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Thread: Software to test signal quality

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    Senior Member allstarnz's Avatar
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    Default Software to test signal quality

    Sorry if some of these terms are not right, i'm more versed in DVB-S terminology.

    Does anyone know if there is a a piece of software that'll measure the signal strength, signal quality and BER for digital terrestrial?

    Just wanting to see how things are looking now after having fine tuned my setup.



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    If there was/is, could it be calibrated accurately like a professional FSM?
    Those things cost both arms, legs and your G'mas bed socks BUT they are accurate.
    I was thinking of similar to use in a laptop (for portabilty) but again, accuracy?
    If it wasnt accurate, it wouldnt be be any better than those current 'Digital Signal Detectors' on sale for under a $100.
    I was lent an older analog FSM that only covered up to a 1000 Mhz with a speaker and analog scale many many years ago and I was barely able to use it.
    One I saw earlier this year was the 'Bee's Knees', worth every cent of its 10 Grand cost.
    A necassary tool to a trained competent user, to me a devise I didnt know how to turn it on or off.
    It needs portability because its at the antenna where its most effective.
    I'd be interested if any software exists.

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    Senior Member allstarnz's Avatar
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    i don't need any sort of expensive gadget, just a measure much like what is on any bog standard DVB-S box where you can see visually and numerically the sort of signal and quality you're getting. To compare between before and after.

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    A DVB-T set top box or integrated tuner has graphs that displays signal scales.

    A USB tuner can be used for portable use with a laptop.

    All signal displays in tuners are not accurate.

    None of them display digital channel power in calibrated dBuV, pre and post-viterbi BER/MER and noise margin, just a basic percentage.

    I've seen many of them display readings that indicate increasing signal 'quality' when in fact the quality is reducing, when read with a professional spectrum analyser.

    Basically, if your digital reception is reliable (eg: not breaking up) then your signals are 'adequate'. If your digital reception isn't reliable, then using a scale in a tuner may or may not help you improve it.

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    J-Car Electronics has one for sale.$79.00 I think.Looks like a Sat-finder but with a bar display.I was going to look at that as my ABC is up the s**t,but using D1 for it now for the time being.

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    Software to test signal quality
    Basically no,you need to be holding a device showing good,bad signal strength.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ozisat View Post
    Software to test signal quality
    Basically no,you need to be holding a device showing good,bad signal strength.
    That's what the Jaycar gadget is supposed to do,take it up on the roof,next to your antenna.

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    Here you go.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gulliver View Post
    That's what the Jaycar gadget is supposed to do,take it up on the roof,next to your antenna.
    And that's all it does... indicates signal strength.

    Signal strength isn't the most important measurement for digital signals.

    You can have excellent signal strength and still have NO reception, due to poor signal 'quality'.

    You need to be able to measure the errors in the digital data stream for accurate antenna mounting position and alignment.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    And that's all it does... indicates signal strength.

    Signal strength isn't the most important measurement for digital signals.

    You can have excellent signal strength and still have NO reception, due to poor signal 'quality'.

    You need to be able to measure the errors in the digital data stream for accurate antenna mounting position and alignment.
    thanks.I know that from Sat alligment.I've learnt that from my first dish installation.Plenty of signal strenght and no "quality/picture"As I said, I haven't looked at it yet.Just saw the cat.add.

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    Fellas, one thing to remember is that installers like MTV who use a quality FSM's dont pay out the big bucks so they can have lots of pretty red ink on their bank accounts.
    If a cheaper option was available, they would use it just as any of us would.
    Regretably that J-Car and Leading Edge 'Digital Signal Detectors' are just that,detectors of an untuned digital signal.

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    Thanks for your assesment. Saves me a trip to Jaycar,

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