Can't Get Motor to Move...Settings Help Requested

[Hawaii]

Hello everyone.... I'm brand new to the Edision OS Mio+ 4k receiver. (one day....now.)
However been doing FTA hobby stuff for over 12 years.
Using the TNAP-4.1 image. So I am a newbie with these Linux type boxes.

Motor: Stab HH-120.
Location: Chicago, IL
Ku band dish correctly aligned and motor is working with other older satellite receivers.
I do not have any issues going to satellites with other older receivers using USALS or DiSEqC.

Trying to get my Edision OS Mio+ 4k receiver set up and having some difficulty in making motor to move.

I’m not sure what settings to use or exactly where to put them. I have tried various settings but not working. DiSEqC 1.2, USALS, other…..

For testing, I used an older FTA receiver to have the motor move to AMC 21 124.9W for PBS channels.

I turn off and unplug the older FTA receiver so my motor stays fixed at AMC 21 124.9W.

I then plug SAT antenna cable into unplugged Edision OS Mio+ 4k receiver Tuner A.
Turn on Edision Mio+ 4k receiver and do a blindscan with fixed tuner/no motor control settings. Everything scans in and I can watch TV.

However, as mentioned earlier, I am having trouble with correct settings for both USALS or DiSEqC 1.2. I cannot get motor/dish to move to different satellites. What am I doing wrong?

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Any good plug-ins for motor control and signal strength tuning?

Thanks in advance….

[el bandido]

Set the DISEqC mode to 1.2 as shown below. Motor controls work for both USALS or DiSEqC 1.2.
It is a good idea to enter your USALS coordinates before using DiSEqC 1.2 when using a ku motor.
Use a different lnb number for each lnb you have. There is not need to use a different lnb number for each satellite.

Positoner setup will help with fine tuning a motor. Auto focus should not be used on ku motors. Auto focus will work with c band actuators.

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17347

[Hawaii]

Thanks for reply.

I have been messing with the settings this morning and have gotton the motor to move in both USALS and DiSEqC 1.2.
Using "Postioner" and I can get signal tuned in with "Tune" and inputing correct transponder frequency, polorization and signal rate.

I'm using SES 3 at 103W as an example. I also am using second older FTA receiver hooked up to a second monitor. ( I split the sat antenna input for both receivers). (I isolate the sat dish motor control so only the "Edision Sat receiver controls the motor) This allows me to "fine tune" the signal on the "Edision receiver" by watching a live broadcast (NHK Japan) and keeping an eye on the signal strenght, quality and bit rate errors indicators on second monitor with the older Sat reciever.

My next issue is that when I try to exit the "Positioner" menu (to do a blind scan., etc...), and go back to main tuner menu, I see that the satellite has moved its position and I loose the picture on the second/older FTA receiver setup. For some reason the motor position settings are not saved on the "Edision receiver". I saw a menu for position for saved motor but nothing works to save the Edision's tuned in satellite position. Why is the Edision not saving the satellite position in either Usals or DiSEqC 1.2?

Also, what image are you using?

Thanks again.

[el bandido]

The image I am using is custom, but it would be similar to TNAP 4.1. The information below should apply to almost every enigma2 image/receiver.

Using a splitter can cause its own unique set of problems, so it is not suggested to use one.

Where a satellite is actually at, or the point where the motor actually has to move is stored in the motor. The receiver simply sends a command in DISEqC or USALS, and the motor uses its stored information to move to that point.

If the motor is correctly calibrated already then you need to do nothing else except enter either the correct USALS coordinates or the correct DISEqC 1.2 number in the tuner configuration menu, which may be called antenna setup in closed sourced receivers. A screecap of this menu was posted earlier in this thread and shows a stored position of 23 for the DISEqC command (Menu--->Setup--->Tuners & scanning--->Tuner configuration).

In Positioner setup, you may change the location for a DISEqC 1.2 stored setting, but the correct DISEqC 1.2 number needs to be assigned to the satellite first in the tuner configuration menu (antenna setup).

Probably the easiest way to fine tune a ku motor in the Positioner setup menu is to slightly change the degrees of the satellite until the best signal is achieved. For example, 103w is listed in the receiver as 103.0. I move the location of the satellite in Positioner setup to 103.3w where the signal peaks. The degrees of the satellite must be returned to 103.0 in Positioner setup before the 103.3 location can be saved to a DISEqC position number. ( Return to the correct degrees of the satellite, then arrow up to Memory index & press the green remote button to save.)


17348

[Hawaii]

I'll give it a try in a bit.
Got a few chores to do.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Thank you.

[el bandido]

Remember, You should not have to fine tune anything if the ku motor was set correctly using other receiver(s), The information for how far or where a motor has to move to aim at a satellite is stored in the motor and not in the receiver....

[Hawaii]

Apreciate all the help.

I will try your pointers, hopefully tomorrow.

I think if I get a chance tomorrow, I will tweak my satellite. It might be slighly off.

[el bandido]

There is an android app called Signal Meter. This app has several features including a talking signal meter that works very well for dish adjustments. You will need to have the enigma2 receiver connected to a wireless network that has a decent signal level at the dish, and an android phone with the app installed for this to work. I have installed and adjusted several dishes using nothing else for alignment except the Signal Meter app.

[Hawaii]

Thanks again. I have it installed and I am checking it out.

[MikeB]

There is an android app called Signal Meter. This app has several features including a talking signal meter that works very well for dish adjustments. You will need to have the enigma2 receiver connected to a wireless network that has a decent signal level at the dish, and an android phone with the app installed for this to work. I have installed and adjusted several dishes using nothing else for alignment except the Signal Meter app.

I used this app about two weeks ago after seeing it mentioned in a post here. Because of it, I was able to easily adjust my polar mount 1/4 inch to the West, and max out signal a bit better on the ends of my arc. Did it all, standing right at the dish itself. Didn't even realize it was off, and just that 1/4" made all the difference in receiving the CTV mux DVB-S2 channels that moved to 119w. Couldn't lock them at all before that, all I could get were the various DVB-S Weather channels. This is on a SAMI 7.5' dish, aiming a bit through a notch between two maple trees.

[el bandido]

For me, The beauty of the Signal meter app is nothing has to be connected or disconnected in the antenna system. And of course the talking signal meter which lets me move things without needing to watch a meter.

Please rate the signal meter app on Google Play. Ratings help the development.

[Hawaii]

Finally had a chance to check out my motorized Ku dish alignment today. My 90CM dish has been up for a good number of years now.
The dish was slightly off from where it should have been. About 1- 2 degrees off... maybe.

Anyway, the motorized setup is pretty much dialed in and is working nicely using Usals.

Thanks for all help and ideas. :usaflag:

[sattech64]

I'm having the same problem. I can position the motor fine with an old Amico 8240 but my Edision will not move the motor at all. I can't seem to move it using the positioner setup page. However, I can command the motor to go to 0 position but it appears to be a few degrees off 0 when using my spare SG6000 to test with. I have also noticed that the power LED on my 6000 is also out. I can unplug the STB from the mains and my fixed channels will return when the LNB power returns. Really odd as I seem to think I have everything set correctly but maybe not. I did notice that on your picture example that" use USALS" for this satellite was not checked but in my setup I do have it checked. I also have it as DISEQC 1.2

Thanks for any ideas on this

WT

[el bandido]

Please post a scrrenshot of the motor setup menu in the enigma2 receiver. (There are several ways to do this.)

[videojanitor]

In Positioner setup, you may change the location for a DISEqC 1.2 stored setting, but the correct DISEqC 1.2 number needs to be assigned to the satellite first in the tuner configuration menu (antenna setup).

Probably the easiest way to fine tune a ku motor in the Positioner setup menu is to slightly change the degrees of the satellite until the best signal is achieved. For example, 103w is listed in the receiver as 103.0. I move the location of the satellite in Positioner setup to 103.3w where the signal peaks. The degrees of the satellite must be returned to 103.0 in Positioner setup before the 103.3 location can be saved to a DISEqC position number. ( Return to the correct degrees of the satellite, then arrow up to Memory index & press the green remote button to save.)

I've been navigating these menus/settings for a few days, trying to wrap my head around how things work. I read what you posted above and it's not quite clicking in my brain.

I have one or two satellites that perform better with some manual tweaking, so I'm attempting to use DiSEqC 1.2 on those instead of USALS. Can you explain to me how the "memory index" function works? Can I use any number I want for a particular satellite? If so, should I first enter my chosen number into the Main Menu -> Setup -> Tuners & Scanning -> Choose Tuner menu? Or should I first enter the number in Positioner Setup, peak the signal, and then enter it into the tuner menu?

I appreciate any light you can shed on the proper sequence of events that should be followed.

[el bandido]

USALS to diseqc 1.2 position is a bit tricky and is one area of enigma2 that could be improved.

It is a good idea to have a channel tuned on the satellite you want to work with before doing these steps:
To assign a diseqc 1.2 position, first go into antenna setup and assign the position you want to use. My example will be position 26 for 103w ku as shown below.
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Next, enter the Positioner setup menu as shown below.
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In this example, you see the position 26 is displayed in the Positioner setup fpr 103w ku. to fine-tune a ku motor, change the degrees of the satellite until you get the signal you desire or until the signal peaks.

It is important to remember a couple of things:
(1) The degrees of the satellite must be returned to the original value before the new value can be saved.
(2) To save a new position, Highlight Memory index and press the Green remote button. Follow onscreen instructions.


It should be noted that the Positioner setup menu works a bit different for a ku motor as compared to a c band actuator. C band actuators may be adjusted automatically, but the automatic adjustment feature usually fails on a ku motor.

The Positioner setup menu is assigned to the red remote key in TNAP images. What the remote keys actually do may be changed by the user if desired.

[videojanitor]

Thanks for the explainer — that really helps. I’ll give it a try and hope for good things. In your example using position 26, does that value have a specific meaning, or it just a number you selected? If any number can be used, can it be anything from 001-999?

I noticed a weird thing when playing around with this stuff. I had 87W set as USALS, and 89W as DiESqC. While parked on 87W, I used the SAT button the remote to go to a channel on 89W — when I did that, the motor moved all the way to 125W or so, and then came back to 89W. Not sure if something I did caused this behavior.

[el bandido]

103w Is set at position number 26 because that is the number I chose for it. My number 1 satellite for ku band is 15w, and they increase from that location. You may use any valid number that you want to use for your system.

If a satellite position is set to a diseqc1.2 number, then the ku motor will move to that number. Set all ku motorized satellites to USALS unless you have saved Or want to save a diseqc 1.2 location for it. Doing this tidbit should stop unwanted motor movements or motor movements that seem to make no sense.

[videojanitor]

Oh, so you’re saying that if I use DiESqC for *any* satellite, that I should save a DiESqC position for *all* satellites, even if I actually intend to use USALS for most? It wouldn’t be much of a big deal to just use DiESqC for all of them …

Just for clarification, my system is Ku only, with a STAB motor.

[el bandido]

What I am saying is don't have a ku satellite assigned to diseqc 1.2 unless you have a valid diseqc 1.2 position for that satellite.

[videojanitor]

I have successfully stored a few satellites using the method you outlined and it now makes sense. I appreciate the help!