Troubleshooting signal - what am I missing?! (multi-lnb)

[a33]

Meter on 23 and 19, which will show 80% and lock transponder no problem, 28 its about 60% signal strength maybe 65% when pushing pulling around.

Were the signal quality numbers about as good?
Signal strength is not really important.

Interesting that you put the multifeed rail above the LNBs!

 

[rolfw]

and even more professional would be to check any weak transponder that suffers from interference from a neighboring satellite on almost the same or close frequency

That's a given when installing, always align on a weak transponder.

 

[LeBelge]

I added details and pictures

Remove all the LNBs and put the one for 28E in the central place (where it is now for 24E).
Adjust the dish to catch satellite 28E with strong quality.
If there is no strong quality possible, then you need to move the dish until you find a suitable place from where you can catch 28E again well.

 

[OldBen]

Were the signal quality numbers about as good?
Interesting that you put the multifeed rail above the LNBs!

The meter does not want to lock on 28E, but does on 23 and 19. I have a feeling that Channel 4 transponder is DVB-S2, and I am not convinced the meter supports DVB-S2 so I need to check what 23 and 19 transponders are, its possible I need to look for a DVB-S transponder on 28E to get a lock as the meter is quite old now.

It is also possible I have some interference from somewhere,I might need to consider that once I eliminate everything else.

I put the rail above for some mechanical reason I forget, I think the rail bracket fouls the dish arm if you try to mount below. As mentioned the central LNB has the dish mount and the arm mount both clamped to the same LNB.

Remove all the LNBs and put the one for 28E in the central place (where it is now for 24E).
Adjust the dish to catch satellite 28E with strong quality.
If there is no strong quality possible, then you need to move the dish until you find a suitable place from where you can catch 28E again well.

I am not following your logic here, 23 is very weak and working fine, in the UK you can get 28 on a dustbin lid the signal is so strong. I have the dish correctly aligned right now, moving the dish just introduces a new variable to the problem. Sky dishes are 45cm for comparison.

I would get a new small dish for 28 before I moved the large one as it took a long time to get perfect alignment for 23.

 

[LeBelge]

Why don't you put your receiver next to the antenna and try this way?

 

[rolfw]

Ah, I see what you've done with the multifeed bracket now, used the spare LNB holder to clamp to the central LNB, so the rail is higher, but the LNBs are still roughly at the focal point line. Here are 3 S1 frequencies

Don't think the older Satlook meters handled S2, but what does the spectrum look like? That shrub you've pruned does look like it may possibly be shading the dish a little.

 

[OldBen]

Thanks Rolf, I will add that Channel 5 transponder into the meter. I need to find the programming cable and the ancient software, I have been typing them in on the up/down which works but is... suboptimal!

The Spectrum looks good... but... lower than 23 and 19 which is what makes me wonder if I have an obstruction. I do other stuff with RF and it just looks like it's attenuated somewhere.

About the bracket, over or below it should be the same? The LNB are all in a line regardless, the LNB in the centre is clamped to the rail with the rail bracket the same as all the others, so there should be in a line in focal point. Unless I am missing something?

 

[hexah]

I think the original Triax single LNB mount has started to weaken - as noted above maybe someone clouted it or a particularly fat bird came along. There is some white in the black plastic and maybe this has made it twist moving 28 closer/further to/from dish - but if that happened still not sure why 19 would work!

You have made a good installation with neat wiring.

I had a Triax multi LNB bar up for years. The bar and plastic components are very strong but as the others have said they can move slightly if hit. Mine was not hit so they performed well for years. Stainless steel screws are advised because when the heads rust they can't be unscrewed.

The white might be bird poop