Updating KVH In Motion Satellite Dish with 1000.2 Triple LNB and VIP211K Receiver

RBIOWA

New Member
Original poster
Feb 26, 2013
2
0
Iowa
148338_542163355802623_1080393635_n[1].jpgFirst posting but spent many hours researching this site for info. I have a KVH in motion satellite dish on my RV originally fitted with single LNB and would only pick up single satellite at a time - a pain when changing channels (Dish Network) on the VIP211K receiver. I want to receive multiple satellites at once so selected the 1000.2 triple LNB which fitted the mounting system in the in motion dish (Picture). I confimed the VIP211K receiver could see all three LNB's as 1K2 when test switch mode on receiver. I was able to lock in 119 in the middle switch and 72 on another LNB. More research indicated I had to consider skew. Since my dish is fixed on a motorized platform and gimballed (for automatic tracking), I had to twist the 1000.2 LNB assembly to accomplish the skew angle. Got satellites 119 and 129 no problem, but not 110. I tried some large skew adjustments and pulled in satellite 62.5 as well. I am getting a signal/tuning meter this weekend to more accurately align the LNB skew and hope to then get the three DISH satellites. Here is my delema. Once I set my skew by twisting the LNB to get the required satellites for DISH HD, I am wondering about the skew as I traverse the surface of the earth from say Iowa to Florida or Arizona? As the satellite system automatically adjusts azimuth and elevation to track the selected satellite (119) and by default also satellites 110 and 129, the dish is in constant motion. As I travel about, is my relative position in terms of skew to the satellite constellation essentially constant and once set up, I should have the same skew angle relative to the coach to properly pull in the required satellites? Or, am I going to have a different skew angle depending on my location on the surface of the earth? I have read much on skew angles with fixed dish installations but found nothing on in motion systems. I have even scoured orbital mechanics to try and understand satellite and ground elevation angles relative to satellite signal reception etc. Someone out there is no doubt much more familiar with this than me and I would very much welcome some help on this.
 
Giving my skew issue further thought, it is apparent that I do need to consider skew from location to location. I did manage to get all three DISH birds pulled in at my home. On a recent trip, two of the birds keep signal while the KVH maintained a lock on 119W. Not bad when in motion. When parked at the RV site, I used my IPhone app to identify where the three DISH birds where located and calculated the required skew difference from my home location. I set up the Coach automatic leveling system and then manually adjusted the level a few degrees in the coach such that it altered the Dish skew angle. Since it was only a minimal difference, it was imperceptible inside the Coach but it provided enough skew change to allow the dish to pull all three birds in again.

This might help others considering updating their in motion satellite system to pick up multiple satellites without the cost of replacing the in motion dish system. Good luck!!
 

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