sattelite positioning listening device

[whoimi]

Hey all

Whats that thingy called the one that when you setup your new sattelite dish you stick it at the end of the lnb and you can hear when you have picked up a signal..something like an earpiece you listen through

anywhere i can get one?

[vma]

That is called "sat finder" or "sat meter". In my opinion, they are crap, because:

1) You still need to connect to your receiver, to power this device up. You could, however get 8 1.5V AA Type batteries, connect them in series and attach them to the LNB cable... The problem using the receiver hooked up: if you connect and disconnect the sat finder, you can actually kill the receiver's tuner! The correct way of doing it, would be: turn off the receiver, connect the sat finder (on the roof), go down again, turn on the receiver...

2) The needle will move only, when you're practically pointing to the satellite. It will still be difficult to actually find the satellite.

3) It will be difficult to correctly align for digital transponders, as the best alignment is not always when the signal is at maximum.

4) No information about which satellite you are actually pointing at.

The best tools for dish alignment, in my modest opinion are:

a) an analog sat receiver with a small LCD TV: you get both at eBay for very little money
b) a professional meter with spectrum analyzer, but they cost at least 700 Euro

Cheers,
vma

[Robbo]

Hi

I have to agree with and disagree with vma.

Yes they are crap, but they ARE usable, if you have not been spoilt by the posh meters.

He's right, they are not tunable and you can't tell what satellite you are on, but used in conjunction with the satellite receiver itself, can be of benefit. This is because you can have it right next to the dish whilst adjusting it, without too much hassle.

What I do is max the signal with the meter, and then go inside and check the receiver to see if it is the right sat.

Maplin sell the ones with an analogue needle for £11.99.

Robbo

[madrat]

sattelite positioning listening device

I thought we were on to remote spying then for a moment

Lidle also sell these with LED readout for about £5,

[phatjap]

Hi there

Just thought I'd post a thought as I have just set my system up....I know it's getting an old thread but.....

Without the help of the guys on this forum and the sat finder from Maplins, I probably would not have the system up yet. I had a quote from someone to algin the dish for me but it was £100. I was not going to spend that so in essence, the sat finder saved a me large sum. The one from Maplins I connected a 12 volt battery to instead of to the reciever. Worked fine.

Regards.

[anthony coote]

I had one of the sat meters that you put in your ear, it done my head in with the constant noise from it. I treat myself to a Lacuna meter from Satellitesuperstore, it cost me £250 but well worth every penny. What you spend depends on how much you think you will use it. Good veiwing

Anthony

[slap220]

As a guide for a fixed dish over many years I have used the Sun and time to setup for a start then do a fine tune for best signal.