Satellite dish?

Question

We are trying to install a freesat receiver, but we are having problems with finding satellite signal. What are the most common problems?

Answer 1

Try using this web site; you just need to type in your post code, and the satellite position, to see a map of your house, and direction of the satellite.

Answer 2

B&Q sells the sattelite finder for about a tenner.

Answer 3

1. The sky is very big - you have to point that dish to within a quarter of a degree in order to get any signal at all. That is your biggest problem. (Once you get practised in aligning it, you should be able to do it with 5 seconds by eye!)

Have you got the satellite receiver set to 'signal strength indication'? (Should be somewhere in the menus)

2. Because of the automatic gain control in the receiver, you will not get a clear idea of how well you have aligned the dish. A good tip is to roughly align it, then attenuate the signal using something, then align it more finely. - Use something like cardboard, or wet fabric to attenuate the signal.

3. The LNB needs to be orientated correctly, as the signals are transmitted either left hand, right hand, horizontal or vertical. (If it's left or right don't worry, you don't have to do anything to align it) To align the axis of the LNB, guess to start off with, then using the same wet fabric/cardboard method as used for aligning the dish, align the LNB. (Twist it in it's mount until you get maximum signal strength.)

Remember to add a water drip loop in the bit of coax that is on the LNB arm and remember to waterproof the F connector on the LNB. Don't try using insulation tape - buy a rubber boot, or use self amalgamating tape.