Satellite TV Fine tuning tips

I'd like to share the tips I found very useful in optimizing a satellite TV set up, it a guide that I've used. Normally you can check the signal strength and quality value on your Satellite TV, satellite receiver has this function for verification. In my receiver remote control it is the button Info, go ahead and check it.

If this is what you're getting :

0 Strength and 0 Quality (all zero!)
First check all connection are in proper, most common in this type of problem is that the coaxial cable from LNB are connected in marked "in from antenna", this should be connected in "in from dish, digital in or LNB in" label. I somewhat experience this on my initial set-up the label on the back of my receiver is in chinese!, good thing there's only two connection for coaxial cable, it was a trial and error for me.
Another factor for this is the RG6 coaxial cable, this could be grounded or with moist in it. Check the cable or replace it if possible.

0-30 Strength and 0 Quality
On these level check for any obstruction on the satellite dish to the satellite.

40-60 Strength and 0 Quality
with these level there might be a minor adjustment to the initial set-up, most common problem for this are that the bolts are not tightened properly, or heavy wind and rain experience or something bump your dish. you should place the dish to its original set up position (if you have markings on the dish), or perform the dish pointing (if you can, well it easy but tiring!) or call someone who knows how to catch a satellite. Once everything is OK make sure to mark the pole and the side of the dish holder for future reference of the angle ang elevation.

40-60 Strength and 30-70 Quality
With these signal only fine-tuning of LNB is needed until you reach an optimum signal quality between 70-100. this is done by twisting the LNB clockwise or counter clockwise depends on the signal you're getting wait for at least 5 minutes to register the signal on your receiver, if it is getting lower twist it on other way (of course you have to loosen the LNB collar first before doing the twist). After optimization do a channel scan or blind scan.

Always check first the signal strength and quality everytime you encounter any problem with the your satellite TV to give you an idea.

You're Grounded

I remember when I was just a kid (not that i'm grounded), my parents would tell me that to shut off the TV and radio whenever there is a series of lightning, 'cause it may attract through our antenna (conventional antenna) and radio and TV would burn. Well, we often do that after we hear a thunder, although we know that light is faster than sound and that you may be strike by lightning even before you hear it (no use turning it off, LOL!). I thought of this because there is one thing that I overlooked on my Satellite TV set up, the satellite dish is also an antenna. There is a very small chance or even zero chance that a satellite dish would be strike by lightning, since it is not installed too high (majority is roof level, mine is not even on a roof level) there are much more higher objects than this. But lets not take that chance, there is still a possibility, it is even a strict provision or there is a regulation on grounding on some areas (yes, we do).

Grounding is a way on protecting our equipment, it re-direct any power surges (lightning or current running from Receiver to LNB) away from our equipment (in this case the receiver and LNB) to the ground. I found some simple procedures (googling!) on how about to do it on a satellite dish set-up. All you need is:

• a copper wire
• a Grounding block, this ensures a good contact to LNB, in addition to copper wire)
• and any metal or conductor type material that directly points to the ground or you can just bury some metal rod (majority of household, already has a grounding you can just attached it to various parts of your home).

The rule is to attached your ground wire to a metal or any conductor type material that will discharge the electricity into the actual ground.

Some researched pointers:

• for copper wire use#6, or higher (it can be insulated or not)
• the wire going to the ground rod should be straight as possible (Important: limit any bending and do not make an arc out of the ground wire- the electric charge may get lost!)
  

As for precaution during thunderstorm, disconnect all power cords to your outlet, since there is a large probability that an electric power line will be hit by the lightning than your Satellite dish/antenna, even from a far location it will still create a power surge or fluctuation that can damage any of your equipment at home. You see, you can't just turn the TV the off.

Note:
There is also a coaxial cable that already has a grounding wire attached to it, consider looking for that type, if you're buying one.

SatelliteTV splitting

I once wonder if my satelliteTV setup can be used in multiple TV sets, although currently I only own a single TV, it just cross my mind. I did saw some residential house near mine who has an installation of 2 satellite dish, that set-up could be for 2 TV sets, but hey! a single dish will do fine.
If you ever tried to split the coaxial cable for a cable TV for 2 TV, it is different from the satellite TV setup because we have a Receiver that needs to decode the signals. I've read in some forum that they were able to use one receiver for 2 TV's, the catch for this set-up is that both TV will have the same channel or program since they are controlled by a single receiver (I haven't try this one), at least you can leave your couch and still watch the same channel on your kitchen or bedroom and be back again without missing any portion of the shows (if it is ON). There are two ways in having a this done but you need an extra cash on this, because thre will be some modification on the set-up.
One is to have 2 receivers for 2 TV with a single coaxial cable from single LNB, this means we have to use a splitter for the receivers (this one I've already tried with my friends' receiver and a portable TV), this works just fine and different channels for both TV is viewed, I just don't know yet the pros and cons of this set-up because It is advised by some expert (this is the second one) that rather than splitting the coaxial it is best to buy a dual LNB (can connect 2 coaxial cables) for 2 receivers you will have the same result as of the first with minimal problem I guess (cause from my experience splitting coaxial cable, smells trouble). And because it is more of an advantage for a multiple TV set, cause aside from a dual LNB, there's also a quad (4) and Octa (8) available LNB (there's still some that I don't know of) , of course you have to match this with the receiver on how many TV you want. Well maybe I'll do this in the future if I'll be able to buy another TV.

RG6 coaxial cable problem

Yesterday I've Decided to relocate my TV (a little feng shui, if you know what I mean), although the plan in arranging my place is going fine but I forgot to consider the length of the coaxial cable from my satellite Dish, well it is somehow short.

First, I tried using my old splitter (although i'm not splitting) just to add another length to RG6 cable to reach my receiver besides my TV but to my surprised I did get any signal, my first guess is that my splitter is in bad shape (I can't even remember when did I used it).
So to settle the annoyance I decided to buy a long RG6 coaxial cable to solve my problem, I took the new coaxial cable and attached the connectors (can't connect it with the LNB and Receiver without them). Just as I thought that everything would be normal, to my another surprised I'm getting no signal again and worst the LED or the light on the receiver is blinking (red blinking light- it is connected to a power but it is not turned on yet) and I can't turn it on.
Well I'm already in a bad mood and hungry, I don't know what could be wrong, or I know whats wrong (it is the coaxial cable of course, that's the only thing that I've replaced) but don't know how could I've done it wrong.
I ate my lunch first, then remove the coaxial cable and check it thoroughly, It seems no problem with the cable (I was looking for a stripped cover along the cable). There must have been a problem on attaching the connectors, I used my analog multimeter then check for line continuity, there's a good line continuity between end to end center wire or conductor and end to end connectors.
This where I found the problem 'cause there is a line continuity between wire conductor (one end) to the connector on the other end where there shouldn't be, in short the wire is somewhat grounded and I found out that during my attaching of connectors, some of the aluminum braid (shielding) were in touch with the center wire (hey! at least I've got it).

My guidelines in attaching a connector to an RG6 coaxial cable:

1. Make sure that the coaxial cable has a line continuity at both ends (check it before attaching the connectors). see the picture.
2. In stripping the coaxial cable, make sure that that the shielding are cut clean (use a sharp wire cutters).
3. Double check the attached connectors visually (you can actually see the center wire if there is an aluminum wire touching it). To be absolutely sure check again for line continuity.

LNB

LNB or the Low Noise Block-Downconverter plays a significant role in satellite TV set up, it is the center of attraction on a dish. It is located at the end of the arm and pointing or facing the dish.

The name is somehow literal to its function, it actually gathers or receives signals (Ku band - High frequency) that bounced off the satellite dish and converts it to low frequency (unwanted signals are filtered), it amplifies it and send it to the cable unto the receiver inside the house for viewing pleasures. It is assume of course that the Azimuth and Elevation angle and set up is correct.

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.

Basic set up for Satellite TV