan on the Coolsat to see if I have anything.

Looking for any guidance from folks on better techniques for aiming.

My only idea thus far is that while the location "#s" on the 4dtv don't seem to mean anything themselves that there is about a 6 number change per degree...but that doesn't seem to be working at the far end of the arc.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Lak7]

The Coolsat can to C Band Digital. Are you using a "Slave" Kit to connect the Coolsat to the 4DTV?

 

[Mr Tony]

I think his issue is the 4DTV moves the dish and there isnt any analog on those sats he noted

On AMC5 digital (K5 600) is Oklahoma PBS

 

[schnitz411]

Exactly. Right now I have to make a blind guess on the 4dtv and then run a full scan on coolsat and try to figuyre out what I have. Looking to figure out more efficienbt way to aim with 4dtv based on relative positions of sats or something.

 

[Mr Tony]

If you have KU capability lets see

AMC5 (79W) channel 600 on KU is Oklahoma PBS (as noted above)
AMC2/16 (85W) has a test card on TP24...its fuzzy but works

another option is to have a TV setup for the Coolsat separate from the 4DTV...set up a transponder for SBS6/H2 like Ohio News (11733 H 6616) and move the big dish until the quality comes in

If you're C-Band only then most of the eastern sats you don't need as they are KU only

 

[Lak7]

Use the meter in the Coolsat vs. the 4DTV. In the Coolsat go to the Sat / Antenna Setup Menu, as Iceberg said - Select SBS6/G17/H2 - TP 11733 H 6616. Then using the 4DTV, drive the Dish to the East watching the Coolsat for a Quality Signal. You know approx. how many numbers per degree, so you can figure out a good starting point. This way is easiest if you have 2 TVs. one for the 4DTV, one for the Coolsat. Continue this way untill you have all the Sats. Remember to have a Live TP for each Sat selected in the Coolsats Setup Menu.

 

[schnitz411]

Hmmm. This is helpful but I am still confused. So I created and selected the SBS6/G17/H2 - TP 11733 H 6616 on the Coolsat. Then I started moving the dish using the 4dtv. The thing is I am consistently seeing a pretty much unchanging SIGNAL of 80 or so on the coolsat, but the quality bar never goes up at all (always on zero).
I assume the "signal" on the bottom of the coolsat screen the transponder signal?
Thoughts?

 

[Lak7]

Signal Strength just shows that the LNB has power, you are looking for Quality.
Are you set to a Horz. channel on the 4DTV?

 

[schnitz411]

I have tried multiple channels but not positive -- are odd or even horizontal?

 

[Lak7]

I think it depends on what Sat is selected on the 4DTV(It's been a while).
I only used Channels 1 and 2. Ku is very touchy. Calculate where 74west should be and drive there, 4DTV to channel 1 and slowly drive the dish to the East and West, if nothing switch to channel 2 and repeat. If still nothing, you may not be Tracking the Arc accuratly and need to adjust. Is your Coolsat connected to the C Band LNB? C Band is easier to find so you may want to start there. The NASA on AMC 6 @ 72 west is a Strong TP (4040 Vert 26665)
Make sure you have a C Band Sat setup in the Coolsat:
LNB Type = Standard
L.O.= 5150

 

[schnitz411]

Getting nowhere fast....Just to make sure I'm understanding this right.
1) on 4dtv, go into the sat configuration and select the sat I am working on and start it where I think it should be
2) on coolsat, open up the configuration and create/move to a transponder i know exists (ie Ohio tv)
3) Move the dish right and left using 4dtv slowly
4) watch the coolsat QUALITY indicator....I should find it somewhere. If not, I have a different problem (like elevation or something).

 

[schnitz411]

Questin about the above directions. I'm not sure I'm using the Coolsat "meter" correctly as I am not getting quality indicators in the channel search screen even on things I know come in fine and arre currently up.
Can someone tell me exactly what screen I should be in when I am moving my dish using 4dtv to see when I get quality on the signal?

 

[Lak7]

In the Coolsat, go to the Channel Search Menu, select Manual Search, select Live TP from Freq. list, at the bottom there should be the Signal and Quality Meters.

 

[schnitz411]

Much obliged.