Magicsat not locking on to Astra 28,2E

[mid4did]

Hi ,just an enquiry about my system which is the magicsat 2002A.
I have read all of these threads and it does seem an ongoing job to keep re-adjusting the settings.
I imported my motorhome from germany with this system which is set for 19 degrees.It came withought a remote control so I cannot at this moment do anything at all to change the settings.Beginning to look like a new system for me unless anyone can point me in the direction of a remote.I have contacted highbridge and waiting for a return phone call.
cheers in anticipation Pete

 

[Rvator]

Welcome mid4did

You have joined the select group of people that despite untold difficulties still manage to operate a Teleco MagicSat 2002a satellite system!

However from your description you may well not be a member for much longer.

As you have determined there is a requirement to have the remote control (part number TSR5012 as given in the Installation Guide and User Manual) in order to effect any changes to the configuration of the satellite receiver.

When we inherited the system on our narrow boat in 2010 the antenna was in poor shape and we contacted the Scan Terieur representative in the UK and obtained all the necessary parts as shown in the said manual. The Highbridge people you mention are unlikely to have the obsolete remote control however they ought be able to contact the Italian manufacturer for you and see if the item is still available.

My search on Dr Googke hasn't helped however although it is a long shot if you look back at the posts on the forum item I seem to recall several contributors were going to get rid of their systems. If you can find a post from someone getting rid of their 2002a and can make contact you might just strike lucky and find they did not actually dispose of it and still have the remote control. A bit of a long shot but might be worth trying.

Another possibility is someone watching this post is in your area and would be willing to liaise with you and use their remote control to reconfigure the setup which at least would allow you to use the thing while you work out what to spend your money on. Unfortunately our system is on a narrowboat up in the midlands and we are way down in the southwest so cannot be of much help to you at the moment although if no one else is out there then next time we visit our boat we could bring our own remote control back with us and sort something out.

As old as the MagicSat 2002a is it does work well enough so long as the satellite people don't change a frequency which as you have seen from the posts does rather upset things but it can be overcome with a little research to discover the rogue frequency and update the settings.

Good luck in finding a handset.

Rgds
Rvator.

 

[mid4did]

Hi Rvator,many thanks for the most positive reply to my queery.I,m in weston-s-mare by the way.
Yes if there is any way I could purchase/beg or borrow a remote from anyone that has one to spare that would be great.As long as the frequencies/settings remain stable.
Apart from that I have what appears to be a perfectly workable system which is just a heavy weight on my roof.
I shall have to wait a little while until I can afford to get a new system which seems to be the way to go but in the meantime maybe by posting on here someone may come up with an answer.Maybe there is a way to configure it withought the remote?
best regards pete

 

[Rvator]

Hello again Pete. As far as I can see from the Installation/User manual there isn't a method of setting up the control box without the handset and if that's the case you're a bit stuffed without access to one.

Did the previous owner say what happened to the remote control handset as the assumption is there was one originally?

Keep your fingers crossed someone might have a similar system near your location or even possibly the Highbridge people could have a technician that deals with problems on the MagicSat 2002a and has one.

We travel the M5 enroute to our boat so if push comes to shove as a last resort I am sure we can work something out as an interim to you either ditching all that extra weight or changing out for something different.

The older type of control box where frequencies are used to accomplish antenna alignment means we are unfortunately at the mercy of the Satellite companies not changing anything. Having said that it has been possible work out what frequency change has stopped the dish from locking on and making the necessary amendment easily enough and keeping things working.

Rgds
Rvator

 

[mid4did]

Hi Rvator,
The kettle is always on if you want to break your journey on the way back but no rush as we intend to be off within a couple of weeks for a trip down to spain and or portugal.Doubt if we'd pick up anything that far down anyway but its not going anywhere at the moment.I missed a call back from highbridge and the wife answered the phone,she told me that they say it could be set up withought the remote so I'll give them a call tomorrow,monday to confirm this or otherwise.I don't have a handbook nor any other information as I bought this off a dealer in Dusseldorf and it began its life in france.
If theres anything I can add i'll post it on here.
regards Pete

 

[davemurgtroyd]

If original remotes are not available could you try a learning remote and copying the relevant keys from someone else's original?

 

[Rvator]

Thanks davemurgtroyd

Very interesting and a brilliant idea never thought of one of these devices. Had a look on Dr Google and yes one of them could potentially be a solution for mid4did.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to find a remote code for the handset of a MagicSat2002a control box and if one was not evident then the suggestion is that a manually programmable IR universal remote handset ought to be able to learn the two functions for controlling the dish during configuration which are 'Down' and 'Stop' after that the ability to move up and down menus is all that's needed.

I might even get one myself as we have 'six' remote handsets for the stuff on our narrowboat and SWMBO is always complaining she doesn't understand any of them.

 

[Lazarus]

I might even get one myself as we have 'six' remote handsets for the stuff on our narrowboat and SWMBO is always complaining she doesn't understand any of them.

Tell her one of them has a special button that opens the sea-cocks (Or would that be canal-cocks) and scuttles the boat.

 

[hairybadger]

Tell her one of them has a special button that opens the sea-cocks (Or would that be canal-cocks) and scuttles the boat.

You can never really leave the navy, can you?

 

[a33]

@mid4did:
I just checked: the magicsat ms900 is also in the logitech harmony database on the internet.
At least, in that of the harmony 785; but I think it is a universal database for all logitechs.

I don't know if that remote works also on the 2002a?


Greetz,
A33

Edit: Correction, I first thought the 2002a was also in the database, but looking further it was not...

 

[battenfan]

there is a requirement to have the remote control (part number TSR5012

What is this then, a satellite radio receiver?

http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Recepteur-satellite-stereo-TELECO-TSR5012-/272037480688

Anymote / Colortiger (Android software or external bluetooth pod for iPhones) boasts of their huge database but I can't find a way to search it online.

 

[Rvator]

Hi battenfan

This eBay item looks like the Teleco MagicSat 2002a we have on our narrowboat. The unit is a control box for the antenna and a satellite receiver and the handset shown looks like the remote control that mid4did is missing with his system.

I don't speak French so can't translate the text to know whether the item is up for sale, if it is then at the price shown its probably a good deal for an obsolete item.

 

[mid4did]

Thanks for all the suggestions and to keep everyone updated with my progress.I had a 2nd call from highbridge today and sods law I was out yet again,collecting my son from hospital in bristol .My wife,bless her,(definately non techie)passed on the news from them that they can indeed get a remote from italy at a price,approximately £40.I'm going to call them again hoping to get to speak to the person or persons who seem to be in the know and let them order one for me,seems a cheap option if it does the job,well cheaper than a new system.
I did look at some all in ones but didn't feel convinced they would work,they seem to be for tv's and the like.
Now just another question if thats ok.There is a cable that goes into the IR remote socket this looks ok but the small pcb on the end is bare so hopefully it is working,at least all the parts are there and seem to be undamaged.Is this essential or should the unit pickup the remote control withought it?
It may be another question for highbridge as to availability.
To do a translation use google chrome,right click the french txt and choose translate.
here is the remote only from ebay.fr located in berlin.
Superior Ersatz FB für TELECO TSR2500

 

[Rvator]

Mng mid4did

The IR remote connection would have had a plastic cover however I'd be fairly sure that the control box will have a IR sensor anyway as this is common practice on devices that have remote handsets.

The Teleco part number code for the 'remote ctrl expander' is 07798

Rvator

 

[mid4did]

Highbridge have the remote so off to collect it today hope the 5rC code on the display isn't a problem ... service?

 

[Lazarus]

"Search" ??

 

[Rvator]

Good news mid4did on the handset and as Lazarus says that display means 'Searching'.

So now you have the gadget the fun begins ..........

As a suggestion seeing as you have no use for what is currently stored in the control box about previous satellite searches look back for recent forum posts on details of resetting the satellite memory. The process does involve having the green wire connected to positive 12volts DC however for your installation that's likely to be the case and wired in via the ignition switch but check anyway as it's also a safety feature.

If you don't already have them you'll need to go to the Scan Teriuer web site and download the instructions, last I looked November 2014 were the latest. As mentioned we are using the Nov2014 criteria in our box and they were active when we last used the system three months ago.

Although we used the ST stuff you might want to take a look again at posts from last year where myself, HelenH and others looked at establishing an alternative set of criteria to those provided by ST and Helen was successful in setting those up in their van.

So you have a choice however which ever way you go you will end up with a sore thumb holding down the left and right buttons while it scrolls through the frequency setup so several mugs of tea and chocolate biscuits to hand.

Brgds
Rvator

 

[mid4did]

Feeling a bit frustrated now.The remote doesn't get much response except for the pause and info buttons which make the dish park,pressing the red power button starts it up again and if I'm quick someties when its parking I can press the numbers and alter the programme search,eg. 77 sky premiere still on 19.2 other combinations get different channels and other satellites as a search criteria.there is no response from the stop or menu buttons nor any others when its searching or starting up.Cup of tea time .
Is this the correct remote do you think?

 

[Rvator]

Don't despair Pete

The handset you show looks like an updated model it's got the necessary buttons to do the job.

I suggest you go to this web site and download the update PDF which contains all the necessary steps.

http://www.scan-terieur.com/assets/files/Teleco 2002a Updates/magicsat-criteria-modification-v10.pdf

If you can get the MagicSat 2002a Installation Guide and User Manual while you are at it then page 35 shows from the 'Satellites List With Digital Search' bit that the number you will need to enter on the control box for Astra 28E is '402'

Also as I mentioned in the last post it would be an advantage to clear out the satellite search memory, there are several previous postings that detail achieving that.

Lastly don't get too hung up on stuff in the manual as much of it refers to using the control box as an analogue receiver.

Hope this helps?

Rvator

 

[mid4did]

Hi Rvator and thanks for the advice.I have already got the manual and as you say nothing helpful on there that doesn't involve a proper remote control which i'm pretty sure this isn't.I've been on the scan terieur site but again frustrated.
I've contacted highbridge and again waiting for a callback which may come too late as we've got a ferry to catch for our trip down to spain and portugal,we'll just take the tripod and dish with us.
cheers pete