Super Buddy Q 80 and Receiver Q 60

[Bash2]

I was wondering if the receiver i am using not showing accurate quality because when I used Super Buddy ( a darn nice meter) Q is at 80-85 % but when I check the quality on the receiver it shows around Q 60-62 %. There is no switched involved straight from LNB to the receiver. Can anyone explain?

Thank You

Bash

 

[skysurfer]

probably because the receiver in the super buddy is different than your stb. My non-super buddy signal meter and all of my various PCI and STB receivers never all agree - probably because of the sensitivity of the tuner or how the figure is calculated by each manufacturer.

I just know from experience what is good for each device and call that good.

 

[AcWxRadar]

probably because the receiver in the super buddy is different than your stb. My non-super buddy signal meter and all of my various PCI and STB receivers never all agree - probably because of the sensitivity of the tuner or how the figure is calculated by each manufacturer.

I just know from experience what is good for each device and call that good.

That is a really good explanation.

I would like to add just a small bit of information. I also have the Super Buddy meter and when I compare it's quality reading (when set to IRD display) it is in very close agreement with my Coolsat receiver's indication. It might vary slightly, but usually within +/- 2%.

I am not too sure about signals below 70% or above 90%, but the mid-range quality readings agree quite well.

I should someday go back and compare the Q% readings between the meter and the Coolsat all the way up and down the scale, just for information purposes. That would be interesting to know.

RADAR

 

[Wescopc]

There is NO standard for Q measurement, hence each STB has a different reading. Fortec even changed the standard on the Mercury II model about 20 points from early production to later production.
Bob

 

[Mr Tony]

yep. Each receiver reads different

examples

Coolsat 5000
63 threshold....max either 82 or 99 depending on software version

Pansat 1500
28-30 threshold..99 max...the "truest" meter I have worked with

Fortec Classic
40 threshold....93-95 max...never seen 99 even on DBS

Fortec Merc II/Dynamic
40 threshold...new software neutered the meter down 20 points

Coolsat 8000
will hold a signal solid at 14-15 quality but lots read at 99

some meters are good and some suck rocks. Thats why when folks ask what signal strength/quality someone is getting unless its the same receiver you cant really compare

 

[AcWxRadar]

yep. Each receiver reads different

some meters are good and some suck rocks. Thats why when folks ask what signal strength/quality someone is getting unless its the same receiver you cant really compare

Ice,

Absolutely correct!

The receiver model and sometimes the firmware changes this considerably.

Then you have variations in the dish brand, model, size. The LNBF used, and the location. Then you have to be speaking of the same satellite and same TP to boot! And even switches and cables will affect the results.

There are just so many variables to consider when a discussion regarding these issues comes up. Whether we are talking about the signal level representation on the screen or what dish model or size is required...... ad infinitum.

So many folks do not realize that there are this many variables involved.

The receiver displays what it does, based upon the signal it senses at its input terminal. If the receiver is happy with the signal (displays a good picture and sound) while its meter reads 24% or 96% is immaterial. As long as it is happy, you are happy. You just have to get accustomed to the receiver that you own to become familiar with its own particular scaling.

Iceberg mentioned that the dropout % for the Coolsat was roughly 63% and that is what I have detected as well. That is for LINEAR satellite signals. I noticed that it is different for circular signals, so there is another twist (it is about 66-67%, if I recall correctly).

Basically, there is nothing incorrect with either the meter or the receiver, there simply isn't an officially adopted standard to make them all read the same.

It is kind of fun to compare, though. My Super Buddy has several options to read S/N ratio, S/C ratio and IRD %. When I select IRD %, it reads very close to what my Coolsat 5K meter reads. I like that, but the result that these match is pure luck and not much else, I think.

RADAR