Satllite dish and jack

[deltec]

any boday onhear using a jack instead of a motor I am there a lot better in the wind and high up places as well

[Huevos]

Much harder to set up because they don't have USALS.

[deltec]

Yes but there are much better once set up

[ArloGuthrie]

I could discuss the subject because it's all that I know as far as dish positioning is concerned. I do not nor have ever used a USALS positioner.
You need a positioner control such as a Vbox. The linear actuator is extended or retracted and the position is displayed by encoder 'counts'.
The encoder is contained within the actuator motor.
Ideally you would locate your lowest horizon satellite. Use the E-W buttons on the controller interface to peak signal. And store it as position one.
Tune your receiver to the next satellite. Store it as position 2 in the controller memory.
In the receiver tuner setup menu. Using DISEqC 1.2 (don't use USALS). Assign your first satellite as position 1. The next, position 2.
When you tune the receiver to those satellites. The controller moves the dish to the right satellite.

Yeah. It can be a bear to setup compared to USALS. But not so bad.
If you have found 2 strong satellites. Let's say your lowest horizon. And it is displayed as 0 'counts on the controller display.
And a satellite 16 degrees higher in the arc. Perhaps displayed as it took the motor 160 'counts' to extend the actuator to peak signal.
A piece of paper. Some simple division. And you find that there are 16 'counts' per degree of dish movement. Or 32 'counts' between each 2 degree spaced satellite.
Unlike USALS. It is definitely not automatic and takes some work.

The geometry of the actuator mount on the dish may prove that as you get higher in the arc. Actual 'counts' between 2 degree spaced satellites decreases. Perhaps it reduces from 32 to 20 'counts'.
It's not that bad. Really. And once stored in memory. It's there.
And from what I understand compared to a USALS positioner. If someone or something bumps your dish. It's the dish that will give.

Ask me anything you want if you need more info.