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--->Tutorial 6(c): Positioner Setup

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:06 pm
by The Professor
Tutorial 6(c): Positioner Setup
This tutorial may be distributed freely if you acknowledge tvrosat.com as the source. :grin:

Note: Click on the images below for enlarged view.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


6(c).0: Introduction

6(c).1: Physical Configuration

[list]6(c).1.1: Cable Connections[/list]
6(c).2: Positioner Settings
[list]6(c).2.1: Storing Positions[/list]
6(c).3: Receiver Settings
[list]6(c).3.1: Tuner Configuration[/list]
[list]6(c).3.2: Positioner Setup[/list]
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6(c).0: Introduction

This tutorial explains how to configure your ZGemma 4K satellite receiver to work with a positioner to track the satellite arc automatically when tuning channels on different satellites.


6(c).1: Physical Configuration

The ZGemma 4K receiver uses DiseqC1.2 commands to communicate with the positioner. Therefore, you need a DiseqC1.2 capable positioner for this to work. Examples of such positioners include VBox II, SuperJack Positioner, ASC1 and SkyTracker. It will NOT work with the Pansat AP-600 mover.
  • 6(c).1.1: Cable Connections
Connect the coaxial cable coming from the dish LNB/LNBF to the "LNB" input of your positioner. Then connect a coaxial jumper cable from the "Receiver" output of your positioner to the "LNB IN" input of your ZGemma 4K receiver.

Your cable connections will look something like this:

LNB/LNBF ----> Positioner -----> ZGemma 4K


If you are using multiple LNB/LNBFs connected through a switch, your setup might look like this:

LNB/LNBF1--
-------------------|---> Switch (2x1) ----> Positioner -----> ZGemma 4K
LNB/LNBF2--



6(c).2: Positioner Settings

Depending on the postioner you own, you will need to check the user's manual and get it setup properly for tracking the satellite arc. Most positioners have 99 memory positions, although some can have fewer.
  • 6(c).2.1: Storing Positions
Once you are tracking the satellite arc with your positioner, you will need to manually drive your dish to every satellite and store the location in memory. The easiest way to do this is simply to use the orbital location of the satellite when entering it into memory. For example, if you are storing Sat 58W (Intelsat 21), you would store the location as "058" or simply as "58" if your positioner only stores two digits. To store Sat 121W (Galaxy 23), you could enter "121" or "21" if only two digits are permitted.

It doesn't matter how you decide to store the satellite locations, just as long as you remember them and enter them in the exact same way in the receiver setup.


6(c).3: Receiver Settings

To get the receiver to communicate satellite positions to the positioner, you must enter the same positions in the receiver's memory. This is done for each satellite within the Tuner Configuration setting.
  • 6(c).3.1: Tuner Configuration
If you have not already done so, you must review Tutorial 2 on Tuner Configuration. You must already have working tuner settings before proceeding with the positioner setup.

Go to: Setup ---> Service Searching ---> Tuner Configuration

Select your tuner, which in our case was Tuner A.

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Scroll down to: "Use USALS for this sat" and select "no".

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You should now see a "Stored Position" entry just beneath the "Use USALS for this sat" entry. This is where you will store the satellite locations, just as you did for the positioner setup.

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Since we are editing the tuner configuration for 101.0W, we would enter "101"or "001", depending on how you entered them for the positioner.

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Change satellites and entered the next stored position. In my case, I entered "003" for 103.0W.

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You have to do this for every satellite. For 105W, I entered "005" and so on.

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Finally, the last satellite, 135W was entered as "035".

Save all the stored positions by pressing the "Green" button on the remote.

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Exit the Tuner Configuration and go to the Channel/EPG listings. If all your configurations were done correctly, whenever you change channels, now the receiver will automatically tell the positioner which satellite it needs to track and you should see a 'blinking' satellite on your screen while your dish is moving!

  • 6(c).3.2: Positioner Setup
To access additional positioner setup features in your receiver, do the following:

Go to: Setup --> Service Searching --> Positioner Setup

From this menu, you can use the receiver remote to move the dish east/west and set east/west software limits.

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The Auto Focus feature allows your receiver to peak signal reception for a particular satellite/transponder. It does this by moving the dish east/west and recording signal strengths. It then interpolates this data and finds the exact position where the signal strength is maximum and automatically records this new position.


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If you are hunting for a particular transponder, you would first press the "Red" button and set the transponder paramaters (e.g. frequency and symbol rate). Next, select "Movement" and press the Search West or Search East buttons until a signal is registered.

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To perform Fine Movement calibration, select this function and press the green or yellow buttons to step west or east.

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Finally, you can set east/west software limits to ensure your dish avoids obstacles and doesn't exceed the actuator limits.

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:grin:

Re: --->Tutorial 6(c): Positioner Setup

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:12 pm
by The Professor
...