Please help me get my new system working!

[Gravydog]

I am just starting in FTA and am having some trouble. I did a lot of reading online before and after I bought my equipment but I am just not getting it. Here is what I have set up:

Azure Shine 90cm dish
Stab HH90 motor
QPH-031 LNB
Chieta 1x2 22khz switch
Genpix SkyWalker-1 USB card w/ latest driver 1.1.1
DVB Dream v. 1.4i

I have installed the dish mount pole perfectly plumb in both directions. The motor angle is set to my latitude, about 48 N. The dish is set to the angle given both by Stab and by dishpointer.com, 38 degrees. The motor is at its centered position and the dish is pointed true South, 180 degrees. I have been able to use DD to move the dish to Echo* 9 121 W, the nearest satellite to my longitude of 122.3 degrees West. The connections are one linear and one circular output from the LNB to the switch, switch to motor LNB port, motor REC port to SkyWalker-1, SkyWalker-1 to computer USB 2.0 port. So far, so good.

Next I tried to find the satellite by using the SignalDisplay module in DD but could not get anything but "zero" from it. I was assuming it would work something like an inline satellite finder does, just indicating raw signal levels. No luck. After several frustrating hours, I went to Radio Shack and bought a Winegard SF 1000 Satellite Finder. When this was inline between the SkyWalker-1 and the LNB I didn't have to move the dish very far to get a strong result, so it appears I have power to the LNB and am getting something back. Still the SignalDisplay gives only zero.

I am quite technically oriented and have a lot of computer experience, but I am just not understanding all that I need to do inside of DD to make this work. DD doesn't come with much of a help system so I can't seem to find the answers I need. Can anyone who has sucessfully conquered all of this please lead me by the hand since I am apparently clueless?

1. Is there a preference for which LNB output (linear or circular) should connect to which switch port?

2. In Options/Diseqc Settings what do I choose for switch type with my 22khz switch? I have mostly tried "none" and I set the satellite to Echo* 9. If I say I do have a Mini Diseqc it won't let me set the same satellite for both ports. Should I even be putting anything in Diseqc Settings with a motorized dish?

3. Assuming I should be in this area, when I choose satellite properties what LNB type should I choose for my setup? None of them give the two LOF settings for my LNB, 10.75 and 11.25 GHz. Also, what should the 22khz tab be set to?

4. Does anyone know exactly what is required to use the SignalDisplay module (any prerequisite settings, correct satellite chosen somewhere, etc.?)

I have tried several times to do a channel scan, including after I showed a good signal with the sat finder but this is where I really feel my problem may lie. Without a good help system, I feel totally in the dark about what is required both in what needs to be done before trying to scan and in exactly how it is done?

Please do your best to walk me through the exact process of scanning a satellite. Assume that I am totally ignorant, tell me every detail that you think might have a bearing on anything. I really need help! The only condition I ask is that you refrain from guessing and confusing me more. I am looking for people who may have a similar setup and know what is needed. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Rob

[zag1958]

Diseqc setting choose None.

In Satellite properties choose "NA Legacy". This will set the LOF1 to 11250000. For the 22 KHz tab choose On or Off based on what side of the switch you have connected the circular input.

Now on the second satellite, choose "NA Legacy" again but this time change LOF1 to 10750000. Set 22 KHz to the opposite that you set for the circular input.

[Gravydog]

Thanks for the reply. I have tried to do what you said and I have finally gotten a few channels somehow, but I am still not clear in this area. Since this is a motorized setup, do I add every satellite that I plan to access here one at a time? Also, don't some sats use both linear and circular? I don't seem to be able to add a second instance of a satellite with different settings. Could you please explain further? Thanks!

Rob

[zag1958]

Yes you add every satellite you plan on accessing, one at a time. No, sats only use one type either circular or linear. You will find that most use circular (Dish and BEV). You will need to scan each satellite and store it in a memory position in the motor. You could use USALS but I think that storing in the motor memory works best. Basically you move to a satellite position (say 61.5degrees west) and store the position as location number 1 and assign it to satellite 61.5 then move on to the next satellite and store it as position 2 and so on. You do this in the positioner menu under options. Make sure you "enable positioner" first under Options/Positioner/Options tab.

[Gravydog]

Hey, thanks again for the clear advice. Is there somewhere that all of this is explained or does everyone have to just stumble around trying to figure it out?

If you have a motor, maybe you can tell me if the motor should automatically move to the correct sat when it is chosen on the Channels tab or do you always have to move it yourself?

Rob

[zag1958]

No not really. Information can be found but is spread around all over the place. Searching the forum is your best bet.

Yes, the motor should automatically move when you select a channel on a different satellite (assuming you have the "Auto drive on channel-change" box checked). Right below that there is a "Confirm motor driving" checkbox that you may want to disable. It will drive you nuts after a while because it asks for confirmation every single time it needs to move (kind like vista UAC). These checkboxes are found under Options/Positioner/Options tab.