Interpretting Signal Strength and Satellite alignment

[ajackace]

I'm hoping some here can help me figure out the best way to tweak my satellite based on the signal strengths I'm getting. I was recently having issues getting some of the newer HD channels on DTV (including flaky NFL games on the HD Ticket channels), so yesterday adjusted the up/down pitch of the satellite and it is better than it was (the channels now show up with no pixelation)...but the signal is still not as good as it can be I think. Anyways, if anyone has thoughts on what I could do to increase the signal strength on the transponders that matter, it would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

101:
89 92 89 0 88 92 86 92
88 87 91 76 91 95 90 95
89 0 91 85 89 95 86 95
89 0 92 0 92 95 88 96

110:
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 95
NA 90 NA 94 NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

119:
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA 77 0 78
69 74 85 69 86 74 0 85

99c:
86 74 82 67 83 70 80 63
83 70 80 62 85 69 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

99s:
82 0 86 0 0 0 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 80
0 0 0 77 0 0 0 0
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

103s:
0 0 0 80 0 74 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 0
0 0 86 72 0 0 0 0
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

103c:
80 67 77 62 78 61 77 60
79 64 79 60 79 61 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Signal Meters:
101: 89%
110: 95%
119: 77%
99c: 86%
99s: 81%
103s: Not Acquired
103c: 80%

[David MacLeod]

what type of dish do you have? some more info about the setup can help.
if its an au9s dish solid signal has some pdf (I forget where on site, maybe installer tools? ) that has a manual for installing and peaking this dish.

[veryoldschool]

99c:
86 74 82 67 83 70 80 63
83 70 80 62 85 69 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

103c:
80 67 77 62 78 61 77 60
79 64 79 60 79 61 NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I can't tell you right/left or up/down, but What I've "clipped out" above is where I'd tune to tweak it better.
You can go into the signal meter screen and select one of these SATs and then pick the transponder. Use the lower ones, as they can show how well your alignment really is better than the higher ones do [or at least they did for me two weeks back].

So: 99c #2 or #4 & 103c #2 or #4, is where I'd start.

[ajackace]

what type of dish do you have? some more info about the setup can help.
if its an au9s dish solid signal has some pdf (I forget where on site, maybe installer tools? ) that has a manual for installing and peaking this dish.

I believe it is the 5lnb dish (bigger, heavier style dish) mounted on top of my roof.

[David MacLeod]

I could be way off here, but I think I read some posts a few months back with similar strengths that were a result of the tilt being slightly off.

[davring]

First off I would start by marking with a Sharpie the current position of the dish. You can always go back to where you are currently if you mess up. The simplest and easiest adjustment to make, and probably were it is off, would be the azimuth. Be sure and loosen the pinch bolts before you turn the adjustment screws. If the tilt was set properly, it usually does not change. Make small changes. I think when you get the 101 higher the others will fall into place.

[veryoldschool]

I have to wonder why if you have two "targets", one the size of a silver dollar and the other the size of a dime, why anybody would use the silver dollar to fine tune.
101 is the larger than 99/103, and is good for course adjustments [locking the dish to the mast]
99/103 are "the best" to use for fine tuning as they are the smallest [the dime target].
It might take ten min longer to do both Az AND EL, but it's time well spent.

[David MacLeod]

I used 103c #1 the other day to fine tune. IMO its actually easier (if initial aim done) since a small adjustment makes a difference. no wondering if what you did made a difference, you know it did.

[sonicranger001]

I have similar questions related to this topic.

Just had my stuff installed after two years of debating about getting anything...wheew!!!

So anyway, installer guy is nice and super glad I have already run 1000' of cable throughout my house to each room etc. So all he has to do is mount dish and setup box in living room. Problem is dish needed to be about 25' off the ground on the back of my house, I was helping him out my attic window!!! So to say the least the dish is "aimed" but not superbly.

What steps should I take to get the 101 and others "fine" tuned. I am familiar with SolidSignal.com thats a good website. I guess I am just looking for some pointers from you folks who have blazed the trail so to speak. I just don't want to F up my brand new install and not have TV for a week!

Thanks

P.S. I am pretty sure I got the HR22, I'll check in the setup menu to verify but thats the "good" box to get right now???

[litzdog911]

....

What steps should I take to get the 101 and others "fine" tuned. I am familiar with SolidSignal.com thats a good website. I guess I am just looking for some pointers from you folks who have blazed the trail so to speak. I just don't want to F up my brand new install and not have TV for a week!

Thanks

P.S. I am pretty sure I got the HR22, I'll check in the setup menu to verify but thats the "good" box to get right now???

Check out the installation and alignment videos here ....
http://www.solidsignal.com/dtvkuka