SatSig topic:

Installer wanted at Camp Anaconda

(Read 3839 times)

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 6:35am

I need an installer. I found an email address here but so far no response. I am with BW and looking for AM22 we had link but were forced to move our dish and cant seem to get the link re-established. i understand the general concept but can't seem to find the modems internal IP so i can't see how we are doing on signal strength etc. we have i think an Express x3? modem if that helps.

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 12:23pm

This page satellite dish pointing Iraq will give you the dish pointing angles. See your buildings and the blue line will show you where to point the dish sideways.

If you have an iDirect Evolution X3 modem you need a program in your PC called iSite to observe the signal levels.

If the modem has been out of use for a long time check with BW in case the satellite carrier has changed (e.g frequency or symbol rate). A new options file may be needed. Tell BW your new lat and long.

Without test equipment or iSite, I suggest putting the modem at the antenna and then pointing the dish till receive LED goes green. Then point off till it goes out up/down/left/right and set the dish mechanically to the mid point between the four drop out points.

I hope someone else will add advice here on how to find your modem IP addresss and getting/using iSite .

Maybe someone at Anaconda will read this and come and help you.

Best regards, Eric.

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 2:05pm

Eric thanks for the help. i am conversing with BW tech support now.

I used the inclinometer described here to set my elevation thankfully no tall buildings to worry about.

i thought this would be easier because the rig only moved about 50 feet

alas it has not been but i can see a light at the end of the tunnel

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 4:55pm

For such short moves, the critical element is verticality. If the "from" mount was perfectly plumb in the first place - and you ensure that the "to" mount is perfectly plumb - there should be no need to even touch Az/El/Pol angles. It's a matter of moving the dish, then swinging VERY slowly right-left-right in the vicinity of the satellite. Once you get the strongest signal indication from your modem, tighten everything down.

Now if either the "from" and/or the "to" mount isn't plumb, then you've opened a whole new can of worms.

//greg//

Nov 28^th, 2009 at 5:08pm

Thanks Greg for coming in on this one regarding mounting pipe verticality.. Here are some worms !!

That inclinometer will work fine if you have a Prodelin dish with a large grey plastic box, wedge shaped boss, behind the dish. The beam direction is at right angles to the circular rear face of the boss - where is the giant polarisation scale. These new dishes generally come with the Hughes HX modems.

If you have older type antenna (as is likely if you have an iDirect modem) then the dish will be of offset design with the feed arm centrally at the bottom. There may be a scale at a curved slot in the elevation bracket behind the dish. If so, use it. Maybe try 2 deg up in case it is sagging a bit.

If no elevation scale, then you need to know the offset angle of your dish design. For example offset=22 deg. The offset varies with dish design and manufacturer. Set the front face of the dish vertical (e.g. plumb bob down the front). The beam elevation angle is now 22 deg. For a wanted beam elevation of say 50 deg tilt the dish a further 28 deg backwards. The inclinometer will allow this movement to be made accurately. Apply the inclinometer to the front side rim of the dish or a strip of wood up across the front, or some back part of the dish that is vertical to start with.

Once you find the satellite spend at least 30 minutes peaking up. It normally takes longer to peak up than to find the satellite. I'm always saying this to get the idea across how critical is that last tiny adjustment to get the satellite into the middle of the beam ! The transmit beam is narrower then the receive beam.

Best regards, Eric.

Nov 30^th, 2009 at 5:09am

Okay got the iSite prog from Raja at BW, Thanks again Raja.

What i am told is we were able to get a signal strength reading of 14 on the scale included in the software we now have 16 and are back online.

i kinda figured as much about the vertical as this dish mount is a hand made bracket that slips over the top of our protective "T-Wall" which are almost never plumb.

as for the dish all i know about it is that it has a red lightning bolt across the front and yes it has an inclination scale built in but due to lack of plumb of the mount it isn't what i would call trustworthy.

all that being said after about 45 minutes on top of the twall after work in the dark and cold wind we are online again. now i jsut need to reflash our router so it will quit timing out on us.