Best Signal Meter for Slimline 5LNB dish

[robertr2112]

I'm putting up a new Slimline 5 LNB dish and want to use a signal finder to get it setup. Can anyone recommend one (preferably inexpensive and easy to use :) )?

I'm been installing single and triple LNB's for years now so know how to get it all set-up but have always just used signal meters to set it up. I have read that it's much easier doing the 5 LNB with a signal meter do to the mulitple sat set-up.

Also, is there a good site telling the best way to set-up that dish (i.e. db settings for different satellites, etc...)?

Thanks,
Bob

[robertr2112]

I meant the signal meters on the receiver...d'oh.

[jdspencer]

The signal meter in the receiver should be enough to get 101, 110, and 119. Then, 99 and 103 should be close, but you'd need to dither the alignment for those. A signal meter would help with that. I'll let others provide the meter model number.

[Matt9876]

The new Birdog ($600+) or SuperBuddy ($700) are the best.

For me I use the old Birdog ($400) and the dither method for 101,but what works best is a cellphone or two way radio and someone reading off 99(c) & 103(c) (14 transponders) signal numbers for the absolute best alignment.:)

Signal numbers from 90-99 are typical when using the cellphone method.


If you take the time to adjust the tilt till 99 and 103 are balanced you will be spot on,I call it the perfect alignment,only takes an extra 5-10 minuets to get it correct.

[joe diamond]

The new Birdog ($600+) or SuperBuddy ($700) are the best.

For me I use the old Birdog ($400) and the dither method for 101,but what works best is a cellphone or two way radio and someone reading off 99(c) & 103(c) (14 transponders) signal numbers for the absolute best alignment.:)

Signal numbers from 90-99 are typical when using the cellphone method.


If you take the time to adjust the tilt till 99 and 103 are balanced you will be spot on,I call it the perfect alignment,only takes an extra 5-10 minuets to get it correct.

Matt,

You are one of the reasons I hang out on here! I tried what you said about balancing the 99 & 103 with the tilt; pretty good! Crank it a little one way and the 99 goes down...the 103 goes up. Go the other way and get the reverse result. Good tech tip!

Before that I just carefully set the published coordinates and got ok (high 80 - low 90 numbers).

Joe

[Matt9876]

If you think that one is good listen to this,On DirecTV HD equipment if you are missing odd transponders it's the equipment,if you are missing even transponders it's the cabling.


This knowledge has saved me many hours of field work.:):)

[jamesgangnc]

If you're just doing your own dish then you don't want a meter. A meter that will cover what you need for a 5lnb dish will be over $500.

[TigersFanJJ]

If you're just doing your own dish then you don't want a meter. A meter that will cover what you need for a 5lnb dish will be over $500.

An Accutrac III (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=09&p=ACUTRACIII&d=ACUTRAC-III-Plus-Ka-HiLo-Ku-Satellite-Signal-Tracking-Meter) is an excellent meter for around $200 brand new.

[joe diamond]

If you think that one is good listen to this,On DirecTV HD equipment if you are missing odd transponders it's the equipment,if you are missing even transponders it's the cabling.


This knowledge has saved me many hours of field work.:):)

Matt,

Thanks, keep 'em coming!

Any news on the DTV end of wb6x16 (Zinwell) multiswitches?

Joe

[JimDaddy]

I am considering upgrading to either the Satbuddy or the Birdog Ultra. I now the USB Birdog. Can some of you discuss the pros and cons of each? Also, what is the difference in the Satbuddy 21 and 29. What will the 29 do that the 21 cannot?

[Racer88]

If you're just doing your own dish then you don't want a meter. A meter that will cover what you need for a 5lnb dish will be over $500.

What a full train load of (mod edit: equine post-processing leftovers)

You either:
A. don't have a clue
B. Make your living selling said > $500 meters.

:nono2:

Buy this:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=09&p=SACUTRACPRO&d=Acutrac22-PRO-MKII-Satellite-Signal-Tracking-Meter-(ACUTRACPRO)&c=Signal Meters&sku=

Read, print, study, follow this to the letter:
http://manuals.solidsignal.com/Slimline_Dish_Installation_Manual.pdf

that's all you need

oh....may need one of these too if you got a SWM LNB
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=09&p=ASL-1&d=ASL1-Satellite-Alignment-Signal-Locator-for-SL5S-and-SL3S-Dishes-(ASL1)&c=Signal Meters&sku=