Very First Installation

[BabyClanger]

So, everything has arrived. New Technomate TM5200 D, new LNB with fixing attachment, dish etc. Got the co-ax cable and F plugs and made a patch cable for the satellite finder meter.

But i have a couple of questions. When connecting up the finder meter, i know the sat receiver box has to be on but do you have to select which satellite you're trying to align up from the sat menu on the box or does the box just help you find the satellite you're looking for and give power to the finder meter?

Also, i am only looking to direct the sat dish to one satellite, Eurobird 9. I'm not going to find other satellites 'clashing' with Eurobird 9 reception am I as i notice there are a couple of other 'birds' in close proximity to 9e.

Any help offered graciously accepted!!

Ta!

 

[satelliteman]

Welcome to the forum.

The receiver just powers the meter and onto the LNb. Your most certainly come across Hotbird or Astra when aligning the dish. Check with the receiver where you are by scanning the channels.

 

[Lazarus]

The meter doesn't discriminate ............ it just tells you you are on a Satellite.

You find out which by selecting what you hope is the right one on your receiver. Scanning for Channels soon tells you if you are right, or whether you've got an adjacent Satellite.

A very small adjustment either way gets you the next Satellite, and so on.


Edit: And SM's had 3 Weetabix for breakfast. Again!

 

[Robbo]

The receiver just needs to be switched on to provide power. The satfinder will not be frequency selective. When using the meter you will align the dish to get a signal, then check what channels you get to see if you are on the correct satellite.

Personally I think its much easier to get an old TV outside, connect the receiver to it, and use the receiver to align the dish, in the absense of a professional meter.


Edit and Tivus had 2 weetabixes. LOL

 

[Huevos]

The receiver just needs to be switched on to provide power. The satfinder will not be frequency selective.

That's not quite right! Don't forget, what comes down from the LNB is relative to what the receiver sends up. You need to send the right band and polarity signals from the receiver to the LNB or the squawker will not find the satellite. For most satellites this doesn't matter as they transmit in all four configurations but if for example the satellite only transmits hi-band and you have the receiver in lo-band the squawker will not see the satellite.

 

[satelliteman]

Probably hit Eutelsat W2A in which case. Not a major issue on a smaller dish but a fair point.

 

[Robbo]

Yep, sorry, had no Weetabixes yet still.

 

[Lazarus]

Yep, sorry, had no Weetabixes yet still.

Very nice with Prunes, according to SWMBO.

 

[BabyClanger]

Thanks for the replies thus fare - Prunes and Weetabix included!

I'm going to give this a shot over the B/H w/end - no doubt there will be other questions, unless of course by some incredible fluke i actually manage not to make a total pigs arse of it all and nail it on the first attempt...... but i think i highly unlikely!

 

[Lazarus]

You'll be fine - you've got the banter weighed off already!

 

[BabyClanger]

Will the TM box actually tell me what satellite i've picked up?

 

[satelliteman]

Will the TM box actually tell me what satellite i've picked up?

You need to carry out a channel scan and cross check against _http://en.kingofsat.net/ to see where your are.

 

[BabyClanger]

Okey D - Box set up and hooked up to dish and i'm getting blue/yellow 97% readings on the Technomate for Astra at 23.5 and 19.2.

But for Eurobird 9 i''m getting a RED reading at 97%. Eh?

Anyone care to chip in??

Ta.

 

[Lazarus]

When you scan a "Satellite", what Channel names come up?

Just list a few and then we can all be sure where you're dish is actually aligned to.

If you've just found an unspecified Satellite, it will have Channels with similar parameters to those used on other Satellites, so scanning a stored "Satellite" in your receiver will give some results - but not necessarily the ones you want!

 

[BabyClanger]

god - i'm so glad you're online!!! OK... now got a yellow band at 97% for Eurobird9 and a blue band of 29% - guess i must be close!!

 

[Lazarus]

god - i'm so glad you're online!!!

I had no idea he was a Member :toke:

 

[BabyClanger]

I had no idea he was a Member :toke:

LOL!! So - do i need to improve on the 29% blue line

 

[satelliteman]

Adjust the dish to maximise the signal and try a channel scan to see where you are.

 

[Lazarus]

Ay. I don't think any of us yet know where the signal you are getting is coming from.

Very nice Egg & Chips with Brown Sauce. Back to classy food when SWMBO gets back later.

 

[BabyClanger]

Adjust the dish to maximise the signal and try a channel scan to see where you are.

ok - got the blue line up to 75% which i guess is good so i have saved that. I've locked off the degree angle by tightening up the nuts/bolts so thats now set.

But when i exit set-up, i get the no/bad signal icon up on the screen. - puzzling... or have i lined it up ok and i now have to take out the inline sat finder meter?