Satellite Peaking
Welcome to Tech Talk, Pico Macom's series of technical notes, featuring useful information and equipment tips. This installment of Tech Talk discusses using Pico Macom satellite finders to peak reception equipment for optimum performance.
Perfect Signal
Acquiring the maximum possible satellite signal is the first and most important part of installing satellite equipment. Whether it be for C-Band, small dish, Free-to-Air, VSAT or satellite Internet services, the starting signal-to-noise ratio has an important effect on the quality and the stability of the received signals.
Pico Macom's satellite finders/peakers are the optimum solution to ensuring that the maximum signal is achieved, ensuring the absolute most reliable signal for your customers. At Pico Macom, our staff can assist you with the selection of these and many other high quality products to suit your every reception need.
Clear Skies
The procedure for receiving signals will vary slightly based on the type of system. For this application, the procedure will focus on Pico Macom's SIRD-FTA Free-to-Air satellite receiver.
- Find your desired programming and satellite. With the conversion to digital, there are now more free channels available on satellite than ever before. If you know the satellite channel you want, you can contact the channel or check its Web site for the satellite, transponder and data stream. If you are not sure what programming is available, there are a few Web sites that provide not only the information above but also the programming. These sites include www.lyngsat.com and www.satcodx.com.
- Find your azimuth and elevation. The sites mentioned above also incorporate the feature of inputting your dish location. They will also provide the pointing information for the selected satellite.
- Check for a clear-sky look angle. The path between satellite and dish must be free from obstructions. This includes trees that will sprout leaves in spring and summer.
- Mount and level the mast, and place and rough-point the dish. When mounting the satellite dish mast, ensure that it is level before placing the dish reflector. Leveling the mast becomes very difficult with the additional weight of the dish. Place the dish on the mast and, using the scale on the side, set the elevation of the dish 2° below the designated elevation and point it to the correct azimuth.
- Fine-tune dish peak. To finely tune the dish so that it is peaked to the satellite, attach the Pico Macom TSSF-Series peaking meter in line between the LNB on the dish and the SIRD-FTA satellite receiver. Slowly sweep the dish from left to right 3° until maximum signal is acquired. Reset the elevation by +1° and repeat the left-to-right sweep. Repeat until maximum signal is achieved. Tighten all bolts to lock in place.
- LNB cross-polarity peak. If the satellite to be received is a linear (vertical and horizontal) polarity, it will be necessary to rotate the LNB to match the polarity direction of the satellite. This is accomplished by tightening the LNB clamp on the dish so that it is snug around the LNB but will still allow rotation. The SIRD-FTA will provide a signal quality reading that can be accessed through the menu screens. Rotate the LNB 3° and run the test. Repeat until the maximum quality reading is achieved.