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.

Geosynchronized Satellite

When I first heard of the principle geosynchronized or geostationary satellites, I wonder how's that?. Of course we all know the moon orbits around the earth but not in stationary, unlike satellites which have a footprint on earth and and it is just there in his place day or night.

Well after reading some stuff on satellites (satellite TV), it enlightens me that there is a Geostationary orbits on earth in which satellites orbits in the direction of the earths rotation, it about 22,300 miles (approx.) above the earth ground, with this altitude it produces an orbital period equal to the earth's period of rotation (meaning - same speed) that is why it always seems stationary to a fixed point on earth. The satellite concept was invented by a science fiction novelist Arthur C. Clarke back in the 1940's, that is why it is also called Clarke's belt.
Actually it is not stationary it just moves the same as our Earth, since to us on the ground the satellites seemed not to be moving we just have to know the exact position of a satellite (for a satellite TV) to point our satellite dish and received/maintain the link to the satellite TV signals without worry that the satellite (in my case the Agila 2) might be out of sync. Good for us all!

Painting the Satellite dish

A friend of mine who also owns a satelliteTV dish set up decided to get funky and painted his satellite dish, from the original color of light beige to blue (not funky at all!). He used a can spray paint (don't know the label), I ask him if there was any change on the audio/video quality on TV, he said none (or he just don't observe it well?).

Is it really ok to re-paint the dish from its original color? I did some researched on this issue of painting the dish (with our friendly google of course!) and got sleepy reading on forums and tech sites. But knowledge is power right! (how come I'm more powerless? LOL!).

And the answer is, Yes!, Satellite dish can be re-painted but there are several guidelines that should be followed so as not to affected the signal quality and damage the satellite dish itself.

Painting Guidelines:

• Don't use lead based / glossy type / metallic paint. The reason for this is that it increases the reflection from the sum and may disrupt with satellite TV reception and may burn the LNB.
• Don't paint the LNB (Low Noise Block), you'll get no signal at all!
• Use only light color paint and the coating should be light also. (Spray paint is advisable, paint brushes gives a thick coating)
• Use high quality paint that will not peel easily.
  

During my inquiry, I stumble upon some Satellite dish, that I never even think of to have:

• There's a satellite dish cover, only the dish and there's the whole dish set-up, it won't interfere with the signal according to the advertisement even with covers.
• There is also a dish that don't even look like a dish. Look at the embedded photo, pretty neat huh!. The dish that is in rectangular shape also has a capability of camouflaged (great!), they call it sqish, it is from UK. A photograph of the surrounding wall has to be taken and the sqish take it and it will just blend with its background (coolness!)

Whatever customization you want just don't compromised the looks of your dish to the signal quality of your satellite TV. My light gray dish color is fine for me. (for now!).

Satellite TV (Victory!)

Last weekend a friend of mine ask me if somehow I can help his friend (the Earth is full of friendlies, I wonder why there is still war/s) make his satellite TV works, I think he wants this to be a hobby. I agreed to help knowing that I only knew some of the basics in the area of footprint, dish pointing and connecting the parts, I still don't even know how to check the set up if it is faulty, although I assume that his materials are all OK since it is all brand new.

It was 9:00 in the morning when we start, The whole set up was finished before lunch (Free! thats the pay and a few beers, Cheers!). Never did try to be expert but it seems simple or we're just lucky that day.

I'd say that most time consumed on the installation was mounting of the Satellite Dish, because of the drilling and screwing (of course the site where the dish is pointing is first considered), it is given. Once mounted, a few adjustment and walla! the bird (Agila 2 Satellite) is hit. Never even bother to check the compass to identify the location of the satellite, I just viewed the direction of the Sun. Well, I had an idea where it should be pointing, same as mine and the elevation of the dish were pattern also to my dish (there's a scale). The receiver is different (new model- I think) but work just fine.

Now I think I can set up a Satellite TV but only within my vicinity, cause I think Elevation and Azimuth doesn't change much. Of course LNB, receiver and cables should be in good condition otherwise I'm doomed (still don't know how to check if its functional). And no question or few should only be asked by the owner, because I can only answer few as of now but I think it will do. Just here to help (LOL!).

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.

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.

Basic set up for Satellite TV