Winegard DS2076 Problems

[Kendalg]

Hey gang,

I've got a new winegard DS2076 that I just can't seem to get aimed. With same equipment(receiver, LNB, cable etc.) I get better signal levels with an OLD 18" dish. I figured the winegard would at least give me an S-unit or two over the smaller dish.

I figure I might have some problems with the dish geometry like perhaps a bent LNB support arm. Would somebody mind measuring the distance from the dish face to the LNB face so I can see if that arm is bent?

Many thanks in advance,
Kenn
?

 

[wallyhts]

I got about 21 inches.

 

[Magic Static]

to SatelliteGuys Kenn That Winegard dish is an excellent choice. That was my first FTA dish and it served me well for many years. As to your problem, it sounds a bit like an LNBF placement issue. You said you get better signal with an 18" dish and the same LNB etc. A bent arm could cause that problem. But they are not that easy to bend. I would like to see a picture of both dishes outfitted with the LNB if you have them. Does the LNB mount the same way to both dishes? Is this a fixed mount, not a motor setup? Is the skew set properly? You are definitely in the right place to get help with your situation

 

[waylew]

I got about 21 inches.

Braggart

 

[. Raine]

On mine from the center of the dish is 21'' and from the top of the dish to the end of the arm is 32''. I could be off an inch or so because the adjustable LNB mount on the end of the arm makes it a little tough to know where the actual end of the arm is without taking the mount off. I know mine is touchy on the placement of the LNB in and out from the dish, just a eighth of an inch or so knocks my signal down quite a bit. I don't remember if you said whether your dish was fixed or motorized, but your skew could be off too. When I first set up my DS2076 dish I had a cheap LNB that had adjustment skew lines on it and I lined these up with the lines on my mount and come to find out, the LNB was upside down and had weak signals. H and V polarities were reversed when the LNB was upside down. I also had to put the bottom nut and bolt for the LNB arm on backwards from the instructions to get enough clearance from the pole for the proper elevation I needed.

 

[Kendalg]

Well, that explains that. I had 16" face to face and 21" from the top of the dish to the center of the lnb face. It came out of the box that way. When I get home from work tonight I'll bend it back out and see what I get.

Thanks guys!
Kenn

 

[Anole]

How did you ever find a signal if the support arm was bent that much?
Wouldn't your elevation scale (on the dish mount) suggest you were WAY off?
Hard to believe its bent that badly...
Did the shipping box show damage?
I have to wonder if maybe it was assembled wrong, somehow?
Could you post some pictures before you bend anything, please?

 

[Kendalg]

The elevation WAS way off. That was my clue that there was a geometry/focal point problem. I'm an FTA rookie, but I'm a long time ham operator and I've done some AMSAT work in the past. As far as the possibility of assembly problems, I'm not saying I'm a genius, but these things are pretty basic as far as assembly goes. There are a few other posts out there on the net of other folks that had bent LNB support arms as well with that model of dish, so I guess it's just something that happens from time to time.

 

[jorgek]

Hard to believe that Winegard would have such poor quality control. They sell up here at a premium price at the local sat shops.

 

[Kendalg]

I'm up! I've got 200+ channels on Galaxy 19. If anyone ever wants to know, the focal length is just a smidge over 17.5", measured from the bottom of the dish to the lnb face.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions,
Kenn

 

[FaT Air]

And what's the measurement to the top lip? Record both, top lip and bottom lip, in case something bends it (again). Good to hear your UP!

 

[. Raine]

Yay! Glad you got it working!

 

[Larry1]

A little late for this op... but here are some various docs for others if needed in the future.