Making sure it all works before calling installer

[amyo]

Hi folks. I just got my gear today. I have 1 skystar2 dvb-s pci card, 1 31" dish, 1 universal single lnb, 1 SG2100 diseqc hh motor, and 1 SF-95 signal meter. I live in Chicago (far west side). I plan to call an installer to put the dish & motor on the roof of my 2 story bungalow because I'm clumsy and it's a long way down! But I'd like to make sure it all works first beforehand. The card I can test to make sure it loads its drivers etc. so that's really not a problem, it's the dish & motor I'm concerned with. Is it possible to mount it on an antenna tripod with a thick mast just to make sure it moves when commanded to? I won't be able to see any satellites due to the trees at ground level, but seeing it move would give me a sense of comfort.

I'm hoping to catch some French language programming among others. Eventually this setup will integrate into my mythtv system.

Thanks,

Amy

 

[PilotS77]

You can test the motor for movement - but I doubt that you would have any difficutlies with the motor.

 

[PSB]

I agree, I would not motor the dish until you are locked on your true south satellite. There is a button under the motor so its relatively easy to get back to the " 0 " position if you just HAVE to try it out. : ) I would ask the installer if he has ever done a motorized KU installation, and what kind of meter he uses. If he says he uses a small TV it's going to be a long day.

I would set up the dish without the motor to start and find/store your true south satellite as it will save you a LOAD of time at the final installation. Good Luck!


Welcome to the SatelliteGuys.US FTA forum!

 

[amyo]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm specifically looking for an installer who has done one before as I'm not exactly an expert on this stuff. I know that I will have to drop by Fry's and grab a couple of grounding blocks and 2 lengths of RG6 (a 12' to go from motor to dish and a longer one to get into the house); and I need to determine my true south & satellite locations etc. but having an experienced installer would probably make the whole thing easier on both of us.

Additionally I don't have a receiver with blind search; just the skystar2 card, so I need to get comfortable with progdvb or mytheatre to start with. Eventually this'll go into a linux box and be part of my mythtv setup, but
for now I think the windows progs will be easier. I did put the card in a linux system yesterday just to make sure the drivers loaded and the card came up.

Any other things I should acquire for the install or things I should know, I'll appreciate hearing. Thanks again for your hospitality.

Amy

 

[Mr Tony]

mmmmm...fries

Oh wait, you're not talking about those fries

btw: welcome

 

[amyo]

No, not those fries! Fry's, otherwise known as the best thing short of the online mall.

So it looks like AMC-3 would be my true south satellite?

I'm at 41.84N 87.8W and a declimation of 2 degrees W.

How much do I need to worry about elevation given that this is going to be on a motor?

What do I do with the declimation?

Any tips on finding a good installer?

Sorry so many questions, this is all brand new to me.


Amy

 

[PSB]

AMC-3 works as your true south satellite.

http://www.lyngsat.com/amc3.html

All the angles for the motor will be in the manual, again I would suggest not installing the motor to start, I would find and store AMC-3 first as it will help speed up the motor installation, maybe check the below link for installers in your area. Always ask if they have done a motorized KU install before and what kind of meter they will use, dont let them learn on your time!

www.dbsinstall.com