good signal level, but zero quality, no matter what!

cyriltai5 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 10:51 AM

Hi,
I'm in NYC, and have spent the last few weekends trying to install my 75cm dish. the problem i have is that i consistently get 70-80% signal level, but zero signal quality, no matter what...

the weird thing is that i get the 70-80% signal, no matter where I point it. i'm tryign to get T5, and i'm using az=225, el=37, pol=24. even if i point it straight to the ground i still get the same thing...

do i have a defective LNB or what??

Sadoun · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 01:27 PM

Your angles are correct except for Azimuth should be 227

Make sure of the following:
1- Your LNBF is setup correctly
2- You are using a LIVE (Active) transponder to check for signal and quality.
3- Dish post is vertical
4- Move Dish slowly

What type/model receiver/LNBF you've got?

cyriltai5 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 03:19 PM

I am using a Fortec Star 75cm dish with 0.5db universal LNB and Lifetime receiver. As for the azimuth, I stand corrected, 227.

I'm trying to get taiwan tv on T5, so i'm using this transponder, 12084 V.
Maybe I'm not moving my dish slowly enough, but it seems like I can't get over ~80% no matter what I try...

I also have a level and inclinometer to make sure my elevation is right. I assume that the offset angle is ~25 degrees, so I just tilt my dish an extra 12 degrees... Which is pretty much the same, if not more accurate, than the markings on dish mount.

Sadoun · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 03:28 PM

Setting up the dish elevation to 12 is were your mistake. You will need to set it up to 37 exactly (+/- 2 degrees to compensate for any offset on the post if it is not 100% vertical)

Good luck. :wink:

cyriltai5 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 03:32 PM

OK, well the mount is vertical, and I'm adjusted the dish to 37 deg according to the markings on the mount...

Still seems like I'm getting 75% or so for signal level. Still no quality...

What if my elevation is off by +/- 2 degrees, shouldn't I get at least something? or do I need to be perfectly exact... Because I can't possibly get exactly 37 just using the markings on the mount.

dtsexpert · #6 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 04:07 PM

Digital signal is a bit tricky. Azimuth and Elevation have to be exact. +/- 2 degs might not get you lock on the sat. Don't pay attention to the signal strength since it also includes noise, for example right after you connect your receiver to the lnbf, you will see at least 50% in strength no matter where you aim the dish at.
Did you set up the skew (tilt) correctly? Move the dish left/right/up/down slowly. Wait few seconds between very moves so that the receiver has enought time to get lock.
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyriltai5

OK, well the mount is vertical, and I'm adjusted the dish to 37 deg according to the markings on the mount...

Still seems like I'm getting 75% or so for signal level. Still no quality...

What if my elevation is off by +/- 2 degrees, shouldn't I get at least something? or do I need to be perfectly exact... Because I can't possibly get exactly 37 just using the markings on the mount.

cyriltai5 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 04:12 PM

Ugh, this is a bit too hard... I guess I have use an elevation, and scan the azimuth, and keep on repeating till I get it... Trying to find the right azimuth is especially bad because I can't get a true reading from my compass, because there's a lot of metal around me.

At this rate, the nuts on the mount will probably be all rounded out by the time I'm done... Maybe I should have thought more about this installation stuff before I bought the darn thing...

EDIT

Actually, for the elevation, like I mentioned earlier, I adjusted the dish 12 deg relative to the vertical (assuming the dish offset is 25 deg), then I should get 37 deg total. Is this right or what?? Because I can't trust the markings on the dish mount. I do have an inclinometer to check the elevation....

dtsexpert · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 04:56 PM

If the nuts are rounded up, then you must be tired and feel very frustrated. Time to take short break, have few beer...:-)
The dish elevation markings already includes the off-set degrees. Off-set angles are vary from brand to brand. I would suggest you just use the markings as a starting point, move the dish up/down, then adjust the elevation and repeat the step.
You did not tell us how you set the skew. Make sure skew is set correctly.
Check the LOF to see if it's set as:
Low: 9750
High: 10600
Some receiver set the "Universal" as 9750 and 10750
Good luck
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyriltai5

Ugh, this is a bit too hard... I guess I have use an elevation, and scan the azimuth, and keep on repeating till I get it... Trying to find the right azimuth is especially bad because I can't get a true reading from my compass, because there's a lot of metal around me.

At this rate, the nuts on the mount will probably be all rounded out by the time I'm done... Maybe I should have thought more about this installation stuff before I bought the darn thing...

EDIT

Actually, for the elevation, like I mentioned earlier, I adjusted the dish 12 deg relative to the vertical (assuming the dish offset is 25 deg), then I should get 37 deg total. Is this right or what?? Because I can't trust the markings on the dish mount. I do have an inclinometer to check the elevation....

bobkat · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2003, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtsexpert

have few beer...:-)

Mmmmm..... BEER !!!!

What I usually do is preset the elevation as Michael suggests and then move the azimuth slowly and WAIT a few seconds between each move as most receivers take a moment or two to lock onto the signal. If, after moving the dish from due south to due west (assuming you are in the Eastern part of North America), you still cannot find signal and quality; adjust the elevation one degree up and try again -- repeat the procedure with elevation one degree down and keep trying until you get a lock. Make sure the mast is perfectly plumb as this will throw off the elevation if it is crooked.

Keep us informed.

kat
:wink:

cyriltai5 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-18-2003, 10:43 AM

As for the skew, facing the dish, I rotate the LNB counter-clockwise about 25 degrees or so... and I've also tried moving the LNB in and out.

I think I'll have to take a break this weekend, as it'll probably be too difficult to install a dish during a hurricane....

bobkat · #11 (**permalink**) 09-18-2003, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyriltai5

I think I'll have to take a break this weekend, as it'll probably be too difficult to install a dish during a hurricane....

LOL !!!! :lol:

Probably a good idea....

:wink:

kat

elhilayla · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 08:15 AM

Hello all
I really feel enjoyed to follow up this issue
It reminds me the way we studied in Sudan ie Trial and Error.
Pls keep us informed with the latest news.
I assume that matter was finished.
Just let us know the *Password* Pls.