posted
I bought what turned out to be one of the last Maxwell systems sold in June, and have been wrestling with it trying to get it to work ever since. I can't get a signal strength indication above 29 no matter what I do, and I'm on the satellite - it fades out if you move it off the peak. I have been calling Hughesnet to come install it so at least I'll know whether the equipment works or not, but it turns out Margo & Co. have been pocketing the $200 installation fee Hughesnet charges the customer on the first bill, so Hughesnet claims I need to pay for another installation. I talked billing into giving me $20 off my $50 monthly charge, so now I'm only paying $30 a month for no service. This is getting old.
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If you can't get above 29 then your pointed to the wrong satellite. I would suggest running through the registration installer routine using a satellite/transponder from the drop down menu. After passing crosspoll and getting the software/keys downloaded the modem will reset and you will know what satellite and transponder you have been assigned to so you can make the proper adjustments for the correct satellite.
-------------------- Holiday Rambler LE/Chevy Tracker 4wd F1/D2/7000s/117w/1070/WRT54G See where I am today Posts: 807 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I tried several satellite/transponders from the drop-down menu - same thing on each one. I've never gotten to the crosspoll routine yet- it won't lock onto any satellite.
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I would guess from what you are saying that the system was activated by the dealer where/when you purchased it back in June? Is this true? Have you ever had it working since then?
Did they tell you what satellite you are assigned too?
When you look at the modems system info screen what satellite and frequency does it show on that screen?
-------------------- HughesNet l Xplornet [Canadian] VAR l F1 D2 91/985 l Windows 7 Posts: 188 | From: Mission, BC Canada | Registered: Oct 2003
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Yes, Maxwell would activate the system and ship it to you. It never has worked. I was assigned satellite 99W and the 1250 transponder. I have tried other transponders and other satellites, and I can always get a peak when I find the satellite, but the signal strength never gets strong enough for the satellite to lock on. The modem screen showed each of the satellites and transponders I selected from the menu. One or two of the transponders were duds, but I consistently could find something - just not enough to use.
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What is your location in Lat/Long or nearest city?
-------------------- HughesNet l Xplornet [Canadian] VAR l F1 D2 91/985 l Windows 7 Posts: 188 | From: Mission, BC Canada | Registered: Oct 2003
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Are there any trees or obstructions in the general direction of the satellite?
-------------------- HughesNet l Xplornet [Canadian] VAR l F1 D2 91/985 l Windows 7 Posts: 188 | From: Mission, BC Canada | Registered: Oct 2003
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Right now I'm in Jacksonville Beach, FL. I can get the azimuth/elevation/skew data from my software that came with the setup wherever I am, and the satellites are always where it says they'll be. I just can't get a strong enough signal to lock on when I find it.
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The SS of 29 indicates either of two things. 1- pointed at wrong satellite. 2 - pointed OK but satellite assignment has changed. The SS will not go over 29 unless both of the above conditions are correct.
You need to run the registration to clear the problem.
-------------------- Don Marr WWW.OREGONRV.NET 541-683-5361 See where I am Country Coach Concept 40' F1 - D3|7000s|99W|LinkSys wireless with 1000mw WiFi amp & Ext. antenna Posts: 3367 | From: Eugene, OR | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
@ Skyway - nope, no obstructions. My DirecTV dish is right alongside my internet setup, and it's peaking out at 97%, aimed at the 101 satellite, two degrees away. I have tried to use the Hughesnet dish from Florida to Maine, always with the same result.
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@ Don - is running the registration something I can do at my end, or do I have to contact Hughes? Sorry for the dumb questions, but all I have is the instruction book that came with the system written by the Maxwell Satellite people.
You should be able to get good signal strengh and a passing crosspole and proceed all the way through the registration...once completed the modem system info will show your current satellite assignment...if it is correct it will be online if not you will need to point the dish to the correct asigned satellite...
-------------------- HughesNet l Xplornet [Canadian] VAR l F1 D2 91/985 l Windows 7 Posts: 188 | From: Mission, BC Canada | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
@ Skyway - I recognize the registration process now that you have described it- that's where I fail to get a good signal strength. I never get to the cross-pol test.
I'll give it another try tomorrow when I can get some daylight to operate in. I just got a nice email from Terry at RovingInternet.com with some suggestions.
If you were off-line for over 30 days then it is possible for your modem to 'get out of sync' with the Hughes computers if they changed your assignment during that off time. Running the re-registration will get them in sync again.
-------------------- Don Marr WWW.OREGONRV.NET 541-683-5361 See where I am Country Coach Concept 40' F1 - D3|7000s|99W|LinkSys wireless with 1000mw WiFi amp & Ext. antenna Posts: 3367 | From: Eugene, OR | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
thanks for all the suggestions and advice - as you all surmised, it was an aiming problem. the maxwell offset bracket wasn't square, and i was following their procedures to use a bubble level on the flat base, assuming that if the base were flat, the mast would be vertical. turns out this was not a good assumption - it's welded together about 5 degrees off, so i was shooting low. i had emailed terry cannon, who suggested i get on the phone with Barb and Joe of mobileinternetsatellite.com, and joe sniffed it out right away. good people, those two. damn, it's nice to be online after all these months. i just need to get a mast level at the hardware store and i'll be ready to wander off into the wilderness, complete with internet and satellite TV.
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