The Dish

Not the food we eat, but I think most of us are familiar with it. It is a bowl shape oval that usually or always (I think!) facing the sky. Actually it is a special kind of antenna that receives signal on a designated broadcast source, in my case mainly FTA (free-to-air). The shape of the dish is parabolic which is designed to reflect the signal to a specific point.

Basically, the Dish purpose is to capture or catch the signal then bounces it to its feedhorn. In the assembly of dish we can see an extended arm that has a tip that is pointing at the dish. I is called the feed horn or LNB (Low Noise Block-downconverter), it is the one responsible in organizing the signal collected by The dish (in this case a radiowave). It then passes the signal onto the receiving equipment (Receiver), then just watch TV (Yes!). Ideal Dish size to be used usually depends on location, there are areas that might need a bigger or smaller size, I guess distance from acertain satellite is the factor.

I think here in the Philippines a 55 to 60 cm long axis dish plate is Ideal in getting signal from Agila 2. Satellite dish size are included in the data produced in satbeam.com, just locate your area and the satellite you are pointing.

Things to check in Satellite dish Installation, I'm not an expert but these are pretty basic:

• After finishing the dish assembly, make sure that nuts and bolts are well tighten.

• Before Mounting it permanently make sure that there is no obstruction between

the dish and satellite.

• After mounting the dish (ex. wall), make sure that it is stable.

• The feedhorn (LNB) should be secured properly, the inside of its assembly should be dry always, check the sealant or add one.

Sky high Terms

This is the best (in my opinion) visual explanation of what the Azimuth and Elevation relate to. They define location of an object in the sky to the origin (center of the illustration). Azimuth angle reference is the North (value is 0), for this one any working compass will do in locating Agila 2 ( its 146 E right!). Already checked it and its right! my satellite dish is facing that way. As for elevation from the dish scale, my satellite dish elevation actual setting is 55 but from calculation it's 56.83, hhmmm! not exact but close, but I think it will do, anyways my TV reception is good for me.
I've found another helpful site in getting the calculation for azimuth and elevation angle it is dishpointer.com, all you need to enter you location, and the satellite you want to pinpoint for free to air (FTA) and the values for dish set up will be given. It is an excellent reference for us.

My Place on Earth

From the information on google maps, data such as Azimuth,Elevation angle ang LNB tilt(skew) can be obtained. I supposed this is the more accurate data to set up and have to access the satellite (Agila 2) for a Free to Air (FTA) TV. I'm about to relate this on my Satellite dish set-up, if only I could comprehend what the term Azimuth, Elevation angle and LNB tilt (skew) means (Yaiks!). Well! I guest I just have to find out.

Agila 2 "birds eye view"

Courtesy of satbeams.com, I'm able to at visualize the location of Agila 2. As long as Agila 2 moves with the same speed as the Earth revolves, the satellite will be appearing stationary in the sky they call it Geostationary (that's COOL!).
Judging from the view, we can fairly state that depending upon where you are compared to where the satellite is at, the direction and angles differs.

Agila 2 Information

Information gathered from google search on Agila 2. Its a bit of technical, hey! Its a Satellite.

Know thy bird

How does a satellite TV works? One thing for sure it won't work if you don't know where is the location of a satellite (Great source of info - lyngsat.com). Installation set-up is not that hard, the challenge in this part is the mounting of the dish and where to point or face it properly.

In my location Laguna, Philippines the satellite that would be appropriate is the bird AGILA 2 (also Known as mabuhay 1), it's named after the endangered species of Philippine Eagle. It is a joint venture of collective of companies from Philippines, Indonesia and China for telecommunication purposes (launch site - 1997). Well, what do you know it has a life span of 15 years and will only last up to 2012.

I guess I have to maximize its use then, while it is up and running. I read a forum on a satellite hobbyist in philippines ( found during search ), it discusses there that the Agila 2 might not even reach 2012 since it is reported to have some major problems in the past that post a threat on its longevity, that is BAD NEWS! Just when I'm getting started. I wonder what happens after Agila 2? as of now, I wish the bird good health and goodluck (LOL!).

Basic set up for Satellite TV

Weather I like it or not

Ooops! My first experience of my satellite dish to a heavy rain, I observed that it has an effect on the TV signal, its turns blurry sometimes and to my surprise no signal at all. I've contacted a friend to consult the situation, and he said that it is normal to have some weather disturbances at times.

The next day it is still rainy but the reception on my TV is excellent with no whatsoever problem, HHHMMM!!I've been enjoying my Satellite TV set up for months now and much to the enjoyment of my son. It came to my attention that I have to know the basic principles of this set-up to actually know how it works and how to repair them (in case of some troubles in the near future, not now of course!).

I hope it never come to that if i'm lucky, but hey! there's a saying that "luck favors the prepared". This blog would be my journal for Satellite TV experience and notes for my own study and share.

Satellite TV set-up blues

Satellite TV installation is not easy for newbie. During the set-up of my satellite dish, the only thing that is easy, is doing the assembly of the dish itself (thanks for the drawings!for without it I would be lost with all the nuts and bolts) but getting the signal is another thing. I couldn't have done that myself, I have the assistance of my friend who also purchases the same package and have a successful installation.

What we did is adjust the angle inclination of the dish to the scale provided to 55 (like a protractor), mount it on a wall with a clear vision of the sky, it should be facing where the sun rises then slightly moves the dish to the right with you at the back of the dish and EUREKA!, we found it or should I say we just shot an arrow to the big bird - Agila 2. The only problem I recall on the dozens of trial is that we move the dish drastically which makes you frustrated at all, It should be gentle and slow. We were very hungry after then, I think I've lost weight during the set up, from the heat and multiple trials.

During our lunch it cross my mind the significance of the installation rules. Does it only work that way here in the philippines? how come others have an inclination of 30 degrees or you have no idea at all? can I still optimize it? I'm getting to that, but for now I just watch and enjoying the TV shows.

Satellite Journey - Unknown

At least to me. It has never been a problem to me watching TV or cable TV, I've used to live in a spiderweb cabled city in Manila, particularly Quezon city. When I relocate myself due to work at a nearby province I realize that a normal TV antenna would make your eye vision worst ( I don't know if it is the antenna or the network provider problem - I think both). The TV reception for some channel is an eye sore. What happen is I seldom watch TV shows and more on DVD movie and beer. It's not that bad since I like to watch movies (specially sci-fi).
This goes on for years until I happen to observed a satellite dish attached to house on a nearby village, never really paid much attention to it, all the info I got from a friend is that it a cable channel receiver with monthly cost and very hansome cost (expensive). Never bother to find the cost cause i'm not interested.
Until last year, a close friend encourages me to purchase a satellite dish package for a cheap price (God bless China!), which you would view in your TV set the cable channels with no monthly bill (sounds good to me!), on a 3 months installment payment (sound even better!). I Acquire the package very excited until I realized that the installation is not covered, yup! It has an instruction manual for successful installation (mind you not in detail!). After some internet browsing, help from close friends and a 3 days hunting for the elusive bird (The satellite was named after a bird), The experience of setting up is worth it. I've been enjoying it for months now, I don't even know how it works (Got so excited never even bother to ask questions!). Now my goal is to fully understand (within my brain powers, if theres any!) the simplicity or complexity of running a Satellite TV at home. Homework Begins!!!