absinvestor
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satellite finder
I'm bringing a Hughesnet internet system to the Mulege area of Baja Sur. I use an ATT data card for internet access when in the US so won't be moving
the HughesNet system from Mexico. I don't have ,and have never used, a satellite finder. Any recommendations for the best satellite finder for my
limited needs?
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Wally
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I've had good success using a combo of:
http://www.dishpointer.com/
Dish Pointer uses Google maps. You move the pointer to your location (map or salellite view) and then select the bird you are trying to find. It will
then give a visual idea of what to point at as well as elevation, compass heading and lnb skew.
I then hook up:
http://www.amazon.com/Satellite-Finder/dp/B000G2EMM4
and using the tone/meter start the actual pointing process--turning up the gain as the signal continues to get stronger. At some point, you want to
hook up your receiver and make sure you're pointed at the right one.
I'd never done it before. Took a couple of hours but was fairly simple (lots of trial and error). Once I finished, I called a professional to come out
to check my installation and to fine tune the pointing. He said he couldn't improve it.
Have done it a couple of times since having switched from Dish to Shaw and back. Each time it gets easier.
[Edited on 12-6-2011 by Wally]
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absinvestor
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Thanks Wally. I thought the actual satellite finder would be more expensive. I'm assuming from your experience that the one listed on the amazon site
(that you listed) will work fine for my limited needs? Thanks again. Ron
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Dave
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All you need
| Quote: | Originally posted by absinvestor
Thanks Wally. I thought the actual satellite finder would be more expensive. I'm assuming from your experience that the one listed on the amazon site
(that you listed) will work fine for my limited needs? Thanks again. Ron |
That's exactly the one I use, have used for years. A compass would make the job a bit easier, though.
The difficulty is correct setting of the dish skew to access more than the one satellite. You'll need to find a happy medium to get the best reception
on both, or more depending on your system.
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Bob and Susan
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well...how do you do THAT without the internet???
don't you FIRST have to aim the dish...
another problem...
is the modem already commissioned in the usa and to what sat?
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Roberto
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The best one is birddog https://www.perfect-10.tv/marketing/birdog/. It's on the expensive side, but if you use it a fair amount more than worth it.
If you're taking a system down and using it once, the signal meter on the model will work. It'll take some time, but you'll save a good amount of
money.
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BCSTech
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
well...how do you do THAT without the internet???
don't you FIRST have to aim the dish...
another problem...
is the modem already commissioned in the usa and to what sat? |
All good questions. HughesNet systems are a
little more complicated than just pointing a dish like you would for TV.
If you're still in the US, you should locate the GPS for your install point while there and get your pointing info. But you need to know what
satellite you're already commissioned on.
Confirm what model of modem you have.
HughesNet modems also have a meter in them and you'll need to refer to this while setting up. You can also use this meter to aim the dish but it's a
bit tricky.
[Edited on 12-7-2011 by BCSTech]
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BCSTech
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by DaveA compass would make the job a bit easier, though. |
Amen to that. You
should also have a good torpedo level and/or inclinometer.
| Quote: | | Originally posted by DaveThe difficulty is correct setting of the dish skew to access more than the one satellite. You'll need to find a
happy medium to get the best reception on both, or more depending on your system. |
This might confuse him.
Skew is important but, with a HughesNet system, he only needs to access one satellite.
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Bob and Susan
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i thought the new 7000s modems will automaticly commission to the sat the antenna is pointed at...not true?
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Dave
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BCSTech
This might confuse him. Skew is important but, with a HughesNet system, he only needs to access one satellite. |
Even with TV? Starband uses one dish for TV and internet. Doesn't Hughes offer the same configuration?
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larryC
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Dave,
Starband used to offer Dishnet with their internet service but they don't any longer. To get dishnet you had to install a bracket to mount the 110 and
119 lnb's to the starband dish. You used a different bracket depending on which starband sattelite you were assigned to, either the 101 or the 129.
Now that starband has changed sattelites to the 121 and the 123, those brackets no longer work to receive dishnet tv.
I have never seen a similar type system for Hughes to allow for TV reception.
Abs
As Roberto mentioned above, the Birdog is a pretty good sat finder. You have to program it, and tell it which sat you are looking for and when the
dish is pointed at the correct sat you will get a "found" indication on the meter, then you just do the fine tuning to get the highest signal. Kind of
pricey for a one time use. Ask around you may find someone in the area that you can borrow from. Otherwise you might look on ebay and get the cheapest
working unit you can find. Good luck
Larry
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absinvestor
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Thanks for all the great info. It is appreciated. Ron
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BCSTech
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StarBand uses a 1.2 meter dish. HughesNet's residential systems use a 0.74 meter dish. Even if you could get a bracket on there to add an LNB for DN's
119° satellite, the HughesNet dish isn't nearly big enough to receive the signal anywhere in BCS, and especially in Mulege.
BTW, I have a Birdog Ultra, and the last time I tried to use it to detect SM-5 or 6, the satellite signatures had changed and these satellites were no
longer ID'ing correctly. Used my $75 meter instead.
Perfect 10 is aware of the issue but not sure they have addressed this yet with updated config files. No doubt an older BD purchased off EBay woiuld
need to be updated in any event - but they're not "plug and play."
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BCSTech
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i thought the new 7000s modems will automaticly commission to the sat the antenna is pointed at...not true? |
No. Commissioning is controlled by the HughesNet Network Operations Center.
You can try peak on whatever satellite you want during the registration sequence but, once the modem downloads its configuration file and reboots, it
will reset itself for the satellite specified by the NOC.
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BCSTech
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Ron, to save some trouble, you need to find out what satellite you're already set up for.
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CortezBlue
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
well...how do you do THAT without the internet???
don't you FIRST have to aim the dish...
another problem...
is the modem already commissioned in the usa and to what sat? |
You can do the internet work in the states and then print out the data or save it to a PC in a PDF.
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CortezBlue
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So, after installing to many dishes over the years, including a few Hughesnet systems.
Most problems that folks have aligning a dish, is the most simple problems.
#1 Make sure that your mounting mast is perfectly plumb. If your post is not completely plumb, you will not be able to point the dish correctly
#2 Make sure that you set all of your settings on the dish before you even raise the dish off the ground.
Set your azimuth, Skew and angle and make sure that you can see the correct mark to set these settings. Sometimes rust or paint that has been worn
away can make it hard to see the setting markers.
#3 If you don't have a sat signal meter, send your best buddy, or wife, into the house to look at the TV/Computer, to make sure you are getting a
signal. Use walkie talkies to communicate. If you don't have them, use your cell phones to stay in touch.
I hate aligning dishes, but when I get them done, I feel like I have discovered a new universe, it is a great feeling.
Good Luck
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Bob and Susan
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so if absinvestor brings down his system and
is on the WRONG sat
he'll need someone like BCSTech to call hughes
to get logged on to the correct sat
as i understand this only reps can do that
true?
where absinvestor is located (burro beach)
there is no cell phones or tv
so if the antenna is already
set then the modem cannot be commissioned
until the antenna is pointed
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BCSTech
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The request to change satellites goes through the HughesNet Installer Support department and, yes, there is some finesse involved because they verify
your installer ID.
I can request the change and provide remote setup support if Ron needs it, but I need to first verify what modem he has and where he's currently
commissioned.
If he needs some hands-on, he might be able to get Mario to come down, or I have an installer I know in Loreto.
[Edited on 12-9-2011 by BCSTech]
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