0% Strength, 0% Quality?

KidOtaku · 07-03-2009

Hey all,

I just received my first sat system and decided to install it today. I live in the Czech Republic, and I'm not trying to get the UK channels, mainly the Czech ones for the wife and a few French channels for myself. I'm targeting the sats at 19.2 and 23.5.

Just for background, here is my setup:

LH 80cm dish
Inverto IDLP-40MONO Monoblock LNB
AZBox HD Elite

Now, I assembled the dish as per the instructions, but for some reason, no matter where I point the dish, I always get 0% strength and 0% quality. I would expect to get at least _some_ signal, be it even only noise.

Here is my question: is it normal to get absolutely no signal unless being exactly on spot on the sat? Or do I have a defective LNB or receiver? And in the latter case, how can I test those, without buying new gear if possible?

Thanks!

**satelliteman** · 07-03-2009

Welcome,

Sounds like it's not set up properly.

Assuming it's a DUO 4.3° mono LNB, you'll have to install and align the dish for either 19e or 23.5e focal depending on which side you mount in the holder. Make sure you have the receiver set up for DiSEqC 1.0 LNb switching.

In answer to your main question: You need to be aligned to the satellite to get a signal lock, yes.

KidOtaku · 07-03-2009

Thanks for the quick reply!

Originally Posted by satelliteman

Welcome,

Sounds like it's not set up properly.

Assuming it's a DUO 4.3° mono LNB, you'll have to install and align the dish for either 19e or 23.5e focal depending on which side you mount in the holder. Make sure you have the receiver set up for DiSEqC 1.0 LNb switching.

In fact, it is a 6° mono LNB; learned it after I bought it, but apparently it should work fine for anything between 4° and 6°.

The receiver has a lot of settings for DiSEqC switching (1.0-LNB1 to 1.0-LNB4, Mini-LNB1 and Mini-LNB2, 1.1-LNB1 to 1.1-LNB16 and some switch settings). Should I choose DiSEqC 1.0, mini, or 1.1? And do I have to choose a different LNB for each satellite?

Originally Posted by satelliteman

In answer to your main question: You need to be aligned to the satellite to get a signal lock, yes.

Wow, so maybe nothing is wrong with my gear then... I was not entirely thorough in my measurements when pointing the dish, I was kind of under the impression that I would lock a weak signal very easily, and that the actual job was to fine-tune it; as I was always getting a signal strength of 0%, I really thought something was wrong with either the LNB or the receiver. Now that I think of it, the one thing I did NOT do, actually (and it's too late to go play on the roof now

) is to rotate the LNB about the dish (for polarization). Could it explain why I can't get any signal?

Thanks again for the reply, this is very useful!

**Robbo** · 07-03-2009

Hi,

I would suggest that you forget the monoblock for the moment, and get the dish set up with a single LNB. This will both simplify things for you to start with, and give you the confidence to tackle the monoblock.

I have never heard of a 6 degree monoblock working with 4.3 degrees separation on an 80cm dish, unlikely to work I think. (Feel free to prove me wrong though

)

I always use Diseqc 1.0 for monoblocks, not had a problem, it will switch OK with that. Maybe some work with mini diseqc, I don't know.

Check your dishpointing using dishpointer.com

**satelliteman** · 07-03-2009

You need a 4.3° for these two satellites also known as a DUO monobloc.
Either use the above monobloc or a signal LNb as said to lock onto either one of the satellites required.

DiSEqC 1.0 or mini-Diseqc work with 2 way LNb switching.

For multi LNb theory also applies to monbloc's, take a look here:

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellit...guide-pdf.html

KidOtaku · 07-03-2009

Thanks for the reply!

Originally Posted by Robbo

Hi,

I would suggest that you forget the monoblock for the moment, and get the dish set up with a single LNB. This will both simplify things for you to start with, and give you the confidence to tackle the monoblock.

I have never heard of a 6 degree monoblock working with 4.3 degrees separation on an 80cm dish, unlikely to work I think. (Feel free to prove me wrong though)

Indeed, that might prove easier that way, I might go this route if I can't get it to work tomorrow. The thing is, when googling for this LNB on English pages, I see it is designed for Astra 1 (19.2) and Hotbird (13.0). When I google (translate) Czech pages, I see it is recommended for Astra 1 and Astra 3 (23.5)...

Originally Posted by Robbo

I always use Diseqc 1.0 for monoblocks, not had a problem, it will switch OK with that. Maybe some work with mini diseqc, I don't know.

Check your dishpointing using dishpointer.com

Thanks for the advice, will do that!

**satelliteman** · 07-03-2009

As said, you require a 4.3° for these two satellites also known as a DUO monobloc.

**Robbo** · 08-03-2009

It must be a typo then, I reckon. No-one in their right mind would recommend using a 6 degree monoblock for 4.3 degree separation. Although, on a greater than 80cm dish (eg 1m) the spacing may well be about right.

KidOtaku · 08-03-2009

Thank you mates for your invaluable answers. I'll give it another shot today with my current gear, but if I can't get it to work, I'll get a single LNB tomorrow, and one of those satellite finder devices to boot.

I'll keep you posted about my progress! Thanks again!

KidOtaku · 08-03-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

As said, you require a 4.3° for these two satellites also known as a DUO monobloc.

Originally Posted by Robbo

I have never heard of a 6 degree monoblock working with 4.3 degrees separation on an 80cm dish, unlikely to work I think. (Feel free to prove me wrong though)

Originally Posted by Robbo

It must be a typo then, I reckon. No-one in their right mind would recommend using a 6 degree monoblock for 4.3 degree separation. Although, on a greater than 80cm dish (eg 1m) the spacing may well be about right.

Mates, thanks to your support, I went back up on the roof today, and indeed, managed to see the sats! The dish was just a bit too low (the scale on the dish was off by maybe a degree). I'm really grateful you took the time to answer, as I was sure there was an issue with my LNB or my receiver, and was ready to pack everything up and send it back!

So basically, I am now seeing both sats now.

And yes, with a 6° monoblock and an 80 cm dish, I see 19.2 and 23.5! Maybe had to compromise some signal quality though (I get 95% strength and 80% quality on both).

Now I'm off discovering how to find my way amongst hundreds of channels

Thanks a lot!

zacharias 85 · 08-03-2009

normally even if you are not on the sat,you got to have a little quality,so..SHURE you have a problem!and maybe it is the lnb

**Robbo** · 08-03-2009

Originally Posted by KidOtaku

So basically, I am now seeing both sats now. And yes, with a 6° monoblock and an 80 cm dish, I see 19.2 and 23.5! Maybe had to compromise some signal quality though (I get 95% strength and 80% quality on both).

Now I'm off discovering how to find my way amongst hundreds of channels

Thanks a lot!

Great news, well done.

I'll make a note of that one, I have now heard of someone using a 6 degree monoblock for 4.3 deg separation and getting it to work.

I suppose that if the error is split between the two sats, each LNB is less than a degree out.

KidOtaku · 10-03-2009

Hey, glad I thaught you something!

Seriously, thanks again for helping me out

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0% Strength, 0% Quality? Information exchange on LNBs, Single satellite, motorised and multi-satellite systems. DiSEqC switches, positioners, motors, actuators, dish-alignment etc.

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