Thread: Montana PBS Cure

Other than Montana PBS, I have never had any problem with any other S2 signal on the various dishes and LNBs that I have, except for the standard reasons of a really low SQ due to either dish size (on a 60e, for example), or LNB distance from the dish centre, or lack of uplink/downlink power.

Montana PBS has never had a low SQ for me, always in the 70s to high 80s (usually 78-80 range). It has always been either the same SQ as OETA, or slightly lower. It was usually higher than LPB when it was on the satellite. Never have had any problems with OETA or LPB. When LPB had its nightly drop off episode, the signal would be fine until it dropped into the 40s. Yet Montana PBS could rarely hold its signal 30 odd points higher.

My dish and LNB skew have always been peaked for Montana PBS. I am also in the 50 dBW EIRP area footprint.

As has been documented on this site (and others) there is a problem with the Montana PBS signal which isn't based solely on dish size (though a larger dish has helped some) or any other factors that normally would easily account for the problems.

For me, the switching of LNBs worked, and I only assume that the Fortec Star universal, and, obviously, higher end LNBs, are able to consistently hold the signal throughout whatever the signal problem is, whether frequency drift from the source, etc.

Quick update. Had some rain last night, Montana PBS SQ dropped to 60-61 (down from the usual 78-80) and the signal still locked and held (no pixelation at all).

So whats the actual model number?
I did a search,and came up with at least 3 differant styles single universal lnbs by fortec star.
I'm wuilling to try a new lnb,but would like to know which one specific your using.

Originally Posted by southofi-10

So whats the actual model number?
I did a search,and came up with at least 3 differant styles single universal lnbs by fortec star.
I'm wuilling to try a new lnb,but would like to know which one specific your using.

The model number is FSKU-V.

Thanks
I'll test it and see if I get the same results.
And report.
Just for your info_ I also found these fortec lnb universal signal..
FSKU-K,,FSKU-VN,,FSHD-LO1

Originally Posted by southofi-10

Thanks
I'll test it and see if I get the same results.
And report.
Just for your info_ I also found these fortec lnb universal signal..
FSKU-K,,FSKU-VN,,FSHD-LO1

Good luck, hope you get the same results as I did.

I tried the fortec lnb without any improvement.
I did get improvement with a NEW Chaparral Universal LNB Single Lnbf. (c&p)
This is a great lnb at only 7.99 from satpro.tv.
Super fast shipping-Good service
The signal still bounces,but doesn't drop out completely as before.The signal quality is only around 35,but it's enough for my op10 to lock on and give a watchable channel.
So with all this,I guess it comes down to your receiver,location,size of dish and lnb.Among a few other things,LOL

Originally Posted by southofi-10

I tried the fortec lnb without any improvement.
I did get improvement with a NEW Chaparral Universal LNB Single Lnbf. (c&p)
This is a great lnb at only 7.99 from satpro.tv.
Super fast shipping-Good service
The signal still bounces,but doesn't drop out completely as before.The signal quality is only around 35,but it's enough for my op10 to lock on and give a watchable channel.
So with all this,I guess it comes down to your receiver,location,size of dish and lnb.Among a few other things,LOL

While the Fortec Star didn't work for you (might be the low SQ?), at least you did find improvement with a different LNB from the one you were originally using. Any way to get a watchable Montana PBS by changing LNBs is definitely an extra option to the usual "get a bigger dish" cry!