Satellite Internet Forum

[esm]

I'm new to satellite broadband and I need to install and align a Direcway dish. Can anyone point me to some reading material so I can figure out what to do?

Thanks.

[Dan Crowley]

If you search in the box you may find a CD with the installation manual on it. If so, it is worth printing it out and spending some hours reading it.

If you can't find it, there is a link to download the complete pdf manual about 2/3rds down on the right hand side of this page:  http://www.satsig.net/vsat_top.htm   The pdf files is about 2 Mbyte.

Do come back here with questions, step by step if needs be. We don't  mind.

[pPoulos]

If you're willing to part with an email address Ed, I can extract the antenna pointing section from one of the Direcway PDF installation manuals. Otherwise you're looking at a 26MB download from their FTP site.

Word of caution though, self-installation is technically not permitted - and might constitute a violation to their Terms of Service. For most installations, a "Direcway certified" installer must - at a minimum - adjust the antenna for optimum transmitter isolation. Only then is it possible to actually enable the transmitter.

That said, there is a mobile user's group who - by charter/waiver/whatever - pick up and move their antennas regularly. Check out the Tripods and other Manual Mounts. Key on any info relative to TRIPOD mount.

[esm]

Thanks for the quick response. I already have the 2MB pdf and I don't mind to download the large manual (I'm still on a fast cable modem) if you could provide the link.

Thanks,

Ed

[pPoulos]

4.2.1.10 For Satellite based commissioning - DW4000
Download Here Type File = Zip Size = 28.1MB

[esm]

Thanks, I downloaded the file. It doesn't seem to be an installation manual. There is an option to install the software but, from what I know, the DW6000 doesn't need any software loaded onto the PC, or am I wrong? The other two options on the opening screen were not accessible.

Cheers,

Ed

[pPoulos]

I seem to recall they're Acrobat files buried in a folder called ENGLISH. If in doubt, search for *.PDF and you'll find the manual(s) that contain installation and pointing instructions that can be used in conjuction with DW4000 software.

But it's an older set of instructions. If you're trying to install a DW6000 configuration, the software interface is different.

[esm]

Yes, it's a DW6000 modem but the general rules to point and align a dish ought to be the same and I'm sure there is some literature out there. I'll just have to find it.

[pPoulos]

At the risk of offense, folks who don't understand transmitter isolation (copol/crosspol) have no business installing two way satellite dishes. And with the DW6000, there's no way to determine transmitter isolation without the embedded software. Far as I know, there are no "official" DW6000 transmitter alignment procedures published for use by the general public.

That said, you might want to peruse the DataStorm Users forum - particularly the "tripod" folks. They've been known to share a lot of "unofficial" information.

[esm]

When you say embedded software, I assume you mean the firmware installed in the DW6000 modem? If that will help me with the alignment, great!
 
Thanks for the advice about the "tripod folks".

[pPoulos]

It's not firmware. The DW6000 has it's own software. Version changes, updates, patches, et cetera are "pushed" over the connection. You can access a user interface with a browser - or telnet in.The address is generally 192.168.0.1 (may vary if there's a router in the configuration). But there are no meaningful user-selectable options.

The pointing screens you seek are there too, but the first time you get to use them will be as part of the commissioning process.  It's not something you want to try and learn "on the fly". That's part of the Direcway "certified installer" job description.

Competent self-installs may save a little money putting up a used system. But there's little point in installing a new one yourself. A non-negotiable $199 is included in the price of a new DW6000, which pays for what Direcway terms a "standard installation".

[esm]

Thanks for the software clarification, I appreciate that.
 
I happen to have a used DW6000 system and I would prefer to set it up and align it myself if possible. If not, I'll have to find a "licensed" installer to do the tweaking.

[pPoulos]

Don't know your location. How far away are you from me?

[esm]

I'm located in the Austin, TX area.
 
Ed

[pPoulos]

Too bad. A more reasonable distance, and I may have been able to help you out myself.

One suggestion. Since most installers will start at $200 (and go up) for a basic installation, maybe you could negotiate with one in your area to simply finish pointing the dish and and activate the transmitter. If you did all the grunt work, provided all the cables/connectors/et cetera, I've talked with installer that would stop in to "finish" the job - for somewhere around the $60 to $75 range.

By the way. Since this is a used system, did you make sure the modem isn't blacklisted BEFORE you paid the seller?