Transponders with no signal

[armadillo_115]

I don't have a Sat meter,which I'm sure would tell me more precisely. I ask this only in a generalized way:

I delete all transponders, then blindscan a Sat.SOME transponders get added to the list with zero signal strength. I know part of these are South American signals that my 9000i could process with sufficient signal strength.

So the question(s) is: Can I assume that I am close to being able to receive these signals? There is obviously some signal or it wouldn't list,correct?

I'm trying to decide if it is worth the effort to go after these birds or am I just dreaming.
Things I know I will do eventually regardless:
More precise fine tuning and alignment.
Use the C1W-pll instead off the CK1S on one dishl.
Mount the 10 ft perf instead of the 10ft mesh
Mount the 12 footer.
Possibly try better coax and/or preamp.(But I doubt the results on these)

Thanks,folks!

 

[Titanium]

Several reasons that a transponder will scan, but upon return it will not have Signal Quality or log no services. Your list of possible solutions might bring in the weak TPs.

1. The signal might be on the threshold and just not receiving enough error-free data to reliably lock. Common examples are low link budget services or 16/32QPSK services that require a more robust signal.
2. Some receivers log transponders with DVB tables but without compliant transport streams. Many transponders carry IP data and will log but not lock or log services.
3. An ACM or VCM transponder may log, but the FEC changes to a new rate upon return and the STB cannot lock onto the transponder unless rescanned and the FEC is within the range of the STB.

 

[armadillo_115]

Thanks for the explanation,Titanium!

I get about everything on C band that the footprint maps say I should. Would be nice to expand out of my territory a bit though. There's some good Spanish channels down there that would make Momma happy.

 

[FaT Air]

To "expand out of my territory a bit " Just requires a LARGER dish. Go as big as you can 'fit'. Cham has the 8ft offset Ku I 'saved'. Inline amp or better coax for this purpose is a waste of $ IMHO. The signal is amplified at/by the LNBF. It can only amplify what's fed to it. After that it's the loss of the coax and switches. Think if that's a total loss of 15db max, you're good. (LNBF gain is typically 60-65db)
I remember BITD someone on the S. American continent receiving European analog signals. Used a home made 30 ft dish IIRR. Website showing equipment and some screen shots disappeared around 2009 or so.

 

[armadillo_115]

To "expand out of my territory a bit " Just requires a LARGER dish. Go as big as you can 'fit'. Cham has the 8ft offset Ku I 'saved'. Inline amp or better coax for this purpose is a waste of $ IMHO. The signal is amplified at/by the LNBF. It can only amplify what's fed to it. After that it's the loss of the coax and switches. Think if that's a total loss of 15db max, you're good. (LNBF gain is typically 60-65db)

Well,I have yet to mount the 12 footer.Hopefully that will do it.I doubt I will ever find a larger metal dish around here but I'm keeping my eyes open.

I may one day find a ku dish which would help on the KU signals...but not sure I even want one.

I don't believe this 9000i has ever been to the dish.The last time I worked at the dish I used the MicroHD. Maybe the 9000i needs a field trip. Might possibly detect some extra SQ out there.Kinda doubt the receiver meter will show it though.
(Just thinking out loud)

 

[Cham]

To "Used a home made 30 ft dish IIRR. Website showing equipment and some screen shots disappeared around 2009 or so.

I think he was in Brazil on the east coast or near to it. Monster dish with view of the eastern horizon, he could get many European channels from his "back home". A good commercial grade dish maybe 15' dia would likely get some of those really weak C and Ku feeds. Of course a 30' dish would be better but might require some working around building codes etc!

 

[Titanium]

This was back in the analog days and as I recall, Klaus Schumacher used a super cooled LNB to reduce noise. The article ran in Tele-Satellite magazine, so it should be archived somewhere.
In Googling, I came across this notice of his passing on the satellites.co.uk forum: https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/r-i-p-klaus-schumacher.148785/

Here is a pdf of the article:

 

[Cham]

Yep that be the guy. Sorry to hear about his passing, thought he would be getting up there in years... He certainly made his mark in this hobby!

 

[FaT Air]

I remember the dish pictures from the website.

Wow, that was a big lightning strike. 2 seconds- 1/2 mile away.

 

[armadillo_115]

I would take a 14ft or 16ft metal dish if I came across one cheap.But a 30 footer? Ain't planting no dish bigger than my house.

I'm not missing out on anything important enough to go to such extremes anyway.As long as I don't mention those other satellites/channels...momma won't miss them anyway.