Expand Your Horizons with a Motorized Dish 

If you have the 800 channel and nothing to watch syndrome it is time to expand your viewing horizon. Figuratively by finding new programs to watch and literally by using your dish to scan the entire horizon.

The considerations that need to be made are what size dish, what type of motor ,and what type of receiver and LNB are required.

Dish Size

In Satman's article about dish size on this site the discussion assumes that you are interested at aiming one fixed (not moving) dish at one satellite or T-5 the international satellite. The theory remains the same however in the motorized world you must size for the weakest not the strongest transponder.

The best way to determine the exact size of antenna for your project is to check Lyngsat for satellite coverage maps. Continuing our discussion of the T5 satellite here in Winnipeg a .9m to 1.2 m dish works well. The size consideration depends on it you are interested in in addition to T5 and what format that satellite uses (circular or linear) . Most users will want both  Users interested in circular polorization can use the slightly smaller .9 m . In our Manitoba market the T5 signal drops dramatically over the length of Lake Winnipeg--here at the south end is an EIRP of 46 and 43 at the North end . A 46 requires at .9 m dish while the 43 requires a 1.2 m.

Satman has a full selection of Fortec  dishes available . Satman sells Fortec because they are the best quality materials and strong construction.

Once you have chosen a dish size you need to assemble the dish.   A step by step video from the Fortec website that will help you.

The DMS site offers a good step by step install .

Here is a short step by step as written by Tim Heinrichs , President DMS :

Normally I would assemble the motor to the pole and set the elevation according to your manual.  Before installing the dish to the motor, I would use a compass to aim the motor as close to south as possible, remember your magnetic deviation.  Now install the dish keeping it in line with the motor and set your declination according to your manual. 

It's nearly impossible to set a dish to true south using a compass.  A fraction of a inch at your location will be miles of distance in space where the satellites are.  But don't let that discourage you.  The good news is, if you are close, you will certainly find one of the close to south satellites.  Once you find that signal you will be able to start using the method of alignment that I described.  It takes time but you will end up with a "close to perfect" alignment.

Remember to make sure your receiver, LNBF, coax, etc. are all in good working condition by testing them before doing the motor install.  Of course you need to pay attention to the polarity position of the LNBF.  Doing some pre-flight preparation will make your installation go much smoother.  Once your confident that everything is working, that you know where the satellites are in the arc, you know one or more transponders on each satellite that you want to find, and you've sent the wife and kids to the mall for a day of shopping, you're about ready to begin.  You should have your entire system (including a TV) at the dish location.  You CANNOT use the "holler when you see a picture" method for a motor install.  You need to be able to see the changes on your receiver meters the instant you make them.  You need a TV to confirm which satellite you're on. 

Make sure your declination is set correctly and don't move it again.  You're ready.  Find that first satellite by looking for the one that's closest to south.  Make sure the receiver has the correct information.  Move the motor only small amounts giving your receiver time to react should it find a signal. 

If you don't find that first satellite, re-evaluate your south direction and move your azimuth only a little in the direction you feel is best. 

Just be patient and use a little common sense and you'll soon be watching all your favorite channels and surfing for new ones.  If your receiver has a decent blind search feature you'll soon become a feed hunter. 

What Motor to Use

Three motors dominate the North American market Stab which is made in Italy and DMS / Moteck . Satman sells all three brands. The DMS/ Moteck motors have been cloned as have many satellite receivers. While the product is different the same unethical counterfeiters are busy trying to take your money. It is a good idea to check pictures of products on official websites most clones have a neck that this mounted differently the internal electronics also are a lot different. Your best defense against clones is to buy from a reputable established dealer and always remember if the deal is too good to be true then it probably is a clone rip-off scam.

As with any good product each company says why his product is better than the competitors. The motor industry seems to have established a lively discussion . Compare the Stab discussion with the DMS/ Moteck  discussion. Satman has found that of the points presented the following are very important to Canadian customers:

                                                Stab HH100                                   DMS/Motech  SG2100

1.Plastic or metal gears ?? In the harsh Manitoba climate one would think that the answer would be metal gears. Satman has found that the answer is the same. Satman has run a Stab 100 at his location for 5 years having recently switched to a Stab 120 . In service work Satman has replaced DMS motors for local customers who have had the motors for 5 years. In Satman's mind the unknown is that these FTA motors have only been around about 5 years so we do not have enough field data available.

One can reasonably interpolate that the Stab will preform better over the long term. Satman makes this considered judgment that the Stab has a gearing configuration that was used by Paraclipse during the c-band days . These units are still out there and working reading c-band forums everyday Satman sees no discussion on this point . On any product with 20 years of field service if that point were a design problem hobbyists would be proposing solutions or the product would have been upgraded during its normal life cycle.

                                           Stab Gearing                                                                         Motech Gearing

2.One or two count sensors ?? Satman believes that two sensors will work better over time. DMS/Motech make the argument that the software in the motor control unit determines the accuracy of the unit. While this point is correct one must add that receiver interface software must be accurate as well. Satman has found that receiver interface software differs and therefore concludes that having the extra sensor may compensate for sometimes less than adequate interface software. Additionally Satman has found in c-band application that Hall effect sensors work best. Optical and micro switch technologies did not perform well.

                                   Stab 2 Sensor

                                      Moteck single sensor

3.Install requirements may be important. The Stab units that have an upward shaft orientation work well in larger dishes .9 meter or greater where a ground or low roof pitch install is used. The downward shaft orientation of the DMS/Motech works on side or high pitch roof installs.

Receiver Motor Control Software

In each receiver that Satman reviews we test the motor control software. Motorization is the essence of satellite therefore a valid area of comparison. Below is a table based on Satmans tests and field experience with products.

This comparison is done with DiSEqC 1.2 setting only. In each case T5 is found and maximumized then unit moved to AMC4,G10R, back to T5 and on to G3. Tests are a simple does it accurately hit he satellite ? A good motor control program on your receiver is essential to a successful motorization project.

The degree of control you need is a function of what satellites you are trying to watch. If you are interested in only circular satellites then minimal control is all you need. Circular satellites are high power and skewing is not critical . Linear sats require skewing therefore more precise aiming also lower power levels that vary from transponder to transponder especially on T5.

Coolsat and Pansat are designed for a worldwide market therefore good motor control software appeals to a wide group of users worldwide. Viewsat while made in Korea is designed for US, Canada, Mexico market where most applications are fixed therefore Viewsat appears not to focus on motor control software. Sonicview--designed by the same team as Viewsat-- totally addresses motor control .

Viewsat preforms satisfactorily using USAL but still like Satman has the occasional Senior pause and forgets where it is at. The Coolsat 8100 does well on USAL.

What is USAL and GAAPS ?

USAL or Universal Satellites Automatic Location System is  a system created by Stab. Any receiver officially licensing the system must undergo testing and certification by Stab. Fortec here in Canada is officially licensed for USAL by Stab.

GAAPS  or Global Automatic Antenna Positioning System has been created by Moteck.

Both systems are a simple geometric calculation that can be done with computer chips and software. The problem is you are here you need to go there. You enter your location in lattitude and longitude.The USAL or GAAPS program has the locations of satellites so it calculates the distance needed to move to the satellite. Today's GPS systems work on the same calculation. Any person who has taken a basic geometry course has done this type of calculation everyday throughout the course. Seniors remember doing these calculations with tables or a slide rule while younger persons have done this on a $20 pocket calculator.

Both of these systems work great however you still need to have your dish properly aligned to see the system work. If you align to T5 and have everything working properly then do a USAL for G10r the dish will move to that point . If you have everything aligned properly you get a picture otherwise you need to align some more.

What LNB to Use

If you have a simple circular application then our Eagle Aspen DTV32 will work well. For linear applications the DGU-03U works well. If you want to step up a bit in the linear only area the Invacom SNH - 031 .

The Invacom QPH-031 is the best unit for circular/linear application. It will being you the whole sky .

Enjoy a Wide Range of Sky Surfing

Going beyond looking at news and events that are edited by major news organizations such as CBC and CTV is interesting. The basic rule is seek and you will find. Over the years Satman watched the 1988 Calgary Olyimpics, The 1997 coverage of the death of Princess Diana, the events of Sept 11, 2001, The New Orleans hurricane . Aside from major historic events of our time you can surf and pick up hockey games and all kinds of sporting events. Satman recommends that you sign up for Rick's Satellite Forum . This forum is different than forums many of our readers may involved in. It is people who are looking for live feeds and reporting them. You need a laptop by the tv go to the forum and see whats there. Go to the satellite do a direct entry or blind scan and you are in!!

Purchase Recommendations

Cost Effectiveness

Review what typical combinations may cost. All costs including switch and LNB included

Satman's Motorized System

1- .9m dish Fortec     $99

1-SG2100 motor       $94

1-QPH-031 LNB        $85

 Total                       $278

In a word for a little more you can have it all for a few dollars more. Catch international channels, US locals, and endless news feeds . You will always have something to watch . Surf and have fun!!