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How do I find a signal?

A professional installer will use a satellite meter that will be capable of identifying any particular satellite that the dish is pointing at. This meter will probably have cost anywhere from several hundred euros up to several thousand euros and it definitely makes the job easier. Unless you're particularly flush and can afford a 'proper' meter, you can use a DIY meter (about €15), which will not identify any satellites but gives an audible/visual signal which will rise and fall as you pass through the satellite signal.

Be as accurate as you can with the azimuth (side to side direction) and the elevation (up and down direction) and make small movements until you get a signal. When you do get a signal try to maximise it with the meter. You now hope that you've got the correct satellite but, how do you know?

Install the hardware in your computer. The 'New Hardware Found' wizard will start when you reboot the PC. Insert the skyDSL CD and let the 'automatic install' take care of the software drivers. Re-insert the CD and install the software from the installation menu.

If you are running Windows XP make sure that you've got Service Pack 2 installed and likewise Service Pack 4 if you have Win 2000. This system will not work with anything less.

If you have got the right satellite you should see levels in the signal strength and the signal quality bars. If you have no signal then try again!

There is an 'acoustic signalization' box that can be ticked to give you an audible guide to the signal. This uses an electronic, robotic, monotone voice and boy, can you ever get tired of hearing, 'zero, zero, zero'! It isn't much use if your PC isn't near the dish but maybe you could arrange a set of speakers near to a window. If it's a laptop you're setting up then you can use that connected to the dish LNB and it will be a great help, especially when the robot announces '35, 40', or whatever. You'll think all your birthdays have come at the same time!

You can then 'fine tune' the signal to get the best result.

Listen to it HERE

I hope that I haven't made it sound too difficult, but you do need Patience, Perseverance and Good Luck!

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