Installing a Motorized Satellite System
Using an HH-Mount Motor, DiSEqC & USALS Compatible Motors, please watch the videos below and follow the following steps carefully to get your Motorized Satellite system installed quickly.
Steps to a successful motorized system installation:
- Select your installation site carefully!!!
- There must be a clear line of sight between the required satellites signal source and the entire surface of the dish.
- The line of sight must be free from obstructions, such as trees, roof tiles etc.
It is very important to make sure the HH motor is fixed to a perfectly vertical (plumb) mast (Picture 1). Time spent measuring this accurately will save you hours later on.
Tighten all coaxial cable connections on the motor only by hand. Using a wrench may over-tighten the connections, causing damage. Such damage is not covered by the Limited warranty.
- Motorized Satellite
If the HH motor shaft is not at zero degrees reference , you should get it back to zero degrees by connecting the receiver to the motor. The receiver must be ON for the HH Motor to move. It’s easier to do this before placing the H-H Motor onto the mast.
Once you have done this, the HH Motor should then be disconnected from the receiver. HH Motors are usually set to zero degrees by default from the factory.Fit the H-H Motor onto the mast and do the nuts up finger tight.Set the elevation angle for the motor. This angle should be equal to the latitude of the installation location.
Always use the Latitude scale on the motor. Fit the dish on the H-H Motor shaft and tighten the nuts. The middle of the dish clamp must be lined up with the centre line on the H-H Motor arm. The LNBF arm, dish clamp, HH Motor, and mast must all be on the same straight line facing TRUE SOUTH
- Aiming at TRUE SOUTH: Find your TRUE SOUTH Angle here. Then using a compass, move the dish/motor assembly together as one unit (Picture 8 & 9) to your TRUE SOUTH angle.
- Dish elevation angle: Adjust the angle (Pictures 6 & 7) to peak the signal. Dish elevation angle is calculated based on the model of the HH motor you are using, as follows:Go to Satellite Dish Look Angle Heading Calculator page
- Enter Your Zip Code
- Click on “Motorized Satellite”
- Select Motor Model
- Click GO.
- Tighten the nuts on the HH Motor clamp attached to the supporting pole.
By following the above instructions accurately, you should now have installed your Motorized Satellite dish on the arc.
Testing your Motorized Satellite system installation:
- Re-connect the receiver to the H-H Motor.
- Use either USALS (easier) or DiSEqC 1.2 to move and align your dish.
Motorized Satellite Using USALS
- With FORTEC STAR or any USALS compliant receiver, you can use the USALS feature to easily locate the satellites.
- In the USALS (or DiSEqC 1.3) menu, enter your Latitude (##.# N) and your Longitude (###.# W)
- Select one of the FTA satellites such as G19 KU at 97W
- Select MOVE
- The Motor will now move the dish to where the satellite is.
- When the motor stops, check the signal meter on your TV screen.
- If you don’t see Quality bar, then the your dish/motor alignment is off.
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- With the dish aimed at Galaxy 25 KU, start by adjusting your TRUE South as shown on picture 8 above. Move the whole assembly East/West a few degrees very very slowly.
- If you still don’t see a Quality bar, adjust the dish elevation 1 degree up/down at a time, and sweep East/West again as on #1 above.
- Do not change the motor elevation.
- When you get the maximum quality, tighten the motor on the mast.
- Perform a Power Scan (this will also update the transponder in your receiver). When the scan is completed, move the dish (using USALS) to another satellite and verify that YOU ARE GETTING A GOOD SIGNAL AS WELL. If not, your TRUE SOUTH must be off.
Motorized Satellite Using DiSEqC 1.2
- Connect the LNB to a signal meter, or use the receiver signal meter on your TV screen.
- With the satellite meter still connected, move the dish east by pressing the small east button underneath the H-H Motor (DG240) or by using the receiver’s remote control (i.e. STAB).
- Peak the signal on the meter for the farthest Eastern satellite in the horizon until you believe it is as good as you can get by moving both east and west.
- With the satellite meter still connected select a Western satellite and move the dish west.
- Peak the signal on the meter until you believe it is as good as you can get by moving both east and west.
- Now, tighten the H-H mount on the supporting pole. You are done.
“I bought a Motorized Satellite system from SADOUN Sales a few years ago and have been very happy with it. It works great! You have permission to mention this as well on your site if you wish.”
J. Roblin / TechDemos
Links:
Motorized Satellite FAQ:
Do I need a separate power line to connect to the HH Motor?
No. The motor gets its power from the receiver using the same coaxial cable running from the receiver to the LNBF on the dish. You simply disconnect the cable from the LNBF. Connect it to the HH Motor. Then run a short coaxial cable between the motor and the LNBF. Make sure to turn the receiver OFF whenever you disconnect or connect the coaxial cable to the motor or LNBF. Use the Power ON/OFF switch on the back of the receiver.
How do I control the motor to move it East / West?
The motor is controlled by the receiver’s remote control. All receivers compliant with the DiSEqC 1.2, 1.3, or USALS protocol have the capability to run an HH motor. Once you initially setup the motor on the satellite arc and store the locations of the satellites, you will be able to move between satellites by simply changing the channel.
Does the motor also adjust for variation in elevation on the dish for each satellite?
Yes it does.
Do I need to skew the LNBF on a Motorized Satellite dish?
No you don’t. Just set the skew at 0 and the motor will tilt the whole dish when it moves.
What could cause a HH motor not to operate properly?
| Motorized Satellite Common Issues | Possible Cause | Solution |
| Motor is not moving at all. |
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| Motor not tracking Clarke Belt (satellite ARC) correctly. |
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| Motor is not able to move back from farthest East or West towards the center. |
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| DiSEqC Switches | If you are going to use an HH Motor and a DiSEqC switch, we recommend you position the DiSEqC switch after the Motor as follows:Receiver —– HH Motor —– DiSEQC switch —- LNBFsIf you place the DiSEqC switch between the Receiver and the HH Motor, it will impact the performance and operation of the HH Motor. | |
| Other problem not listed here. | See users forum and post your question there: Sadoun HH Motor Forums | |
What is the benefit from motorizing my dish?
Well, by adding a motor to your system you will be able to receive satellite channels from several satellites instead from one only. That way you will gain many more channels economically without investing in many dishes and switches.
What channels are available free to air using Motorized Satellite system?
There are many free to air channels available in North America on satellites such as Galaxy 10R, AMC4, Galaxy 19, AMC3, etc. There are channels from the USA and from around the world. See this article for a complete listing of what is available. Anything with an F designation is FREE TO AIR.
General Informational and Motorized Satellite Instructional Links:
- What satellite TV system I can use to view the free to air FTA channels?
- All FTA Ku-band channels in English available in USA
- Free To Air Satellite TV Channels List
- Worldwide Free-To-Air Satellite Channels
- Satellites List North South America Atlantic
- Look-up Latitude and Longitude – USA
- Channels FTA Free To Air Satellite TV
- What is the Satellite Antenna Dish size required or recommended?
- Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule
- Finding a Professional Installer in your area in USA
- General Satellite Dish Antenna Installation Instructions
- Installing a Motorized Satellite System with an HH-Mount Motor, DiSEqC & USALS Compatible Motors
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