Satellite Finder/meter

[Robo44]

Can anyone suggest a good easy to use satellite meter that doesn't break the bank. I've been looking at the satlink 6906 which sells for about £50 but do I really need to spend that much.
I've a motorised system and just want to set it up so and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[4wd]

Hello, just a general opinion, look for a meter that does both DVB-S & DVB-S2 (HD)

 

[Robo44]

Whats the difference ? And the satlink one says it is Fully DVB Compliant is that the same thing ?

 

[rolfw]

Whats the difference ? And the satlink one says it is Fully DVB Compliant is that the same thing ?

It will only be ok for DVB-S, standard definition transmissions, for High definition it needs to be DVB-S2. The WS-6933 is DVB-S2 at just under £50.

 

[Robo44]

It will only be ok for DVB-S, standard definition transmissions, for High definition it needs to be DVB-S2. The WS-6933 is DVB-S2 at just under £50.

I don't really understand that. Do you mean I will have trouble finding a satellite if it's on HD ?

 

[sonnetpete]

I don't really understand that. Do you mean I will have trouble finding a satellite if it's on HD ?

If a channel is broadcast in DVB-S2 a DVB-S meter won't pick it up...it depends on which channel (or more correctly transponder) you use to find the satellite. I use a DVB-S meter and it is more difficult to align dishes due to the increase in DVB-S2 transmissions. I'd go for a DVB-S2 meter like the one suggested by Rolfw.

 

[satelliteman]

For motorised dish set up I would recommended a meter with NIT readout. This will give you an indication as to what satellite you lock onto when aligning the dish.

 

[4wd]

Do you mean I will have trouble finding a satellite if it's on HD ?

The meter won't show anything (or give some erronous result) for the DVB-S2 HD frequencies. But tuning in on a SD frequency will (in my experience) give a good result for any nearby HD. Example Astra on 2E, with a SD only meter, tune dish to best possible 10818 V (BBC SDs), then 10847 V (BBC HDs) will (should) be fine as well (ref FlySat Astra 2E/2F/2G @ 28.2° East).

That's the way I do it, still not got around to buying a decent satmeter. Having receiver and tv in view from the dishes, my 'meter' is an old SD receiver with a very good\very fast level\quality bargraph. And a cheap beeper-meter with kompass for initial\rough dish adjustment. But the day I buy any meter, it will definitely be dvb-s2 compatible.

 

[4wd]

(restoring some content of a disapeared post)

A simple £5 beeper\vu-meter box may be all that's needed, if hunting for a sat with a strong signal.
But for any fine-adjusting, if not seeing tv (receiver bargraph), weak sats, adjusting motorized system, using ladders, climbing on roofs etc: buy a decent meter.

 

[Copecchia]

For motorised dish set up I would recommended a meter with NIT readout. This will give you an indication as to what satellite you lock onto when aligning the dish.

Hi, I have been looking around for this and I though to ask you here instead of opening a new post.
This is the feature I am actually looking for but I am unsure which sat finder has it.
I need to find satellites that are quiet close to each other and I know that a meter does not usually tell whih one you are really on other than just showing incoming signal. Is there any sat finder with the NIT feature you are referring to?
I mean I know I could just start scan channels and see if they correspond to the ones of the satellite I am looking for but I was wondering if satellites broadcast some sort of ID that the meter can recognize?

 

[a33]

I mean I know I could just start scan channels and see if they correspond to the ones of the satellite I am looking for but I was wondering if satellites broadcast some sort of ID that the meter can recognize?

Why scan channels (in plural)?
You could also scan just one channel on your wanted satellite, to check if you get the right program.
If not, scan a frequency of the neighbouring satellite, and see what you get; and repeat checking neighbouring satellites till you know how far east or west you are from the wanted satellite.
Scanning is much quicker then! You just have to do your homework, as to receivable programs on neighbouring satellites.
That's how I usually do it.

Or, simpler, I wait till I am home on a sunny day, and use 'the sun and tape method' for the central LNB.
For that I use the website http://www.satellite.../lookangles.htm
You have to enter:
-site latitude
-site longitude
-satellite position (for middle of LNB arm)
-date for time calculation
Then the exact time is given for the sun having the same azimuth as the middle LNB on that day, both in local time and UTC time. If you fix some tape (or a string) from the top of the LNB to the top of the dish, the shadow of that tape should be exactly on the middle of the LNB-arm and the middle of the dish. Even a complete year-timetable is given, if you have bad luck and the sun doesn't show for days .
(Out of the year-timetable you can also deduce the sun-outage days: the days with the transition above/below satellite, when you can check if the shadow doesn't get to unwanted places... .)

This way you are on the right azimuth, and you only have to adjust/try the elevation angle, to find the wanted satellite.

When you've no central LNB at the middle of the arm, then alas.... you have some calculating to do (with the method described here: Multifeed installation and exact calculation of LNB position
Also if your arm isn't fitted properly perpendicular to the dish, then this method isn't really useful.


Isn't it nice to be an amateur.... You don't need expensive instruments!
That is: I like it. You get to be inventive.... ;)!

Greetz,
A33

 

[Copecchia]

Why scan channels (in plural)?
You could also scan just one channel on your wanted satellite, to check if you get the right program.
If not, scan a frequency of the neighbouring satellite, and see what you get; and repeat checking neighbouring satellites till you know how far east or west you are from the wanted satellite.
Scanning is much quicker then! You just have to do your homework, as to receivable programs on neighbouring satellites.
That's how I usually do it.

Or, simpler, I wait till I am home on a sunny day, and use 'the sun and tape method' for the central LNB.
For that I use the website http://www.satellite.../lookangles.htm
You have to enter:
-site latitude
-site longitude
-satellite position (for middle of LNB arm)
-date for time calculation
Then the exact time is given for the sun having the same azimuth as the middle LNB on that day, both in local time and UTC time. If you fix some tape (or a string) from the top of the LNB to the top of the dish, the shadow of that tape should be exactly on the middle of the LNB-arm and the middle of the dish. Even a complete year-timetable is given, if you have bad luck and the sun doesn't show for days .
(Out of the year-timetable you can also deduce the sun-outage days: the days with the transition above/below satellite, when you can check if the shadow doesn't get to unwanted places... .)

This way you are on the right azimuth, and you only have to adjust/try the elevation angle, to find the wanted satellite.

When you've no central LNB at the middle of the arm, then alas.... you have some calculating to do (with the method described here: Multifeed installation and exact calculation of LNB position
Also if your arm isn't fitted properly perpendicular to the dish, then this method isn't really useful.


Isn't it nice to be an amateur.... You don't need expensive instruments!
That is: I like it. You get to be inventive.... ;)!

Greetz,
A33

Thanks A33
One more question please, normally is there such a frequencyon any satellite that is stronger than others?
For example, I have heard others saying always try scan first frequencies that are weaker so you know you will get the stronger ones without problems. Is this true or is something I have understood correctly or it does not make sense?

 

[Lazarus]

Somewhere on the Forum is a list of the strongest Transponders per Satellite receivable in the UK.

IIRC, @william-1 prepared it.

 

[william-1]

Thanks A33
One more question please, normally is there such a frequencyon any satellite that is stronger than others?
For example, I have heard others saying always try scan first frequencies that are weaker so you know you will get the stronger ones without problems. Is this true or is something I have understood correctly or it does not make sense?

Just Sharing This - Strongest Transponders Jan 11th 2016 by William-1

 

[Copecchia]

Generally speaking are Satlink meters reliable?

 

[BlindFaith]

Or, simpler, I wait till I am home on a sunny day, and use 'the sun and tape method' for the central LNB.
For that I use the website http://www.satellite.../lookangles.htm

Nice but there are more advanced methods. You don't have to wait for a sunny day and the right time.

xttp://www.dishpointer.com/

A smartphone can almost replace any meter. With a satfinder app you'll get the wanted azimuth within seconds. If you got an advanced tv card with blind scan capability EBSPro mobile can help you to fine tune your dish and also will show you the necessary information about the locked transponder.

But before you start with all this stuff, you have to read carefully how to set up a motorized dish. The meaning of e.g. "true south" is more important than all these gadgets

 

[Copecchia]

Just Sharing This - Strongest Transponders Jan 11th 2016 by William-1

So basically the advice is to use stronger frequencies to tune up your box other than weakest?

 

[Lazarus]

No.

Using a strong Transponder is the best way to find the correct Satellite in the first instance.

Once found, then you can peak up on weaker Transponders.