If anyone out there has installed a FORTEC 1m dish could you please share with me how accurate the dish elevation scale is for this unit. I'm currently trying to install this dish as part of a motorized setup upgrade - it appears different than other FORTEC (smaller) dishes I have seen. Thanks in advance!
Fortec 1m dish - elevation scale accuracy
- Thread starter cebu22
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 8
- Views 4K
- Status
I've installed several different types of dishes and found that NONE of the elevation scales were very accurate. Do yourself a favor, spend $10 and get one of these. It will make life much easier.
Johnson Level & Tool 700 Contractor Magnetic Angle Locator
You might be able to pick one up from Home Depot or your local hardware store too.
It's possible some of the parts got bent in shipment.
However, since their 1.0 and 1.2 meter dishes have side support struts for the LNB, it's not so likely the LNB arm is tweaked.
It's possible you have the bracketry assembled wrong on the back of the dish.
The bow-tie assemblies are easily mounted wrong (if I recall from a very old thread).
Be sure you placed the dish face-down on a flat surface and checked it for warpage before assembling it.
That said, the markings on the elevation are not so accurate.
But, it's not a commercial transmit-rated dish, so it's perfectly fine for our FTA use.
I found when helping JsatTV back in mid-2007 with his, that the elevation pivot left a lot to be desired.
You might find the dish slips a lot when trying to tweak elevation.
Give a look to this thread where he incorporated some changes, and see if you think the elevation pivot bolt mod might help.
As for the dish being off, just assume it is, and swing up and down about 5° looking for your bird.
This is not rocket science, so don't expect everything to be right on target.
I'm sure you'll find your satellite. - :up - and don't forget to set the proper skew, too!
edit: also, see the docs for what to aim at the elevation markings
the edge of the metal behind 'em, or the center of the bolt???
However, since their 1.0 and 1.2 meter dishes have side support struts for the LNB, it's not so likely the LNB arm is tweaked.
It's possible you have the bracketry assembled wrong on the back of the dish.
The bow-tie assemblies are easily mounted wrong (if I recall from a very old thread).
Be sure you placed the dish face-down on a flat surface and checked it for warpage before assembling it.
That said, the markings on the elevation are not so accurate.
But, it's not a commercial transmit-rated dish, so it's perfectly fine for our FTA use.
I found when helping JsatTV back in mid-2007 with his, that the elevation pivot left a lot to be desired.
You might find the dish slips a lot when trying to tweak elevation.
Give a look to this thread where he incorporated some changes, and see if you think the elevation pivot bolt mod might help.
As for the dish being off, just assume it is, and swing up and down about 5° looking for your bird.
This is not rocket science, so don't expect everything to be right on target.
I'm sure you'll find your satellite. - :up - and don't forget to set the proper skew, too!
edit: also, see the docs for what to aim at the elevation markings
the edge of the metal behind 'em, or the center of the bolt???
I have an 80cm Fortec, a 90cm Fortec, and a 1.2m fortec. And I don't think the scale is right on any of the three, with the motor, or without the motor? Sorry, I don't have a 1m Fortec, but it's scale is probably off too? Do like TRG suggest, and get a Magnetic Protractor.....!
Fortec 1 Meter Dish - 10 Degrees Out on Elevation:
Cebu22 I have the Fortec 1 meter Dish, and for my location Elevation was supposed to be 22.7 degrees. It turned out that the scale was 10 degrees out - I needed to go to 32 degrees before I got a decent picture on my South Satellite / 97.0W.
I was reading this and was going to comment that this was the dish, as I posted on another thread, that off by 10 degrees. But I see jsattv beat me to it. The tin dishes also can get a warp in the center under the bowtie that make them difficult to line in. The molded dishes are heavier, but ... OK, IMO, worth it.
I concur on the 10 degrees
While reaiming after the Ike windstorm I decided to retweak the whole system.
Last install had motor about 30 and dish about 24.
Went with 40 on the motor and near 35 on the dish.
Back into the 90's on most on just two rounds of tweaking.
While reaiming after the Ike windstorm I decided to retweak the whole system.
Last install had motor about 30 and dish about 24.
Went with 40 on the motor and near 35 on the dish.
Back into the 90's on most on just two rounds of tweaking.
Add to that, my Channel Master (molded dish) AZ-EL mount has an elevation scale that is dead on accurate. These dishes are intended for professional use, so they seem to have far better quality control. Downside is that they are difficult to mount to a small H-H DiSEqC motor...
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
