Skystar2 pci does signal strength show

[SS_PCI_Novice]

I'm all new to this. Having trouble getting first signal/picture off satellite. I optimized dish signal with satellite finder, but see no indication of signal on skystar software.

I saw the following statement posted on one of the forums here, "Software signal meter does not work until you lock the freq, so these card are not like handheld signal meters." I'm kind of flying blind, not knowing exactly which satellite I'm looking at, much less the input frequency. And in fact, if I did see a signal, I'm still not sure how to proceed. What would I do next if I did see signal indication?

Will I see a signal indication before I allow the set up program to scan to add transponders? I am also using about 60 feet of RG-6 feed line with two barrels (three sections of line. ) and a 30 inch off center fed Prime Star dish modified with Dish Network mount for el, az, and tilt adjustment. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[oncewaslost]

I'm all new to this. Having trouble getting first signal/picture off satellite. I optimized dish signal with satellite finder, but see no indication of signal on skystar software.

I saw the following statement posted on one of the forums here, "Software signal meter does not work until you lock the freq, so these card are not like handheld signal meters." I'm kind of flying blind, not knowing exactly which satellite I'm looking at, much less the input frequency. And in fact, if I did see a signal, I'm still not sure how to proceed. What would I do next if I did see signal indication?

Will I see a signal indication before I allow the set up program to scan to add transponders? I am also using about 60 feet of RG-6 feed line with two barrels (three sections of line. ) and a 30 inch off center fed Prime Star dish modified with Dish Network mount for el, az, and tilt adjustment. Any comments would be appreciated.

What you are trying to do would be difficult for almost anybody to do.

You need to approach the dvb cards differently than you do an fta receiver. You wont see any signal until you scan. For me, I have to know exactly what I am expecting to receive with the card. To know this, you have to know what satellite you are pointed at, The frequency & polarity of the transponder and the symbol rate. Then scan.


You really need some method of locating and identifying the satellites first.

Good luck!

 

[CharredPC]

My two cents on setting up a dish using a DVB card...

Everyone is right saying that setting up a dish on a DVB card is an entirely different beast than using an STB. There's been some great advice given, but just to mix things up I thought I'd explain how I used to do it...

Think in reverse! It's an STB mentality that you have to aim, scan, and repeat until you get results. On a DVB card this will drive you absolutely insane; you could be doing this all day and get no results, as there are so many variables. I propose you do things this way:

1. Find a starting point- pick a common bird you want to hit. This can be your True South satellite, or just something strong. For example, if you're aiming for G10, ask for a solid transponder here or do a quick search- I think Iceberg has a thread of them.

2. I'm not at home so don't have my bookmarks but there's a handy little DVB application that acts like a signal finder. You can't watch TV on it, but you can plug in the basic info (your LNB LO, transponder frequency and SR) and it will show signal strength and quality levels. I'll either update this later with a name / link, or someone will pipe up with it. Also, occasionally other DVB software will have this feature built-in as well.

See, once that's done we're already "scanning." All we have to do is aim the dish at G10, and it'll beep/chirp/light up when we hit it. How is this different from a normal little handheld signal meter? Well, as long as we don't hit another satellite with the exact same transponder, this is now specific to the bird we WANT to hit.

3. Make sure you are behind the dish while adjusting it (or below it in front, if on an angle). Use a compass or even eyeball where you should start from. Move the dish very, very slowly until you see results. I used to look over at Dish network satellites mounted on houses next to me, imitate their angle, then go east or west from there depending on what bird I'm aiming for.

Yeah, it can still be tedious, but at least you aren't running up and down from the roof just to hit "scan," wait two minutes, be disappointed and go back up again Once you've gotten the quality meter to jump, tighten things down and THEN go scan using your favorite app (MT, ProgDVB, etc). Verify you're on the correct satellite and fine tune! You can use a variety of ways to keep track of your PC screen while adjusting your dish. Here's a few I've used...

Visual methods:

- TV-out, S-Video out, etc on the computer's videocard -> VCR -> coaxial cable -> small TV near the dish

- Use Remote Desktop or VNC to send your computer's desktop screen over the network. Receive it with a laptop or second computer at or near the dish site, with either a long Ethernet cable or wireless.

Audio methods:

- The program emits a sound when achieving quality. Listen for this using a baby monitor (make sure you have the portable receiving end!), kid's walkie-talkies (rubber band on one to press the key-up), or the low-tech way... open a window and crank the volume

- Have another person watch the screen and contact you in any of the above-mentioned ways. I found bribing worked best, but younger children (while very susceptible to bribes) didn't watch the screen very closely and would miss essential quality level flickers.

I hope my ramblings help! I might be slightly rusty, but I've never had a blind scanning unit in my life- years of DVB card tuning has forced me to figure out a few things