RE: Signal loss on RG 6U cable from sat. dish?

["Rod Wheeler" <wheeler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Length of cable can be an issue but not at the lengths you mention ... 50
and 100 feet.

The cable is transporting an 'L' Band signal just above 1 Ghz.  Make sure
you are using high quality RG-6, ie: not from Radio Shack.  Shielding is
important, make sure the cable has a braid and a sheild, not just a braid.

Without knowing your configuration I make the following suggestions:

Make sure you have enough dish in the air ... signal stuck in the ground
behind the dish isn't much use to you.  If you have enough dish, make sure
you are using a high quality cable.  Most RG-6 is only rated to 1 Ghz.  This
might sound dumb but make sure you have an unobstructed line-of-site to the
bird including no waving branches etc.

You mention varying signal levels.  This can be the result of atmospheric
degregation ... ie: rainclouds, but your path loss calculations should be
above the threshold of the receiver under all anticipated conditions.

I have installed many systems using more than 700 feet of cable without a
problem using high quality components.

Hope this helps, if not, shout and I'll try again.
Regards
Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: Jbclem [mailto:jbclem@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: October 6, 2002 12:09 AM
To: omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Signal loss on RG 6U cable from sat. dish?


I'm trying to solve an intermittent data loss problem...one minute bars
missing on the ES2Z charts(TS4), sometimes 10-20 a day. I've measured the
signal level(using a small satellite finder signal level device-shows
relative levels) at the dish and at my BMI receiver.  There is quite a
difference, signal at the receiver is 1/3rd the level of that at the dish.
I've made the same measurements using a different(new) RG 6U cable and the
problem is the same.  Does anyone know if the length of the cable could be
an issue, one cable is 50ft long, the other one longer(probably 100 ft).
Both are RG 6U.

I've also noticed that when the measuring device is hooked up next to the
receiver the level will sometimes vary up and down in a short period(2-5
seconds).  One thing both cables have in common is that I have replaced the
F connectors on some of the cable ends.  I have a good quality crimper, but
is it possible to do this so poorly that it would cause this signal loss.
Would measuring the cable with an ohm meter show anything?

I'd welcome any suggestions...at this point my TS4 is useless for serious
trading.

John