Could someone clear this up for me?

[brummy]

Different channels apear on diff. transponders
thats why the trans. changes as to change channels
also why you only get some channels when you only have the odd trans.showing.there must be a cabling issue that you only get half the transponders.If you put a splitter in the line that could also affect it. The locals also come out of certain transponders
Brummy

[skinerd]

ALL receivers change transponders, based on the guide byte, locals byte and channel selected.
You can't set a receiver on a transponder, except to view the signal strength.
Just because it is the same transponder when you go back to the setup does not mean that it never changed, it just means that is the one it is set up to measure in setup.

Some receivers take longer than others to get locals, let it sit overnight and see what you have in the morning.
If your card is programmed correctly for locals you will get them, just might take a while.