having trouble setting up system

[whiplash123]

Hello,
I’m new to FTA newbie and recently purchased a Viewsat PVR 7000, DigiWave DigiPro 82x95cm (32x37”) dish and a Digiwave DG780 Linear Standard Single LNBF, no motor, a cheap signal strength meter and I’m living in Sudbury, Ontario Canada it’s about 400km (250mi) north of Toronto.
Would anyone have some advice for my default receiver settings, why I’m getting 60~75% signal strengths on every satellite I find but can not get any quality at all? The only channels I could get came using a blind scan on a satellite offering about 86% signal that does not offer FTA channels < 123.0w and my skew settings are a bit of a mystery since the LNB has no mark.
Also, from what I’ve been able to find is that Galaxy 10r 123.0w and Galaxy 25 97.0w seem to be the best options but any other information for English, preferably any US network programming or European if it’s possible would be greatly appreciated.

Dish DWD-85R5-SMTA
http://www.digiwavetechnologies.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=173&MMN_position=184:174
LNB DG780 Linear Standard Single LNBF (L Type 10750GHz)
http://www.digiwavetechnologies.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=20&MMN_position=42:25

 

[Lak7]

Signal Strenght just show that there is power to the LNB, as you know you need Quality.

Goto..........
Satellite Look Angles Satellite Heading Calculator Azimuth Elevation Skew Tilt LNBF Latitude and Longitude values
enter your location and select the Sat you are aiming for.
It will give you your angles / compass headings. The markings on the Dish are known to be off a few deg. If possible, drag a TV and Receiver out to the Dish.
Point your Dish to the Proper Compass heading, set the Dish for your elevation.
Set your skew Looking at your Dish from the front- a Negitive Skew is Clockwise, Positive Skew is CounterClockwise.
Then in the receiver, go to the Sat Setup menu, select the Sat you are aiming for, select or enter a Live TP. Now make very small moves Left / Right, Up / Down.

 

[Fizbi]

Since you have no motor, I would try for Galaxy 10R.

G10R has some great programming.

There are three terrific educational channels at the college level, world news, and a good collection of 60s and 70s TV reruns.

 

[Anole]

Also, from what I’ve been able to find is that Galaxy 10r 123.0w and Galaxy 25 97.0w seem to be the best options but any other information for English, preferably any US network programming or European if it’s possible would be greatly appreciated.

This site has a list of birds and channels, sorted by language.
It's pretty simplified, so once you zero in on desired satellites, you might want to step up to better more complex lists
These include our own TheList, and Global-CM sites.

 

[whiplash123]

Thanks Lak7, Anole and Fizbi for your quick replies and the information you provided.

Lak7, I followed your instructions and found the proper elevation, azimuth and skew for 10r. For my location it’s as follows:
Elevation: 22.8°
Azimuth (true): 231.1°
Azimuth (magn.): 241.8°
Skew: 32.4°

Luckily I have a flat roof and took all my stuff up with a 13” tv. Initially I was using 2x 10 cables and the signal meter didn’t work until I added a 50’ now with the signal finder and the signal meter on the receiver I know I’m getting a 86% signal from 119 if I do a scan I get about 10 channels and it dips down to about 40% until I hit what I believe to be 121 or 123 then it goes back up to about 70% no quality. I move it very slowly waiting for levels to come up even just push lightly on the dish/lnb to tweak the signal to figure out what direction I should move skew/elevation/heading. I then scroll the TP’s in “TheList” I used “11720 V 27692”, “11730 H 13240” & “11799 V 26657” thanks Anole.. and still can’t seem to find quality or channels on anything but 119’s freebies. This site is fantastic and I’ll poke around a bit more. Until then can anyone recommend a motor? locally I have two options "HH90 Stab Motor" & "SG-2100 Drive Motor" but would like to know if either is worth the money? Even if I have to order something else as long as it’s good.

Can't wait to start watching my favourite 60 & 70’s shows again
Thanks again!

 

[Lak7]

Since you do not have a Motor, make Galaxy 10R @ 123 the target Sat. RTN is there.
Use the Sat finder page, get the Numbers for Galaxy 10R and Point.
Make sure you understand which way to skew the LNB!

In the VS7000, Sat Setup Menu, select Galaxy 10R from the list
LNB = Standard
LNB L.O. = 10750

From the TP List select 11720 or 11774
(if they are not there, read the Manual on how to enter a TP)

Now start to align. Watch for Quality Strength. Signal Strength only indicated that there is power to the LNB.

 

[whiplash123]

Well, after reading a few older posts warning about the signal/quality meters in the viewsats I broke down and called a local installer. They had a few satellite meters and we still can't get a signal or quality from 10r. They changed the LNB and even he is a bit perplexed since we have a clean line of site from my building. They were here for 2 hours and didn't charge me a dime and are now on their own mission to figure this one out. I'm grabbing at straws at this point and wondering if anyone had problems with Digiwave dishses or 10r North/East of Toronto near Sudbury?

 

[Lak7]

To check the dish, you need lay it on a flat surface, rim down, to see if it is warped.
If it is warped, SatelliteAV had a PDF that showed how to flex it back into shape, read that first.

 

[Anole]

credit where credit is due

PDF file on warped discs:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/921645-post7.html

 

[Lak7]

Just so it's clear, the installers could not lock with their meters or you can't lock with the Viewsat?

 

[whiplash123]

The installers can't lock or even get a signal with their meter even after changing my LNB. My friend owns a machine shop and I'll bring it to his shop on the weekend and have him check to see if it's warped. Thanks again Lak7 & Anole for this info. Cheers!

 

[whiplash123]

Now I know why you guys get paid the big bucks! I took the dish down and it turns out reflector has a very large but barely noticeable dent it looks like a manufacturing defect. If I was not looking for it would have never found it and I’m getting it replaced and will try again.

 

[Anole]

Sorry for your bad fortune.
But happy you found a solution.

When you get the new one, continue this thread and let us know how it goes.
Maybe even post a picture.

 

[whiplash123]

A quick question before I get started again on what ever bird is sitting at 123 now... In the google dish pointing maps the line and the azimuth are totally different by about 30o. Is anyone else like this and what should I use?

 

[Lak7]

The Earth's magnetic field varies greatly see link below
Find Your Declination Adjustment Value
Useing a compass and the "Compass" reading from the Sat Calculator.
For Sudbury, Ontario it looks like 241.8(242)
Set Dish elevation
Set LNB Skew
Point dish to 242
In the receivers Sat Setup Menu, Select Galaxy 10R from the list
LNB = Standard
L.O. = 10750
Be sure to have a Live Transponder selected: "11720" for example

If possible, bring Receiver and TV to the Dish for pointing
Small moves, watch the meter, it will "Jump" on any Sats signal, not just the one you are looking for.
In the Receiver, you are looking for Quality. Signal Strength just shows that there is power to the LNB.

 

[whiplash123]

YES! I finaly have 10r. After a month (really about 10 hours) I compaired other known satellites against 4 dish pointing websites for my location and it turns out elevation, azimuth, skew and the direction lines on all the sites are way off for my location. I used 2 compasses and a gps and they all gave me the same readings. So I found 119.0w, lowered elevation and swung right a bit until I found it. I also raised the dish as high as possible to ensure I would clear any possible obstruction. Thanks to all that helped!

 

[phlatwound]

Congrats on your success, lots of good viewing there!

 

[Mr Tony]

congrats! Its pretty awesome when you find the first sat

 

[Lak7]

It puts a new meaning to "Seeing Green", When it's your Quality indicator.
Did you order a motor yet?