Need Advice on a Do-it-yourself CoolSat 4000 Pro Install

[fedri]

Greetings,

...just purchased the "CoolSat 4000 PRO Universal Package" from gosatellite.net . Package includes CoolSat 4000 PRO with 33" Dish, Dual Standard FTA LNBF, Rotor, 4x1 DiSEqC Switch and 9 Pin Serial Cable. I also purchased a 3 ft. tripod and 5 ft. mast to go with it (both from radio shack).

Need some advice on properly installing the system. I've already attemped doing the install on my own, but am having little success receiving channels via the receiver. Not really sure what I'm doing wrong...the mast is plumb level, cables seem to be properly installed, the dish is facing due south as measured by a compass, the satellite finder signal is good...I guess all else is questionable.

Here are some details regarding my location:

USA, California, Santa Clara, 95050

Can someone (anyone) please provide specifics on what I should do? Please start from ground zero, as I may have missed something (ie. I may have screwed up on adjusting the dish elevation and rotor latitude, etc.). Also, if there's any advice on how to use the CoolSat 4000 to scan for channels, that would be great.

Alternatively, if there is a link that I can go to for local satellite installers, that would be my next option.

Cheers,

- f

 

[PSB]

Hello and WELCOME to the SatelliteGuys.US FTA forum

Here are all the angles for your area.......

                      Santa Clara, CA 95050
          Latitude 37° 20.838'N Longitude 121° 57.246'W

                         Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m)    El  Skew
-----------------------------------------------------------------
                                 
                                 
                     Intelsat 901   18.0W 261.4 246.1 -19.3 -51.8
                                 
                     Intelsat 603   20.0W 262.7 247.3 -17.8 -52.0
                                 
                            NSS 7   22.0W 263.9 248.6 -16.2 -52.2
                                 
                     Intelsat 905   24.5W 265.5 250.1 -14.3 -52.4
                                 
                     Intelsat 907   27.5W 267.3 252.0 -12.0 -52.6
                                 
                   Hispasat 1C/1D   30.0W 268.8 253.5 -10.1 -52.6
                                 
                     Intelsat 801   31.5W 269.7 254.4  -9.0 -52.7
                                 
                     Intelsat 903   34.5W  91.5  76.2  -6.6 -52.6
                                 
              AMC 12 & Telstar 11   37.5W  93.4  78.0  -4.3 -52.5
                                 
                          NSS 806   40.5W  95.2  79.9  -1.9 -52.3
                                 
                        PAS 6B/3R   43.0W  96.8  81.4   0.1 -52.1
                                 
                           PAS 1R   45.0W  98.0  82.7   1.6 -51.9
                                 
                     Intelsat 705   50.0W 101.2  85.8   5.6 -51.3
                                 
                     Intelsat 707   53.0W 103.1  87.8   8.0 -50.7
                                 
                     Intelsat 805   55.5W 104.8  89.5   9.9 -50.2
                                 
                            PAS 9   58.0W 106.5  91.2  11.9 -49.7
                                 
                         Amazonas   61.0W 108.6  93.3  14.3 -48.9
                                 
           EchoStar 3 & Rainbow 1   61.5W 109.0  93.6  14.7 -48.7
                                 
                 Estrela do Sul 1   63.0W 110.1  94.7  15.8 -48.3
                                 
                     Brasilsat B2   65.0W 111.5  96.2  17.4 -47.7
                                 
                     Brasilsat B1   70.0W 115.4 100.1  21.2 -45.9
                                 
                 Nahuel 1 & AMC 6   72.0W 117.0 101.7  22.7 -45.1
                                 
                            AMC 6   72.0W 117.0 101.7  22.7 -45.1
                                 
                        DirecTV 5   72.5W 117.4 102.1  23.1 -44.9
                                 
                            SBS 6   74.0W 118.7 103.4  24.2 -44.2
                                 
                            AMC 5   79.0W 123.1 107.8  27.9 -41.8
                                 
                          Nimiq 2   82.0W 125.9 110.6  30.0 -40.1
                                 
                            AMC 9   83.0W 126.9 111.6  30.7 -39.5
                                 
                     Brasilsat B3   84.0W 127.9 112.5  31.4 -38.9
                                 
                           AMC 16   85.0W 128.9 113.6  32.1 -38.2
                                 
                            AMC 3   87.0W 131.0 115.6  33.4 -36.9
                                 
              Intelsat Americas 8   89.0W 133.1 117.8  34.7 -35.5
                                 
                 Galaxy 11/Nimiq1   91.0W 135.3 120.0  35.9 -34.0
                                 
                     Brasilsat B4   92.0W 136.5 121.1  36.6 -33.2
                                 
                        Telstar 6   93.0W 137.6 122.3  37.2 -32.4
                                 
                        Galaxy 3C   95.0W 140.0 124.7  38.3 -30.7
                                 
              Intelsat Americas 5   97.0W 142.5 127.2  39.4 -28.9
                                 
                        Galaxy 4R   99.0W 145.1 129.7  40.4 -27.1
                                 
                            AMC 4  101.0W 147.7 132.4  41.4 -25.1
                                 
                            AMC 1  103.0W 150.5 135.2  42.3 -23.1
                                 
                           AMC 15  105.0W 153.3 138.0  43.2 -20.9
                                 
                          Anik F1  107.3W 156.7 141.4  44.0 -18.3
                                 
         DirecTV 6 & EchoStar 6/8  110.0W 160.8 145.4  44.9 -15.2
                                 
                          Anik F2  111.1W 162.5 147.1  45.2 -13.9
                                 
                    Solidaridad 2  113.0W 165.4 150.1  45.7 -11.5
                                 
                         SatMex 5  116.8W 171.5 156.2  46.4  -6.7
                                 
          EchoStar 7 & DirecTV 7S  119.0W 175.1 159.8  46.6  -3.9
                                 
  EchoStar 9/Intelsat Americas 13  121.0W 178.4 163.1  46.7  -1.3
                                 
                       Galaxy 10R  123.0W 181.7 166.4  46.7   1.4
                                 
                        Galaxy 12  125.0W 185.0 169.7  46.6   4.0
                                 
             Galaxy 13/Horizons 1  127.0W 188.3 172.9  46.4   6.6
                                 
 Intelsat Americas 7 & EchoStar 5  129.0W 191.5 176.2  46.1   9.1
                                 
                           AMC 11  131.0W 194.7 179.4  45.7  11.6
                                 
                        Galaxy 1R  133.0W 197.8 182.5  45.2  14.1
                                 
                           AMC 10  135.0W 200.9 185.6  44.6  16.5
                                 
                            AMC 7  137.0W 203.9 188.6  43.9  18.8
                                 
                            AMC 8  139.0W 206.8 191.5  43.1  21.0
                                 
                     EchoStar 1/2  148.0W 218.9 203.5  38.8  29.9

         Satellite Finder is (c) Copyright 2004, P. Lutus

I would use Galaxy 10R @ 123.0W as your true south satellite. Enter a LIVE TP./Channel then point the dish watching for signal quality.

http://www.lyngsat.com/g10r.html

http://www.dmsiusa.com/charts.htm

It may be a good idea to find and store/scan this satellite without the motor first, it will make the install much easier.......

 

[fedri]

Thanks for the prompt reply Pete. Pardon my ignorance, but what do I do with these angles? I tried looking at this information from the "Satellite Finder" software, but it's gibberish to me...

- f

 

[PSB]

I would remove the motor as I said above then use the above info to point the dish....
Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m) El Skew

Galaxy 10R 123.0W 181.7 166.4 46.7 1.4


The dish elevation would be at around 47 deg.

Using a compass the satellite will be at 166.4 deg.

Here is a live TP./Channel to use, enter all the info in the antenna setup screen and move the dish very slowly until you see QUALITY on the meter, do not even look at the signal strength. It means NOTHING!

The Tube
DFeq : 11720 MHz (V) SR : 27.691 Msps

 

[fedri]

...okay, I'll try the install without the rotor first...let's see what happens...

 

[PSB]

What kind of motor did they give you and we will give you the angles for that, when you get around to it.......

If all else fails have a look here for an installer in your area.....

www.dbsinstall.com

 

[fedri]

...still working on the install without the motor...

To answer your question, here is the motor description: Stab Rotor SAT HH90

 

[PSB]

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/STAB-Installation-Angles.htm

You can work out the motorized-dish elevation angle (P) above, but the site seems to be down right now...

The motor elevation should be at the same as your latitude 37 deg.

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/HH-mount-installation.htm

 

[fedri]

Pete,

As per your suggestions below, I cannot seem to get a QUALITY above 7%. FYI - signal level ~ 97%. I've tried both an autoscan and a blind/smart scan on Galaxy10R, and nothing. Am I overlooking something obvious? I definitely have a clear line of sight...clear skies out here at the moment...

- f

I would remove the motor as I said above then use the above info to point the dish....
Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m) El Skew

Galaxy 10R 123.0W 181.7 166.4 46.7 1.4


The dish elevation would be at around 47 deg.

Using a compass the satellite will be at 166.4 deg.

Here is a live TP./Channel to use, enter all the info in the antenna setup screen and move the dish very slowly until you see QUALITY on the meter, do not even look at the signal strength. It means NOTHING!

The Tube
DFeq : 11720 MHz (V) SR : 27.691 Msps

 

[PSB]

Try to SKEW (rotate) the LNBF in its holder a little while watching the signal quality meter. Get as close as you can then try a blind scan.

Let us know what it says on the LNBF to make sure it is set up correctly as a STANDARD LNBF in the antenna set up screen. Also the LNBF should be as far away from the dish as it can go in the holder then try moving it forward and see if the quality changes, if it goes down put it back to where it was.

A standard LNBF the L.O. is 10750

(If its a Universal LNBF it will be a L.O. of 09750-10600)

 

[fedri]

...Okay, I'll try skewing the LNBF...

Here are the settings from the receiver:

Satellite: Galaxy 10R
Frequency: 11.719 GHz(V)
LNB Power: On
LNB Type: Singe (I have the option of chosing Universal and OCS)
LNB Frequency: 10.750

...to be continued...

Try to SKEW (rotate) the LNBF in its holder a little while watching the signal quality meter. Get as close as you can then try a blind scan.

Let us know what it says on the LNBF to make sure it is set up correctly as a STANDARD LNBF in the antenna set up screen. Also the LNBF should be as far away from the dish as it can go in the holder then try moving it forward and see if the quality changes, if it goes down put it back to where it was.

A standard LNBF the L.O. is 10750

(If its a Universal LNBF it will be a L.O. of 09750-10600)

 

[fedri]

...I'm stumped. Skewing the LNBF didn't increase OR decrease the signal quality meter. Stupid question, but does it matter which connector the cable is plugged into the LNBF? It's a dual...

I tried blind scanning with the LNBF as far away, and as close to the dish as possible. Result = still no channels...

I forgot to mention, the receiver came with a software disc. The disc contains some software downloading instructions and the following filename:

"COOLSAT4000_120_20050117.stb"

Am I supposed to do anything to the receiver prior to installing the dish? Some sort of firmware upgrade or initialization??

Try to SKEW (rotate) the LNBF in its holder a little while watching the signal quality meter. Get as close as you can then try a blind scan.

Let us know what it says on the LNBF to make sure it is set up correctly as a STANDARD LNBF in the antenna set up screen. Also the LNBF should be as far away from the dish as it can go in the holder then try moving it forward and see if the quality changes, if it goes down put it back to where it was.

A standard LNBF the L.O. is 10750

(If its a Universal LNBF it will be a L.O. of 09750-10600)

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

If it is indeed a standard LNB then the settings look right. I would guess that the dish signal is not properly "peaked". If possible take a small TV out to the dish. Make sure you are facing 166 and dish is at correct elevation. Now, tighten everything so you can still move the dish with some pressure. Now make VERY SMALL adjustments to your azimuth and elevation. The Coolsat reacts to signal very quicky and you should be able to see the quality go into the green at some point. When that happens you know you are close and then continue to make small adjustments to get the highest quality-ignore level. When peaked, lock down tight.

 

[fedri]

If it is indeed a standard LNB then the settings look right. I would guess that the dish signal is not properly "peaked". If possible take a small TV out to the dish. Make sure you are facing 166 and dish is at correct elevation. Now, tighten everything so you can still move the dish with some pressure. Now make VERY SMALL adjustments to your azimuth and elevation. The Coolsat reacts to signal very quicky and you should be able to see the quality go into the green at some point. When that happens you know you are close and then continue to make small adjustments to get the highest quality-ignore level. When peaked, lock down tight.

...thanks for the advice. I'm also assuming that the dish signal is not properly "peaked". I'm obviously getting a signal (~97%), and some quality (~7%) off of G10R. A couple of questions that I haven't addressed:

1) At what point will the receiver recognize the channels?
2) Does the quality of the signal have to be above a certain level?
3) I'm wondering if the receiver I purchased is malfunctioning. Is there a way to verify that the receiver is not the problem? I doubt CoolSat is in the business of manufacturing defective receivers, but I'm out of ideas at the moment...

Thanks to everyone's advice, please keep them coming as I still haven't figured out what my problem is.

- f

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

...thanks for the advice. I'm also assuming that the dish signal is not properly "peaked". I'm obviously getting a signal (~97%), and some quality (~7%) off of G10R. A couple of questions that I haven't addressed:

1) At what point will the receiver recognize the channels?
2) Does the quality of the signal have to be above a certain level?
3) I'm wondering if the receiver I purchased is malfunctioning. Is there a way to verify that the receiver is not the problem? I doubt CoolSat is in the business of manufacturing defective receivers, but I'm out of ideas at the moment...

Thanks to everyone's advice, please keep them coming as I still haven't figured out what my problem is.

- f

1. After you have locked the signal with the bar "in the green" you can run a blind scan and get channels.
2. For me the magic number is 63% to lock. Anything below that is no go. Could be different for you though with a different setup from a different location.
3. I doubt it is the receiver. FTA sats are hard to lock onto due to relatively low power. Run an Internet search on your particular LNB (or contact the retailer or LNB-maker) and make sure you have the right settings. Then using a compass, make sure you are lined up on G10 with numbers that PSB gave you. Make sure you hold the compass level and still and that it is not too close to any metal objects (even the dish).

When you have done this and you are sure you are right, consider this just a starting point-remember some dishes will read slightly off, my own dish is off by 2 degrees elevation. Then lock the dish down but not all the way as I described before and make VERY small and slow adjustments in asimuth and elevation. Have a TV at the dish if at all possible and watch like a hawk for the quality to spike in the green. If this happens you are close.

If you still can't get anything use the numbers PSB gave you and try for a different satellite. If you can get something on another bird it will give you confidence and you will know that your settings are right and nothing is defective. You will still have to get your TS in at some point. That is what I did when I had trouble getting my TS (true south) bird. Later, I realized that my TS was blocked by trees so be sure and check line-of-sight issues. Remember-the dish is actually aimed about 20 degrees higher than it seems. If you do all of that and still nothing then some setting or connection has to be wrong or something is defective. You should be able to hit green somewhere on something.

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

Here are a couple of screens. The "Dish Setting" shows what you should see and a typical signal level-remember that the LNB settings will be different for your specific LNB. After you get signal you can run a blind scan (pic 2).

 

[fedri]

1. After you have locked the signal with the bar "in the green" you can run a blind scan and get channels.
2. For me the magic number is 63% to lock. Anything below that is no go. Could be different for you though with a different setup from a different location.
3. I doubt it is the receiver. FTA sats are hard to lock onto due to relatively low power. Run an Internet search on your particular LNB (or contact the retailer or LNB-maker) and make sure you have the right settings. Then using a compass, make sure you are lined up on G10 with numbers that PSB gave you. Make sure you hold the compass level and still and that it is not too close to any metal objects (even the dish).

When you have done this and you are sure you are right, consider this just a starting point-remember some dishes will read slightly off, my own dish is off by 2 degrees elevation. Then lock the dish down but not all the way as I described before and make VERY small and slow adjustments in asimuth and elevation. Have a TV at the dish if at all possible and watch like a hawk for the quality to spike in the green. If this happens you are close.

If you still can't get anything use the numbers PSB gave you and try for a different satellite. If you can get something on another bird it will give you confidence and you will know that your settings are right and nothing is defective. You will still have to get your TS in at some point. That is what I did when I had trouble getting my TS (true south) bird. Later, I realized that my TS was blocked by trees so be sure and check line-of-sight issues. Remember-the dish is actually aimed about 20 degrees higher than it seems. If you do all of that and still nothing then some setting or connection has to be wrong or something is defective. You should be able to hit green somewhere on something.

...thanks again for the helpful tips. Sounds like I've got a lot of tweaking to do. I just can't seem to break away from a QUALITY of 7% as of yet. For the most part, I've done everything mentioned above...I'll keep messing with the alignment though.

...to be continued...

 

[adwan001]

Don't give up

I just wanted to say that you need to be very patient. I had the very same issues like yours when I first installed my FTA setup. No matter what kind of hardware you have, installation basics are the same. And the info this forum provided me was priceless.
I feel your frustration but giving up is not an option. I am sure if you review everything over and over again from scratch, you'll find something here or there that was overlooked. The one issue that gave me personally all the trouble was using the compass too close to the metal structure of the dish mast, and once I figured that out, things went easier.
So, hang in there. You can do it.
In solidarity,
-Jehad

 

[smata67]

When you get your motor mount installed, make sure your support is ROCK SOLID and plumb. After you get the motor and antenna on your ROCK SOLID mount, put a level on the top and side of the MOTOR housing to ensure it is level and plumb, as the additional weight can shift things. The key is to have the MOTOR level and plumb so it can track the arc on which the satellites are located. Make whatever adjustments you need to achieve this plumbness, but do not adjust the lattitude/elevation on the motor itself, this is fixed to your lattitude location.