Setting up SWM 3 LNB with HR22-100 problems

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shaggy88

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Original poster
May 8, 2013
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Phoenix, AZ
First I want to say thank you to the site for all of the info that allowed me to even attempt this endeavor. I'll try to make this short and detailed as possible. Moved to new house, had Direct before but instead of having them do the install I decided that I would attempt it myself. Main reason is sounded interesting always wondered how it all worked and I wanted the experience because we plan to set up a dish when we go traveling in the RV. Bought an entire kit, installed the entire thing (thanks to all of your directions and help) also watched some videos before ever trying anything. Got signal after some rough adjustment first tuned in the 101. We now have the 101 with 97 or greater on all but transponder number 18, 26 and 28 which have a strength of 82, 72 and 82 respectively. My problem is with tuning in the 99(c) and the 103(ca). On the 99(c) I have mid 80's on most with a few 79's and the same on the 103(ca) most low 80's with some in the 78-79 range. I have tried on three separate occasions to get those satellites (99 and 103) higher and have failed all three times. I first fine tune the azimuth to the best strength then the elevation. Being very patient and moving larger movements at first then adjusting by .5 unit increments. Every time I find myself in the same place the transponder signals are around the same and the picture is jittery still. My question is what to try next. Should I move the tilt? Should I replace the line in the attic (we did use the existing line with the house) Any help would be much appreciated. The mount should be plumb verified with the bubble level on top of the mast and then again with a magnetic polycast protractor. I did read the thread "Signal Problems" By Joel V and it helped confirm that I am taking the right approach to setting all of this up. Thanks again
 
:welcome to Satelliteguys shaggy88!

Try checking the mast for plumb with a real level, not the bubble in the top. They aren't all that accurate. If your numbers on 99 and 103 are relatively even, although low, I suspect your tilt is good. Your elevation may be a little off. I have read that S Cal has issues with low numbers due to their locality. I wonder if the same is true for AZ? Maybe an installer in your area will post his experience.
 
A well aligned dish will have a few transponders on 101 at a signal strength of 100. If the Op's numbers are like that, then low signals on 99c, 103ca and 103cb are nearly always due to an error in the tilt setting (or a non-plumb dish mount, which has the same effect).
Did you actually "dither" the dish to get the optimum 101 numbers?
 
I got the 24 in level out to check and it looks like it is perfectly level. I placed it on top of the mast and it is dead center. Is there a better way to check because other than placing it on top there doesn't seem like any other way to check it with the level. And my levels on 101 are as follows from 1 to 8, 97 98 97 0 97 100 97 100 9-16, 97 98 97 0 98 100 97 100 and 17-24, 97 82 97 100 98 100 98 100 and 25-32, 97 72 97 83 100 97 100. The levels on 103(cb) are 1-8, 89 91 82 81 85 89 80 81 and 9-16, 84 89 81 83 85 88.

Thanks guys
 
I'm also having problems getting a strong signal with my RV kit with the SWM 3 LNB. I also have the HR22 and only receiving singals in the upper 70's on the 101 band.

How do I achieve a high signal ... shouldn't it be in the 90's? I followed the step by step instructions, but can't fine tune above these numbers.
 
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:welcome to Satelliteguys Jackoldno7!
Are you using a power inserter? You need one to power the lnb. Have you checked the mast for plumb or does it do that automatically?
 
Yes using a power inserter ... yes the mast is plumb ... I double checked that since that seems to be an issue most of the time.
 
Are you having 771 message on the screen or any loss of signal messages coming up? If you aren't then you may be getting as high a signal strength that the dish and LNB are going to give you. Mid to low 80s on 99 and 103 aren't really that bad. Sometimes the LNB built in amps start losing a bit of strength and your on screen signal numbers will drop. When they get down into the 60s or less you need to consider replacing LNB if your dish is aligned properly. Also make sure dish has no obvious dents or bends.
 
Are you having 771 message on the screen or any loss of signal messages coming up? If you aren't then you may be getting as high a signal strength that the dish and LNB are going to give you. Mid to low 80s on 99 and 103 aren't really that bad. Sometimes the LNB built in amps start losing a bit of strength and your on screen signal numbers will drop. When they get down into the 60s or less you need to consider replacing LNB if your dish is aligned properly. Also make sure dish has no obvious dents or bends.

No 771 messages or loss of signals on most channels ... do have a loss on some of the HD channels. Like I said I can only get to the upper 70's for my signal strength ... most people look like can reach the 90's. The dish doesn't have any dents or bends, still looks like brand new!
 
Post your signal levels on 101, 99A/C and 103A/C. Your dish could be damaged without looking like it. I'm not saying it is though. You probably just need to be realigned.
 
Post your signal levels on 101, 99A/C and 103A/C. Your dish could be damaged without looking like it. I'm not saying it is though. You probably just need to be realigned.

I'll be heading back to the cottage where the dish is mounted this weekend .. I can get that information then. I'm sure I could be off on the alignment ...
 
I think you are going to find this is just an alignment issue. Your signals are very close to optimum, the low signals on some 101 transponders are because they are spotbeams delivering locals to other cities. And nothing about your signal strengths will give you a jittery picture, that's something else entirely.
 
You need to be in the higher 90’s on 101.

If that’s good, 103/99 should fall into place automatically.

Bare minimum 80% on 99/103. You should be in the high 80’s lower 90’s


That's what I was thinking ... I think I might be off on my alignment. I need to double check that first before replacing the LNB or the dish.
 
Here is what i have ... Can't get it any higher, pole is level and reset all settings as displayed.

satellite 1.jpg

satellite 2.jpg
 
Did you use the dithering technique to try to align 101?
If those numbers are the best you can get, indicates a faulty LNB or a damaged dish. Although it might not be obvious, your even TP strengths are much higher than your odds(allowing for spotbeams). Might indicate your tilt is wrong.
 
Did you use the dithering technique to try to align 101?
If those numbers are the best you can get, indicates a faulty LNB or a damaged dish. Although it might not be obvious, your even TP strengths are much higher than your odds(allowing for spotbeams). Might indicate your tilt is wrong.


Yes I used the dithering technique ... did not help. I was figuring one of those are damaged ... now to figure out which one. I used what was provided when i typed in the zip code (73).
 
If you are using the bubble level in the mast, that may not be accurate. I recommend using a post level.
 

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