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Are there any low cost Satellite Signal Meters suitable for the tight budgeted home user ? The Bird Dog looks great, but there's no way I can afford it. Even the used ones on ebay run over $100. With medical bills and the cost of living, money is very tight right now.
I upgraded my Starband 360 up to the Nova 1000 back in April. Everything ran great for the first couple of weeks, no problems at all. Then it started getting real twitchy and frequently dropping the signal. Talked to Starband Tech Support and they thought it was the transmitter and shipped me a new one. I also ordered a new new Noise Block Filter. I installed both, checked all my cable connections and cables...and the signal is still getting dropped. Looking at SkyManage the items most frequently X'd out are :
Sync
Backbone Link
TCP Acceleration
Though at times it drops just about everything other than Active Code and Powering Mode.
The same holds true whether I am connected straight PC to Modem, or through a hardwired router. Problem persists regardless of which of the 4 PC's I use, all run XP and range from XP SP2 to XP SP3 to XP x64Bit.
At this point I think it has to be either my line of sight for the Nova is different than the 360 was (in spite of being told by tech support it is the same) OR the Nova modem itself is defective. The only way I can think of to figure out which is the culprit is to use a Satellite Signal Meter to make sure I'm lined up correctly at the dish.
Bandwidth tests have varied quite a bit. This morning I got :
943 kb/s download and 113 kb/s on the upload. I've seen the download down to 426 kb/s and the upload as little as 20 kb/s when it gets flaky before it drops the connection.
Having no land-line phone, I have to use a cell phone for tech support and when I'm "on hold" for too long my call often gets dropped. Which of course is very aggravating. The nearest authorized installer is approximately 50 miles away (one way)
My location is:
Latitude: 36.5513573
Longitude: 82.7719574
Here is the SkyManage Installer page display page, copy and pasted from this morning. The asterisks are noted in red on the SkyManage site, though I don't know if that is denoting whether it's abnormal or just a required default.
General
VSAT ID * 7750
Workgroup Address * 257
Software Group Address * 516
Streamer PID * 5 15
Outbound ID *5
Boot-Time Options: Enable
Software Download: Enable
Software Download Timeout * 30 sec
DHCP : Disable
Embedded Web Site
Web Site IP Address * 192.168.1.1
Maritime Application
Maritime Application : Disabled
Network Name *
Satellite Name *
Satellite Orbital Location *
degrees
Downlink Polarization *
degrees
LNB L.O. Frequency *
GHz
ODU and LNB
ODU Constant Drift * 0 KHz
LNB Installation : 22V
ODU Type: Saturated
Modulation and Coding
Frequency * 1130000 KHz
Data-Rate * 57500940 bps
Modulation : 8PSK
Coding Rate : 2/3
DVB Reduce Latency: Enable
Turbo Reduce Latency : Normal (Maximum)
Does anybody have a recommendation for a low cost satellite signal meter... or does anything from the copy and pasted SkyManage look like there is a configuration problem ?
.... Should mention I took out the only tree which looked like it might potentially interfere with the line of sight.
Thanks for any help
I upgraded my Starband 360 up to the Nova 1000 back in April. Everything ran great for the first couple of weeks, no problems at all. Then it started getting real twitchy and frequently dropping the signal. Talked to Starband Tech Support and they thought it was the transmitter and shipped me a new one. I also ordered a new new Noise Block Filter. I installed both, checked all my cable connections and cables...and the signal is still getting dropped. Looking at SkyManage the items most frequently X'd out are :
Sync
Backbone Link
TCP Acceleration
Though at times it drops just about everything other than Active Code and Powering Mode.
The same holds true whether I am connected straight PC to Modem, or through a hardwired router. Problem persists regardless of which of the 4 PC's I use, all run XP and range from XP SP2 to XP SP3 to XP x64Bit.
At this point I think it has to be either my line of sight for the Nova is different than the 360 was (in spite of being told by tech support it is the same) OR the Nova modem itself is defective. The only way I can think of to figure out which is the culprit is to use a Satellite Signal Meter to make sure I'm lined up correctly at the dish.
Bandwidth tests have varied quite a bit. This morning I got :
943 kb/s download and 113 kb/s on the upload. I've seen the download down to 426 kb/s and the upload as little as 20 kb/s when it gets flaky before it drops the connection.
Having no land-line phone, I have to use a cell phone for tech support and when I'm "on hold" for too long my call often gets dropped. Which of course is very aggravating. The nearest authorized installer is approximately 50 miles away (one way)
My location is:
Latitude: 36.5513573
Longitude: 82.7719574
Here is the SkyManage Installer page display page, copy and pasted from this morning. The asterisks are noted in red on the SkyManage site, though I don't know if that is denoting whether it's abnormal or just a required default.
General
VSAT ID * 7750
Workgroup Address * 257
Software Group Address * 516
Streamer PID * 5 15
Outbound ID *5
Boot-Time Options: Enable
Software Download: Enable
Software Download Timeout * 30 sec
DHCP : Disable
Embedded Web Site
Web Site IP Address * 192.168.1.1
Maritime Application
Maritime Application : Disabled
Network Name *
Satellite Name *
Satellite Orbital Location *
degrees
Downlink Polarization *
degrees
LNB L.O. Frequency *
GHz
ODU and LNB
ODU Constant Drift * 0 KHz
LNB Installation : 22V
ODU Type: Saturated
Modulation and Coding
Frequency * 1130000 KHz
Data-Rate * 57500940 bps
Modulation : 8PSK
Coding Rate : 2/3
DVB Reduce Latency: Enable
Turbo Reduce Latency : Normal (Maximum)
Does anybody have a recommendation for a low cost satellite signal meter... or does anything from the copy and pasted SkyManage look like there is a configuration problem ? .... Should mention I took out the only tree which looked like it might potentially interfere with the line of sight.
Thanks for any help
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10185 views
H
Well I spent the day, taking out tree limbs, rechecking all connections (cable is solid copper, not sheathed steel) no signs of corrosion or water infiltration. Took off noise block filter and re-seated it (it is a .6 noise filter) removed the transmitter, reseated it. Made sure there were no seals covering the openings or any traces of adhesives. Tried swapping the cables point of attachment. Slowly in literally 1/64 inch increments attempted tweaking the dish to get a better signal and never got anything better than a 5.6 ebN0 on a clear day with no wind and when the temperature reached 95 degrees at about 3:00 PM, even that dropped to below 4 ebN0.
Even moving the dish just a hair caused the signal to drop out for several minutes. More than 1/8 inch from original marks dropped the signal out completely and it did not reacquire the signal at that far a movement.
So we have a new Nova modem (April 2008) that worked great for a couple of weeks before going flaky. A new transmitter and .6 noise block filter (last week) I tried hooking it up to several different computers, different versions of XP, different ethernet cards and cables, no firewalls... and am not finding any substantive difference from what I started with.
I am buffaloed on this one.
Even moving the dish just a hair caused the signal to drop out for several minutes. More than 1/8 inch from original marks dropped the signal out completely and it did not reacquire the signal at that far a movement.
So we have a new Nova modem (April 2008) that worked great for a couple of weeks before going flaky. A new transmitter and .6 noise block filter (last week) I tried hooking it up to several different computers, different versions of XP, different ethernet cards and cables, no firewalls... and am not finding any substantive difference from what I started with.
I am buffaloed on this one.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.
I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
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66 views
The guy in the Video, REALLY needs to TAKE a Breath ...
If he'd Slow down, you could figure out What he's testing and on what.
If he'd Slow down, you could figure out What he's testing and on what.
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
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1388 views
It seems the phone gets locked into Sat mode. A software patch is coming to avoid that pitfall, but it comes too late for those who already fell in.
Apple confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max AT&T cellular issues, affected devices require hardware replacement - 9to5Mac
Apple has confirmed an issue causing a “small number” of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T to lose cellular...
9to5mac.com
Pub Member / Supporter
America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot
New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com
The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.
It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
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1027 views
US EV sales are rising again. Here’s why the recovery is set to last.
Even though sales tanked last year after the end of federal incentives, the American EV sector is on the mend as drivers face sky-high gasoline prices.
www.canarymedia.com
GM Is Coming for Tesla, Rivian, and China, on Your Phone and in the Car
GM’s latest tech preview details autonomous highway driving plans, AI-powered OnStar features, and new LMR batteries for future EVs.
GM said its next-generation vehicle architecture will provide 40 times more computing power and 30 percent less wiring than before and will expand from the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ to its high-volume SUVs, trucks, crossovers, and fourth-generation EVs, which will be powered by lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic batteries
Despite the politicization and perceived consumer pivot away from EVs in America, GM needs to remain globally competitive, so it's doubling down on its fourth generation EVs, with energy-dense, cheaper-to-manufacture LMR batteries, more efficient motors, and state-of-the-art centralized computing architecture. With a stated goal of cutting the traditional four- to five-year concept-to-production time in half, GM is clearly challenging the concept of "China speed," which in the Chinese automotive industry can be as quick as 18 months from design to start of production. In the AI space, GM is smartly collapsing all of its marque-specific apps under the familiar OnStar brand, while providing more features—both on the phone and in the car—than it ever has before.
Daisy Ridley to Star in New Take on 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea' at Paramount+
I'm not usually a fan of remakes but the description provided in the article does intrigue me.
I'm not usually a fan of remakes but the description provided in the article does intrigue me.
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141 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68603 Replies
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2677685 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Now right up front....this is NOT intended to devolve into a "pot is good" vs "pot is bad" thread. The whole point is to make you aware of a potential problem that a person can develop when they start smoking pot at a young age. Not that they WILL, but CAN. Kinda like getting lung cancer from smoking cigs....some do, some don't. The purpose of posting this news story is to keep anyone from paying an outrageous emergency room bill......knowledge is power.
While this may not affect you, you might run into someone who is experiencing these symptoms and can share the info. Fortunately, it looks like stopping smoking is the cure and isn't a permanent condition.
www.dailymail.com
While this may not affect you, you might run into someone who is experiencing these symptoms and can share the info. Fortunately, it looks like stopping smoking is the cure and isn't a permanent condition.
Woman's health in ruins after she began doing cannabis aged just 15
A Michigan teenager who began using cannabis at 15 has been hospitalized twice after developing a debilitating illness that causes uncontrollable vomiting and agonizing stomach pains.
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19 views
Season 2 order already in hand:
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
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3635 views
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.
Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home thoughI don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.
Say, I don't wear socks or shoes in my house either. But for a captain in Star Fleet it looks bad to be walking around the academy with no shoes. Gives off 1960 Hippie vibes.Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home though
You say that like it's a Bad thing or something ...
For a whole generation of adults it was in the 1960s and 1970s.You say that like it's a Bad thing or something ...
Pub Member / Supporter
I set up a music server for my brother a few years ago. It's basically a small headless computer but it needs to have a DHCP IP address reserved for it in the router settings. This was easy to do in his DSL router. He's switching to Starlink now and I was wondering if these setting are easily accessible in the Starlink router. I'm pretty sure he will be getting the latest V5 router.
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115 views
If you can restrict the DHCP address space to assign addresses to one end of the subnet (i.e. x.x.x.50+), you can manually assign the IP address on pretty much any operating system. This is a default behavior on several popular routers. As the Router Mini only supports 235 devices, I expect that's already done.
Another option is to use a router that supports PoE to power the antenna. This article discusses that option (under PoE Power heading):
mobilemusthave.com
Another option is to use a router that supports PoE to power the antenna. This article discusses that option (under PoE Power heading):
Starlink V5 Is Here: What RVers Need to Know
Overview of the new Starlink V5 model along with comparison to the previous V4 model along with a recommended setup for mobile internet users.
mobilemusthave.com
The new curated multiview is now live.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
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471 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
1 Replies
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44 views
Well at least they won't have to be dealing with him again.