LNB Skew settings

[Icemen786]

Hey peepz

Does anyone know the exact position or skew setting of the lnb in England west midlands area? I bought an lnb from screwfix cheap and chearful about 13 quid for my sky dish in jan this year its lasted about 10 months and now when it rains i get interference and signal drop. I am going to buy a inverto black ultra quad this time round. As this was my previous lnb and it lasted over 15 years. The current lnb is a little to the left when looking straight at the dish. Shall i just guess again and check signal on tv?

 

[Terryl]

Go to dishpointer dot com, enter your address, and select the satellite your looking for, zoom into your location, and click on it, it will give you the skew for your location.

 

[LeBelge]

1) ...for my sky dish ...

2) Shall i just guess again and check signal on tv?

1) I think that you need a decent dish, before talking about skew.

2) Yes, the TV must be next to the dish.

 

[Icemen786]

Dishfinder gives exact setting. Is the correct satellite for england to get sky 28.2E Astra 2E/Astra 2F/Astra 2G?
Skew setting is -13.5
What about elevation azimuth true and magn? Can I check this with like a mobile phone app or does it need professional equipment?

In regards to the dish, i currently got mesh small sky mesh dish about 60cm wide oval. No rust on on but probably can do with a change. Maybe in near furture. What would you recommend for uk sky sat good signal strengh? Dont need nothing massive that look ugly also. Think max 70cm dish should do. Something like a round technomate?
Are mesh or solid dishes better for signal strengh?
There arent any unstaller in this forum in my area are there?
Thanks

 

[ozumo]

Best LNB for a Sky dish is a Sky LNB. Easy to install and has a feed horn suited to the non-flat dish shape. A simple sat beeper will help determine if the dish is correctly aligned.

A Sky zone 2 dish is a decent upgrade from the smaller zone 1 dish you have. Perforated/mesh or solid makes little difference.

 

[Icemen786]

dishfinder dot com is good. Give me the correct skew setting and dish position. I tried to move my dish using the Apps from playstore but none of them are any good. Telling me to position it way off & I lose signal. Either phone location isn't the best or the Apps are no good. Samsung s20 I got. Are these cheap signal finders any good? Any recommendations. uk sky sat is Astra 28.2E correct.

 

[ozumo]

I used one like this for many years, they are very easy to use.

Mix Digital Satellite Finder Signal Meter with Patch Lead 5060267071279 | eBay

Can be used for digital and analogue reception. Once you get the hang of using this you will wonder why you never gave it a go before! English instruction sheet. Add to Favourites.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Icemen786]

1) I think that you need a decent dish, before talking about skew.

2) Yes, the TV must be next to the dish.

Hi bud
What would you consider a good dish? Sky zone 2 60cm? Or there is also another 80cm one. Or would you go round and solid?

 

[Icemen786]

I used one like this for many years, they are very easy to use.

Mix Digital Satellite Finder Signal Meter with Patch Lead 5060267071279 | eBay

Can be used for digital and analogue reception. Once you get the hang of using this you will wonder why you never gave it a go before! English instruction sheet. Add to Favourites.

www.ebay.co.uk

These easy to use? And do you get good signal?

 

[ozumo]

Yes they emit a noise that changes in pitch depending on signal level. Higher pitch = more signal. Super easy.

 

[Icemen786]

Does it matter if its connected to a sky box or enigma2 box. Will you still be able to set with one of them signal finders?

 

[a33]

Are these cheap signal finders any good?

They are perfect for one thing: FINDING some satellite signal (but you don't know from which satellite).

After finding, I allways use the signal quality indicator of my receiver, for the fine-adjustment. And I use the receiver for scanning, if needed, to check if I receive the wanted channels, or channels from another satellite.

I have no experience in 'fine-tuning' a dish with a sat-beeper, as I don't believe the beeper is sensitive and precise enough to do that (as it is not made for that, either). But maybe others do it that way (when no other equipment is available, near the dish?).

Greetz,
A33

 

[4wd]

On any installation have always used 11127 V Ch4 \ 4seven, for some reason extremely skew sensitive, getting best levels skewing there = best performance overall.

 

[ozumo]

Does it matter if its connected to a sky box or enigma2 box. Will you still be able to set with one of them signal finders?

Works with any receiver.

I have no experience in 'fine-tuning' a dish with a sat-beeper, as I don't believe the beeper is sensitive and precise enough to do that (as it is not made for that, either). But maybe others do it that way (when no other equipment is available, near the dish?).

A Sky dish (like the OP has) that I installed around 20 years ago using a sat beeper (with continuous tone rather than beeps) is still giving signal levels that I can't beat with an identical dish today. Using the attenuator knob on the meter makes it easy to find out if slight movement of the dish improves the signal. IMO they are the easiest way for a beginner to align a dish, especially if perched on the top of a ladder ;)

 

[Icemen786]

Works with any receiver.

A Sky dish (like the OP has) that I installed around 20 years ago using a sat beeper (with continuous tone rather than beeps) is still giving signal levels that I can't beat with an identical dish today. Using the attenuator knob on the meter makes it easy to find out if slight movement of the dish improves the signal. IMO they are the easiest way for a beginner to align a dish, especially if perched on the top of a ladder ;)

Thank mate, is there better sat beepers? Or shall i go with the one you mention above from £9 , screwfix do one for about £15. Dont know of any others.

 

[ozumo]

Thank mate, is there better sat beepers? Or shall i go with the one you mention above from £9 , screwfix do one for about £15. Dont know of any others.

£9 one should be fine. The Screwfix one looks like it's for terrestrial rather than satellite. There are many on Amazon and eBay, I like the versions with an analogue needle meter as they tend to have a continuous tone (which I find easier to use) rather than a beep.

 

[a33]

A Sky dish (like the OP has) that I installed around 20 years ago using a sat beeper (with continuous tone rather than beeps) is still giving signal levels that I can't beat with an identical dish today.

OK, maybe for finetuning to 28E signal in the UK. I have to admit that, I guess. for you ( for me).

Here in Holland we do mostly multifeed dishes. The precision job of finetuning a triple LNB (19-23-28E) on a Triax 78, I could never have done with a sat-beeper, though.

I like the same beepers (needle and continous tone) as you, BTW.

Greetz,
A33

 

[RimaNTSS]

The best (for me for the last 10 or so years) sat-tuning program is actually "Enigma Signal Meter". It is installed on a laptop and via local WiFi connects to Enigma2 receiver. So, from the laptop it is possible to change the channels, see ad hear lady's voice about the signal strength. There is a screenshot of the program's interface.

 

[Icemen786]

The best (for me for the last 10 or so years) sat-tuning program is actually "Enigma Signal Meter". It is installed on a laptop and via local WiFi connects to Enigma2 receiver. So, from the laptop it is possible to change the channels, see ad hear lady's voice about the signal strength. There is a screenshot of the program's interface.

How does this work mate. I got a enigma2 box. Start the plugin then move dish to get best signal?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Start the plugin then move dish to get best signal?

Start the plugin, enter the IP of your E2 box, then connect. When you move the dish and get the lock of the satellite, the voice will start telling you the strength of the signal.