posted
Thanks first of all for the help I have received here so far in the other threads. I have made some progress so I felt I should summarize and begin a new thread here.
I learned that I do indeed see signal strengths from satellites I do not belong to. If they are less than a 31, then usually they are not the right satellite. However in my case, the PC-OPI was giving me a 29 on my satellite. I should clarify that for the past 7 months I have not been using my satellite but still paying my bill to Hughes every month. Might sound silly, but I was afraid of having my service disrupted and having satellite capability in the mountains is a requirement of my summer job in Colorado. But I turn it off in Arizona and use Mifi Verizon.
When I entered my coordinates in DSSATtool and reset my modem, I got a 29 signal strength on the PC-OPI. I was pointed EXACTLY at my satellite. I did try roaming the sky up and down 4 degrees elevation and found two other weaker sats.
When I used the registration software just for "pointing", it switched over to a 67 strength reading and immediately passed the cross pol test. I went down the roof and into the coach and tried to get on the internet without success. I went up to the roof and again got a 29 on the PC-OPI. I switched over to the registration software got a 63 and passed the cross pol.
This time when I went back inside the coach I looked at the DW7000 Control Center page. I saw all blue lights except for the first light on the left which was red.
I went to the system status page and saw just on red flag on the Service Status. Here is what was on that page: ********************************** DW7000 System Control Center Your built-in diagnostic system for viewing performance statistics, getting help, and configuring settings.
SYSTEM STATUS Signal Strength 62 Note: Signal Strength is not an indicator of browsing speed. Precipitation can affect Signal Strength. If you do not see a red flag next to any of the status messages on this page, you should be able to browse the Internet successfully.
Receive Status Receiver operational. (RxCode 5)
Transmit Status Transmitter ready. (TxCode 8)
Software Download Status Waiting for first heartbeat message.
Service Status Setup Incomplete [Keys updated] [red flag]
TCP Acceleration Status Disabled Diagnostics Code 0000-0000-0000-0005(Hourly) 0001-6000-2400-0165(Recent)
Fair Access Policy Threshold Exceeded UNKNOWN
********************************
Keeping in mind I have been paying my bill on time but not using the system I am wondering if I have to register or re-register.
This raises a question that has been really bugging me. What is the difference between registering and re-registering?
Does incomplete setup mean I have to do one of the above?
I have already done force ranging a few minutes ago.
I feel like somehow I have dropped out of sight with Hughes even though they are still collecting my money.
This is a valuable forum and I really appreciate the help I am getting. Sorry to be so lengthy, but I felt I had not been clear enough in describing my problem.
I am currently getting 63 this second on the Hughes software. I have not run the PC-OPI since my last crosspol pass because if I do, then I have to do another crosspol.
posted
The setup incomplete means that you will have to complete registration. That occurs because you began registration before, but didn't complete (a reason not to use registration if you don't have to).
As we have previously counseled, running registration is to be avoided as much as possible, but there are times when you have to run it. For as long as you've been offline there is a distinct possibility that Hughes has changed your transponder (but not satellite). Until you finish setup it won't get the full new parameters downloaded.
When you say I have to complete registration do I use the registration link or the re-registration link? I think you mean the registration link but I am afraid to make that assumption.
Also my phone number has changed since I originally registered and I know they are going to ask me that. Is there a way the system will give me what phone number I originally registered under? Or can I use my current phone number?
Smoky
-------------------- Smoky & Sharon fulltiming out of Kalispell MT KSDS3910 Newmar-Taurus wagon toad Posts: 32 | From: wherever we are parked | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
You will need to do the Registration-Installer from Start to Finish. The routine will not ask for a phone number anywhere. You will need your SAN and the 4 digit PIN number if the service was ever suspended or terminated. Otherwise, you will not need anything at all other than entering the zip code of your current location and entering the correct satellite parameters (either from the drop down or manually).
-------------------- Bill Adams Winegard Company Posts: 15680 | From: Traveling the Western US | Registered: May 2003
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I think Smoky's reference to his phone number was a reference to his PIN number which is usually made up of the last four digits of the customer's contact phone number when their account is originally set up.
If Smoky doesn't know his PIN number, do you know any way for him to recover it?
-------------------- Terry Cannon HDTV Tripods and Internet Tripods Hughes and Starband parts and repairs. (303) 482-2547 http://www.rovinginternet.com Posts: 173 | From: Castle Rock, Colorado | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
When I went up on the roof to do the installer registration the signal strength has slipped to 51. I began repointing the dish and got is as high as 67 and then suddenly it slipped to 45 and got stuck there no matter where I pointed it. I decided to restart the modem and that was a disaster. When it came back up it was reading 15 everywhere I pointed the dish. So then I did a complete boot on the modem, the Linksys route, and the laptop. Still read only 15 wherever I pointed it. This was true for both the registration installer and the PC-OPI. No matter what I do now I get only a 15. This is so disheartening after yesterday getting a 67, and passing the crosspol test.
I am left without a good plan of attack. The odd thing is that with all of this, the red flag disappeared on service status and it now shows as commissioned. But now there is a red flag on receiver and a red flag on transmitter. The control center page 1 reads as follows:
Signal Strength 25
Note: Signal Strength is not an indicator of browsing speed. Precipitation can affect Signal Strength. If you do not see a red flag next to any of the status messages on this page, you should be able to browse the Internet successfully. Receive Status Receiver not locked to a signal. (RxCode 3)
Transmit Status
Transmitter unavailable due to receive signal problems. (TxCode 6)
Software Download Status
Waiting for first heartbeat message.
Service Status Commissioned [Keys updated]
TCP Acceleration Status
Disabled
Web Acceleration Status
Inactive
Diagnostics Code 0000-0000-0000-0005(Hourly) Not Available(Recent)
What is it trying to tell me when it locks the signal strength at 15 no matter where I point it?
I just noticed that it is now at 25 (see above Control Center readout). I am in the coach as I type this so perhaps there was a momentary outage.
Have to go to the doctor but when I return I will continue working on this. I do need to know how to find what they have recorded as my registration phone number which determines the original pin. Unless I am lucky enough that the modem has been recommisioned today. This is quite a puzzle and I thank all of you for your patience.
Smoky Shepherd
-------------------- Smoky & Sharon fulltiming out of Kalispell MT KSDS3910 Newmar-Taurus wagon toad Posts: 32 | From: wherever we are parked | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I think that Bill mentioned that, if you have not put your service on suspension, registration will not ask you for your SAN and PIN - it will skip that part.
At this point, with your modem showing commissioned, I would stop trying to use registration/installer. Use either PC-OPI or Antenna Pointing only. Getting signals of 15 or 25, or anything below 29 when not pointed to your correct satellite is not uncommon, and is not particularly worrisome.
posted
Again thanks Bill. This is a wonderful forum. I see Ricardo is also having trouble and everyone is pitching in to help him as well.
I think I am getting very close to success. Earlier, when my system was locked at 15, I meant really locked. Even when it was pointed directly at my sat or any other sat. When I left the rooftop for the last time today I aimed it back to where it had been picking up my sat. For several hours below in the coach it remained rock solid on 15. However when I sent my previous message it suddenly came to life. Rather than being rock solid and never changing, it began changing to numbers in the mid 20s. Just walking around the coach or running the washer dryer (which vibrates) would change the numbers slightly. I think this is encouraging, especially since the modem is now showing a commissioned status.
At Terry Cannon's suggestion I am going beck on the roof tomorrow morning and use and Ethernet connection instead of running my laptop wirelessly. We are determined to get the crosspol passed again and get that Internet running!!
Smoky
-------------------- Smoky & Sharon fulltiming out of Kalispell MT KSDS3910 Newmar-Taurus wagon toad Posts: 32 | From: wherever we are parked | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Smoky, The inconsistency of your signal readings without moving your dish trouble me. Have you tried rolling your cable between the dish and modem? Until you get this problem worked out, you should have one dual cable between the dish and modem. If you have more than one, eliminate any short cables and just use one. If you're already doing that, roll that cable (move the transmit cable to the receive side and vice versa.)
Also, since your dish is on top of your coach, is the coach completely stable? Do you have jacks down and are they settling, changing the attitude of the coach?
The symptoms that you're getting now are common when there is a bad cable connection on the receive side. And by bad, I mean intermittent.
Also, is there any chance that you are aiming near a tree that might have a branch blowing into your aiming path?
-------------------- Terry Cannon HDTV Tripods and Internet Tripods Hughes and Starband parts and repairs. (303) 482-2547 http://www.rovinginternet.com Posts: 173 | From: Castle Rock, Colorado | Registered: Jul 2005
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I only have a dual cable between the dish and the modem. It is actually two separate cables, one for transmit and one for receive. But no multiple sections connected.
I called Hughes. They ran some tests and told me my equipment was OK. However they said I am still on Satellite 83 but that they changed transponders.
Just to be really specific, I have the sat out connector on the modem connected to the very end of the dish arm right by the LNB. I have the sat in connector of the modem connected to the end of the arm closest to the dish where that rectangular block is (I assume it is the transmitter.)
Hughes had me change some of the settings using the manual parameters instead of the drop down list. Now they want to send a technician out. I told them I am leaving for Colorado and don’t have time for that. Hopefully I can figure this out on my own with the help of friends here.
This is the result of what Hughes had me change. I included below the new ones what the old settings were: ***************** New parameters
HughesNet - Manual Entry of Satellite Parameters Please enter the Satellite Parameters below then click Next to continue.
Longitude (Degrees): 83 West
Frequency: 1390 MHz
OTA Frequency:0 MHz
Symbol Rate:30 Msps
Receive Polarization:V
Transmit Polarization:H
22KHz Tone: off
Frequency Band / Modulation:KU Band - QPSK
DVB Mode:DVB-S
DVB Program Num(User Data):20500
DVB Program Num(DNCC Data):0
Enable OPI Display:
Old parameters:
Satellite: AMC9NLV-2K Longitude: 83 W
Frequency: 990 MHz
OTA Frequency: 0 MHz
Symbol Rate: 30.00 Msps
Receive Polarization: V
Transmit Polarization: H
22KHz Tone: Off
Frequency Band / Modulation: Ku Band - BPSK
DVB Mode: DVB-S2-ACM
DVB Program Num(User Data): 0
DVB Program Num(DNCC Data): 0
*************
Going to try rolling the cables per your suggestion. At worst I will by the double cable from you when I pass by.
Smoky
-------------------- Smoky & Sharon fulltiming out of Kalispell MT KSDS3910 Newmar-Taurus wagon toad Posts: 32 | From: wherever we are parked | Registered: Feb 2006
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-------------------- Terry Cannon HDTV Tripods and Internet Tripods Hughes and Starband parts and repairs. (303) 482-2547 http://www.rovinginternet.com Posts: 173 | From: Castle Rock, Colorado | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Thought I would add a conclusion to this for all the fine folks who tried to help.
Smoky arrived at my place around noon today. Yesterday I had set up two dishes. One with an ODU of unknown condition from a grey fiberglass dish or possibly a Raven. I put that one on a tripod on a grey fiberglass dish.
I also have a tri-point mount on a corner fence post and I put an old white dish on that one with the old ODU including the white pancake radio from my original 4000 system from over 10 years ago.
Some of you remember those days when we were outlaws and scoflaws. Fear of microwave radiation frying brains of children and snuffing the life out of people with pacemakers ran rampant across the land. Crosspoling was mysterious, scary, and voluntary! Rumors ruled our lives. Some folks felt the need to erect camouflage tents over their tripod systems. But we persisted because it was just so damned much fun!
Anyhow, after Smoky arrived, we first hooked his modem up to the dish with the ODU of unknown origin and condition. As with his previous experience, we got strange results. At first we couldn't get a signal over 29 (I aimed both dishes with my Birdog yesterday afternoon). Once we saw a higher signal but then we lost it and were then down to a 15 on both transponders from the fresh drop-down list (since he hasn't used it in months, we were working under the assumption that parameters had changed on his default transponder assignment.) In spite of working under that assumption, we did try his default set up to no avail.
We then connected the modem to the Old Trusty white pancake ODU and we got nothing from his default parameters. Changed over to the 990 transponder (He's on AMC9 - 83W) and we got a red number. So we tried the 1380 transponder and we got a good SS in the high 60's. Crosspol was failing so we adjusted the dish until we were passing consistently.
We completed the registration installer routine and eventually received all downloads and after a reset, we had a green light.
We reset the modem a couple times after that to see if it would come back up on its own and it did, consistently.
While it cooked for about 30-45 minutes, I went and checked the tripod dish. It has been raining light and steady since yesterday evening and sure enough, the tripod had settled. I trimmed it up and improved what the Birdog was seeing.
Then I brought the modem over and connected it up to that dish. I went back to get the laptop (about 40 feet away) and when I got back, all five lights were on. I checked crosspol and it wasn't good, so adjusted using PC-OPI until we were passing consistently. All seems to be right with the world as far as Smoky's modem goes.
While we had tried to direct Smoky through Registration installer here on the forum, I think he balked when he got to the page asking which registration server to use. The default shows "SAN and PIN registration server" and since he didn't know his PIN, didn't want to try that. Of course, what he didn't know is that unless your modem is really fried, it still won't ask you for a SAN and PIN, those are just the default servers.
Today, we ignored that page and pressed on, eventually getting to the page that displayed his Site ID number. After finishing the registration/installer routine, all the file downloads started and eventually completed (about 30 minutes later). The modem has been on solid since then.
Smoky is thankful for all the help and he's breathing far easier now knowing he's ready to hook up to the internet in the remote Poudre Canyon of Colorado starting tomorrow.
-------------------- Terry Cannon HDTV Tripods and Internet Tripods Hughes and Starband parts and repairs. (303) 482-2547 http://www.rovinginternet.com Posts: 173 | From: Castle Rock, Colorado | Registered: Jul 2005
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