Lidi Camping set - Technical

dids858 · 26-05-2009, 08:57

Well my local lidi have these in again so I have taken the plunge and bought one.

Tried to set it up in the garden as a test but it says

Signal Intenstify 80%
Signal Quality 14%

Now the thing is that even when the cable is removed from the box the quality still shows at 14% but the other one drops to 0%

dogey box or I am doing something wrong?

Ghostleader · 26-05-2009, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by dids858

Well my local lidi have these in again so I have taken the plunge and bought one.

Tried to set it up in the garden as a test but it says

Signal Intenstify 80%
Signal Quality 14%

Now the thing is that even when the cable is removed from the box the quality still shows at 14% but the other one drops to 0%

dogey box or I am doing something wrong?

You will always get the quality meter showing a couple of percent, its just background noise ignore this until it gets to the 33% mark & above & starts showing a picture on screen.

davemurgatroyd · 26-05-2009, 14:04

With high signal level and very low quality and no channels it is almost certain that you are not aligning the dish on the satellite you think you are. The receiver will be looking for a particular frequency and if it cannot find it you have a low quality. Not all satellites have channels broadcasting on all available frequencies. Which satellite were you attempting to find?

ProDave · 26-05-2009, 15:39

Read the instructions here, this is the best, simple guide to DIY dish alignment I have yet found:

www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk

brotherdcp · 27-05-2009, 08:05

Those kits really arn't very good, the dish is too small to pick up a decent signal in so many areas of the uk that its not ideal for touring.

davesull · 27-05-2009, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDave

Read the instructions here, this is the best, simple guide to DIY dish alignment I have yet found:

www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk

Only problem is, ProDave, that it doesn't have very good instructions for generic free-to-air boxes, cos I'm too tight to get my own and learn how they work! I need someone to write that section for me, but no one seems to want to do it!

I went out and bought a Bush Freesat box last May so I'd be clued up on that but a variety of FTA boxes seems a step too far for my wallet.

mbsnr · 28-05-2009, 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by dids858

Well my local lidi have these in again so I have taken the plunge and bought one.

Tried to set it up in the garden as a test but it says

Signal Intenstify 80%
Signal Quality 14%

Now the thing is that even when the cable is removed from the box the quality still shows at 14% but the other one drops to 0%

dogey box or I am doing something wrong?

It's a SL65/12 right? I bought one of these last yr as my entry into the world of multiple satellite. Just like you I struggled at first to get any picture but eventually I found that it is possible. I used dishpointer.com (if you are in a google high res pic area) to line up the dish. I found the most important thing with this small dish was the elevation angle. You could be a few degrees off in the horizontal plane but you need to be spot on on the vertical angle to get a picture. Your best bet is to try the stronger Sats 1st such as 13E or 19E. Once you get the hang of them it's fairly simple. You can then add other Sats using the original preprogrammed Sats as a guide.

The small dish works well for 13E/19E/28E/5W in my location. I still occasionally use the dish when the father in law wants to watch the rugby on France2 (5W). Otherwise I now use a 78cm dish on the same receiver and have no plans to change it yet as it does everything I need fairly well.

JamesE · 28-05-2009, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherdcp

Those kits really arn't very good, the dish is too small to pick up a decent signal in so many areas of the uk that its not ideal for touring.

They are perfectly OK. Here's my 42cm at work last week on a Broads holiday:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3342/pict1119.jpg

dids858 · 28-05-2009, 10:46

Thanks all from looking at various websites it seems I might have my f connection cable not set up fully as the instructions are different to others.

I will have a good play with it at the weekend I have been trying for astra both 19 and 28.

Not sure about this elevation angle?

sjc2007 · 28-05-2009, 10:49

Haha Lidi made me chuckle

It's Lidl

GaseousClay · 28-05-2009, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjc2007

Haha Lidi made me chuckle

It's Lidl

HaHa well spotted.... Ladi

davemurgatroyd · 28-05-2009, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by dids858

Thanks all from looking at various websites it seems I might have my f connection cable not set up fully as the instructions are different to others.

I will have a good play with it at the weekend I have been trying for astra both 19 and 28.

Not sure about this elevation angle?

For 28 East the dish needs to be almost vertical and for 19.2 pointing slightly downwards. You may also need to alter the skew of the lnb (its twist in its holder) which should be approxiamately 7 o'clock. Adjust dish horizontally and vertically first for maximum signal level then adjust skew for max quality.

dids858 · 28-05-2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjc2007

Haha Lidi made me chuckle

It's Lidl

Oh ****

ruggs1234 · 28-05-2009, 15:22

How much are Lidl selling them for this time?

dids858 · 29-05-2009, 08:53

£30 this time

dids858 · 29-05-2009, 23:50

Still no joy with this, maybe I should get a good sat finder? Still get the same quality no matter where and which sat I try.

ProDave · 30-05-2009, 06:56

Do you have a friend or relative with Sky? If so try plugging your receiver into their dish. That will confirm that the receiver is working. Don't rule out the possibility you may have a faulty receiver.

Once you know the receiver is working, and if necessary re scan to update it's channel list, then try again with the portable dish.

I can't say much more than has already been said about dish alignment, other than make all adjustments very slowly and a very very small movement each time. It's not like swinging a tv aerial around for a signal.

Once you have mastered it, you will soon be able to do it time and time again quickly, and will wonder why you ever had a problem.

JamesE · 30-05-2009, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by davemurgatroyd

For 28 East the dish needs to be almost vertical and for 19.2 pointing slightly downwards. You may also need to alter the skew of the lnb (its twist in its holder) which should be approxiamately 7 o'clock. Adjust dish horizontally and vertically first for maximum signal level then adjust skew for max quality.

It's the other way round. Vertical for 19.2 and slightly down for 28. Or, depending on the dish, about vertical for 28 and slightly upwards for 19.

When playing with multiple LNBs on a dish then, of course, for a lower degree satellite, i.e. higher in the sky, the LNB itself has to be lower.

mbsnr · 30-05-2009, 12:32

I didn't mention Dishpointer.com will give the the elevation angle as well as magnetic bearing, so that may help if you need to use a compass. My Lidl dish has the angle marked on the back so as long as you have it on a flat surface then I find it fairly spot on.

Seriously though it's minimal adjustment and then suddenly you hit the signal. I spent a good afternoon getting nowhere and was wondering if this was a pointless exercise and then bam I suddenly understood what I needed to do. What you may then find happen is you think you're on 19E but in fact you're on 13E and that can be confusing....

ProDave · 30-05-2009, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbsnr

What you may then find happen is you think you're on 19E but in fact you're on 13E and that can be confusing....

That's why I sugest he hooks up the receiver to a known working dish and tests it, and does a scan to ensure the channel list is up to date.

Then tune the receiver to a known channel, say BBC1. And while watching the on screen signal strength and quality meters, move the dish.

When you hit Astra 2, you will get the readings on the screen, and you will actually see BBC1 picture, confirming you are on the right satellite.

That's exactly what I do with my satellite finder when setting up a dish. Maximum of 5 minutes to find the satellite, optimise the position and get it all tightened up.

dids858 · 09-06-2009, 10:23

Can you believe I dont know anyone with SKY. So it will be back to the garden at the weekend to give this another bash. I've tried using the google sat finder but will go back to the compass if I can find it

JamesE · 10-06-2009, 13:25

Point the dish (azimuth not elevation!) at the sun at 11:44. (145.4 degrees). You can do it easily be centring the shadow, weather permitting. Then try elevation - start with the dish about vertical.

pete1 · 11-06-2009, 19:37

I take it that's 11.44 BST. Hope to be loking tomorrow!

JamesE · 12-06-2009, 10:16

Yes: Here's the link to download the program, which tells you the sun time:
http://www.cubsat.com/cubsat.zip
It's very short and simple. Make sure you select Astra 2, it defaults to Astra 1.
The link to the full site:
http://www.cubsat.com/telechar.htm
click on "logiciel de reglage avec longitude et soleil"

dids858 · 15-06-2009, 13:05

Well had a go at the weekend and sorted it within seconds picked up 19.2 right away then tried 28e not a problem. Have drop a boll... by deleting all channels when I was trying to get rid of duplicates thought it would just do that sat and not every sat.

But re did both astras again. Just need to find the other sat's now little hard without the channel guide to help tune in for these. As my compass has dispeared.

26-05-2009, 08:57	#1
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	Lidi Camping set Well my local lidi have these in again so I have taken the plunge and bought one. Tried to set it up in the garden as a test but it says Signal Intenstify 80% Signal Quality 14% Now the thing is that even when the cable is removed from the box the quality still shows at 14% but the other one drops to 0% dogey box or I am doing something wrong?

26-05-2009, 14:04	#3
davemurgatroyd Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oxford Services: SkyHD, Sky+,TM9100,Fortec 5100 CI Diamond,Targa TSR5200 PVR.Freeview PVRs Posts: 8,216	With high signal level and very low quality and no channels it is almost certain that you are not aligning the dish on the satellite you think you are. The receiver will be looking for a particular frequency and if it cannot find it you have a low quality. Not all satellites have channels broadcasting on all available frequencies. Which satellite were you attempting to find?

26-05-2009, 15:39	#4
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,721	Read the instructions here, this is the best, simple guide to DIY dish alignment I have yet found: www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk

27-05-2009, 08:05	#5
brotherdcp Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Those kits really arn't very good, the dish is too small to pick up a decent signal in so many areas of the uk that its not ideal for touring.

28-05-2009, 10:46	#9
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	Thanks all from looking at various websites it seems I might have my f connection cable not set up fully as the instructions are different to others. I will have a good play with it at the weekend I have been trying for astra both 19 and 28. Not sure about this elevation angle?

28-05-2009, 10:49	#10
sjc2007 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Gender: Male Location: Eurovision HQ. Or Aberystwyth. Posts: 1,885	Haha Lidi made me chuckle It's Lidl

28-05-2009, 15:22	#14
ruggs1234 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 225	How much are Lidl selling them for this time?

29-05-2009, 08:53	#15
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	£30 this time

29-05-2009, 23:50	#16
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	Still no joy with this, maybe I should get a good sat finder? Still get the same quality no matter where and which sat I try.

30-05-2009, 06:56	#17
ProDave Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Northern Scottish Highlands Services: Freesat From Sky+ HD, Astra 1 / Hotbird FTA, Freeview, Freeview PVR, ADSL Posts: 7,721	Do you have a friend or relative with Sky? If so try plugging your receiver into their dish. That will confirm that the receiver is working. Don't rule out the possibility you may have a faulty receiver. Once you know the receiver is working, and if necessary re scan to update it's channel list, then try again with the portable dish. I can't say much more than has already been said about dish alignment, other than make all adjustments very slowly and a very very small movement each time. It's not like swinging a tv aerial around for a signal. Once you have mastered it, you will soon be able to do it time and time again quickly, and will wonder why you ever had a problem.

30-05-2009, 12:32	#19
mbsnr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Co Mayo, Ireland Services: Sky+ / FTA 43W - 42E Posts: 140	I didn't mention Dishpointer.com will give the the elevation angle as well as magnetic bearing, so that may help if you need to use a compass. My Lidl dish has the angle marked on the back so as long as you have it on a flat surface then I find it fairly spot on. Seriously though it's minimal adjustment and then suddenly you hit the signal. I spent a good afternoon getting nowhere and was wondering if this was a pointless exercise and then bam I suddenly understood what I needed to do. What you may then find happen is you think you're on 19E but in fact you're on 13E and that can be confusing....

09-06-2009, 10:23	#21
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	Can you believe I dont know anyone with SKY. So it will be back to the garden at the weekend to give this another bash. I've tried using the google sat finder but will go back to the compass if I can find it

10-06-2009, 13:25	#22
JamesE Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hibaldstow, N. Lincolnshire Services: BTbroadband,DTT,fta & ftv satellite,Digitalb. Posts: 5,321	Point the dish (azimuth not elevation!) at the sun at 11:44. (145.4 degrees). You can do it easily be centring the shadow, weather permitting. Then try elevation - start with the dish about vertical.

11-06-2009, 19:37	#23
pete1 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: West Drayton Services: Freeview/TUTV,FSbroadband Posts: 206	I take it that's 11.44 BST. Hope to be loking tomorrow!

12-06-2009, 10:16	#24
JamesE Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hibaldstow, N. Lincolnshire Services: BTbroadband,DTT,fta & ftv satellite,Digitalb. Posts: 5,321	Yes: Here's the link to download the program, which tells you the sun time: http://www.cubsat.com/cubsat.zip It's very short and simple. Make sure you select Astra 2, it defaults to Astra 1. The link to the full site: http://www.cubsat.com/telechar.htm click on "logiciel de reglage avec longitude et soleil"

15-06-2009, 13:05	#25
dids858 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Services: V+,DTT/DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE/S65 Sat system/ DAB/wifi radio Posts: 2,191	Well had a go at the weekend and sorted it within seconds picked up 19.2 right away then tried 28e not a problem. Have drop a boll... by deleting all channels when I was trying to get rid of duplicates thought it would just do that sat and not every sat. But re did both astras again. Just need to find the other sat's now little hard without the channel guide to help tune in for these. As my compass has dispeared.