Problems tuning in FTA Dish

[erothoff]

I have a 32"x30" FTA Dish, a Universal KU Band LNB (Input:10.70-12.75Ghz, Output:950-2150MHz Noice:0.1db LNB), and a Fortec Star Murcury - II. I have had it working 2-3 times over the last 8 years, but it always took a long time to install as I get very weak signal. (And I am using a Super Sat Buddy for pointing)
I live in Twin Lake, MI 49457, 43.425123, -86.178873 and I was wondering if my problem has been that my dish is just too small or what. Everyone claims it is not hard to install, and I use to install Dish, Direct TV, Hughesnet and Wild Blue satellite systems, so I know HOW to install, but I just never can seam to get things to align well with FTA. I admit, I have only tried FTA installs with this dish, so there could be a problem there.
Also, I have old Hughesnet, Wildblue, Dish and DirectTV dishes if any of those would work better for a signal. I see that Galaxy 19 had CW now, so I would really like to get my FTA system back up and running.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SatPhreak]

What satellite are you pointing at? Usually a 30 inch dish is to small. Most people use at least a 90cm dish.

 

[erothoff]

I am pointing at 97 degrees Galaxy 19. (201 on my compass.) I believe when I bought it they called it an 80cm dish and the longer part is up and down, not side to side. But yes, that is one of my questions is whether this dish is too small, because I have always had a hard time pointing it.

 

[FTA4PA]

I am pointing at 97 degrees Galaxy 19. (201 on my compass.) I believe when I bought it they called it an 80cm dish and the longer part is up and down, not side to side. But yes, that is one of my questions is whether this dish is too small, because I have always had a hard time pointing it.

I have a Fortec Star 80cm (32" X 30") dish pointed at Galaxy 19 and signal is fine using a pll lnb (Maverick MK1). For 43.425123, -86.178873, Dishpointer.com shows that 201° magnetic is correct so you are good there. How about elevation and skew. Also line of sight to sat.

Elevation: 38.7°
Azimuth (true): 195.6°
Azimuth (magn.): 201.0°
LNB Skew: 11.2° (clockwise if behind dish, counterclockwise if facing dish)

P.S. The only CW I'm aware of on 97W is on c band and would require a dish much larger than 80cm.

 

[KE4EST]

Make sure your meter has an updated transponder list for 97W, or go to sathint.com and enter them manually.
As FTA4PA mentioned check your LNBF skew. A lot of people miss that their first go around.(something you didn't have to do with DISH or Directv).
Yes, for CW you will need at least an 8ft dish and different LNBF.

 

[erothoff]

While I am saddened that CW isn't on Galaxy 19 for a KU, the truth is, I had not expected it until I was looking for help getting it pointed in again, and one of the sites listed that it was there, and I was surprised. If it is on C Band, I may have to consider putting one in later, as my OTA TV doesn't get CW anymore. But I do have the LNB at -11 degrees rather than +11. (Going by what the + and - is, I had them backwards.) I will try again tomorrow. I had just be frustrating not being able to get it to tune in. (On the Satbuddy, I updated it 6 months ago, so I think it should be fine.)

 

[Jim S.]

With today's high-gain LNBs, a 76cm dish will get all transponders on Galaxy 19 at most locations, in good weather. You'll definitely need to get the skew closer though, as you'll have less signal to work with than on a bigger dish.

 

[FaT Air]

easy way to 'see' if your skew is 'right': Looking at the dish face, satellite behind you. If satellite is west of you the LNBF skew is CCW. East = CW. If no degree marks on LNBF/Holder, 1 hr = 30 degrees.
Universal LNBF use on domestic satellites: (11700 to 12200)
Set LNB type to Standard
Set 22Khz to ON
Set LNB Freq to 10600
I run a few 30 inchers, don't miss much. Only a few satellites require larger.
12028 H 21991 is my strongest TP on 97W.
When peaked, delete, and blind scan to account for LNBF frequency drift.

 

[FaT Air]

Forgot! after that I will find a weak transponder to 'finely tune' the dish.