I thought it might be beneficial to post the signals strengths by Satellite Transponder in this "Tips and Resources" section. So if anyone ever is wondering how well their dish is aligned, they can just refer to this thread.
The readings in the listing below that are important, are the ones with the # symbol. For best results, the closer the signal strength is to 100 the better. Below 80 is probably getting questionable. (Note: lines that are all N/A have been omitted from the table).
If you are not familiar with how to check signal strength, here are the steps:
1. Press , "Parental,...Setups", "System Setups", "Satellite", "View Signal Strength"
2. Once in the menu, use the "+" next to "Satellite: XX(s)" to change transponders.
3. To check the second tuner, <Arrow> down to the "+" next to "Tuner 1:" and press & "Tuner 2" will appear. Then repeat step 2.
(I want to thank "shedberg", as I copied the info below from his post and then enhanced a bit)
Satellite transponders (32 total at 101º)
[Most of your standard definition channels are beamed from 101ºW]
1-8.......# # # # # # # # #
9-16.....# # # # # # # # #
17-24...# # # # # # # # #
25-32...# # # # # # # # #
Satellite transponders (3 total at 110º) [A few HD channels, also beamed from 99 & 103º]
1-8.....NA NA NA NA NA NA NA #
9-16...NA # NA # NA NA NA NA
Satellite transponders (11 total at 119º) [Local SD channels for some cities, Spanish package]
17-24...NA NA NA NA NA # # #
25-32...# # # # # # # #
Satellite transponders (16 total at 99º(s)) [or 99º(b)] [Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8......# # # # # # NA NA
9-16....NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24..# # # # # # # #
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]
Satellite transponders (14 total at 99º(c)) [or 99º(a)] [National HD channels]
1-8.....# # # # # # # #
9-16...# # # # # # NA NA
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]
Satellite transponders (16 total at 103º(s)) [or 103º(a)] [Local HD channels for some cities]
1-8......# # # # # # NA NA
9-16....NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24..# # # # # # # #
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]
Satellite transponders (14 total at 103º(c)) [or 103º(b)] [National HD channels]
1-8......# # # # # # # #
9-16....# # # # # # NA NA
17-24...NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Satellite transponders (9 total at SWM) [You'll only see this if you have a Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) dish]
1-8.....# # # # # # # #
9-16...# NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Cool site, signal looks pretty good then. When I originally got it installed I told the installer to spend a few extra min to maximize signal to minimize rain fade. I tipped him of course. I can only recall a few times of the dish being out from rain.
I remember shortly after we got it installed I had some friends over and we were watching Monday Night Football. Sure enough it starts raining pretty hard and it goes out. My friend says stupid satellite bla bla, let's go to the bar to watch it(I don't have OTA or cable backup). I'm like where do you think the bar gets their feed of ESPN from you idiot. The game was back on in a few minutes. Pretty much all the bars and restaurants around here have DirecTV.
Although Benihana has comcrap at their bar which I find very odd since Benihana is a more upscale place.
I don't know how important some of the mid 80 TP readings are on 103CB. Tech just tried to peak it and couldn't really get better than below: Any other impressions?
Based on the TPN_MAP document 103cb TP 4 is CN E HD and TP 8 is YES HD!! (my most important channel) I keep seeing these transponders dip to as low as 81-83 with a clear sky.
How could some transponders be in the 90s and other so much lower. Are they broadcast with less power?
Hopefully it's not a big deal. Everything seems to be working well now.
Satellites have amplifiers, typically 50W, that can be "bonded" together. Two amps will output about 100W, and three amps will output about 150W. But there will always be some variation in output power, which is one of the reasons (and the primary one) why you see transponders of varying signal strengths.
Satellites have amplifiers, typically 50W, that can be "bonded" together. Two amps will output about 100W, and three amps will output about 150W. But there will always be some variation in output power, which is one of the reasons (and the primary one) why you see transponders of varying signal strengths.
"No problem"
The SWiM-16 has two outputs and is really 2 SWiM8s, so each output has the 9 channels [1 guide data channel and eight tuner/program channels], and has a crossover between the two for the DECA signal.
You will see "zeros" on the screen for channels being used by other tuners on the same SWiM. When you go into the signal level screens, the receiver you're using stops "using" channels, so if you have all the receivers on the signal levels screens, there will be no zeros shown. Then as you exit the screen, the receiver will start using a channel or two and if you go to another receiver still on the screen, you'll see zeros showing.
If you get real high 90's or even 100's on any of them, will the signal still go out during really bad storms?
We had some severe storms and lightning last night, and we got the dreaded "Searching for Sattelite Signal" message, along with intermittent pixelation. I'm new to D* and the install was just done on Monday.
Can we expect this every time there's bad weather? Most of my numbers are in the high 80's to mid 90's ie) 86 - 96, and a few N/A's some real low ones (must be spot beams) and some 0's (maybe not used).
Well does 0 mean not used or does N/A mean not used? Trying to figure out how much bandwidth they have left ie) how many more HD channels could they add? Theres quite a few I'm missing that I had with Comcast before I moved out of that area.
Yes, If there are bad storms between you and the sats in the sky, weather doesnt actually have to be at your place, you can and will lose signal. I typically lose it a few times a year for 5-10 minutes at a time. HD will go out before most SD, and SD locals if offered, will typically be the last to go.
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