Which Sat Finder really usefull to get Galaxy 25?

[coolpan]

Hi everyone

I want to aim my dish to the satellite galaxy 25 at 97W (dish diameter 80 cm, I am in Toronto). I have a lot of difficulty getting the signal even though I make a lot of effort to fix the right angles (azimuth and elevation). Before few months ago, I was receiving this satellite. I know it’s an old satellite with a weak signal strength compared to the new satellites (and probably weaker than it was few years ago, the satellite being at the end of its life; some people suggest that the available energy to feed the transponders is weaker). My question for the experienced people:

- Do you think a satellite finder can be useful to help find the signal (and not to be just an outside replacement of the receiver; my receiver to which I have a visual acces from outside was not helpful for me to find the satellite signal)?

- Which kind of a good meter do you suggest (for a maximum budget of a 100 $)?

Thanks for your help

[Sadoun]

What size dish are you using? Bigger dish is better.

[coolpan]

Originally Posted by Sadoun

What size dish are you using? Bigger dish is better.

it's a 80 cm (around 30 inches). I agree, a bigger dish is better, but I was receiving the signal few months ago and for many years.
My question that I need an answer to is does really a satellite finder better than the meter of the receiver in getting the sdatellite? Does your SF95L meter, for example, enough to get galaxy 25, or it neet the expensive meters?

[Sadoun]

SF95L will show you the signal strength, but will not tell you which satellite you are on.

Also, since you had the LNBF.Dish for several years, it could be that your LNBF is going bad.

Also, it could be that your dish got warped.

[rainman]

I am with Sadoun on this you would be better off spending your money on a bigger dish 90cm or 100 cm and a new LNBF. Then use your receiver and a small tv at the dish to locate signal.I have found the cheap meters are good for peaking the signal once you find the sat but not much good for finding it to start with.

[wejones]

I agree that a bigger dish would help. However re the meter question, I have both one of those SF95 meters, and also a Channel Master 10071FD, which can be found for something close to the $100 budget you mention. With either meter though, it sometimes is hard to find weaker satellites, ie sometimes they will lead you to a stronger nearby sat. However often this is all you need, ie if it leads you to the nearby sat, then you know just to move the dish a bit east or west.
Re these two meters, obviously the SF-95 is much cheaper, and is nice because no battery is required, but the Channel Master has some nice features. It is a bit more sensitive, it has the capability of measuring the lnb voltage coming from the receiver, and can generate 13/18V to power the lnbs when in battery mode, and can detect and generate 22khz signals. I really like the Channel Master, although I'd really prefer a meter which was even a bit more sensitive, and would really like a meter which had a low pass filter that would cut out signal from the DBS satellites when using a linear lnbf. (Ie it would still work fine for finding DBS sats when using a circular lnbf). However I haven't seen such a meter for sale.