Please help! I can not receive Astra!

Robert_winter_1000

Hello to everyone,

I have the pictures but they are too big to be uploaded (about 2000 KB each). Anyone knows a trick or a program to solve this problem?


Best regards,

Robert

Tivù

Pixresizer (qv Google)

Reliable Download from _http://download.cnet.com/PIXresizer/3000-12511_4-10607499.html

Robert_winter_1000

Thanks Gordon.

Robert_winter_1000

Gentlemen,

Here are the photo’s:

Picture 1 & 2 showing the dish pointed to the Hotbird and Astra. Picture 5 taken when the dish was pointing to Astra then I change the place of the monobloc from the right to the left LNB (it does not work). The right LNB is the only one which is working. By screening this LNB the signal disappear completely (in both Astra & Hotbird) while screening the left LNB does have no effect in both cases.
Best regards,
Robert

Attached Thumbnails

         

 

Tivù

Useful pics!

The right hand LNB (Looking from the LNB towards the Dish) is conventionally Port A.

In the absence of DiSEqC commands, Port A is the default.

So your results are consistent with either:

There is no DiSEqC switching command (ie Incorrect Rx settings or faulty Rx)

Or:

Faulty Internal DiSEqC switch in Monoblock.

Do you know anyone with a DiSEqC equipped Rx you might let you use it to prove which of those possibilities actually applies?

Also, in pic #3, I think it is just a perspective issue, but the Monoblock seems to be axially displaced with regard to the LNB arm. Is it? (The other pics suggest it is, in fact, ok)

My earlier comment about LNB rotation still applies, but that can wait for now: We need to establish why Port B is inoperative.

Robert_winter_1000

Hello Gordon,

Please tell me what does Rx, DiSEqC equipped Rx means (maybe it is a silly question!).
regards,
Robert

Tivù

Sorry!

Rx is universal shorthand for Receiver ................

DiSEqC equipped Receiver would be one like yours (but not actually yours, as we need to establish if yours is faulty!) . Most Digital Satellite Receivers are DiSEqC capable, but some (like Sky Boxes) are not.

Note to self: No more TLAs (Two Letter Abbreviations, in this case!)

Robert_winter_1000

Hello Gordon,
I know somebody who has such Rx , I will try to borrow it tomorrow and find out the reason. I let you know.

Regards,
Robert

Tivù

It does seem most likely that it is your Receiver that is at fault here - Huevos drew that conclusion somewhat earlier, but I think nothing has since been said that makes that any less likely.

Robert_winter_1000

Hello Gordon,

I think you and Huevos are right. To be sure, tomorrow I will try to check with the other Rx. If this scenario is correct, what will be in your idea the good solution: Just throw the Nokia 210S out and buy a new one or there is any way else?

Thanks & regards,

Robert

Tivù

You can get Rx's (!!) very cheaply, so certainly replacing it might be a good scheme.

But let's wait for the test results - just in case we need to dip our faces into the nearest egg.

Robert_winter_1000

Hello Gordon,

Here is the report of today :

I brought the Rx from a friend and install it in place of the Nokia. The settings are as follows:

Antenna 1
Type DISEqC 1.2
Satallite Astra
LNB type Universal
LNB Freq1 9750
LNB Freq2 10600
22 KHZ tone None
DiseqC Port A
c/ku band control 0/22 KHZ



Antenna 2
Type DISEqC 1.2
Satallite Hotbird
LNB type Universal
LNB Freq1 9750
LNB Freq2 10600
22 KHZ tone None
DiseqC Port B
c/ku band control 0/22 KHZ


I tried to change the Astra to 2 and Hotbird to 1 but it does not save the changes. The same story about 22 KHZ tone = None, I tried to change the value to 22 KHZ but it does not save it!

When Astra is working the Right LNB only is receiving. By screen it with the hand no signal will be shown. Of course on this position there is no Hotbird.

Moving the dish to the left then the Hotbird start working. It is crazy that only the left LNB is working. By screen it with the hand no signal will be shown. Astra is completely out of order.

Does the above mentioned says anything to you?

Thanks & best regards,

Robert

Robbo

The Antenna type needs to be Diseqc 1.0, not diseqc 1.2 (if that choice is available)


When you say left hand and right hand, what exactly do you mean? As viewed as shown in the picture?


The way you have that monoblock on there, the LNB on focus is HOTBIRD, the offset LNB is Astra 19E.

As you say, Hotbird needs to be on Diseqc port A, and Astra on Port B, it won't work otherwise.

Robert_winter_1000

Hello Mark,

There are only two choices for the Antenna type which is Diseqc 1.2 or Fixed. Left & right is looking from the front of the LNB.

Thanks & regards,

Robert

Robert_winter_1000

I know, but it does not save the changes! I tried it more than once but it did not work! It looks that Astra is pre-programmed as Antenna 1.

Robert

Robert_winter_1000

Sorry, I mean Astra is pre-programmed to be on Diseqc port A!

Robbo

Ok, well change the setting to fixed then, as that is what you have; a fixed dish.

Maybe this might allow you to change the diseqc 1.0 settings (fingers crossed), as that is what needs to be done, one way or another.


Or can you not make Antenna 1 = Hotbird, Antenna 2 = Astra.




LOL, sorry still not clear.

Robert_winter_1000

You can see it in picture 2 of my post above.

.

There are only two choices:
Type DISEqC =1.2
Or Type DISEq= Fixed

There is no 1.0 settings!

It is impossible to make Antenna 1 = Hotbird, Antenna 2 = Astra because the changes can NOT be saved by the system. It always goes back to Antenna 1 = Astra, Antenna 2 = Hotbird

Regards,
Robert

Robbo

Yep,

Diseqc = fixed is what you want.


The Diseqc 1.0 settings are near the bottom of your list where you say

Diseqc Port A or Diseqc Port B.


When you get Astra on the Right hand LNB, that is wrong, you need to stick with Hotbird on the Right hand LNB.

Similarly getting Hotbird on the Left hand LNB is wrong, Astra needs to be on the left hand LNB.

It proves that the switching is working though, just wrong way round..


In the absense of a better solution for the time being , put the LNB on upside down, that'll fix it. Just rember to put a bag over it when it rains.

Did you try the Diseqc = Fixed options, as I said it just might let you save things then?

Tivù

Although it should not matter if you use DiSEqC 1.2 (Control of up to 16 sources, and control of a single axis motor) rather than DiSEqC 1.0 (Control of up to 4 sources) because in general later DiSEqC versions are "backwards compatible" and what you are doing is theoretically permissible, I agree with Robbo that you might try different modes eg Fixed as we still don't know entirely what is amiss here.

We narrowed it down to

a. Finger trouble
b. Faulty Nokia Receiver (which is why you are testing the system with a different Rx)
c. Faulty DiSEqC switch

I've re-read this several times and unless I have disappeared up my own Feedhorn, I don't think we've conclusively proved or eliminated any of those possible causes!

To eliminate possible (probable!) misunderstanding on my part, and to cut a swathe through much of the ifs, buts and different alignments and attempts to set up the switching, can you confirm that whatever you do only the right hand (looking towards the Dish) head ever gets a signal?

Tivù

Again, reviewing the entire Thread, it still isn't clear to me if:

a. The system has ever worked at some time in the past
b. If the Monoblock is new.

Generally, installing and setting up a Monoblock should be as easy as setting light to "Trick or Treaters" - a quick and thoroughly satisfying task with instant results.

Where things get, as they have, uncharacteristically convoluted, the answer is to go back to square one and eliminate by substitution.

If the LNB is new, perhaps now is the time to return it as faulty (even if it isn't) as we aren't getting very far!

Robbo

Gordon,

This tells us that both LNBs do in fact get a signal.
So the switching works (but the wrong way round).

So we can elimate the monoblock as the problem.

Please check your feedhorn, for foreign bodies.

The problem is that he can't get his receiver to use port A for Hotbird and port B for Astra. Find a work around/solution for that and the problem will be solved.

Tivù

Morning Mark - thanks for the summary.

I've been in this one since the beginning and, as I readily admitted, am getting fuzzier rather than clearer!

Let's see what alternative DiSEqC switching configurations bring to the party

Robbo

Yes, as you say, these things should be really very easy to setup.


But I have lost count the number of times I've been foiled by receivers that don't do what they should do, and need a little coaxing.

Tivù

Well if it is just this Receiver being recalcitrant, this one isn't even Robert's: It's one he borrowed to prove/disprove his own Nokia!

We will get there