Superdish to access 148?

[skuba]

LOCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

ABout 205 degrees. I will bring more details later.

Thanks so much for helping.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really appreciate it!!

 

[SmityWhity]

Glad you got it locked in. The next satellite will be real easy!

My youngest one woke up and I got busy while trying to compute and type.
I meant to give you a slight adjustment on the skew to compensate for the offset you are using - by using a DishPro500 which is designed to pick-up 2 satellite locations 9 degrees apart, such as 110 and 119, or 82 and 91. But what I meant by do not adjust the skew, was once you know what the skew is, there is (usually) no need to fine tune it. Just adjust for "center of Elevation" and "center of Azimuth" for strongests signal. Usually you either have a signal or don't, but a stronger signal is better during all those snow storms and rain storms that you never get in southern CA.

From http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Satellite-Heading-Calculator.htm, this should be more accurate estimates to compare with what you have. Using the 119 slot, you will substract 4.5, or if using the 110 slot, you add 4.5 for the satellite location. 148 would be 143.5 on 119, and 152.5 on 110.

Your Location: 33.7N 118.04W
Sat Location: 143.5
Skew: +32.8 (above the 90 mark), so on DishPro 500 - use 122.8
Elevation: 42.3
Azimuth: 220.7 T
Mag Dev: 13.99
Azimuth: 206.71

And if there was a bird at 139, the 110 slot would already be positioned to receive it with an LNBF installed.

Let me know how the figures work out. I usually use a different program and got use to making adjustments for the areas I normally work in.

Time to take the kids to swimming lessons.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Skew: +32.8 (above the 90 mark), so on DishPro 500 - use 122.8

SmityWhity seems to prove that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

First, when using any multi-eye dish to get a single bird, set skew to 90. Period.

Second, as you now know, azimuth numbers are a bit crazy. Is it "true" or "magnetic"? Dish receivers always show magnetic. Where is the LNB in relation to the arm? A Dish300 is 'in-line', so the azimuth given for 148 or 61.5 is correct. If you're using a Dish 500, the azimuth will be around 4.5 degrees off. If you're using a Superdish, it depends on which model (105 or 121) and which LNB you're using (make sure you're NOT using the FSS one). In EITHER case, setting the skew to 'flat' (90) means you can set the elevation and just spin the dish until you get it (as you've done).

A real pro can nail a multi-eye dish even when the mast is NOT plumb - but you have to understand exactly what is going on in order to have a chance. I've had to do some "offset mounts" (due to clearance issues) that look pretty crazy.

Even had a DNSC hack (that came to do a receiver upgrade) tell the customer that it couldn't possibly be working (even though the customer told him it was fine). Said DNSC idiot then proceeded to re-aim the dish (without first even checking to see if it had signal). And of course, he didn't bother to check the existing settings before hacking away. Customer had to call me to come fix it. The hack disappeared before I arrived of course.

 

[SmityWhity]

Yep, a little knowledge is dangerous; but a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

I believe he could of eventually got it without it being plumb, especially if he mounted the dish on the pipe so that the elevation movement was inline with the lean of the pipe. But it looked like this setup was working towards a "4 or 5 wrongs make a right".

Going back to using the 18" dish in 96 to receive a single bird, and later using it to pick up any location without a skew, I figured the 90 degrees for a Dish500 would work and have tried it (numerous times) with favorable results. However, currently in an apartment with a building across from my balcony, another one to the side, plus my balcony recessed in my building with overhangs, I started experimenting with the skew and was able to get stronger signals. I haven't done this enough to swear one way or another that one way is better than the other, which is why I was hoping he would let us know the particulars. He did private mail me that he got it working and said thanks.

I've seen PM used a lot - guess that must mean Private Mail!

Thanks for the feed back SimpleSimon.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I started experimenting with the skew and was able to get stronger signals.

Assuming you're still talking about a single-eye BSS (circular polarization) bird, any change due skew is solely due to the change in location of the LNB. Sometimes a couple of inches makes a big difference - like when you're shooting a LOS like shown in the attachment (my 61.5 dish).

Speaking of not being plumb, I did a D* install today that replaced an old Legacy D500. I checked the elevation setting on the old dish and it was 5 degrees off. That was an instant tipoff that the mast was not plumb, and sure enough it wasn't. Installer must not have had a level, because there was no reason for it.

Pop quiz: Did the mast being out of plumb affect the skew setting?

Answer:

Spoiler

Yes, by 2 degrees

 

[webbydude]

LOL! Very nice "pole extender" Simon! Couple of the guys I work with have taken to the idea of using pipe benders and modifying a typical D500 mast. Using a typical 6 foot fence post, they'll bend it to give a mast "elbow" and then run a few holes at the bottom to run the securing bolts to the footplate

 

[SmityWhity]

SimpleSimon -- In ref to ur 1st paragraph -- single-eye BSS (cir pol), etc....

I was using a D500 with Y bracket and DP Twin. 110 side covered, using 119 side to test availability of 61.5 instead of using 121 from SuperDish 121. I used 90 for skew. Although signal was suitable, I felt it should be stronger. I then adjusted skew (for my location), and as I remember, had to re-adjust both elevation and azimuth which would be appropriate. The signal was stronger.

However, as you suggested, I now suspect this was because of changing the location of the LNBF; i.e., the change in dish and LNBF angles receiving the satellite signal with a LOS between the overhang of one building, and above the roof - but on the side of a tower of another building.

(I'm in the only 2 story building surrounded by 3 story buildings.)

 

[SimpleSimon]

LOL! Very nice "pole extender" Simon!

You caught that, eh? Actually, it's a piece of exhaust pipe welded to a standard J-pole. Expedient, but not as pretty as the commercial long-J or S-poles.

However, as you suggested, I now suspect this was because of changing the location of the LNBF

 

[vegasmax]

Quiestion guys: I have two Dish 500 twin lnbf set up. One dish is locked in on 119 & 110 no problems there. The other dish a 500 with dual lnbf if for the 148 sat. I used a meter and looks like it's got a signal. The dish reciever says that 148 no signal. I bought a "Dishnetwork" switch on it is shows 1-sat in lnbf....2-sat in lnbf and the the only other connection is out to reciever. I can Only get 110 and 119. Assuming I have the dish in the correct location, what next? Can I not use the dual LNBF for the 148 sat, I only have one side hooked up?? On the 110 & 119 I am only using one side because it for 1 reciever. What am I missing?? Must I change the LNBF to a single?? If so what will work?? I habe some singles for FTA recievers and even a quad. What is your best guess on what my problem might be??

Thanks for your time & efforts!!!
vegasmax

 

[SmityWhity]

I think you should start a new thread with your question, and list what type of switches you have, listing the receiver or receivers would not hurt either, and your location by zip code would get you some settings.

However.....I think I'm reading

You have 2 Dish 500 dishes.
.....1st dish has a Twin LNBF - is it a Legacy, DishPro, or DishPro Plus Twin?
.....2nd dish has a Dual LNBF - is it a Legacy or DishPro? Also, is this one Dual LNBF on a I-Bracket for one LNBF or one Dual LNBF on a Y-Bracket for 2 LNBF?

You bought a Dish Network switch.
.....What kind of, or what model is the switch?

What is your zip code?

The Twin LNBF has a built-in switch and (in most cases) can be cascaded with other switches. If you are running just the Twin to a single receiver/tuner, you should be able to run a single cable from either side of the Twin to your receiver and you will only pick up 110/119.

On the other hand (or dish), you can run a single cable from either output of the Dual LNBF to your receiver and should be able to point and peak that dish for 148. I don't think the receiver will give you correct settings for a Dish 500 dish for 148, but possibly.

Then depending on your switch(es) and how many receivers, you should be able to connect it all together.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Just wondering.

If someone had say a D1000+, could they point it to pick up both 129 & 148? Afterall it was designed for a 19 degree look.

 

[SmityWhity]

I would say yes you could use the D1000+ to pickup 129 and 148, even without changing the LNBF's, plus a couple of others if they existed.

Intead of:
110.0 118.7 119.0 129.0
You would get:
129.0 137.7 138.0 148.0

Likewise with just a D1000, you should be able to use it as follows:

Intead of:
110.0 119.0 129.0
You would get:
129.0 138.0 148.0

I don't have a D1000, nor a D1000+ to try this, and don't have the books either. However, I suspect the correct skew is somewhere between 110 and 129, so you would have to adjust it for your area and for 129 to 148. Elevation would also change and would be the happy median between the two. And of course the azimuth would point in the center of the 2 outside positions as the current setup should now be pointing.

Another option is to probably cut a piece of the D1000 to mount it to a HH motor that is positioned for your location. Then mount the D1000/D1000+ to it, set the skew to whatever = 0, the elevation, and position on the motor, and you could swing it back and forth between 110 - 129 and 129 thru 148.

A little knowledge is dangerous and a mind is a terrible thing to waste.

NOTE: The Dish 500 works well for Dish 110 and 119, and also for the Canadian counterpart (BellVue?) at 82 and 91. Plus in a lot of locations, if not all, you could use a Dish 500 for 119 and 129, but with the varying signal on 129, this may not be worth it.

Edit: If you want to try it, I may look up the elevation and azimuth for the Chicago area later today, go to go and intertain the kids now.