FTA Dish Installation Help.... - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Kraven · 2011-08-19, 12:42 PM

This week I received and put together the 1m dish. Going to install it during the week.

Regarding the install, I plan to install it on the shed roof (back end of the shed to eleminate the neighbours from seeing it and complaining about it).
Should I install it using the J-mount and support legs the dish came with, or use a pole driven into the ground?

My concern about the ground pole is all wires in this suburb are underground and the last thing I need is to cut phone, cable and/or power to the block.

Thoughts?

Cheers, K

mr weather · 2011-08-19, 01:29 PM

If the shed is stable enough mounting it to the roof with the j-pole mount should be fine.

A one metre dish is not small so be sure to anchor into the roof trusses!

majortom · 2011-08-19, 05:21 PM

Yep try and make sure the braces get lagged in to sumthin solid as well. That'll ensure it remains steady. And most importantly for alignment purposes. Before ya get too far, always make sure the mount is perfectly plumb in all directions before plopping the dish on. Save urself some grief an use a fence post level to verify it. Down the road if ya run in to marginal signal, etc last thing ya wanna do is keep wondering, well what that ain't level?

dirtroad · 2011-08-19, 05:34 PM

If you do end up trenching or putting a post into the ground, Call Before You Dig, most utilities do this for free.

bigredneck · 2011-08-26, 06:19 PM

Amen to the OneCall, as its known here in south Arkansas. Having that ID # from them has saved me more than a few times. ( we do some excavation work from time to time), If i hit unmarked underground utilities, and I have, Im not responsible for the cost to repair, or any damages.

ogorek · 2011-08-28, 07:14 AM

Unless it's a thick pole cemented in the ground it will sway in the wind which is no good for satellite reception. Well bolted j mount is the best.

Kraven · 2011-08-21, 05:13 PM

Installed the dish, motor and ran the cables to the receiver (viewsat ultra).
Signal is 60% and 0% quality. Played w/ the IRD's motor controls a bit and no go.

From a prev post (circa 2007), I aimed it ay 72degrees (due south).
Am pretty sure the issue is related with the elevation... i noticed both the dish and motor have elevation markers...

Any suggestions?

Cheers, K

Kraven · 2011-08-21, 05:39 PM

What is "declination angle"? Found a site which gave some figures... going to try once the rain stops.

Cheers, K

majortom · 2011-08-21, 05:51 PM

declination angle is related specifically to Polar Mounts which are used with prime focus antennas, like the 7.5' Perfect 10 BUD in my yard. It's the amount you effectively have to tilt the dish forward at your true south satellite in order to track the arc properly from one extreme to the other.

Do you have any documentation, or links to documentation on your antenna?
There is a fulltime NBC Mux on AMC6 72W Ku Band. Fulltime meaning there's always signal,
may or may not be video programs on every Program all the time though.

It's DVB-S, QPSK so shouldn't be too difficult to lock onto once there.
12053 V 6890

I would shoot for that one first.
Also keep in mind, due to variations in LO stability of various LNBFs, sometimes you may need
to tune up or down, +/- a couple MHz relative to what ya see posted for a particular transponder.

DrSat · 2011-08-21, 06:01 PM

On an offset motorized dish setup, the elevation scale on the dish now becomes your declination angle adjustment as the elevation is now set on the motor itself.

If you are using 72W as your true south satellite, use 12055 V 6890 to aim your dish. The signal is fairly strong on that transponder so you should have no problem getting a lock once you hit the satellite.

Regards,

Dr. Sat

Kraven · 2011-08-21, 07:14 PM

Odd thing. Signal was 72% and Quality was 0%. Auto/channel scan resulted in nothing. I then hit Blindscan and stepped out (am BBQ'ing at the moment).
I guess am somehow locked to Echo119 'cus the VS locked in to several encrypted channels.

Atleast now I know the gear is works.

Cheers, K

Kraven · 2011-08-27, 10:20 PM

First off: is it normal to pick up different signals from different satellites from one location? Am getting signals from all over I have no idea if am at 97, 83 or anywhere in between.

2nd: can someone confirm the true south satellite for my location is indeed AMC6 (72w) ? Other searches say its AMC5 (79w)? lat 45 // long 73

It is important to initial aim and set ot TS, or will any sat do?

Cheers, K

dtvinvictoria · 2011-08-27, 11:45 PM

Your true south satellite is the satellite at the same longitude as your location. It looks like you're in South Shore Quebec which is at longitude of 73, in that case the closest satellite would be 72.

To answer your first question; you should only be receiving signal from one satellite at a time if you have just one LNB. What channels are you receiving? we may be able to tell you what satellite you're pointed at.

Kraven · 2011-08-28, 10:34 AM

Thanks. I'll set to 12055//6890 (as per Dr Sat) and try to lock on to 72W.

Cheers, K

Kraven · 2011-08-30, 08:30 AM

Spent an hour on the roof last night to no avail. Can someone please confirm
there is a signal on AMC5 (72w), 12055/6890 ?? I used this as a point of reference and never got close.

Cheers, K

2011-08-19, 12:42 PM	#1
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	FTA Dish Installation Help.... This week I received and put together the 1m dish. Going to install it during the week. Regarding the install, I plan to install it on the shed roof (back end of the shed to eleminate the neighbours from seeing it and complaining about it). Should I install it using the J-mount and support legs the dish came with, or use a pole driven into the ground? My concern about the ground pole is all wires in this suburb are underground and the last thing I need is to cut phone, cable and/or power to the block. Thoughts? Cheers, K

2011-08-19, 05:21 PM	#3
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,615	Yep try and make sure the braces get lagged in to sumthin solid as well. That'll ensure it remains steady. And most importantly for alignment purposes. Before ya get too far, always make sure the mount is perfectly plumb in all directions before plopping the dish on. Save urself some grief an use a fence post level to verify it. Down the road if ya run in to marginal signal, etc last thing ya wanna do is keep wondering, well what that ain't level? __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

2011-08-26, 06:19 PM	#5
bigredneck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 196	Amen to the OneCall, as its known here in south Arkansas. Having that ID # from them has saved me more than a few times. ( we do some excavation work from time to time), If i hit unmarked underground utilities, and I have, Im not responsible for the cost to repair, or any damages. __________________ "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"

2011-08-21, 05:13 PM	#7
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	No success. Installed the dish, motor and ran the cables to the receiver (viewsat ultra). Signal is 60% and 0% quality. Played w/ the IRD's motor controls a bit and no go. From a prev post (circa 2007), I aimed it ay 72degrees (due south). Am pretty sure the issue is related with the elevation... i noticed both the dish and motor have elevation markers... Any suggestions? Cheers, K

2011-08-21, 05:51 PM	#9
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,615	declination angle is related specifically to Polar Mounts which are used with prime focus antennas, like the 7.5' Perfect 10 BUD in my yard. It's the amount you effectively have to tilt the dish forward at your true south satellite in order to track the arc properly from one extreme to the other. Do you have any documentation, or links to documentation on your antenna? There is a fulltime NBC Mux on AMC6 72W Ku Band. Fulltime meaning there's always signal, may or may not be video programs on every Program all the time though. It's DVB-S, QPSK so shouldn't be too difficult to lock onto once there. 12053 V 6890 I would shoot for that one first. Also keep in mind, due to variations in LO stability of various LNBFs, sometimes you may need to tune up or down, +/- a couple MHz relative to what ya see posted for a particular transponder. __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

2011-08-19, 01:29 PM	#2
mr weather Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,950	If the shed is stable enough mounting it to the roof with the j-pole mount should be fine. A one metre dish is not small so be sure to anchor into the roof trusses!

2011-08-19, 05:34 PM	#4
dirtroad Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 892	If you do end up trenching or putting a post into the ground, Call Before You Dig, most utilities do this for free.

2011-08-28, 07:14 AM	#6
ogorek Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 178	Unless it's a thick pole cemented in the ground it will sway in the wind which is no good for satellite reception. Well bolted j mount is the best.

2011-08-21, 05:39 PM	#8
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	What is "declination angle"? Found a site which gave some figures... going to try once the rain stops. Cheers, K

2011-08-21, 06:01 PM	#10
DrSat Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oakville, ON Posts: 755	On an offset motorized dish setup, the elevation scale on the dish now becomes your declination angle adjustment as the elevation is now set on the motor itself. If you are using 72W as your true south satellite, use 12055 V 6890 to aim your dish. The signal is fairly strong on that transponder so you should have no problem getting a lock once you hit the satellite. Regards, Dr. Sat

2011-08-21, 07:14 PM	#11
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	Odd thing. Signal was 72% and Quality was 0%. Auto/channel scan resulted in nothing. I then hit Blindscan and stepped out (am BBQ'ing at the moment). I guess am somehow locked to Echo119 'cus the VS locked in to several encrypted channels. Atleast now I know the gear is works. Cheers, K

2011-08-27, 10:20 PM	#12
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	Aiming Help First off: is it normal to pick up different signals from different satellites from one location? Am getting signals from all over I have no idea if am at 97, 83 or anywhere in between. 2nd: can someone confirm the true south satellite for my location is indeed AMC6 (72w) ? Other searches say its AMC5 (79w)? lat 45 // long 73 It is important to initial aim and set ot TS, or will any sat do? Cheers, K

2011-08-27, 11:45 PM	#13
dtvinvictoria Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 357	Your true south satellite is the satellite at the same longitude as your location. It looks like you're in South Shore Quebec which is at longitude of 73, in that case the closest satellite would be 72. To answer your first question; you should only be receiving signal from one satellite at a time if you have just one LNB. What channels are you receiving? we may be able to tell you what satellite you're pointed at. __________________ Motorized 90cm/AzBox Elite HD for Ku FTA; CM-4228HD for OTA; Bell TV

2011-08-28, 10:34 AM	#14
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	Thanks. I'll set to 12055//6890 (as per Dr Sat) and try to lock on to 72W. Cheers, K

2011-08-30, 08:30 AM	#15
Kraven Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Shore, QC Posts: 530	Spent an hour on the roof last night to no avail. Can someone please confirm there is a signal on AMC5 (72w), 12055/6890 ?? I used this as a point of reference and never got close. Cheers, K

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