Satellite Finder

[JohnI.Stephen]

For those of you using mobile satellite systems; can you recommend a Satellite Finder. I am unsure exactly what features I need but certainly the ability to have a visual display showing that I have locked-in to say (Astra2) would be very helpful.

There are a few devices on ebay for around £10-£15 but the Maplin's offering is around £40; BIG difference; so what would you recommend please?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi John have a look on

www.Leisurepower.co.uk

The Zender is quite easy to use but does not identify individual satellites.

I have this one and that does but at a price !!!

Does everything the standard meter above does, PLUS, designed for Astra at 28.2 degrees

North & South beam & all of the other satellites (as per the standard 2007 above.) Specification

is the same as the normal 2007 above except, programmed for use on both the 28E

North & South beam, The North beam is for most of Europe & the south beam is for most

of Spain. Ideal for installers in Spain that may require both facilities. Ideal for caravaners

and motorhomes that travel widely in Europe including Spain. see The caravan page

Complete with mains charger, leather case & car charger. An optional Lacuna "push" F connector

lead is available below. (Note. In the south of Spain the North beam requires a 1.8m dish but

the south beam only requires an 80cm)

These new meters use a USB connection lead to upgrade the software.

(UK Customers. Shipping is normally

 

[Lutz]

Buy one with a needle indicator because they are quickest for setting up. Digital indicators are probably more accurate but, like digital speedometers that were popular in the 80's, not so easy to read at a glance. Ones with a string of LED lights are OK but don't buy acoustic models. They can drive you (and your neighbours) balmy.

 

[Rod_5041370]

I would recommend the Televes signal strength meter. I have been using one for yeara.

They have needle or audio indication and also indicate the voltage level delivered by the receiver to the LNB.

You don't really need satellite identification if you position your dish towards the south east and turn it clockwise, Astra at 28.2 (151.8 absolute) is normally the first satellite that you will come across.

You will find the price of the Televes varies enormously but the best price I found is

 

[cris_408518]

Some of my pro motor racing friends find compass is a better for finding the signal than the satellite finder when travelling around.

Have you checked out the advice at Satellite for Caravans -

http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/howtouseameter.htm
it's worth taking the sites compass settings as well and then you know you are starting with it pointing in the right direction.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

John; found your "ZEHNDER HP480 SATFINDER" ona site for under

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi John I was just trying to make the point that if you require satellite ID then it will cost a lot.

Perhaps this explains better.

Ideal for Sky Digital at 28.2 degrees. The ideal instrument for the professional

installer. Some of the named satellites are, (North Beam) 42E 28.5E 28.2E 26E 23.5E 19E 16E 13E 10E 7E

5E 1W 7W 5W 8W 12.5W 15W 30W 37.5W 43W 45W and many more. Due to constant software upgrades, any

list here would be out of date so if a satellite is not listed, check with us, it is likely to be in.

A custom designed, small lightweight ABS case created with the installer in mind

Digital LCD readout, 4 line display with backlight. Both the signal strength & the signal quality

(BER settings) displayed together. Very easy to use. Simple to operate with one hand.

Easily identifies the chosen satellite. Removable "F" connector. Easy to read display while in use.

With meter hung over dish, or, leather strap over your neck, you can look down and since the display

is at the end, you can see it without turning the meter. Removable NiMh High capacity battery

LNB short circuit protection. LNB power supply. Compatible with all satellite transmissions.

i.e. Ku & C band DVB and DSS. Long use internal battery. Complete with mains charger.

The new Satmeter 3 can be connected to a mains supply, and still be used to find satellites.

That means that if the battery is fully discharged due to prolonged use, if a mains supply

is available the meter can still be used. (a good feature if prolinged use is required.)

Also supplied with a car charger worth

 

[cris_408518]

Hi John I was just trying to make the point that if you require satellite ID then it will cost a lot.

Perhaps this explains better.

Ideal for Sky Digital at 28.2 degrees. The ideal instrument for the professional

installer. Some of the named satellites are, (North Beam) 42E 28.5E 28.2E 26E 23.5E 19E 16E 13E 10E 7E

5E 1W 7W 5W 8W 12.5W 15W 30W 37.5W 43W 45W and many more. Due to constant software upgrades, any

list here would be out of date so if a satellite is not listed, check with us, it is likely to be in.

A custom designed, small lightweight ABS case created with the installer in mind

Digital LCD readout, 4 line display with backlight. Both the signal strength & the signal quality

(BER settings) displayed together. Very easy to use. Simple to operate with one hand.

Easily identifies the chosen satellite. Removable "F" connector. Easy to read display while in use.

With meter hung over dish, or, leather strap over your neck, you can look down and since the display

is at the end, you can see it without turning the meter. Removable NiMh High capacity battery

LNB short circuit protection. LNB power supply. Compatible with all satellite transmissions.

i.e. Ku & C band DVB and DSS. Long use internal battery. Complete with mains charger.

The new Satmeter 3 can be connected to a mains supply, and still be used to find satellites.

That means that if the battery is fully discharged due to prolonged use, if a mains supply

is available the meter can still be used. (a good feature if prolinged use is required.)

Also supplied with a car charger worth

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Chris

Swiss Tony would say "Finding the Satellite is very much like making love to a beautiful woman"

You need to take your time until you get the Knack !!

 

[cris_408518]

I don't use a TV when caravanning John. But have been dispatched onto a roof of an RV more than once to get the satellite dish set up and I haven't a clue.

The compass on a lanyard acts as plumb bob for the post and then a shout for the compass settings and you are as near as dam it on the right set up, often the meter is not even needed and in far from ideal positions!

A stressed out race team boss or race driver is 10 times worse than a good lady wanting to watch her favourite prog I can assure you.

They want what they pay for working, or the guys are down the road! Forget Swiss Tony, the guys mostly work on tight budgets so expensive equipment is a non starter they have to turn up and have the media systems working pronto.

 

[Rod_5041370]

I don't use a TV when caravanning John. But have been dispatched onto a roof of an RV more than once to get the satellite dish set up and I haven't a clue.

The compass on a lanyard acts as plumb bob for the post and then a shout for the compass settings and you are as near as dam it on the right set up, often the meter is not even needed and in far from ideal positions!

A stressed out race team boss or race driver is 10 times worse than a good lady wanting to watch her favourite prog I can assure you.

They want what they pay for working, or the guys are down the road! Forget Swiss Tony, the guys mostly work on tight budgets so expensive equipment is a non starter they have to turn up and have the media systems working pronto.

John,

I never use a compass to find the satellite, I do however, use a dash mounted compass to select my pitch on-site.

I drive around the site until I find a pitch that will give line of site to 151.2 degrees.

Lining up to Astra is not difficult nor magic and the Televes is very accurate. Just mount your dish on a tripod or your jockey wheel or where-ever. Connect the sat.finder to the LNB and the output of the satfinder to you digibox and turn the box on.

You should now hear the audio from the Televes, if you wish you can now switch the Televes to meter only.

Rotate the dish further East than you will need it, turn the gain up on the Televes and turn the dish clockwise until the meter deflects. Reduce the gain so that the meter needle is about half way, then rock the dish slowly from left to right to obtain maximum deflection and lock the dish.

For the vertical setting, flex the dish from the bottom and then the top whilst standing behind or to the side of the dish.

This flexing will deflect the Televes needle and indicate which way to move the dish, up or down if at all. It isn't rocket science. The above may sound complex but once you have done it once you will find it a simple 5 minute job.

Just ensure that you have line of sight to the satellite (no trees etc).

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Rod; your advice sounds straight forward, I have a compass in my Sorento; so when I am deciding whic pitch to select I should select one that will allow my Disk to point (N, S, E, W) (Please advise) and then, when I do that I follow your instructions and hopefully will pick up Astra 2 (say). Sounds like pot luck but it's probably because I have yet to join the rank of the cognoscenti (themus who knows !)

Thanks Rod !

John

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Rod; your advice sounds straight forward, I have a compass in my Sorento; so when I am deciding whic pitch to select I should select one that will allow my Disk to point (N, S, E, W) (Please advise) and then, when I do that I follow your instructions and hopefully will pick up Astra 2 (say). Sounds like pot luck but it's probably because I have yet to join the rank of the cognoscenti (themus who knows !)

Thanks Rod !

John

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi again John

This is the way I do it!!

I always start from pointing south and move the dish to the east until I get a really strong signal on the meter.

I then move to the east further until I get another close strong signal (these are strong analogue signals)

I then drop the dish a degree or two and continue to the east until I pick up Sky digital

I have a compass with a line marked at the appropriate place for the satellite as well so that when it is on north the line is roughly where the satellite should be

Once you have the angle of inclination in UK its a matter of finding the satellite and playing the angle and direction off against each other.

As has been said before sometimes the box will lock up when it is on the satellite so you have to re-boot by unplugging for a few seconds

One thing that happened this time that has never happened before was that I got the signal strength bars on the services (6,4) but the transponder stream numbers were all wrong and it said 13 degrees east.

I took that to be Astra analogue so I lowered the dish (as I said before) and continued east until the right satellite was found

Just mentioned this in case it happens to you

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi again John

This is the way I do it!!

I always start from pointing south and move the dish to the east until I get a really strong signal on the meter.

I then move to the east further until I get another close strong signal (these are strong analogue signals)

I then drop the dish a degree or two and continue to the east until I pick up Sky digital

I have a compass with a line marked at the appropriate place for the satellite as well so that when it is on north the line is roughly where the satellite should be

Once you have the angle of inclination in UK its a matter of finding the satellite and playing the angle and direction off against each other.

As has been said before sometimes the box will lock up when it is on the satellite so you have to re-boot by unplugging for a few seconds

One thing that happened this time that has never happened before was that I got the signal strength bars on the services (6,4) but the transponder stream numbers were all wrong and it said 13 degrees east.

I took that to be Astra analogue so I lowered the dish (as I said before) and continued east until the right satellite was found

Just mentioned this in case it happens to you

Copies from and earlier posting pre the leg and arm sat finder

 

[Rod_5041370]

Astra is to the East of South (anticlockwise from South)by 28.2 degrees. If your compass is fully marked, then you need 151.8 degrees but as long as you point your dish slightly anticlockwise of this and slowly turn the dish clockwise, you will find that Astra is the first satellite you meet.

If you point your dish due South and start turning the dish anti-clockwise, you must pass several satellites before finding Astra on 28.2 degrees. As a beginner to this you will find that frustrating.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Very true Rod but I was advised by Leisurepower to use the above method because its easier to find the much stronger analogue signals and then move slightly down and across to the east and the digital signal.

Its all down to what method you get used to.

 

[Rod_5041370]

John Watson,

13 degrees East of South is Hotbird, the next one encountered using your method is likely to be the original analogue Astra on 19.2? degrees, that is why I find it better to approach from the East rather than the South.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

John Watson,

13 degrees East of South is Hotbird, the next one encountered using your method is likely to be the original analogue Astra on 19.2? degrees, that is why I find it better to approach from the East rather than the South.

Its what I am used to and it worked for me using the Zehnder finder.Now that I have the finder that identifies Astra 2 I just go for it!!.

Agree that your method has its advantages but the Analogue is a stronger signal and easier to pick up as a reference point.

Swings and roundabouts

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

Rod and John G :

OK; sounds daunting but there you go. You emntion analogue signals??!! I naively belived that all Satellite was digital i.e the preview digital equivalent.

I can certainly buy a compass and use it. I can certainly start by pointing south and then rotating anti clockwise (left of south) towards east. However how I will KNOW what setellite's what I have no idea. Perhaps my satellite receive will alert me?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

You can still get Sky analogue but its mostly German channels and I have one set up at home for European Eurosport(cycling!) but you need an analogue box and have to be pointing at a different satellite

Its much easier to set up as well because the picture comes on the Tv straight away but thats another story

 

[Lutz]

The 19.2

 

[Lutz]

The 19.2

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Do you have a German digi box to receive those channels ?

Which dish are you using on the van Lutz?

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Astra 2 and Eurobird are at 28 deg East of South and are the main english satellites.

Astra 1 is at 19 deg E of S and is mainly continental

Hotbird is at 13 deg E of S and is mainly continental

They all have several satellites (A,B,C etc)on those bearings and some are digital and a few still transmit analogue but all 3 bearings have digital signals.

Panning East from South you will pick up Hotbird then Astra 1 and then Astra 2, I always find Astra 2 to be the weakest of the three signals but that will vary depending on location.

I have ignored Atlantic Bird at 5 deg W but there is not much on there apart from French network channels, and if you use a motor drive (I do at home) it becomes difficult to maintain good signals over that wide a range (5W to 28E).