Peaking with the AcuTrac22

[skid00skid00]

Hi, everyone.

I just upgraded to an R15 DVR (from a recordable DVD), and have spent the last week reading 100's of posts here at DBSTalk.

I learned alot (thanks to all who posted!). I would really like to get the best dish aim possible, and think that using a signal meter *might* be the easiest way. I don't want to spend $500 for the BigDog(?), and the AcuTrac gets *lots* of mentions.

My meter readings are in the mid-high 80's for 101 and 119, and in the low 80's for 110. I couldn't find many posts listing meter readings, but got the impression that 110 shouldn't be much lower than 101/119 (and I think that means my skew is off?).

I'd like to peak using 110, but don't know if that can be accomplished with the AcuTrac. If I tune to a specific TP with the R15, is that the signal the AcuTrac reports, or does it see the highest signal from any one of the 3 sats in it's view?

Thanks in advance for any responces, and thanks to all those who posted with tips and tricks for the R15, which I am enjoying, and learning to use.

[bobnielsen]

Hi, everyone.

I just upgraded to an R15 DVR (from a recordable DVD), and have spent the last week reading 100's of posts here at DBSTalk.

I learned alot (thanks to all who posted!). I would really like to get the best dish aim possible, and think that using a signal meter *might* be the easiest way. I don't want to spend $500 for the BigDog(?), and the AcuTrac gets *lots* of mentions.

My meter readings are in the mid-high 80's for 101 and 119, and in the low 80's for 110. I couldn't find many posts listing meter readings, but got the impression that 110 shouldn't be much lower than 101/119 (and I think that means my skew is off?).

I'd like to peak using 110, but don't know if that can be accomplished with the AcuTrac. If I tune to a specific TP with the R15, is that the signal the AcuTrac reports, or does it see the highest signal from any one of the 3 sats in it's view?

Thanks in advance for any responces, and thanks to all those who posted with tips and tricks for the R15, which I am enjoying, and learning to use.

Skew is a Dish Network term. DirecTV uses Tilt (they are the same thing, however). I assume that you have a 3-LNB dish. On those, the 110 LNB is in line with the axis of the dish mount and signal levels should not vary if the tilt is adjusted.

[carl6]

Hi, everyone.


I'd like to peak using 110, but don't know if that can be accomplished with the AcuTrac. If I tune to a specific TP with the R15, is that the signal the AcuTrac reports, or does it see the highest signal from any one of the 3 sats in it's view?

.

I think you can accomplish what you want. Check channels 490 through 494. Each one picks a specific satellite and polarity, resulting in that signal being sent back to the R15. If your meter is in-line, then it should be reflecting that specific transponder and polarity.

However, trying to peak tilt/skew normally does not get you much if any improvement. The specified values are usually correct. If you do adjust tilt, you will need to re-check 101 and 119 also.

Keep in mind the 3-LNB dish is aimed at 110, so tilt will have very little effect on those signals. What it will do is cause change to 101 and 119 - the two satellites that the 3-LNB dish picks up off the sides.

Carl

[skid00skid00]

Your help is much appreciated!

[wedge40]

Hi, everyone.

I just upgraded to an R15 DVR (from a recordable DVD), and have spent the last week reading 100's of posts here at DBSTalk.

I learned alot (thanks to all who posted!). I would really like to get the best dish aim possible, and think that using a signal meter *might* be the easiest way. I don't want to spend $500 for the BigDog(?), and the AcuTrac gets *lots* of mentions.

My meter readings are in the mid-high 80's for 101 and 119, and in the low 80's for 110. I couldn't find many posts listing meter readings, but got the impression that 110 shouldn't be much lower than 101/119 (and I think that means my skew is off?).

I'd like to peak using 110, but don't know if that can be accomplished with the AcuTrac. If I tune to a specific TP with the R15, is that the signal the AcuTrac reports, or does it see the highest signal from any one of the 3 sats in it's view?

Thanks in advance for any responces, and thanks to all those who posted with tips and tricks for the R15, which I am enjoying, and learning to use.


Just my 2 cents, but there is a GREAT tutorial on peaking a dish at solidsignal.

Greg

[MIMOTech]

Hi if you want a really good meter, the Accutrac3 is what you want to do the AC9 dish. I recently bought one and used it to relocate my AC9 dish. Did a better job then the Birddog used by the directv tech. I don't loose signal in the rain anymore on the KA band.

P

[videojanitor]

Reviving this old thread ...

I have an HR20, AT9 and an Acutrac22 on order -- it appears I will receive the dish and meter much sooner than the HR20. Since I am self installing (yes, I am a loon!), I have a couple of questions that I can't seem to find answers for:

First, do I need the HR20 in order to install the AT9, or is just having the meter enough? In the installation videos, I see they have the receiver connected to one side of the meter, but they never make mention of it. :confused: I do have an HR10-250, so I'll be able to at least verify that it works with that.

Second, the installation videos say things like "set the meter to 119 degrees" etc, but when I look at the operation manual for the Acutrac22 (which is what they're using in the video), I don't see a way to specify that. I have a feeling that a lot of this online stuff is out-of-date or just plain wrong.

I know I could just wait until I get the stuff and figure it out, but thought I'd get a jump on things by picking the brains of those that have used this stuff.

Thanks!

[bobnielsen]

The installer who put up my AT-9 used a meter which didn't require the receiver to be connected. I don't know what model it was.

[carl6]

To set the meter for 119, you turn ON the 22KHz tone. For 101, make sure the tone is off.

For right hand circular polarity, set the meter for 13 volts. For left hand circular polarity, set the meter to 18 volts.

With those settings, you should be able to align the dish without a receiver connected. The meter won't run at the 18 volt level for very long on the internal battery. Make sure you start with a full charge.

Carl

[videojanitor]

Carl6,

Thanks for the info! Now it all makes sense. I was kind of wondering why it would only have settings for two satellites, but since those are at the ends of arc, it makes sense that if you get those, then ones in-between will natually line up.

[captain_video]

That is essentially correct. However, the 99 and 103 sats have a much narrower peak to optimize the dish for so it is extremely crucial to get the settings correct for the mpeg4 channels. Someone recommended the tutorial at solidsignal.com and I couldn't agree more. There are five videos you can view or download to your PC that provide you with detailed instructions for installing and aligning the AT9 dish. They use the Acutrac22 meter in the procedure so if you have that meter you're all set. There is no need to connect a receiver to the dish if using the Acutrac22 since the meter is self-powered.

[videojanitor]

Thanks Cap'n. Yep, from reading the messages here and watching the install videos at Solid Signal, I'm hip to the fact that alignment is critical. I'm ready for it though -- I'll keep tinkering until it is maxed out.

[videojanitor]

I just thought of this related question, which is for information only: If the 22kHz tone tells the multiswitch that you want the 119 satellite, and no tone means you want 101, what does the receiver send out to signal that it needs something from one of the other three LNBs?

[bobnielsen]

I just thought of this related question, which is for information only: If the 22kHz tone tells the multiswitch that you want the 119 satellite, and no tone means you want 101, what does the receiver send out to signal that it needs something from one of the other three LNBs?

Actually the 22 kHz tone is used for both the 110 and 119 satellites (which are combined). The 99 satellite is selected simultaneously with 101 (no tone) and the 103 is simultaneous with 110/119 (22 kHz tone). The output frequencies for the Ka LNBs are different so there is no overlap.

[videojanitor]

Actually the 22 kHz tone is used for both the 110 and 119 satellites (which are combined).

Thanks for the explanation. It all makes sense, except the quote above. How/why are those two satellites combined??

[TMullenJr]

Thanks for the explanation. It all makes sense, except the quote above. How/why are those two satellites combined??

Magic!

[litzdog911]

Thanks for the explanation. It all makes sense, except the quote above. How/why are those two satellites combined??

It's actually pretty cool ....
DirecTV had three transponders on the 110-deg satellite (transponders 28, 30 & 32) and 8 transponders on the 119-deg satellite (22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 and 32). Since neither satellite is using the lower numbered transponders, the 110-deg satellite transponders are shifted down in frequency to become transponders 8, 10 and 12, and then combined with the transponders from the 119-deg satellite. It's a simple way to combine two different satellite signals into one feed.

[bobnielsen]

Thanks for the explanation. It all makes sense, except the quote above. How/why are those two satellites combined??

Maybe I should have added some detail. The outputs of the LNBs for the 110 and 119 satellites get combined. There aren't a full set of transponders for each (110 has three and 119 has eight) so the total bandwidth of the two of them is less than that of the receiver. The frequency translation in the 110 LNB is a bit different so that there is no interference between the two. The receiver doesn't know the difference and uses a 22 kHz tone which to select both of them.

DirecTV has a limited bandwidth at both of these orbitl slots because it shares these two locations with Dish Network. At 101, DTV has exclusive use of the 32 DBS transponder frequencies. At 99 and 103, DTV is the only Ka-band user, but that will change in the near future. There is more bandwidth available in that band, however.

[videojanitor]

Hey, thanks for the replies. That's actually pretty darned ingenious. I appreciate you all sharing your knowledge!