iDirect alignment to W6 Satellite

Hello,

I am having issues getting a good signal to W6 satellite. I have already installed the opt file given by my provider. Here goes the settings I was told to put
Dish Elevation: 45.13
Dish Azimuth (deg east relative to magnetic north: 218.01
Polarisation tilt: 55.26

I have both cables connected to the dish, but only the RX from the LNB connected to the modem. While trying to lock on a signal, we are only able to find a signal at 195 Azimuth, which I think is the W3 satellite. That signal will not go any higher than 7 on the display. I also have the lnb with with writing facing to the side. I took some pics, but am unsure how to display them here.

I actually was not told what NAME polarisation to use. They just said use that polarisation tilt. I will not be able to post any pics for a few days because I am away from my personal computer at this time. It is a Hughes 1.2M dish with a polarisation mast in the back where you loosen 4 bolts and turn the whole dish. Facing the dish from the back, I turned the dish to the right until I was on 55. I am in Tallil, Iraq if that helps you any.

Quote:
I'm sure you must have it in the satellite parameters given to you by the provider. But perhaps you're confusing signal polarization with the dish POL angle.

In order to maximize transmitter isolation and minimize phase distortion, your dish (or TRIA) must be rotated commensurate with the position of the satellite in the orbital arc. That's done either by rotating the dish or the TRIA to the calculated POL angle.

Signal polarization on the other hand, is either horizontal or vertical - info your provider should have already given you. You then select this option on the satellite parameter page of the modem's Installation/Setup section. Go to https://192.168.0.1/fs/advanced/advanced.html , left hand column bottom. Click Installation, then Setup, then Registration. A few pages in you'll find the satellite parameters page.

//greg//

I have emailed Bentley Walker asking about the polarisation. All I got, so far, was polarisation tilt and the review you did on their Hughes devices. I have the small simple lnb at the end. I am using the iDirect Evolution X3. I also emailed you pictures of the Dish Eric.
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Eric writes ...
Here are the pictures together with my comments.


Picture above seems to show filter side arm and LNB approx straight up - this is Horizontal polarisation starting position.


Picture above seems to show filter side arm and LNB approx straight up - this is Horizontal polarisation starting position.


Picture above seems to show a clockwise polarisation amount applied.  I can't see the scale reading at the blue ^ mark.
The beam direction is at right angkles to the polarisation plate - so beam elevation angle = 90 - A deg.  If a photo is taken from an exact side view it will show this angle accurately.


Picture above seems to show a clockwise polarisation amount applied. The filter side arm/LNB is directly away from the feed support arm and the whole assembly is then tilted to the right using the polarisation scale behind the dish. A photo taken from in front of the dish and towards the dish, with the camera level would make a measureable image.

If you set the beam elevation correct, using the cardboard inclinometer and then boldly swing the antenna sideways you will detect some satellite. Peak up.  If not the correct satellite (or polarisation) go up left a bit and try the next satellite, then try down right. If none of these, then switch polarisation. Turn the entire dish so the feed arm is directly to the right hand side (as viewed from the rear). That is a Vertical polarisation start position.  Now turn clockwise by an amount of 34.8 deg (do not use the scale numbers, count the amount along the scale which will be going backwards, 55.2 ?). Try looking at the 3 satellites again.
You may have to add about 3 deg clockwise to optimise the polarisation.

Best regards, Eric.

1.  If you have a Prodelin dish with a grey wedge shaped plastic box at the rear and a feed system with 505 on the feed throat, then ...

Assemble the feed system so the 505 is directly away from the feed arm.
If you have a discrete small LNB receive module (e.g. NJR2784H) then have the LNB filter arm and LNB upwards.
If you have an integrated universal LNB (Hughes PN 1501882-0002) then have the LNB cable connector pointed sideways.

If you want to receive Horizontal polarisation rotate the whole dish using the giant polarisation scale so the feed support arm is at the bottom.
If you want to receive Vertical polarisation rotate the whole dish using the giant polarisation scale so the feed support arm is at the side. Either side will do.

If the polarisation adjustment required is positive (+) then turn the whole dish using the giant polarisation scale by that amount clockwise, viewed as standing behind the dish and facing forwards towards the satellite in the sky.  The beam remains, approximately, pointed at the satellite as you rotate the giant polarisation scale.

2. If you have an older style dish, without giant polarisation scale at the back then ...
If you want to receive Horizontal polarisation rotate the feed system so the LNB filter arm is upwards.
If you want to receive Vertical polarisation rotate the feed system so the LNB filter arm is at one side.

If the polarisation adjustment required is positive + then turn the polarisation by that amount clockwise, viewed as standing behind the dish and facing forwards towards the satellite in the sky.

Notes:
In all cases, having set the initial named polarisation you need to apply the adjustment amount. The spacing of the tick marks on the scale will guide you as to the amount of movement, but note that in some cases the scale numbers will read backwards from 90. Any + or - signs may or may not make sense. Don't worry, it is the direction; clockwise or anticlockwise that matters.
If you have completed the polarisation setting process accurately, and you have the wrong name polarisation or just want to see what is on the opposite polarisation, just turn the polarisation by an amount of 90 deg.
On Eutelsat satellites an extra 3 deg clockwise is suggested.
Final adjustment of polarisation by a few deg either way may need to be done while following verbal instructuions from the hub.
If you set the polarisation wrong by 45 deg, the level of the wanted signal and the level of the opposite polarisation signals will be the same. You will get loads of aggregated signal power but with a C/N=0 dB your demodulator will not lock up.

Anyone with pictures of a good working iDirect on W6 please send pictures.

Best regards, Eric.

If you have tried several broad sweeps and not picked up any satellite then keep trying, increasing the elevation in 1 deg steps.  Sooner or later you will find a satellite. Peak up and record the position so you can always get back to it.  Try both polarisations.  If not the right satellite go to the next satellite, either up to the left or down to the right in diagonal line as viewed facing forwards towards the satellites in the sky.

If the 4 polarisation bolts are reasonably tight the card inclinometer illustrated above is accurate to 1 deg.  If you use your own inclinometer instrument make sure you interpret the scale the right way round.  If you lower the dish down the beam inclination approaches zero.  The scale may read 134.9 or 45.1 deg, or 135.1 or 44.9 for example, depending on how you hold it to the plate. If in doubt, lower the dish elevation right down to the horizon and the reading is defined as zero elavation, regardless if the inclinometer reads 0, 90, 270 or 360.  Then increase the elevation by an amount of 45, disregarding the numbers, but using the scale tick marks to count the amount of movement.

This picture belows shows another way of setting the approx elevation. It assumes the base is level and the 4 polarisation nuts reasonably tight.

For 45 deg elevation set the distance to 22.5 cm
Ref: https://www.satsig.net/bentley-walker/hx/setting-elevation-angle-prodelin-1point...
wxw
The two polarisations are exactly 90 apart from each other, both tilted 38 deg clockwise from vertical and horizontal, as viewed looking forwards, and 52 deg rotated anticlockwise if viewed from the front. The scale numbers will correspond to only one of these alternatives, and will depend where you start.  Start with the polarisation either vertical or horizontal and then turn clockwise by an amount of 38 deg. If no good try the other one, turn it by 90 for the other polarisation.

Regardless of polarisation setting you should find several satellites and be able to peak up on some satellite.

Best regards, Eric.

You say you see readings of 0.3 to 0.4    If you pass any satellite this should increase.  I would expect it to increase slightly if you point te dish down at the ground or put a plank of damp wood over the feed window. Peak up if you find something.  If the reading never changes then maybe the LNB cable is not connected.  You should get a lower reading with the LNB cable disconected.

In your email to me you said, regarding the cables, "I got a voltage reading on one and not the other".  This may be the fault.  There should be DC volts on both cables.  It is often preferred to start with only the receive cable connected.

The DC power may be turned off or on in the options file, for example:
[ODU]
odu_rx_dc_power = 1
odu_tx_dc_power = 1
odu_tx_10_mhz = 1
It is very unlikely that the file has one of the powers set to 0

Elevation: In the picture above, what is angle A (in red) ?.  Note  beam elevation angle = 90 - A deg

Rotate the whole dish to set the polarisation using the large circular scale on the back of the wedge shaped plastic box.   The 505 on the feed throat MUST always be exactly away from the feed support arm.

Best regards, Eric.