I just purchased a 505 receiver and I'm having difficulties aligning my dish. I can get a strong signal from both satellites but not at the same time. Moving the dish to the left (while facing the dish) I get a good signal on Anik F1 (channel 299), moving the dish slightly to the right I get the other (channel 298). When I'm on Anik1, I can view the different channels available on that satellite. I live in Saratoga Springs NY. The skew angle on one website is 117.9 on another it is 123.

Thank you
:confused:

This is probably a stupid question, but are you using an eliptical dish?

Yes, it’s an elliptical dish.

Moving the dish to the left (while facing the dish) I get a good signal on Anik F1 (channel 299), moving the dish slightly to the right I get the other (channel 298).

Either:

1) Your skew is incorrect. The dish needs to be set so that the long side is more parallel to the ground (less skew). You may then have to reset the elevation a bit to maximize signal.

2) The other thing is that the mounting pole MUST be exactly perpendicular or else you will see the same mismatch with the correct skew and elevation numbers.

This is my first reply (I have only been a member for about 5 minutes), Yoguy did you try using a satelite signal meter. I found this worked great for setting my sat. up. I have just recently (yesterday) upgraded to the DSR505HD. Got it at FS for $129, when I called to get it hooked up I also received $50 worth of movies. I also bought an Insigna 42" plasma TV, there is no code on the *C remote to work this TV. I tried the blind search but still nothing. Anyone have an idea (Oh the Insignia remote has the same problem, no code for the *C receiver. Thanks, Later!

Either:

1) Your skew is incorrect. The dish needs to be set so that the long side is more parallel to the ground (less skew). You may then have to reset the elevation a bit to maximize signal.

2) The other thing is that the mounting pole MUST be exactly perpendicular or else you will see the same mismatch with the correct skew and elevation numbers.

I've checked to make sure the mounting pole is perpendicular and I've reduced the "skew" but still no luck. I've also tried a different mounting location. By the way, I've spent over 2 days trying to lock in the satellites. I have no issues at all getting a strong signal from either satellites, but not at the same time. I don't have a signal meter, but I have a TV outside to show me the signal. Could it be a problem with the dish? Is there a way to see the signal strenght of both satellites at ounce, on the same screen?

Thank you to everyone for their help.

There are signal meters that have two indicaters for just your problem.
Mostly only the pros hve them.
Maybe you can find 2 friends with a meter each and try and peak both at the same time.

If you peak on ch299 the dish offset will automatically get you F2 as well.
If you cannot tune to F2 channels eg)hd stuff or say 730 etc then you probably got LNB multiswitch trouble.
Swap quad LNB (multiswitch is built internal)
Be sure you receiver network status is correct to provide F1/F2 proper switching.
good luck.

I just purchased a 505 receiver and I'm having difficulties aligning my dish. I can get a strong signal from both satellites but not at the same time. :confused:

Is this a new install?? In Canada?? If so you shouldn't have to set it up. If not you only set the dish, with the correct skew for your Lat & Long, and then tune on 299 for maximum signal strength. This will set you up for F2.

If you peak on ch299 the dish offset will automatically get you F2 as well.
If you cannot tune to F2 channels eg)hd stuff or say 730 etc then you probably got LNB multiswitch trouble.
Swap quad LNB (multiswitch is built internal)
Be sure you receiver network status is correct to provide F1/F2 proper switching.
good luck.

Yes, I peak on ch299 but then I cannot get F2 channels. In order to get F2 channels, I need to move the dish a few degrees to the right (while facing the dish) and I get a strong signal on F2. But in doing that, I lose the F1 channels. I've tried different skew settings (112 to 125).

I called the guy where I bought the receiver and he had StarChoice do a "hit" to mak sure I was setup for the right kind of dish. It did not change anything.

Thanks

Is this a new install?? In Canada?? If so you shouldn't have to set it up. If not you only set the dish, with the correct skew for your Lat & Long, and then tune on 299 for maximum signal strength. This will set you up for F2.

It's a new install in NY State. I get a strong signal on 299 but nothing on F2. To get F2, I move the dish a few degrees but I then lose F1.

I see that you can buy a dual satellite meter for around $100 or you can buy single analog meters for under $10. Is it as simple as buying 2 of the inexpensive units to align the oval dishes?

If you can receive both F1 and F2 channels then your LNB is working ok.
Must be your dish setup.
Make sure your pole is level.

Use this link to find the look angle for your location.
Punch in your coordinates and it will calculate it for you.

click on "look angle calculator 2"

http://www.kusat.com/go.php?path=/install/look.php

Aim for the best you can get on 298, go to 299, then adjust the skew so it comes in.

You need a "Dual" sat meter, as it has a tone generator to select the second satellite. Two single sat meter as no good, as they will both receive the A satellite.

as noted above, the pole being level is one of the most important factors in pointing your dish, it makes a world of difference.

Further to that, when you are getting the signal on one sat are you changing the elevation or direction to tune the second sat? because once you tune one sat, in theory all you should have to do to find the second (if you don't get it right away) is adjust your skew.

It sounds like you dont have any f2 at all. If you have f1, f2 falls into place automatically. Most likely you have split your cables coming into the home, remember each receiver needs a direct line run. If you havnt split the lines then you have a faulty lnb most likely.

I would be checking to make sure the two coax are attached from the lnb's to the switch. they may be backwards.

erocks4u

What we don't know is the LNB type?

We know it's elliptical, but is it a QUAD or Dual Stacked?

If it's a QUAD, then ANY 1 coax will carry F1 & F2, with the receiver sending a 22KHz tone to switch to the other sat. assuming the correct channel map.

What is your MAP #? It's in Option 6-4-7 Network Data status?

If the LNB's are Dual stacked, and they MUST be dual, then maybe the 2x2 or 2x4 is bad or incorrectly wired.

On a dual stacked, I like to either use 2 meters or swap lines and connect the receiver DIRECTLY to each LNB and just toggle the receiver between 298 and 299 and switching coax as needed. Then I've ruled out all the other possible problems.

Where did you get the dish from?

There are different LNB's for the 60e versus the 75e.

It's a quad LNB 60e. I bought it during the Christmas holidays while I was in Canada. I believe the problem is with the LNB. I can tune in F1 at 90% signal strenght. Playing with the skew does not get me F2. I get F2 by turning the dish toward the east. I think I tune in F2 with the same "side" of the dish as when I get F1 (if that make sense???).

I'll try to get a new LNB to see if that works.

It's a quad LNB 60e. I bought it during the Christmas holidays while I was in Canada. I believe the problem is with the LNB. I can tune in F1 at 90% signal strenght. Playing with the skew does not get me F2. I get F2 by turning the dish toward the east. I think I tune in F2 with the same "side" of the dish as when I get F1 (if that make sense???).

I'll try to get a new LNB to see if that works.

I bought a 505 in early December and this is exactly the same thing that happened to me. I was going crazy trying to get it aligned. As it turned out, the LNB (quad) was bad. I just changed from the first output connection to the fourth and I got everything immediately. Sounds like they're having some LNB quality control issues.