Mercury II. Switching TP looses signal.

samdebaz · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 04:32 AM

I just received my Mercury II receiver package. I tried it out of the garage and I could scan for all FTA channels. However, when jumping from one channel to another which is on a different TP, the signal for that TP goes to zero as indicated by the receiver. After multiple tries, the signal comes back up again. I have the signal strength meter connected between the LNB and the receiver also, but I am not relying on that. The light on the signal strength meter goes hight and low when switching TP's

.
The problem also occurs during a complete search for FTA channels; when switching from one transponder to the other, the signal goes to zero and no channels are detected. I would have to manually scan that particular TP when the signal strength goes high to get all the channels.
Could my set be a DOA?

I have to admit that it was cloudy day and my car was parked in front of the dish towards the right

. Signal strength and quality, when high, was 80% & 85%.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

elgemcdlf · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 04:46 AM

take the meter out of the circuit.

samdebaz · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 07:19 AM

Thanks. I will try this tonight.

wejones · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

take the meter out of the circuit.

This is interesting. I often leave my little cheap SF95 meter in the circuit, and have never really noticed any significant change in signal strength. However, just yesterday, I was looking up the specs on one of those more expensive meters (I can't remember which one), and I noticed that it said that it had a 4.5 DB insertion loss! (if I remember right) Sure wouldn't want to leave that in the circuit.

samdebaz · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2006, 11:47 PM

I took the meter out and the problem disappeard.
Thanks.

elgemcdlf · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 12:27 AM

I have noticed erratic signal behavior and sometimes no signal at all with the little squeeler inline. Pull it out and all settles down.

wejones · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

I have noticed erratic signal behavior and sometimes no signal at all with the little squeeler inline. Pull it out and all settles down.

I wonder if you have a bad connection or something. I've left mine in for days at a time, and never noticed any difference. Only reason I remembered to take it out was when I couldn't figure out what was making the noise.