Sg2100 setup help

[Blindowl1234]

Ok it got to 45 degrees today and I decided to try and motorize the 30 Winegard! Even got the wife to help too. I'm getting 123W and 129W does it sound like I'm on the arc? Getting a good solid signal on both of them, didn't have time to peak the dish though. As the motor turned a more eastern direction the signal meter peaked (squalled like a stick pig!)a couple of times, so I'm guessing maybe I'm on the arc. So far I haven't had time to lock anything else in. I don't want to lose what I got already.Maybe I'll see if I can get 101W AMC4 guess I'll have a better idea then.Getting dark outside now so I'll mess with it tomorrow. Any help is appreciated! Blind

 

[Lak7]

To check if you are on the Arc, no only need to check 3 points (Sats) East, South and West.
Since you already have west (129), try 74west, then 97west.

 

[Blindowl1234]

Thanks!

Yeah getting good signal on 129W and 123W nothing else. Signal meter is squealing at a couple of other places that appear to be east of 123, but no signal. Can't figure out what it's trying to get. I guess next question is....should I adjust the dish up and down slightly? or physically go out and move the motor a little east or west on the pole? Or both? I'm guessing the dish. Good weather still tomorrow so I'll try whatever 97West then. Thanks! Blind

 

[Lak7]

The Signal Meter will Squeal at any signal.
The Quality Meter in the Receiver will only Light-Up if the Transponder selected in the Menu is Active / Live.
Use SatelliteGuys.US - TheList to help find Strong TPs to have selected.

What Quality reading are you getting on 129west TP: 11964?

 

[Blindowl1234]

White Springs

Lak7 I'm getting about 75 on White springs on 30" dish. Most stuff when I had the dish fixed ran between 60-70 on other sat's. I figure the signal is pretty good. My other issue is the crappy Sonset receiver has no built in meter. whenever I get this all done I'm getting a better receiver I know that! Also due to massive trees anything east of about 93W will be impossible to get. So it's a good guess where my true south is using a compass haha. I'm going to try and tilt the dish up or down slightly Friday afternoon and see what happens. I have two fixed dishes still mounted close to this 30" so I have some idea of where 97W and 101W should be. Thanks! Blind

 

[Lak7]

2 points will work, South and West.
Just pick a Sat in the South you know you can see, like 97, it has a lot of Active TPs.
Just remember to enter your LNB info the new Sats.

 

[Blindowl1234]

Thanks Lak7

Well hopefully I can get out of work at noon today and finish it up! Gonna be 51 outside today as you know in our general area thats a good thing this time of year. Back to 30 degrees tomorrow. I'll let ya know how it works out. Thanks to everyone here for all the help I've got so far with FTA

 

[iafirebuff]

I have always had good luck setting up my dish/motor assembly to my true south satellite. I peak it to that and then all the other birds are good to go

 

[walrus1957]

I have always had good luck setting up my dish/motor assembly to my true south satellite. I peak it to that and then all the other birds are good to go

Iafirebuff I bet you do your home work up front; good sturdy plumb pole, carefully set the motor scale, lnb aligned for perfect 0, preset the dish elevation and took the time to center the dish on the motor tube. I bet you use quality cable and ends, a good FTA receiver and lnb or quality meter like a Super Buddy.

I installed many motorized systems, and took the time upfront to insure I would not have problems. 9 out of 10 setups all I need do is align the top of the arc to the nearest due south linear satellite and I am good to go. However I always check several east and west birds on certain transponders to make absolutely sure I that the signal can not be improved further. It may take a few extra tweaks, but can be done start to finish in under an hour.

So you are so correct in stating "peak it to that and then all the other birds are good to go".

 

[iafirebuff]

No meter. Plumb pole yes. I check my far east and my far west and have not had to make any adjustments. I get from 30w to 148w. Good luck on your motor install! All it takes is for one little thing to be off and that will throw a wrench into things Patience is a good thing

 

[walrus1957]

You are so right about that Plumb Pole! Like I said before, after checking east and west birds, 9 of 10 installments there is no improvements than can be made after aligning the top of the arc. But if its your first attempt at installing a motorized dish it can take several adjustments before you get it spot on.

Another note to make is that one must use the nearest due south (linear) satellite, sometimes you have to fudge with this to get a satellite with and active transponder. But as long as your using a satellite within 5 degrees of true south your OK. Anything beyound 5 degrees may require a few extra steps in the calibration procedure.

 

[Blindowl1234]

No luck today

Well no luck getting it lined up today. Ordered a Fortec Star receiver today so I'll try it with Usals next week weather permitting. The receiver I have to put it mildly was a piece of garbage, it will go in the trash or garage haha. No built in meter, no Usals, a loud buzz in the audio on the Tv after you got a signal on the two sats I found.... ok for fixed dish or two but nothing else. Let ya'll know what happens next week. Thanks! for the tips and help, Blind