TS2 Linkstar NSS6 ME Satellite startup help

The last three pairs of hex characters of the MAC address for a LinkStar modem (RCST) decode thus:
03 hex = 0 x 16 + 3 = 3 decimal
45 hex = 4 x 16 + 5 = 69 decimal
A6 hex = 10 x 16 +6 =166 decimal
IP address = 10.3.69.166 Subnet 255.255.255.0
(You can do it yourself with Start, Accessories, Calculator, View, Programmer)
The IP address as above is the initial IP address, before the site is operational. Use cross over ethernet cable and telnet.
Useful commands:
Set boot parameters with save command:
save -t (Tx power (1/2 dB steps)) -c (control PID)
-f (TDM carrier (in KHz)) -pcr (PCR PID)
-pop (population ID) -o (ODU status)
-s (symbol rate)

Example: save -t -60 -c 0x1029 -f 1250000 -pcr 0x365 -pop Ox11e0004 -o 1 -s 27500000

Your service provider should tell you the line of text to type in for your network.

ODU status parameters
-o 1 If the RCST will power the BUC.
-o 2 If using an External Power Supply.

Enter dbpr bootconf to check parameters.
Enter pconf to check pasrameters.
Enter hw to reboot terminal.
Enter tcmp to see the receive QPSK bit error rate; adjust for minimum, like 0.00003

Most important advice: NEVER GET THE TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE CABLES CROSSED OVER. You will permanently damage the indoor RCST. Also, always power off at mains wall switch before working on the coax cables.

It is hard work typing the "tcmp" command 30 - 50 times. Instead do "rep tcmp" command. This will automatically repeat the command every few seconds. To abort just type any command.

Best regards, Eric.

Latest news from Microsoft for Windows 7 and 8 users ..
"By default, Telnet is not installed with Windows, but you can install it by following the steps below.
To install Telnet Client
1.Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Turn Windows features on or off.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
2.In the Windows Features dialog box, select the Telnet Client check box.
3.Click OK. The installation might take several minutes."

Type  telnet 10.3.69.166 at the command prompt.
You must have your PC network interface set to:
Gateway: 10.3.69.166
IP of your PC: 10.3.69.167 (e.g. any number different from above in last position, except 0, 166, 255)
Subnet 255.255.255.0

Then enter something like:
save -t -60 -c 0x1029 -f 1250000 -pcr 0x365 -pop Ox11e0004 -o 2 -s 27500000
Whatever you have been told.  All sites on the same network have the same config line.

You will get RX slow green flash when you get to the satellite, fast green flash and pcr=true (on tclgets screen) when locked to correct carrier.  Talk to the hub; they must know your MAC address and cooperate.

Once commissioned, RX solid green and modem reboots, the IP address and subnet mask of the RCST gateway changes, so you need to reconfigure your PC interface.  The new subnet mask may permit IP addresses for the operation of several PCs, using a switch.  More likely, you will use a local router and need only 1 IP address off the modem.

--
Amazing, talk about technology reversals - first no email and now no telnet... Is anything else important missing in Windows 8?

Best regards, Eric.

TS2 should have told you the satellite/orbit position and receive polarisation name to use. They should also be giving you all this assistance to help you get started.

Find your azimuth, elevation and polarisation angles here: Dish pointing Iraq  I know it says Iraq but just drag the map across to Afghanistan.  This particular map page has a extra polarisation picture feature.

First set the polarisation.
Step 1.
If Horizontal, put the LNB filter arm directly upwards.
If Vertical, put the LNB filter arm sticking out sideways (either side will do)
Step 2.
Rotate the feed assembly by the required adjustment amount. Positive is clockwise with you standing behind the dish and facing forwards towards the satellite in the sky.
The dish pointing page shows you an approximate picture of the feed assembly. (Select the polarisation name button first)
If you have in inclinometer it is useful to put it sideways across the BUC or LNB to set the angle to +/-1 deg accuracy.

Next set the beam elevation (up/down angle)
Make sure the pole is vertical and the pole clamp not too loose.
Set the beam elevation angle using the scale. If the pole clamp is too loose, and the head unit sags down, you will need to go up 2 or 3 deg. If there is no scale tell me.

Power off and disconnect the transmit cable at both ends.  With the modem and laptop PC next to the antenna, power ON, using the LNB cable only.

While watching the RX light, boldly swing the dish sideways, 30 deg either side of the azimuth compass bearing, which is approximate. The RX light should flash green.  If not green go up in 2 deg steps and sweep again.

Using tcmp check that pcr=true showing you are locked to the correct carrier.

Having found the satellite, now the difficult bit, you need to spend at least 30 minutes peaking up.
Peak up in azimuth (sideways) first. Then tighten the clamps etc. The dish will rise up a bit and you may temporarily loose the satellite so be very careful in tightening the azimuth not to alter the azimuth.
Finally, peak up in elevation (up/down). Using tcmp command very many times, or rep tcmp, the QPSK might be 0.01 (very bad) to start with and something like 0.00002 (perfect) to end with.  The more zeros the better.
You really must get to the exact centre of the beam as the transmit beam is narrower than the receve beam.  The peak of the receive beam is rounded so it may help to go off slightly either side and then move to the centre by mechanically halfing the distance. Count turns and flats on the adjustment nuts.

Once well pointed, with QPSKBER=0.00002 or similar, power off.
Connect up the transmit cable (both ends) and power on.
Call the hub and ask to be commissioned.  They should test your polarisation and may ask you to get under the feed arm and reach up and turn the feed assembly 1 or 2 deg. Be very patient between movements as it takes perhaps 20 seconds for the hub to make a measurement of your cross pol isolation.  There is a deep narrow null in the pattern (just a few deg wide) and you need to be in the middle for minimum interference.

Do not block the beam, interfere with the dish or cables or modem or PC while commissioning is in progress as new software downloads will occur and must not be interupted.

Best regards, Eric.

Quote:

You have found a satellite.  Mark the scales carefully and measure the length of screws etc so you can always get back to this known satellite starting position.

Quote:

You may be pointed at the wrong satellite, wrong polarisation or wrong configuration settings.

Quote:

Using command: tclgets, does PCR=true?  If true, then you are on the right satellite and carrier.

Quote:

The tuning frequency for the modem is 1642000 kHz or 1642 MHz.
The satellite frequency is 11642 MHz.
Your LNB presumably has a local oscillator = 10 GHz, or 10000 MHz.  What is the model number of your LNB ?  Does it have 10 GHz written on it ? Modem frequency = Satellite frequency - LNB local oscillator frequency.

My suggestions:

Please read this other 'customer experience' Pointing to NSS6 TS2 service Afghanistan

It may be worth trying the other polarisation in case TS2 have told you wrong.

Try the other polarisation (e.g. instead of -30 deg anticlockwise, try +60 clockwise - while facing towards the satellite in the sky)  It only takes a few seconds to try both polarisations.  Make sure your understanding of Horizontal and Vertical starting position is correct. Did my polarisation picture in the Iraq satellite dish pointing calculator page help ?

Then try satellites along the orbit each way. The satellite is to the south east of you, so the line of satellites slopes from low down in the east to high up at due south.  Just go along the line each way till you get to the correct satellite.  What actual elevation reading do you have.?  What magnetic compass bearing (approx) ?

Finally when it all works please tell us so that we can help others.

Best regards, Eric.

Here are two displays from the Iraq Dish pointing calculator, for NSS6 satellite (95 east orbit position) and somewhere in Afghanistan.

You need to do it for your satellite and location.

Polarisation:
Step 1.
Horizontal receive polarisation starting position is with the LNB uppermost, central above the BUC.
Vertical receive polarisation is acehived with the LNB arm sticking out sideways - which side does not matter.  
Step 2:
You then apply the polarisation adjustment angle.  In the above images the polarisation adjustment angle is -32 deg anticlockwise, with you facing towards the satellite in the sky.  See the pictures of the feed horn window and the position of the LNB.  These images move and change to give you the idea.  In the case of vertical I assumed that you put the LNB out on the right hand side as its starting position.  Set the adjustment angle exactly using an inclinometer placed sideways across the BUC or LNB.

I don't understand your elevation angle of 15 or 17 deg. Is this the reading on the scale behind the dish?. Maybe it is the slope of the front face of the dish?. If you are using the slope of the front face of the dish it is possible that your dish offset angle is about 25 deg. The offset figure needs to come from the dish manufacturers manual/installation instructions. The offset angle is the beam elevation angle when the front face of the dish is vertical. A figure of around 25 deg is typical.

Have you tried the other polarisation ?

Best regards, Eric.

If your LNB looks like the picture on the right, you are currently set to receive vertical name polarisation.

Your azimuth of 136 deg and 17 deg front face of dish angle suggests that you are looking at NSS6 at 95 east, or a nearby satellite.

Please say:
What polarisation have you been told to receive ?
What satellite name and orbit position ?
What is your location (approx will do) ?

Best regards, Eric.

For Horizontal, try making it look like the image on the right.

I don't know where the 52 comes from, or which way it is applied.

Best regards, Eric.

What config string are you using ?

You are using a Horizon meter. 

In its initial mode it is a sensitive wideband power meter and will enable you to peak up on any satellite or polarisation.

It also has a DVB receive mode whereby it can lock to a predefined carrier and say "satellite found".   If you get such a lock indication please say what satellite and what L band carrier frequency, symbol rate and FEC parameters.

One thought:  When you connect the LNB to the modem receive input, is the DC power from the modem actually getting to the LNB ?  The centre wire pin of the F connector plug must be long enough.  The pin should be about 1.5mm proud of the F connector plug ring and when plugged in, the pin must go smoothly into the hole and not push back the dielectric and braid.  The braid must make good contact with the plug outer at each end.

Best regards, Eric

1.  Lyngsat.com provides independant information about your NSS6 95E carrier.  It is Horizontal polarisation name.
11642 H   tp MEHB4  @ PlanetSky  DVB 16923-7/8   Middle East & South Africa
So the LNB arm should be to the upper left, as viewed with you standing behind the dish and facing forwards towards the satellite in the sky (see image below)

2. I appreciate you get a lower reading with Horizontal. ( "my signal dropped by roughly 15"  ).  Don't worry; this is because there are more powerful, unwanted, carriers on Vertical.  It is important that you set the polarisation angle accurately to minimise interference from the opposite polarisation.  Start with your LNB upwards, then turn it by an amount of -37 deg anticlockwise, as viewed with you standing behind the dish and facing forwards towards the satellite in the sky. This is what you should see looking over the top of the dish:


3. I can't see anything wrong with this linkstar config string:
-s 16923000 -f 1642000 -t -24 -pop 0x11e0001 -c 0x1029 -pcr 0x365 -o 1
All other customer sites in your network use this same string.

4. If the above does not work try the next few satellites either way along the orbit, which is a diagonal sloping line for satellites near 95 East.  The next satellites to the right (towards south) are higher up. The next satellites to the left (towards east) are lower down. Before you move the dish note the scale readings and screw lengths etc so you can always get back to the starting satellite.  The elevation scale should be reading about 40.6 deg.  The scale will read wrong if the head unit is sagging down a few deg or the pole not absolutely vertical.

5. I'm guessing that the Horizon meter is set to satellite frequency 11642 MHz.  This is only the displayed frequency. The actual tuning frequency is in L band (950-2050 MHz) and is based on an assumption about LNB local oscillator frequency made internally to the meter. Your LNB local oscillator is 10000 MHz.  The Horizon meter is normally used with consumer satellite TV LNBs that have switchable 9750 or 10600 MHz local oscillator frequencies. Your meter will only assume 10000 MHz if the person programming it or making its hex file knew this about your site.  Ideally you need to find the L band tuning mode in the Horizon and set the carrier frequency to 1642 MHz. You don't need the Horizon meter if you have the Linkstar modem visible from the dish (green LED visible) and a PC with "rep tcmp" command running so you can minimise the QPSK bit error rate.

6. Just checking... What type LNB do you have?.  I am expecting LNB:  NJR2784H with 10 GHz local oscillator.

 
Best regards, Eric

OK I took both my laptop and the modem up onto the roof and tried pointing to no avail.  The readings below are what it said constantly.
Standard DVB-S1
UncodedBER -1.000000
RSVIT !Locked
freq 1642
Rs 16.92299
RxPower -42.50999
RSUncorrectedErr Count 20962
CarrierPhase !Locked
Code Rate 1/2
Fs 100
EsNo 3

I tried finding the satalite from approx 70 deg to 25 deg (indicated on dish mount) The polorazation is set like u mentioned and I swept the sky in roughly a 160 deg arc around the azimuth that u specified. The cables both work as I tried connecting each to the HDSM and running the cable / LNB test. Still running around like crazy and not getting anywhere.

I will post pics later its dark now and this whole system was up and working just had to move it as was in another location. The polorazation that TS2 sent was +52 . When we moved the dish we moved it approx 200' in front of where it was and maby 150' tp the left and 5 feet up in elevation so not a lot. Still looking into it though will let u know. And there are other people using the same setup but was set up long ago so no one remembers how or what they did.

Polarisation:  My opinion is that it the LNB arm should be exactly 37 deg anticlockwise to the left from top, as viewed from behind the dish and you facing towards the satellite in the sky.  You can put an inclinometer sideways across the LNB body, narrow side of LNB waveguide, or BUC body. Since there are probably other carriers on the opposite polarisation, adjustment angle errors will cause interference into your wanted carrier and degrade your QPSK BER.

QPSKBER= 0.0038 is a good start.  Quite small movements will be needed to reduce it further. Do the best you can.

Do command tclgets.  PCR should be TRUE.

Then power OFF at the mains wall switch.  Connect up the transmit cable to the BUC and power ON while phoning the teleport hub. Don't interfere with the modem or antenna during the initial commissioning (possibly 10 minutes or more) as software downloads may be occuring. The modem will reset when commanded by the hub.

The hub may ask you to get under the feed arm and reach up to turn the feed/LNB/BUC assembly 1 or 2 deg to optimise the polarisation.  If they ask, make a very small movement under their verbal instruction and then wait a long time till they make a measurement and tell you which way to go next.  Give them plenty of time between your adjustments for them to make a cross-pol isolation measurement.  This optimisation stops you interfering with other services and also optimises your own cross-pol interference on your downlink.

Once comissioned, the IP address of the modem gateway will change.  You need to set your PC IP to a different IP address, typically 1 higher than the gateway and use a new subnet mask.  TS2 will tell you the modem gateway IP address, subnet mask and a range of IP addresses you can use for PCs connected with a switch.  More likely you will use a local router, which needs only 1 IP address from the modem.  You can then invent as many local IP addresses as you want using your router.

Best regards, Eric.