Charlie,
I am not really adept at using DiSEqC1.2 motor positioning since I only have one sat programmed with it. I only have a H-H Ku band setup and that is disconnected now due to the moving experience.
USALS does a mathematical calculation every time a satellite is called up and creates a COMMAND string using DiSEqC1.2 protocol that is sent to the motor.
DiSEqC1.2 programmed sats are manually located by stepping the motor to dial in on the sat signal and then saving the optimum position and that position is recorded within the motor memory space. Each satellite is assigned a NUMBER (P1, P2, P3 etc). When a specif satellite is called up, the receiver looks at its assigned Position number (P1, P2 or P3 etc) and sends out the command for its assigned number.
Since we know that DiSEqC1.2 positions are stored in the motor memory, I would expect that you could replace any DiSEqC1.2 IRD with another DiSEqC1.2 compatible IRD and program the satellites in the list to have the same position numbers that the original IRD had assigned to them.
For example, if the S9 had Hispasat programmed as position P1, then if you could tell the AZBox that Hispasat was at position P1 also, then you wouldn't have to manually dial into the signal and reprogram it, you would just have to assign the position P1 to Hispasat within the AZBox. Unfortunately, I never played around with this as I never had the necessity, opportunity nor the time. I am not sure how you would assign the programmed position numbers to each satellite.
I guess it would just be a matter of trying this or that and see if it works. Maybe if you opened the DiSEqC1.2 menu for a specific satellite (let's say one that was already pre-programmed by another IRD and stored in the motor as P5) and instead of redialing the satellite in and AUTO-SAVING it, you could just program the new IRD so that the same satellite was indexed as P5. Maybe then the IRD would say "Hey, I know what the command string is to tell a motor to drive to P5" and send that command out to the motor. Since the motor already knows which satellite (which position) is stored in its memory at P5, it automatically drives there.
Do you follow my logic or did I just manage to confuse you? Or am I totally wrong? Please forgive me if I am wrong. I do believe that someone who knows DiSEqC1.2 protocol more in depth will correct me if I am incorrect. Otherwise, maybe I will spur folks on to test it out and find the answer.
On to another subject: Charlie, it would be a pleasure to meet you and Mary in person. Too bad I have to move from this location. I think you would really like to see the view here from the bluff overlooking the Elkhorn River. I can sit out there (or lay down in the short grass with a straw hat on) and watch the clouds go by and the eagles and hawks soaring about and the turkey buzzards too.
.... Hey.... Wait a minute.... Those turkey buzzards are circling......... ME!!!! Hey you turkey buzzards! I ain't dead! I'm just soaking in the sun!
LOL
RADAR