Do-it-yourself satellite antenna tuning

Satellite television provides potential users with slightly greater visual entertainment options than standard-type TVs. True, modern technologies are already bringing society closer to completely abandoning any antennas and using exclusively small modular consoles.

But while satellite television reception remains in demand. So, the satellite antenna tuning remains relevant in the conditions of independent organization of TV reception. Let's analyze this moment in more detail.

In the article, we examined in detail the question of choosing a place to install the “dish”, the technology of its installation, and also examined the step-by-step configuration of the antenna for satellite broadcasting.

Preparing equipment for configuration

What is a satellite "dish" - to explain, perhaps, is not necessary. This element of television equipment has already become a firmly established part of everyday life, and therefore it is practically familiar to everyone.

Meanwhile, it’s one thing to represent the satellite dish in general and another thing entirely is to consider the device technically and technologically.

An antenna mirror mounted on the wall of the building, fully equipped for receiving a television signal. This has long been a familiar household accessory, increasingly self-installed

Firstly, dish-type satellite dishes are available in different diameters. Secondly, in order to receive a signal from a satellite, the “plate” included in the installation kit must be precisely tuned.

Different in diameter antennas allow you to receive signals of different frequencies (different satellites). And each satellite used is in an individual geostationary orbit.

True, for the domestic sector, the use of antennas with a diameter of not more than 1 m, and often not more than 50-60 cm (NTV-plus, Tricolor-TV), is characteristic.

Therefore, we will dwell on such products in order to show potential owners how to set up a satellite dish with a diameter of 50-60 cm per satellite.

Correct antenna installation

Correctly executed mounting a "plate" largely favors the setup procedure. Therefore, all manufacturer's recommendations should be followed exactly when installing the antenna.

Installation of satellite “dishes” allows for all kinds of variations, but at the same time it is necessary to observe all the subtleties of the settings for an individual instance. Then interference from one mirror to another is completely eliminated.

So, for the installation of Tricolor, the characteristic values ​​of distance and angle are the numbers 100 and 40. In other words, in front of the antenna mirror at a distance of 100 m, the presence of any objects (objects) that hide part of the sky is excluded.

However, the set “clean” distance parameter is not the only criterion. In addition, the same “clean” angular view should be provided.

That is why at a marked distance, in height from the horizon (along the central axis of the antenna) at 40 m, the presence of any foreign objects should also be excluded.

Given that the satellite “dish” is mounted at a certain angle and at a certain height from the earth’s surface, the picture of the ideal installation should be approximately the same as shown in the diagram below.

It looks like this, if not perfect, so really correct installation of the “plate”, which will be tuned to the satellite in order to get a high-quality signal on the TV screen

When installing the equipment, it is necessary to provide protection from possible ice, snow, water falling from the roof or other objects.

The mirror surface of the mounted satellite dish is directed to the "southern" area of ​​the sky. After the installation, cable entry and installation of the receiver, you can proceed directly to fine tune the satellite.

Choosing the best weather

To begin with, you should learn the main rule: setting up the “plate” is recommended under favorable weather conditions.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that there is no: dense cloud cover, precipitation or strong wind.

Favorable weather for setting: a clear sky or little cloud cover, complete absence of wind or light breeze. This is one of the main requirements if a potential installer expects to quickly configure the system.

Satellite Dish Setup Steps

The next step is a detailed instruction description of how to independently set up an installed satellite dish to receive high-quality pictures on a TV screen.

For a potential owner of television equipment, these recommendations will be very useful - guided by them, you can begin to configure.

Step # 1 - setting the "azimuth" and "elevation angle"

Along with tuning the antenna, the installer will have to learn concepts such as elevation angle and azimuth angle. To facilitate learning, recall: the azimuth should be represented by the angle of horizontal deviation of the "plate" to the left or right.

Both angle parameters are usually provided by the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, a table is placed in the instructions where large settlements and angle values ​​are indicated with respect to the location of these settlements.

An example of tuning an antenna mirror by the "azimuth angle" parameter. To perform this action, it is most convenient to use a regular travel compass. However, more often the direction put "by eye"

To accurately determine the azimuth angle for a specific location, a potential installer will need a compass. Holding the device in the palm of your hand, find a position where the red arrow exactly matches the label “South”.

Next, on the scale, you should find the value of the "azimuth angle" for a given area, for example, 204 °, and combine the found point with the center of the device, putting, for example, a small ruler on the scale. The resulting direction is the orientation for the antenna.

Setting the required parameter “elevation angle” using a simple plumb: 1 - converter module; 2 - plumb line; 3 - antenna mirror; A, B - parameters "X" of the negative and positive "elevation angle", respectively

The elevation angle can be determined using a simple construction plummet and a protractor ruler. The load, acting as a plumb line, is attached to the zero mark of the protractor - the conditional horizon line. Next, on the conveyor scale, the desired elevation parameter is indicated.

Step # 2 - providing a high-quality TV signal

Pre-installation of the antenna mirror in "azimuth" and "elevation" does not always give a high-quality picture on the screen of the TV receiver.

Often, the installer has to perform the so-called “fine” adjustment, which consists in minor changes in the position of the mirror with subsequent control of the picture on the TV.

First of all, the installer should use the menu item "Antenna Settings". This section of the system menu is endowed with, in addition to options with parameters, a pair of tuning scales.

They are located at the very bottom of the “Antenna Settings” menu window and are indicators of “fine” mirror settings.

Performing a “fine” adjustment of the direction of the mirror to a satellite signal provides the system menu of the transceiver - the module that is part of the home equipment of satellite TV

As noted above, initially the frontal plane of the mirror is directed to the "South". Traditionally, users who perform installation on their own do not use the compass due to the banal lack of a tool, but put a mirror “by eye”.

Therefore, you have to somewhat correct the position of the "plate" by moving horizontally.

Usually changing the position of the mirror is required with some displacement towards the "East". The offset, as a rule, does not exceed 10 mm (1 cm), after which it is necessary to wait a bit (criterion for signal capture) and check the levels of the jackal indicator windows of the settings window.

Theoretically, both scales in terms of signal level should increase. So, moving the antenna mirror with small shifts, it is necessary to achieve maximum performance of both indicator scales (optimally - 80%).

Step # 3 - fine tune

Sometimes in the process of fine-tuning operations, a potential installer may well encounter some nuances.

For instance:

• up to 80% of only one indicator is observed;
• the indicator scales are full, but there is no picture.

Such nuances are usually caused by the detection of false signals coming from other satellites or the appearance of some foreign objects in the radiation pattern.

In such cases, you should continue moving the antenna mirror until a real signal appears.

At the end of the entire tuning procedure, all that remains is to save the received parameters in the memory of the receiver module and start watching television broadcasts via satellite

If a real source is detected, a stable image appears on the screen, which can only be brought to an acceptable quality (filling at least 80% of the scales of both indicators) with the above adjustment methods.

Under the condition of a real signal, the options of the settings window are filled with information regarding the source.

For more information on tuning the satellite dish tuner, see this article.

Having achieved optimal tuning of the antenna mirror, the installer needs to fix the “plate” in the optimally selected position. On this, the configuration work can be considered completed.

Some homemade products refuse satellite dishes and make TV signal catchers on their own. Such options are quite functional if the TV tower is installed nearby.

You can find interesting ideas and detailed instructions for their implementation in the article - DIY TV antenna: step-by-step instructions for assembling popular TV antenna models

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The following is an actually full-fledged video course that perfectly matches the topic in question.

After reviewing the video materials, a potential installer gets every chance to become a professional master in setting up equipment:

The practice of self-tuning satellite dishes shows - do it yourself is achievable. With all the apparent difficulties, the technical installation moments are solved in fairly simple ways.

The conclusion is obvious: doing a self-installation, a potential buyer of equipment saves considerable money on the installation and configuration procedure.

Have something to supplement, or have questions about setting up a satellite dish? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience installing and connecting the “plate”. The contact form is located in the lower block.