Why SF95 signal meter is misleading?

[gyyang]

Hi All,
I bought a SF95 signal meter from Sadoun a few weeks ago. It never worked correctly for me. I am using 79W as a reference because my local longitude is 77W degree. Without using it, I was able to point my dish to 79W roughly. Then, I attached this meter to fine tune my dish. The meter led me to a little west. After I reached the top signal strength, I did auto scans on this satellite. It found no channel at all. What happened? If the satellite I pointed to, using the meter, was another satellite west to 79W, I suppose there must be a weak signal area between these two satellites. But the meter didn't show this.

Could it be simply because this cheap meter just does not work as ADed by Sadoun?

Could you please advise? Thanks.

[pictureon]

This meter looks for signals only. It does not tell what satellite. You could have a satellite colsed to the one you need but with stronger signal so the meter would take you to that satellite with stronger signal. (could be 82W).

[gyyang]

Thanks. Then why there is no weak signal area between these two satellites?

[wejones]

It's probably seeing the stonger Nimiq sat at 82. The AMC5 sat at 79 is also not always lit up completely, while the Nimiq sat is pretty much always lit up on all transponders, and the little meter sees all the transponders. Anyway, whenever there is a strong DBS sat near the sat you're looking for, there are often problems.

[rainman]

you get what you pay for on cheap meters.how's the channel master working out Bill.

[pictureon]

Originally Posted by rainman

you get what you pay for on cheap meters.how's the channel master working out Bill.

Not always true. I have a very fancy meter (not saying which one)and it gives me so much trouble, to the point that sometimes I have to connect the receiver to a small TV to check signal.

[gyyang]

OK. Let me draw a conclusion. Don't buy any signal meters!

[elgemcdlf]

Draw whatever conclusions you want. I personally like the little squeeler. Compact and brings me in on a sat. From there I can figure out what I need to do. It is a dirt cheap meter and I think for the cost worth every penny.

[rainman]

Originally Posted by gyyang

OK. Let me draw a conclusion. Don't buy any signal meters!

the sf95 works fine when you realize what it's capable of doing and don't overestimate it's capabilties.

[boroda1]

Originally Posted by rainman

the sf95 works fine when you realize what it's capable of doing and don't overestimate it's capabilties.

I agree 100%.
Use it whenever you want to make your neighbor's dog to sing,
or when installing a DishNetwork: works great for rough alignment.
Just remember to keep the arrow somewhere around 4 - 5, when it jumps to 10, turn the knob.