FTA RECEIVER - first time SETUP

[mjl12407]

FTA RECEIVER - first time SETUP – for newbies: by Grandpooba

Your first necessary step will be selecting the satellite(s) that you want to receive, this selection will dictate the dish and LNB (white hocky puck nosed thing on the dish) and the receivers setup for the satellite.

This list is for the Northern Hemisphire location, USA, Central/South America
Circular Satellites, circular LNB, LNB Type = Standard/Single, LNB Freq = 11250Mhz, typically a Smaller 18 to 22 inch dish
61.5W Echo3, 77W Echo4, 110W Echo10/11, 119W Echo7, 121W Echo9, 129W Echo5, 148W Echo1&2
Linear satellites; linear LNB, LNB Type = Universal/Standard, LNB Freq.= 10750Mhz, typically a 30 inch dish or larger dish
63W estrela, 71.8W nahuell, 79W amc5, OOPS! galaxy11, 93W intelsat6, 95W galaxy 3C, 97W intelsat5, 101W AMC4, 103W AMC1, 105W AMC15, 107.3W Anik, 111W Anik f2, 116.8W Satmex5, 123W Galaxy 10r, 127W Galaxy13



Receiver setup, Basic Steps:

First: Upgrade the receiver’s software
Second: Select the satellite
Third: Setup the receiver to the selected satellite and Dish antenna’s LNB
Fourth: Dish connections and aiming

Note: This post will address the generic setup of FTA receivers, it is meant as a guide and may not completely match your receiver.


First: Upgrade the receiver’s software
Up-grade your receiver to the current software version. You can download the most current version of software and the software loader from this site, under “Files section” – “FTA Receivers – FILES ONLY”, select your receivers Manufacture and model section. These downloads will be in a “Zipped” format and MUST be unzipped before use. Detailed procedure for loading your receiver can be found in the “FTA receiver discussions” section on this site by you receiver’s manufacture/model, look for the “stickys” for the best instructions. Should you have any questions PLEASE post your question with detail under “FTA receiver discussions” section on this site; you will get a prompt answer.

Second: Select the satellite
Selection of Satellite (bird) must be done first, as the receiver settings, dish and other components must match the bird selected. There are 2 different of ku band transmitting satellites, Circular and Linear. You must select the bird, and setup the receiver to receive it. We are going to address the most popular FTA CIRCULAR bird setup only. Currently the most popular FTA circular birds (in order of popularity) are ES 110W & 119W W. For this exercise we are going to select 110W ES 10/11 (however you may select any other of the mensioned birds).


Third: Setup the receiver to the selected satellite and Dish antenna’s LNB
Setup of the Receiver (STB) for 110W(ES 10/11) circular bird, with a SINGLE LNB, You will need to go into your STB’s menu and select satellite setup. There you will find a setup menu similar to below (the numbers are for reference);

1. Satellite (name)
2. LNB Power
3. LNB Type
4. LNB Frequency
5. Transponder (TP, frequency)
6. 22kHz
7. DiSEqC (switch)
8. Motor
9. Legacy (Switch, SW)



Instructions for receivers setup:

1. Satellite (name): here you SELECT the satellite from the receivers satellite setup list that you want to setup (select ES 10/11 at 110W)

2. LNB Power: Set this to “ON” (this selection supplies power through the cable to operate the LNB)

3. LNB Type: The LNB is the item on the dish that has the white hockey puck nose; you should have a dish with one LNB on it. Here there can be many selections, you must match the settings to the LNB that you have on the dish. For circular birds there are 2 basic LNB’s, the “Legacy” (most popular) and the “DishPro” (DP). You can tell if you have a “DishPro” as the LNB will be clearly marked on the backside “Dish Pro”. If your LNB is not so marked, you have a “Legacy” LNB. We next set the LNB type; for “LEGACY” the receiver settings should be “Standard” or "Single". For “DishPro” (DP) the receiver settings should be “Dish Pro” or “OCS/DP” or “DP”.

4. LNB frequency; this setting is determined by the bird that we want to receive. All circular birds in our N. hemisphere use a Frequency of 11250. Set receiver to 11250.

5. Transponder (TP, frequency) For ES 10/11 at 110W Select “12326” as this frequency is the providers (Dish) information channels 100 and 500 guide’s transponder frequency. Note: this frequency will change with receiver channel change; it will not stay at the frequency you have set it at.

6. 22kHz = “Off” This setting is used for actuation of 22kHz dish switches, for multi-satellite installations.

7. DiSEqC (switch) = “Off or None” This setting is used for actuation of DiSEqC switches to switch Legacy and Dish Pro LNB's, for multi-satellite installations.

8. Motor = “Off or, None” This setting is for setting up a motorized dish, that can move and aim the dish so you can receive most of the satellites in the Clarke belt.

9. Legacy (Switch, SW) = “Off or, None” This setting is used for actuation of Legacy switches, for multi-satellite installations.

This concludes the Receiver setup.

Fourth: Dish connections and aiming For dish connection and aiming a dish we must first determine the dish angle settings for our location, as the satellites are HIGHLY DIRECTIONAL, and we MUST be exact to find them. You are aiming at a satellite the size of a car 22,000 miles away, so you MUST be exact! Close won't get it! To do this we use a satellite-aiming site, I like this one, however there are many others that work -Satellite look-angle calculator . Using RG-6 cable. The Dish must be able to see the satellite without obstructions. The mount must be SOLID, and most IMPORTANT – PLUMB, where the dish slides onto the pole, in all plains (translated - on ALL sides of the dish pole (dish removed), with the bubble level, it’s bubble is between the center lines). The dish must be grounded with a separate ground wire connected from a good ground to the dish mount bracket or Pole. Hook up the cable to LNB, routing the cable through the dish post and LNB arm to the LNB connection, be sure the connection is snug. Mount the LNB onto the dish arm, put in LNB retaining screw. Mount the dish onto the pole, leaving the dish mount pole locking clamp bolts loose. If possible, bring the STB (Receiver) with a tv hooked up to it next to you at the dish location, If not get an assistant and yell or use walkie-talkies or cell phone to commutate. Connect the other end of the RG-6 cable to the satellite in connector on the STB (Receiver). Next set the Elevation angle on the dish by, loosing the 2 nuts on the elevation adjustment and set it for the angle that was specified in the dish-aiming calculator for satellite 110. Snug up the 2 adjusting bolts. Aim the dish for the magnetic azimuth that you have previously calculated for the 110 satellites. Set up the STB for satellite 110 by going into the “Setup menu -satellite antenna setup” and setting the TP Freq.= 12224, Set the STB (receiver) to indicate on the TV the signal strenght. With the dish sweep the sky in the direction of the magnetic azimuth S-L-O-W-L-Y, watching the STB signal strength “S” and then the “Q”.Peak the reading, the STB should indicate Satellite 110, once found using a marking pen mark the pole and dish collar so you can return to that setting. Next loosen the elevation bolts and peak the signal strength readings. You should have Greater than 45 on the “Q”uality signal strength (the higher the better) and in the STB satellite setup screen the STB will have a indicator, usually a "Pop up" screen thats indicates Satellite “110”, this is a MUST, if it does NOT indicate 110, you are not aimed at 110 . Once peaked, tighten the pole and elevation lock nuts to keep the dish from moving. Complete the setup by UNPLUGING the STB from power, disconnecting the Dish Cable from the STB and running the cable to the grounded - grounding block and then another RG-6 Cable from the grounding block to the STB. Hook the STB to the TV set and check for signal on the 110 bird, go into the satellites menu and set the sort for “SID” (Station IDentification), set the “autoroll” to “on”, then blind scan the satellite, save it. Now go to channel 100 o, you should be getting a picture and sound, select an other channel and wait (30 min. max.) for autoroll to automatically find the keys.


Testing:

If receiving Dish ES 10/11 (110) goto SID channel 100 (HOME) (12326,H),

If above works your LNB type is set correctly and your dish is aimed and functioning.


Troubleshooting
If you are not getting channel 100 do the following; Go to receivers signal strength meter, you should have good strength, and quality should be greater than 35 on the meter. If not, check your dish cable(s) and the receivers LNB setup. If both OK, re-load the software and re-aim the dish. If you are getting channel 100, check your receivers setup “LNB type”.


THis is just a guide for a very basic setup. If this is posted in forum already i apoligize...

[hagi10]

That is a good info. mjl12407

[pokerking168]

this is very good info. thx

[greendog5]

I was out of the loop for a while. Your guide is good refresh for me. Thanks much.
GD5

[gshatta]

Originally Posted by greendog5

I was out of the loop for a while. Your guide is good refresh for me. Thanks much.
GD5

Me too....