FTA Signal Quality

[ArtGhee]

Here's my problems. My Lattitude is 33.72 and my longitude is 84.14. So, I set my dish to 33.7 which gives me elevation of 57 my declination is 51.6 my signal level is 80% quality remains at 30%. I have change the LNB and tried difference satellite boxes getting the same thing. I change my dish from a 30" to a 39" the 30" received signals but wasn't doing a good job. I have a analog meter, S8 Openbosky), Amiko 4k and a Gmedia tester. Since changing the dish nothing but problems. I also notice the 39" dish points further south than the 30" dish. What I am doing wrong. Thanks

 

[cyberham]

What satellite and transponder (tp) are you receiving? Sometimes 30% signal quality is all you will receive depending on the satellite/tp.

Can you show a photo or two of your installation?

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[a33]

For LAT=33.7 the motor axis elevation would be 56.3, or even better (the modified elevation angle) 55.7.
Dish (also modified) declination offset angle would be 4.9 degrees,
So total elevation angle of the Clarke Belt due south is 55.7 - 4.9 = 50.8 degree.

So I don't know where your 57 and 51.6 angles come from...?

BTW,
Welcome to the forum, ArtGhee !

Greetz,
A33

 

[ArtGhee]

For LAT=33.7 the motor axis elevation would be 56.3, or even better (the modified elevation angle) 55.7.
Dish (also modified) declination offset angle would be 4.9 degrees,
So total elevation angle of the Clarke Belt due south is 55.7 - 4.9 = 50.8 degree.

So I don't know where your 57 and 51.6 angles come from...?

BTW,
Welcome to the forum, ArtGhee !

Greetz,
A33

I got them from DiSEqC 1.2 motorized booklet. The book say, Lattitude 33, Elevation 57, Declination 5.4 and dish bracket 24.6. I subtracted 57-5.4 which gave me 51.6. I am very new at this. I will try your setting tomorrow.

 

[ArtGhee]

What satellite and transponder (tp) are you receiving? Sometimes 30% signal quality is all you will receive depending on the satellite/tp.

Can you show a photo or two of your installation?

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

I am in North America trying Gal. 19 at 97W. All is doing the same thing.

 

[KE4EST]

to Satelliteguys!!

A couple things:
1. If 97W is all you want, a motor is not needed, and will take out a lot of the frustration. Settings up a satellite dish for the first time can have a steep learning curve, but is it a short one. Adding a motor to the mix, multiplies it.
2. I always suggest start off without a motor. Learn how to find the satellite; begin to learn how it all works.
Once you start to get a feel for how it works, adding a motor later on will be much easier.

Do you have a good known transponder programmed into your receiver? 12152 H 20000 is a great one to start with on 97W. Signal vs Quality can be confusing. (I don't like the way it is done either, but it is what it is) Usually, but not always, but usually a receiver will show 0-6% signal with no LNB(F) connected. 45-50% signal with a good LNB(F) connected. Yes, you read that correctly, you could have a good LNF(F) connected and your dish aimed at the ground or in a basement closet, and it will continue to show 40-50% signal. Signal on MOST FTA receivers does not work like one would think. The only time it will show 90-100%, is when the receiver detects a transponder that is programmed into the unit. Even if the actual signal as we would think, is real weak. It just means you have hit the proper transponder.

Once you hit the proper transponder on the satellite you are wishing to receive, then you need to start looking at the quality meter, and try to get it as high as you can. Most receivers these days top out around 80 for a super strong signal and normal is in the 60's.

I will ask again... Do you have a good known transponder programmed into your receiver for 97W Ku? Which one?

 

[ArtGhee]

to Satelliteguys!!

A couple things:
1. If 97W is all you want, a motor is not needed, and will take out a lot of the frustration. Settings up a satellite dish for the first time can have a steep learning curve, but is it a short one. Adding a motor to the mix, multiplies it.
2. I always suggest start off without a motor. Learn how to find the satellite; begin to learn how it all works.
Once you start to get a feel for how it works, adding a motor later on will be much easier.

Do you have a good known transponder programmed into your receiver? 12152 H 20000 is a great one to start with on 97W. Signal vs Quality can be confusing. (I don't like the way it is done either, but it is what it is) Usually, but not always, but usually a receiver will show 0-6% signal with no LNB(F) connected. 45-50% signal with a good LNB(F) connected. Yes, you read that correctly, you could have a good LNF(F) connected and your dish aimed at the ground or in a basement closet, and it will continue to show 40-50% signal. Signal on MOST FTA receivers does not work like one would think. The only time it will show 90-100%, is when the receiver detects a transponder that is programmed into the unit. Even if the actual signal as we would think, is real weak. It just means you have hit the proper transponder.

Once you hit the proper transponder on the satellite you are wishing to receive, then you need to start looking at the quality meter, and try to get it as high as you can. Most receivers these days top out around 80 for a super strong signal and normal is in the 60's.

I will ask again... Do you have a good known transponder programmed into your receiver for 97W Ku? Which one?

I have the proper transponder. setting. The Amiko came preset with America setting. I have two boxes a the Amiko from Ebay and S8 Openbox. (I talked with you the other day. 97W is my test. I tested several sites and getting 70% level and 30% quality.

 

[KE4EST]

I thought that was you after I wrote a book above.

Well perhaps start without the motor. Also, don't forget aiming a dish, has to be line of sight, you will see this referred to as LOS. No trees buildings etc, can be in the way.

 

[ArtGhee]

I have the proper transponder. setting. The Amiko came preset with America setting. I have two boxes a the Amiko from Ebay and S8 Openbox. (I talked with you the other day. 97W is my test. I tested several sites and getting 70% level and 30% quality.

When I do a blind search it say, no satellite found.

 

[Comptech]

We need pictures of your setup, from your posts we dont know if you are using a motor or not. Huge differnce in the setup

 

[a33]

I got them from DiSEqC 1.2 motorized booklet. The book say, Lattitude 33, Elevation 57, Declination 5.4 and dish bracket 24.6. I subtracted 57-5.4 which gave me 51.6. I am very new at this. I will try your setting tomorrow.

OK, so those are rounded numbers for 33 and 57, and 'traditional' angles for the 5.4 and 24.6. Not bad, but not very precise, when you still want to 'find' a satellite.
Notice that those angles are for aiming at due south.

Also notice that the dish bracket elevation value of 24.6 is only applicable for when the motor tube has a bend of 30 degrees! Needed elevation scale angle for declination angle of 4.9 is then ( BendAngle - 4.9 ).

Were you able to follow the arc previously, with the 30" dish?
And with the (new?) 39" dish, you cannot find the arc again?
(In that case we maybe have to focus first on the dish geometry, if the LNB feedhorn is at the proper offset angle.)

Greetz,
A33

 

[ArtGhee]

Here are some pictures.

 

[Radioguy41]

Looks like the two braces for the LNB support arm are missing for starters. If that arm isn't exactly where it should be it's possible you will always have trouble hitting the sweet spot and without those braces it's problematic that it's where it should be or will stay where it should be. It also looks like the dish is pointed too high. Make sure you are using the settings for the correct type dish; off-set vs prime focus. Also make sure when you set the dish you are pointing due south, not at 97W.

 

[ArtGhee]

Looks like the two braces for the LNB support arm are missing for starters. If that arm isn't exactly where it should be it's possible you will always have trouble hitting the sweet spot and without those braces it's problematic that it's where it should be or will stay where it should be. It also looks like the dish is pointed too high. Make sure you are using the settings for the correct type dish; off-set vs prime focus. Also make sure when you set the dish you are pointing due south, not at 97W.

I trying to set to true south and the brackets are for the elbow. I am not using the elbow because of the motor.

 

[Radioguy41]

These are the supports you are missing.

 

[ArtGhee]

These are the supports you are missing.

View attachment 156022

According to the diagram they attach to the elbow. I would have to bend the LNB arm for those to work. The brace is short. I am picking up a few channels after setting to due South, but not many. Very few like 3 and a few radio stations on Galaxy 19.

 

[Radioguy41]

Very strange as there are obvious holes in the rim of the dish and also the arm for support brackets. Not sure why there would be supports on the back like that unless it was for a fixed mount on a roof.

 

[KE4EST]

Some of the cheaper made dishes leave those arms out. Then it makes it very easy for the Main Arm to get bent in the wrong position, unfortunately.

 

[ArtGhee]

It has holes for a brace, I don't believe that's the problem. I am picking up some channels and those dishes are not too cheap. Where can I buy the brace and I had to assemble the dish. No parts were bent. I set the dish close to due south and start picking up few channels.

 

[ArtGhee]

Very strange as there are obvious holes in the rim of the dish and also the arm for support brackets. Not sure why there would be supports on the back like that unless it was for a fixed mount on a roof.

Which LNB is better, Standard or Universal?