Where do I make mistake?

M

matsat1234

Member
My Satellite Setup
Computets proficiency and satellite, Im still learning.
My Location
Ireland
Hi guys, I need some advice.
I tried to set up the dish on Astra 3B, Frequencies 12363/29500 V with an 80 cm dish.
I used the Satlink WS-9007 SE measuring device. I also used the Satellite Director and SatCatcher mobile applications to direct the dish but I couldn't find a signal.
PWR changed from 40 to 73dBuV and the other parameters didn't apear on the screen of Satlink at all.
I changed the LNB and checked the contacts on the F connector, but to no avail.
Then I slowly changed the Elevation and Azimuth in different directions in the direction of the satellite, but the result was the same.
Can someone look at the pictures and tell me if I set the meter correctly or what I should focus on when setting up the device (Satlink) when I want to search for different satellites?
I can't believe that after a good hour of searching I shouldn't have at least some indication that I'm somehow partially paired with the satellite. I note that the sky was clear and the view towards the satellite was clear and unobstructed.
I'll be grateful for any advice.
 

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Parameters look good, have you tried any other transponders?
 
Lyngsat has that transponder on Astra 3C, 23.5E, but that shouldn't make any difference.
I is possible that you are pointing at a different satellite, Astra 1, 19.2E, has a 12363 V 27500 DVB-S, and no doubt other satellites have similar transponders.

When you get a strong enough signal quality try doing a blind scan, and see if you scan in any channels.
 
rodscha said:
12363 V 29500 has 3 encrypted TV channels & a bunch of FTA radio stations. So,you should look for radios instead of TV....
Slovenia and Czechia radio list. So says Lyngsat https://www.flysat.com/eeC3I6pd/public/index.php/en/satellite/position/23-5-e
Click to expand...

I own 3 satellite meters, and none of them care for encrypted or free channels, they even lock on data channels...
I'm sorry to correct you.

On topic
@matsat1234
You receive a valid signal, but it is probably from a different satellite, Astra 1 but also Astra 2 uses the same tp frequency.
To be sure, scroll down on the first page you showed and check the FEC value, it is hidden for us now.
The correct value is 3/4.
 
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Old Satterhand said:
I own 3 satellite meters, and none of them care for encrypted or free channels, they even lock on data channels...
I'm sorry to correct you.

On topic
@matsat1234
You receive a valid signal, but it is probably from a different satellite, Astra 1 but also Astra 2 uses the same tp frequency.
To be sure, scroll down on the first page you showed and check the FEC value, it is hidden for us now.
The correct value is 3/4.
Click to expand...
Are you talking about the picture 20250519_152116.webp and to scroll down to see what more setting is there? Am I right?
By the way what is that FEC? Do I need it to enter to the satlink meter before the search?
 
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Hi,

you can try to eliminate one pointing direction (left/right) as good as possible.
dishpointer
Zoom in to your location and choose correct Sat.

Point you Dish left/right as precise as possible (pointing to eg. building nearby from dishpointer)

Then go slowly up/down with dish.

good luck
 
matsat1234 said:
Are you talking about the picture 20250519_152116.webp and to scroll down to see what more setting is there? Am I right?
By the way what is that FEC? Do I need it to enter to the satlink meter before the search?
Click to expand...
Yes, I see a vertical bar at the rigt of that picture, so you must be able to scroll down to see the remaining parameters.

FEC is one of the parameters needed to get a "lock" on a satellite channel (also called transponder)
Once you obtain a lock you will see a reading on the remaining 3 bars C/N BER and MER.
These 3 readings gives you a indication of the quality of the received signal and can be used for fine-tuning and comparison.
 
Old Satterhand said:
Yes, I see a vertical bar at the rigt of that picture, so you must be able to scroll down to see the remaining parameters.

FEC is one of the parameters needed to get a "lock" on a satellite channel (also called transponder)
Once you obtain a lock you will see a reading on the remaining 3 bars C/N BER and MER.
These 3 readings gives you a indication of the quality of the received signal and can be used for fine-tuning and comparison.
Click to expand...
Ok, I understand what you are writing about but I can't see that "FEC" option.
There are only two options DiSEqC 1.0 and DiSeqC 1.1.
From DiseqC 1.0 I can select 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, ToneburstA, ToneburstB or None
and from DiSeqC 1.1 I can only select from 1/16 to 16/16 or None option.
 

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I would say that you are looking at the wrong satellite. Note that you have: 20.0E, 21.5E, 23.0E, 23.5E, 25.5E 26.0E, 28.3E.

As a rule of thumb, 4 steps on a DiSEqC-1.2 rotor correspond to roughly 1 degree.

The 2x.0E region is crowded with satellites and this is on purpose, so that a dish aligned to 25.5E can receive 26.0E, too.

This old video of mine shows the spectrum while rotating the dish:


This means you will get lots of signals when manually rotating the dish! Having access to a field meter with spectrum analyzer is ideal, so you know where the signal of one satellite ends and the signal of the next satellite starts.

Also, do not underestimate the tilt of the LNB, as you might be experiencing crossover of the H and V polarization.

Finally, it does not matter if the transponder has encrypted or FTA channels: the meter will always be able to lock to the transponder and read the Pid's, NIT, etc.
 
matsat1234 said:
Ok, I understand what you are writing about but I can't see that "FEC" option.
There are only two options DiSEqC 1.0 and DiSeqC 1.1.
From DiseqC 1.0 I can select 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, ToneburstA, ToneburstB or None
and from DiSeqC 1.1 I can only select from 1/16 to 16/16 or None option.
Click to expand...
The FEC parameter (and also the missing system (DVB-S/S2) and modulation (Qpsk/8psk) could also be obtained automatic by the meter.

But what kind of LNB is in use on your disc?
For a normal Universal LNB you should use 10600 for high-band, now I read 10750?
Changing that to 10600 could give you a lock, because high-band is in use for 12363V.

In case you don't understand the meaning of low and high-band, I'll explain:
Signals of 10700 - 12800 MHz are to high for coax cable, so they are down-converted to much lower frequencies.
That is done in 2 frequency bands, called low- and high-band.
This is done by lowering the signal by 9750 MHz for low-band and 10600 MHz for high-band
Switching from low-to high-band is done by the 22 kHz signal.
 
Receiving an FTA signal allows you to check what it is (language,type..;)then you ll know which sat you 're receiving!
 
vma said:
I would say that you are looking at the wrong satellite. Note that you have: 20.0E, 21.5E, 23.0E, 23.5E, 25.5E 26.0E, 28.3E.

As a rule of thumb, 4 steps on a DiSEqC-1.2 rotor correspond to roughly 1 degree.

The 2x.0E region is crowded with satellites and this is on purpose, so that a dish aligned to 25.5E can receive 26.0E, too.

This old video of mine shows the spectrum while rotating the dish:


This means you will get lots of signals when manually rotating the dish! Having access to a field meter with spectrum analyzer is ideal, so you know where the signal of one satellite ends and the signal of the next satellite starts.

Also, do not underestimate the tilt of the LNB, as you might be experiencing crossover of the H and V polarization.

Finally, it does not matter if the transponder has encrypted or FTA channels: the meter will always be able to lock to the transponder and read the Pid's, NIT, etc.
Click to expand...
Hi, I'm trying to locate Astra 3B/3C at 23.5 E. The satellite exist and also the transponder 12363/29500 V. The information is from the website www.lyngsat.com. Yes, I'm aware that the tilt of the LNB is important too and I checked it few times.
 
rodscha said:
Receiving an FTA signal allows you to check what it is (language,type..;)then you ll know which sat you 're receiving!
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree with you but I think the first of all I have to lock the satellite (connect the LNB/dish with the satellite) , scan the Transponders and than I should be able to see what programs including FTA I can receive. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Old Satterhand said:
The FEC parameter (and also the missing system (DVB-S/S2) and modulation (Qpsk/8psk) could also be obtained automatic by the meter.

But what kind of LNB is in use on your disc?
For a normal Universal LNB you should use 10600 for high-band, now I read 10750?
Changing that to 10600 could give you a lock, because high-band is in use for 12363V.

In case you don't understand the meaning of low and high-band, I'll explain:
Signals of 10700 - 12800 MHz are to high for coax cable, so they are down-converted to much lower frequencies.
That is done in 2 frequency bands, called low- and high-band.
This is done by lowering the signal by 9750 MHz for low-band and 10600 MHz for high-band
Switching from low-to high-band is done by the 22 kHz signal.
Click to expand...
Hmm, I use 9750/10750 for Local Frequency in the Satlink settings, as the picture shows. When I get home from work I try to change settings I will see if I get any results. As regards of the LNB, I used single LNB and Quad LNB. I take the picture to see what parameters they are.
 
it's much easier to choose an esasy -to -receive FTA TP/channel. Then ,once you decided it s the right satellite,improve reception to a max... and the rest will follow!
 
You are simply not pointing at the satellite and/or your LNB does not have the correct skew.

Open the spectrum analyzer of your meter:

1747833183372.webp

First you tune your dish so that you can see all relevant transponders.

Then you try to lock to a known transponder (the one you already configured) or an unknown transponder (to read the NIT - most of the times it will tell you which satellite you are pointing at). You can use Lyngsat to determine which transponder it might be and from there, which satellite you are pointing to. You can then calculate how much you need to rotate the dish left or right to point to the desired satellite.

You did not understand what I said: because there are many satellites around that position, it is easy to be pointing at the wrong one.

Good Luck!
 
matsat1234 said:
Hmm, I use 9750/10750 for Local Frequency in the Satlink settings, as the picture shows. When I get home from work I try to change settings I will see if I get any results. As regards of the LNB, I used single LNB and Quad LNB. I take the picture to see what parameters they are.
Click to expand...

If you have Universal LNB's (most likely) you have to change that 10750 into 10600. *)
If you have a lock after that, you can do a scan for that transponder, to find your programs.
If you don't get a lock, than you can do a blind-scan for all transponders on that satellite.
Then you know what satellite you are pointing to.

*) Here is a blog that explains it all, better than I did.
www.smartaerials.co.uk

How To Pick The Right LNB For My Satellite Dish

If you want to know how to pick the right LNB for your satellite dish or the difference all the types oh LNB. Read this for all you need.
www.smartaerials.co.uk www.smartaerials.co.uk
 
Old Satterhand said:
If you have Universal LNB's (most likely) you have to change that 10750 into 10600. *)
If you have a lock after that, you can do a scan for that transponder, to find your programs.
If you don't get a lock, than you can do a blind-scan for all transponders on that satellite.
Then you know what satellite you are pointing to.

*) Here is a blog that explains it all, better than I did.
www.smartaerials.co.uk

How To Pick The Right LNB For My Satellite Dish

If you want to know how to pick the right LNB for your satellite dish or the difference all the types oh LNB. Read this for all you need.
www.smartaerials.co.uk www.smartaerials.co.uk
Click to expand...
Damn, missed the incorrect second Local oscillator setting being 10750 for the high band and not 10600, which of course will mean every high band frequency will be out by 250mhz out. Wouldn't be too important is using a wideband spectrum trace, but on transponder specific searching it'll always be out.:)
 
Missed it, too.

To add insult to injury: @rolfw it would be out by 150 MHz... :)
 
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