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Setting up a satellite internet connection for your WOW system (all models except Dairy WOW 4000)
Setting up a satellite internet connection for your WOW system (all models except Dairy WOW 4000)

Set up a satellite internet connection to send data from your WOW system to Datamars Livestock.

Updated over 4 months ago

📝 This topic is for all models except the Dairy WOW 4000.

If your WOW system has a satellite internet connection, you need to orient the satellite antenna to point to the nearest overhead satellite. There are 4 satellites available, providing global coverage.

There are three steps required:

  1. Determine the satellite details for your farm (normally a one-time procedure during setup).

  2. Orient the satellite antenna.

  3. Check the satellite signal strength.

Note: These instructions only apply to satellite-enabled WOW systems.

Determining the satellite details for your farm

You should only need to determine the satellite details once, during setup. This is because the satellites used by the WOW system are geo-stationery and the details should remain the same as long as the WOW system remains on your farm. The only time you will need to repeat this process is if the WOW system is moved to a different global location e.g. more than 200 km away.

Note: Internet coverage is required for this procedure, so we recommend you do this step at your home base, rather than out on the farm.

To determine the satellite details :

  1. Examine the map below to determine the Inmarsat satellite nearest to your location. If there are two options, you may need to try both to see which gives you the best signal strength.

The four satellites available for use are:

Satellite

Satellite location

Name of satellite on the Dishpointer website

4-F1

143.5° E

143.5E INMARSAT 4-F1

6-F1

83.7° E

83.8E INMARSAT 6-F1

4-F3

97.6° W

97.6W INMARSAT 4-F3

4-F4

24.8° E

24.8E ALPHASAT

2. Go to the Dishpointer website www.dishpointer.com to find the satellite from your location. To do this, enter your location (your address or GPS coordinates) and search for the satellite name using the details in the table above.

The website will return the information required to precisely orient the satellite antenna:

The Elevation is the angle between the horizon and the satellite beam. You will use the Elevation to set the tilt angle of the satellite antenna.

The Azimuth is the compass direction you will point the satellite antenna towards.

Note: The Dishpointer website displays Azimuth values for both True North and Magnetic North. Use should use Magnetic North whether you are using a compass or a compass app on your mobile phone. If you are using a compass app on your mobile phone, make sure it is configured for Magnetic North.

You are now ready to orient the satellite and check the signal strength.

Orienting the satellite antenna

If you have a mobile WOW system, you will need to orient the satellite antenna and test the signal strength during setup, but also whenever you move the system to a new location on your farm.

You will need:

  • A step-ladder to reach the satellite antenna.

  • A 10 mm socket to adjust the orientation of the satellite antenna

  • A compass or you can use a compass app on your mobile phone. If you are using a compass app, make sure that it is configured to use Magnetic North.

Before you start:

  1. Make sure that the satellite antenna frame is level with the horizon.

  2. Make sure that the satellite antenna is connected. Disconnect the battery power connector and the solar panel connectors while you are orienting the satellite antenna:

Warning! The front of the satellite antenna emits radiation. Do not allow any part of your body to come within 1 m (3') of the front of the antenna.

Start by adjusting the Elevation (tilt angle) of the satellite antenna:

1. Use a 10 mm socket to loosen the nut on the angle bracket:
​

2. Set the Elevation using the markings as a guide, then tighten the nut finger-tight:

Next, adjust the Azimuth (compass direction) of the satellite antenna:

1. Use a 10 mm socket to loosen the two nuts on the satellite antenna:

2. Use a compass or compass app on your mobile phone to determine the compass direction.

3. Swivel the antenna to the correct Azimuth, then tighten the two nuts finger-tight.

4. Now you are ready to check the satellite signal strength.

Checking the satellite signal strength

If you have a mobile WOW system, you will need to orient the satellite antenna and test the signal strength during setup, but also whenever you move the system to a new location on your farm. During this procedure, you will need to power up/reboot the WOW system.

Caution! When powering up/rebooting the WOW system, always make sure that the satellite antenna is connected first, before connecting the battery and solar panels, or the control unit could be damaged by a power surge.

To check the satellite signal strength:

  1. Position yourself next to the WOW system.

  2. Go into your mobile phone settings and check that Wi-Fi is set to On.

  3. From the list of available networks, select RemoteWOW and enter the password trutestRemoteWOW.

  4. Open a browser (e.g. Google or Safari) and type 192.168.50.1 into the address bar.

    This will launch the Datamars WOW Configuration app:

5. Make sure that the satellite antenna is still connected. Power up/reboot the control unit by disconnecting the solar panel connectors and the battery power connector, wait for two minutes, then reconnect the battery power connector only:

6. Go back to the Datamars WOW Configuration app and refresh the browser.

7. Go to the Settings screen and scroll down to Current Signal:
​

  • Modem Status should be Connected.

  • Signal Strength should be >62.

Note: You must determine the Signal Strength value within the first 2 minutes of powering up/rebooting. After this period, the value will drop.

If the Signal Strength is below >62, adjust the direction and angle of the satellite antenna slightly, wait for 10 seconds, then refresh the browser. If you try repeatedly and still can't achieve a good signal strength, see Troubleshooting a satellite internet connection.

8. Once a good signal strength of >62 has been achieved, tighten the 3 nuts using the 10 mm socket to secure the satellite antenna in place.

9. Reconnect the solar panel connectors:

Tip: After you have confirmed a reliable satellite connection,, you may like to use a permanent marker to write the Azimuth and Elevation details for your farm on the back of the satellite antenna for future reference.

You may also be interested in:

Having trouble?

  • Phone the Datamars Smart Farming support team:
    AU 1800 248 774
    NZ 0800 248 722
    US +1 (888) 431-0957 (toll free).
    UK +44 20 4571 7717
    IE and EU +353 (21) 242 8844

  • Email sf-support@datamars.com

  • Ask us a question in the blue messaging tool on the bottom right hand side of your screen.

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