Sat positions - can't find some.

[geo1561]

Hi, I've just set up my 1.2m dish which is driven by a 36v motor and a Vbox positioner. I have managed to locate and have very good signal and quality levels for 1W, 5E and 13E. The problem is I can't find 19E, 28E amd 30W. At the moment I am using the positioner as a standalone and moving the dish a degree at time but still no luck. What am I doing wrong? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Topper]

This suggests you are finding the centre of the arc OK however you will need to adjust for north south axis too far east or west as per picture below

 

[PaulR]

It sounds as though the dish is not tracking the arc properly. First of all is the mounting absolutely plumb vertical? Then look again at your elevation and declination angles

 

[geo1561]

Thanks for the replies but what do I need to do to adjust the North south axis?

 

[PaulR]

You set the NS axis so that when the dish is at the top of its arc it really is pointing due south. In the UK we use Thor at 1W as the closest.

Assuming you don't have a satellite meter set your receiver to a channel off 1W. Move the satellite dish using the motor until it's at its highest point. Then slacken the mountings to the pole and swivel the whole lot on the pole for maximum signal. You should now be correct for NS. Now you'll probably need to alter declination and elevation angles.

 

[Robbo]

The elevation must be set correctly and the declination. With those set, the arc traversed by the dish will be the correct shape, just minor tweaking needed possibly.

The elevation should be set to 90- latitude ( or thereabouts), the declination setting can be set by adjustment for best signal on due south sat.

To adjust the arc if it needs tweaking, you can send the dish to the last satellite you can pick up on either side of the arc , then gently tip the dish up and down and see which makes an improvement in signal. The diagram posted in one of the posts above, tells you how to use this info.

 

[satelliteman]

In addition, you may need to account for any offset when aligning to your true South satellite. What is your longitude out of interest and motor type?

 

[geo1561]

My motor is a Jaeger 120 H-H and my logitude is -0.0851

 

[Robbo]

Being that close to 0.8W, putting the motor at 0 and aligning for 0.8W won't put you much out, maybe not even noticeably. You could always drive the motor about half a degree westard before starting though, if possible.

 

[satelliteman]

Yes you need to account for around 1° prior to alignment.

 

[geo1561]

Thank you all that have given good advise. I have just sorted it all.

 

[satelliteman]

Nice result.

 

[PaulR]

Yes, good result.

Was it just one item that was out or did you find one lead to another?