Transponder question

[semco72057]

I have finally got my motorized Fortec Star system set up and has been able to get signals from three satellites in a good range. The question I have pertain to transponders and what the signals mean when checking for other satellites. On the signal level on some satellites I get a very poor signal, yet on the signal quality the level is half way up or more. What does this means, and I am totally new to satellite installation?

[Jim-S]

You will find that some TP are stronger than others even on the same satellite.
Jim

[spongella]

Also, some satellites are known to have weak signals (e.g. RTV on 83W is weak in the Northeast US) in certain areas of the country.

If your receiver stores satellite radio channels, these channels sometimes are stronger than the FTA TV channels too, check the signal strength to see what I mean.

Have fun with FTA.

Sponge

[semco72057]

I mostly found the satellites with low frequencies as being the ones I can't get and I guess it has to do with my LNBF which is a Invacom Quad Polar with 40mm horn on it. So far I have been able to receive 11 satellites with strong signals and figured out which ones I could get after doing some experimenting with. Is there a better LNB for the Fortec Star 80cc Dish? This one came with the set I ordered from Sadoun along with the DG-240 motor, and dish.

[Jim-S]

QPH-031 Invacom 0.3dB DBS and VSAT LNBs plus VSAT Ku Band Transmitters - BUCs, Receive Satellite TV, Quad CP LP 2-way Satellite communications

If this is the LNB you have it's a good one. You have to remember that the bigger dish's will get the weaker signals..........I have the 90cm dish and that LNB with the Mercury II receiver and it works great. I also have the S-DS41C 4-way switch which works better for me than the S-SM21H switch.....

[semco72057]

I am having fun right now and things will be even better when I can get the Pentagon channels back again. Those are my favorite since I am retired from the Air Force. It lets me know what is going on in the military and they are family to me. I spend more time lately viewing the programs I can get off this satellite system than I do on Directv which I pay so much for the movie channels. I am considering changing to Dish Network since I can get the local channels on it for free.