Using a DVB-T dongle for tuning a UHF/VHF antenna?

A

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I have bought some DVB-T dongles along the way.
They all have in common that the software that comes with them is all cr*p.
Even for watching tv...

I now need to align an antenna.
I could lug a 40 inch Sony to the roof, and attempt to use that as a meter.
But more attractive would be to take the laptop with DVB-T dongle up there.

But then - what software to use?
The stuff that comes with the dongles at best does not offer meters, and at worst contains adware and other malwares...

For SAT alignment, I'd mostly use CrazyScan.
But is there something I can use with the DVB-T dongles?

Will even pay for it (within reason). As long as it does the job.

Any insights or ideas?
 

aceb

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I would suggest SDR Sharp having run Zadig to install the correct driver required to operate the dongle as an SDR. You may need to uninstall the existing driver prior to installing Zadig.
 

Llew

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My PCE 290e DVB T/T2 dongle does Crazyscan (the '2' version). Probably others too.
 

Channel Hopper

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I would try first with a cheapo analogue satellite meter and a power source since the inbuilt filters will be relatively inefficient at creating a 900 MHz cutoff
 

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Align an antenna with a DTT repeater ??
If the TDT repeater you see 20KM +/-, adjust a UHF/VHF antenna in horizontal polarization does not need much precision, almost eye is enough, you have a margin of +/- 3cm.
If another person watching signal levels on a TV (in tools / tuning) and waiting 3 seconds for it to update, that's enough.
The old DTT tuners have very good signal indicators to adjust.

If the repeater is 100KM, you have to tune, one of the antennas points to one and play with vertical polarity, to locate the point 100% and then put the antenna in horizontal polarity.
Go through some shopping center and buy a 22"TV after seeing what the channel tuning part has.
a4540.gif

The next day, return, you do not like it.

Official repeaters go horizontally, small / local vertical, beware this topic
-------
Alinear una antena con un repetidor de TDT??
Si el repetidor de TDT lo ves 20KM+/-, ajustar una antena UHF/VHF en polarizacion horizontal no necesita mucha precision, casi a ojo es suficiente, tienes un margen de +/-3cm.
Si otra persona mirando niveles de señal en una TV (en herramientas/sintonizacion) y esperando 3 segundos para que actualice, es suficiente.
Los viejos sintonizadores de TDT tienes muy buenos indicadores de señal para ajustar.

Si el repetidor esta a 100KM, ya tienes que afinar, una de las antenas apunta a uno y juego con la polaridad vertical, para localizar el punto al 100% y luego pongo la antena en polaridad horizontal.
Pasa por algun centro comercial y compra una TV de 22" despues de ver que tal tiene la parte de la sintonia de canales.
a4540.gif

Al dia siguiente, devolver, no te gusta.

Los repetidores oficiales van en horizontal, los pequeños/locales en vertical, cuidado este tema
 

Llew

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Another USB T/T2 dongle, which I use with UpdateDVB, is the August DVB-T210. Works good with Crazyscan. A bonus for me is that it uses the ubiquitous Belling-Lee coax socket, as used in all good TV's, no need for SMA adapters etc. :-rofl2
 

huve

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If possible, I would take mobile phone to the roof instead of a laptop. And if just signal quality and strength in % is enough.

If you have an Enigma2 box with dvb-t tuners, one can use satfinder apps to show signal strenght and quality, you also need a wlan in the roof to connect to the enigma2 box.

Second option, if you have tv-stick that is supported in Crazyscan2, you can install a server in you pc, so that you can see the crazyscan2 screens in your mobile. DVB-T meter – esys. I have a geniatech stick, but it did not work when I tried it years ago, now it says that it is supported (updated 2016), have to try it some day.

If you have an usb-otg adapter some tv-sticks work in android phones. I don't have one, so have not tested and I don't know if they have signal quality and strength indicator. I think there are also sdr software for mobiles.

If you take laptop to roof, crazyscan2 supported stick is a choice. If you don't have one supported, Progdvb has a plugin that shows signal indications and reads them out in english. Crazycat has made a program called BDADataEx that shows signal status and works with all sticks that have Windows bda-drivers. If I remember right it works also with dvb-t sticks. Next choice is to use some sdr software in Windows. Linux has better tv-stick drivers than Windows. On many sticks there are signal stats in dBs, but I'm no help to tell what software to use.
 
A

archive10

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Ok, thanks guys.
Good advice - and very informative too.

To align the dish for signal, I will try @Tururu 's advice to get something on the telly.
While I am there, I may even try the SAT beeper just to see if it makes sense (or beeps, as it where).

I'll probably try and see if I can BDA drivers for the stics, and try Crazyscan2 on them.
Then it's the SDR stuff...
 
A

archive10

Guest
To align the dish for signal, I will try @Tururu 's advice to get something on the telly.
Went to the roof in question earlier this evening - and pointed the antenna in the general direction of the transmitter.
(well, 218 degrees, confirmed with compass, and with a distance of a paltry 18 km to the high-power transmitter...)

And hey presto - full and good reception of the main muxes (both FTA and the encoded stuff (Boxer)).
So far, so good....
 
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