Signal Analyzers, Diagnostic Software, Meters, Aiming Devices for OTA

[holl_ands]

There are two DigiAir Pro models, the original (no sensitivity specs) and "Pro 2",
which is currently advertised with 25-1000 dBuV sensitivity specs.

Since I had to use a Preamp to get visible readings for the weakest receivable channels
(70-mi SE from Mt Wilson in L.A.) on my (original) DigiAir Pro, clearly it did not
have sufficient sensitivity....so I made an informed guesstimate re it's sensitivity.

I have not used DigiAir Pro 2 model to verify improvement.

[balm]

Thanks for that clarification.

Based on this thread and the DigiAir Pro 2 websites, it seems to ONLY measure signal "strength", and NOT signal "quality" (BER, SNR, etc).

If I understand correctly, to get this type of additional analysis, one would need the more expensive instruments as you referenced in the past...$$$$.

[holl_ands]

Or do what I ALSO do...use a CECB Box (mentioned earlier in this thread) to measure those values.

[balm]

needs to be compact, battery powered for "up on the roof", so far the only one is the Winegard unit...but still a pain cause need a battery powered tv also....

[holl_ands]

That's why they invented long outdoor extension cords.....

[lithOTA]

Picked this up on eBay for under $25 with shipping. It's in great condition, except for the missing decorative knob cap.

Now, I realize that this old analog meter won't tell me anything about bit error rates, multipath, or co-channel interference, but it does work great in the attic for finding hot spots on specific channels. It's very sensitive, as moving a UHF antenna even an inch will make the meter swing.
Can anyone tell me more about this meter? What's the best way to use it in the digital era?

[stampeder]

The photo is too fuzzy for me to make out any of the labels on it. Instead, can you give us a clear close-up off the manufacturer's info plate or else the name and model number of it?

[lithOTA]

Sorry about that...it's a Channel Master 7277 Field Strength Meter.

[kidoo]

Hi, new to this forum, I would like to know what can be used to check TV signal strenght. Also, is there a way to check from where the signal in.

I want to try some homebrew antenna. I already tried one old Big Yagi antenna that comes with a small Bowtie UHF. I disconnected the Bowtie from the big Yagi and it works, I receive 3 clear signals and it is not too directive. It is very similar to the SU-210 XR from Radio Shack.

LinK: http://www.radioshack.com/search/man...BackToAll=true

The Bowtie I have has 3 directors and one reflector. The reflector is a single straight tube behind the Bowtie. The directors are small, same size as the bowtie but made of sheet of lightly folded aluminum, pointed at both end, wonder if I could make a 2 bay antenna with these.

The signal seems to be worst when I install the reflector, but the directors do not seem to have any effect, but I have no way to tell.

I also want to try the folded dipole and wonder where I would connect or mount it.

Thanks,

[holl_ands]

DigiAir Pro and Pro 2 have been updated to Emitor DigiAirPro (with RED case)
ATSC Signal Level Meter....with higher prices but far less than a Pro meter:
http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/S/Dig...gnal-meter.htm
http://www.dtvgreendish.com/alignmen...gnal-meter.htm
BTW: If it isn't marked "ATSC", it's probably the similar European DVB-T version.

I couldn't find an on-line User's Manual for the NEW ATSC version, so here is
old Manual that should be close:
https://www.perfect-10.tv/PDFs/Equip...20Pro%2005.pdf

[El Gran Chico]

I just realized that when you click on the link to download the latest version of TSReaderLite, you don't get the latest version - you get version 2.8.46g. There are several builds since that one as you can see in the readme.

Instead of using the link to go to

http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/TSR...ite2.8.46g.exe

manually type

http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/TSR...ite2.8.47b.exe

and you will get the "real" latest version.

[majortom]

basic instructions to compile the 'dvb-apps' package, mainly for member Pete.
May need to install these if ya have never compiled anything from source.
The reason ya wanna compile it is so ya can make changes or tweaks if necessary.

install some tools

sudo apt-get install build-essential
sudo apt-get install mercurial

grab source code for dvb-apps

mkdir ~/src
cd ~/src
hg clone http://linuxtv.org/hg/dvb-apps/

compile source code you just downloaded

cd dvb-apps
make

if all goes well, it should compile
if so you can now install it

sudo make install

Once ya get done with that ya should be able to run 'femon'
I tweaked 'femon' slightly to make the output a little nicer,
so once ya get that running, play around with it for a while.
Then let me know and I'll show you what ya might wanna change to get similar
friendliness out of it.

[fireflimoon]

Hi Majortom,

I know we are talking about "finding" the best signal in a given location so the question below is more about the strength of the signal relative to the device used to receive that signal.

When using a usb tuner like a hauppauge 950q on a laptop to check for signal strength, how much difference in tuner sensitivity is there between a newer tv tuner and the above 950q - i.e. would you think it would be significant enough to allow for a situation where a good tv tuner would lock on a weak signal and the 950q would not everything else being equal or are the differences insignificant?

Thanks

[majortom]

Don't have a 950Q but I would guess it could go either way depending on the TV in question. And also the type of impairment you were trying to overcome.
But at the end of the day, for the purposes of just aiming does it really matter? If your having trouble on one channel with one tuner at the time your aiming you probably don't have enough margin for either for long term reliability. That's why I use a rotor.

[DXer]

Has anyone had any experience with the Winegard SensarPro RFL-342 or RFL-332 TV Signal Meters?

I came upon these while browsing, and they look interesting as a signal strength meter (designed for RVers).

Technical details: http://www.winegard.com/sensarpro/