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HOW TO
TEST YOUR EQUIPMENT
These procedures are recommended shortly before a broadcast
to ensure that equipment is working correctly.
The old saying "A
gram of prevention is worth a kilogram of cure"
holds true for your Satellite Downlink equipment too!
Here are some tips to ensure that your equipment is in good working order:
TESTING
YOUR DISH ANTENNA
Get close to your dish and inspect it in the following ways
- Try to GENTLY move the dish vertically or horizontally. If the dish moves or does not return to its original position, check that the nuts and bolts are firmly tight - do not overtighten!
- Look for missing, dented or loose panels and repair / correct
- Check that all the co-ax cable connectors (especially outdoors) are protected from water by waterproof tape.
- Inspect the entire length of the cable to ensure that the insulation is good and intact. Be sure that the F-connector at the end of the cable is firmly in place.
- Ensure that the LNB is firmly in place and the offset position correct. It should have a cover for protection.
- View LNB from the side
to be sure it is pointing to the center of the dish
(stand 3m away).
TESTING YOUR RECEIVER
Use it often. This is one of best ways to detect problems.
The best way to test your receiver is to connect it to the dish antenna and a TV monitor or projector, then set it to receive a known 24-hour station from the same satellite used by ATN broadcasts. See list of test stations for PAS-7/10. (Africa / Asia). Other regions may check for FTA (Free-to-air) stations on www.lyngsat.com
When you have successfully received a 24-hour broadcast as above, enter the parameters for the Hope Channel and check for successful reception.
When in use, be sure there is plenty of air space around the Receiver to prevent overheating. Place it on two 20mm wood strips, so the ventilation openings are not blocked. Do not put anything on top that may cause the Receiver to overheat.
HOW TO
CHECK / FINE TUNE YOUR DISH SETTING
The easiest is to set up your receiver as described in the previous
section, so that it will receive a known 24-hour TV station on the same
satellite used by ATN.
When you receive the station you were expecting, carry out the following tests:
-
Inspect the picture for quality. There should be no picture break-ups or freezing.
- Go to the "Dish Pointing" or other display of the signal strength and quality bars
-
Check that the signal strength and quality are above the minimum acceptable
(e.g. on the Scientific Atlanta receivers, over 50 strength and 4 or more in quality.
If these levels are below the minimum, re-tune your dish.
Technically trained persons may want to fine-tune the dish to improve on the signal quality readings by doing the following while watching the signal strength & quality bars on TV screen:
- Stand in front of the dish. Without loosening the vertical adjustment bolts, press down the bottom edge of the dish / pull it towards you.
- Stand at the side of the dish. Without
loosening the horizontal adjustment bolts, gently press it backwards
/ forwards
If improved readings are obtained on any of the above, loosen the bolts and secure them again when the highest readings are obtained.
- Loosen the securing nut on the LNB and:
1) Rotate it very slightly to left then right
2) Move it towards the centre of the dish / away from centre.
If improved readings are obtained on any of the above, loosen the bolts and secure them again when the highest readings are obtained.
HOW TO TEST YOUR PROJECTOR
Connect your projector in the usual way and project the image onto a good screen. Look for:
-
Overall brightness - this may deteriorate over time. Some projectors contain mirrors which need cleaning.
- Some areas of the image darker than others.
If in doubt - take your projector to the agent for maintenance.
Check on the following:
Filter - many projectors have air filters which require regular cleaning or replacement - check your instruction manual.
If you do not have a manual, remove the filter material and wash it in mild soapy water. Insert the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner in the filter opening on the projector and suck out as much dust as possible.Lamps - Many projectors using the long-life (metal halide) lamps have a section on the menu which gives the number of hours of life left or used. Check that remaining hours are adequate.
Projectors using short-life 40 hour halogen lamps often have 2 lamps enabling a quick switch-over to a new lamp. Ensure that both are working and that you have spares on hand.
Warning: Do not touch the lamp with your fingers, as this will shorten the life. Use a paper towel or clean cloth.
Power Connections - Check that the internal connections are tight and that the plug /connector fits firmly into the power outlet / socket. A loose electrical connection can cause unecessary interruption of the power, which shortens lamp life.
Stand - Your projector needs to be placed on a firm table or projector stand in order to avoid the following:
Beware of:
- An elevation angle which is too high. This is often done by placing objects underneath the front feet to increase the height of the picture on the screen. Such sharp elevation angles may damage your projector's LCD panels.
- Vibrations, bumping or moving of the stand when the projector lamp is warm, which could cause damage to the lamp filament, thus shorterning lamp life.
- Moving the projector too soon after turning the lamp off. Allow the internal fan at least 5 minutes to cool the unit down.
CHECKING YOUR CABLES
Bad cables can cause many problems. Take the following actions:
- Avoid running cables where they can be accidentally kicked or caught - especially over the floor!
[if you MUST run cables over a passageway, either tape them firmly to the floor, or place a carpet / rug over them to protect them].- Keep spare cables on hand
- Test cables before use
Other sources of useful information:
See also Annual Maintenance Checklist and Standards for Technical Operators (Word doc.)