1. Why you need a measurement device
The easy answer is: to align your satellite dish! However, that is not the only reason and it is not necessary to own a meter to align the dish, in the first place.
If you want to install your satellite dish, because you just want to relax on the couch and enjoy TV, then you probably don't need a meter, because you can either call a professional installer, or use your own satellite receiver and a TV set to align the dish.
The problem with that is that it is not always possible to carry your TV and receiver to the place where your dish is to be mounted. Beware of the idea of using a cell phone and your wife next to the TV giving you feedback on the image, as this will probably never work and you will have a bad time with your wife later on.
It this case you start to understand the advantage of having a meter: just take the meter to the roof and align the dish with it.
A different reason for using a meter is the fact that a digital receiver takes a few seconds to lock on a stream and show the image and/or signal level. If you are moving the dish, you will suffer from this enormous lag, as you will have rotated the dish further on. The best is to use an analog receiver, but in the Ku-band there are one three satellite positions left with analog channels (19.2E, 13.0E and 5.0W).
There are other reasons to use a meter, which I will discuss further on.
2. Different types of meters
There are many different types of meters. The cheapest ones cost under 10 Euro and feature only a analog signal meter. This will show a relative gain of the whole satellite compared to the background noise. These cheap meters come in three flavours: the ones with the needle with 22kHz indication led, the ones without that led and the ones that show the signal with a row of 10 leds.
If you want to purchase such a meter, pick one with the 22kHz indication led, as it will help you to evaluate if your measuring low or high band.
Most of these meters look the same, as they are all made at the same site and fitted with different brands.
There are more expensive satellite meters which feature a more complex LCD screen. These are made by Emitor in Sweden and provide DiSEqC-commands for switches and rotors. While they still only show the global signal strength, they allow the alignment of motorised dishes and multifeed dishes. Again, there are different flavours: the old ones (Digisat) only have one LNB input, while the new ones have two. They can act as a switch, also. These later ones are sold as standard ones (Digisat Pro), which get the power from a receiver and as the Digisat Pro Accu model, which does not need external power. Always get the Accu version, as it is not good for the receiver's tuner to plug and unplug the satellite cable, while the receiver is turned on. Those can be purchased on eBay for under 100 Euro.
From here, the prices rise dramatically. Why? Because the next class of meters is capable of a lot more: instead of outputting the global signal of the whole satellite, they will show the signal strength of each transponder, individually.
Modern meters are build to be used with digital broadcasts (DVB standard). They will not only show a signal strength, they will show a signal quality and signal noise ratio, as well.
The next model I want to refer to is the Emitor Satlook Micro. This device features a lot more, as it will show those digital informations, as well as the satellite name (NIT function) and will list the channels on a given transponder. This device costs about 350 Euro, but it still lacks one essential feature: the spectrum analyzer.
This brings us to the model range which starts with 750 Euro: meters with build in spectrum analyzer. Again, the cheapest are from Emitor and the prices reach thousands of Euro.
3. What funtions are important
To tell the truth, I think that the cheap "sat-finders" are a waste of money, even though they are fairly cheap. The reason is that the signal is shown much to late: the needle is low during the aproximation to the satellite, to suddenly jump to a maximum. The other problem with those meters is that you don't know which satellite you are actually pointing at and the information you get about the signal is just a global one: you don't get any information about the quality of the signal.
The most important features are:
- accu to enable operation without power source and receiver
- DiSEqC commands should be sent from the meter
- information about signal strength, bit error rate and signal noise ratio should be showed
- information about channels on the transponder
- spectrum analyzer
4. Models and price ranges
If you plan to align a dish from time to time, but are not doing it for money: get a Emitor DigiSat Pro Accu at eBay. It will cut the time and avoid having to drag a TV to the roof.
If you plan to deliver a professional service to private homes, definitly get a Emitor Satlook Digital NIT or a Rover Scout S2. They cost the same and it is one of those flaming issues, to decide which is best. I prefer the Satlook Digital NIT for it's bigger screen and the fact that it will show analog channels on the screen.
On the american eBay, you will find some meter's that are rare in Europe. They are called SF-3000 or SF-6000. They look great on pictures, but I don't believe that they have much quality, or any support.
If you plan to deliver a professional service to companies, take a look at the more expensive models from Rover, Promax, Unaohm and Kathrein. You will need to spend 2000-4000 Euro, but will get a much more complete device with integrated printer and calibration certificate. This will be essential to avoid problems with your customers.
The same applies if you are to build satellite dishes or LNB's.
If you are, like myself, an amateur who does this as a hobby, a spectrum analyser is an expensive tool, but priceless for:
- satellite hunting
- transponder hunting
- alignment of dishes, specially rotating dishes
I know that 750 Euro is a lot of money, but hey - what do you do for your hobby!
You can also check eBay - there are always satellite spectrum analyzer being sold. But beware:
- most are very old devices (>10 years of heavy usage)
- most where build for analog satellite TV broadcasts, so you won't get information about BER, SNR, etc. (but the spectrum analyzer part will work fine for digital transmissions, so it is still a usable device for freaks)
- most devices have an old battery/accu, which needs to be replaced - but prices can be high
- prices on eBay tend to increase on the last minute of the auction: don't think you get a Kathrein MSK-21 for less than 800 Euro...
- if the device is broken or get's broken, the repair at the manufacturer will be really expensive
Last recommendation: if you are planning to purchase a meter, buy the right meter on your first purchase! Don't buy less than what you need, as you will certainly end up purchasing a second meter.
Sites of manufactors to visit:
- http://www.emitor.se
- http://www.unaohm.it/
- http://www.roverinstruments.com/
- http://www.promax.es/
- http://www.televes.com/
- http://www.kathrein.com/