Applied Instruments, Inc. Sat Buddy User Instructions

TM
"Sat Buddy"
Satellite Signal Meter
User Instructions
DEFINITIONS
LNB: Low Noise Block amplifier. The portion of the antenna-dish that receives the
high-frequency signal reflected from the dish and then down-converts it to the
L-band (950-2150 MHz).
IRD: Integrated Receiver Decoder. Also referred to as the set-top box or satellite
receiver. The IRD processes the digital data carried to it by the RF signal and
then provides the baseband picture signal to the television.
RF: Radio Frequency signals
Cable: 75 Ohm coaxial cable
Dish: Oval shaped antenna hardware mounted on the exterior of the customer's
premises.
INTRODUCTION
The Sat Buddy is a satellite signal meter that measures relative RF signal strength
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when connected to a dish antenna. It is designed to be used for installing and
maintaining typical residential satellite systems. In addition to measuring relative RF
signal strength, the Sat Buddy also measures LNB current and the voltage being
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supplied to the LNB. It can power the LNB using its rechargeable internal battery or it
will allow the IRD power to run through it to the LNB.
Each Sat Buddy package contains:
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Sat Buddy meter
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Protective rubber boot with clip
•
Wall plug transformer for charging battery
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Cigarette-lighter adapter for charging battery in automobile
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Instruction page
OPERATION
Connect to LNB
with short cable.
Connect to IRD with cable
or use internal battery.
Signal Strength Display: While in the SIG STRENGTH mode, each segment of the
left LED bargraph is equal to 10 segments of the right LED bargraph. Therefore,
when aligning the dish for maximum signal strength, it is more important to have a
higher LED segment illuminated on the left LED bargraph than on the right. Use the
right side LED bar graph for fine alignment purposes and take care to not sacrifice the
illumination of any left side LED segments.
Signal Strength Audible Tone: Initial activation of the audible tone provides a slow
audio "beep". When the Sat Buddy
"beep". When the Sat Buddy receives the strongest signal, it provides a solid-tone.
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For the audible tone to work properly, it must see weak and stronger signals, therefore
it is important to sweep the dish alignment from a weak signal through, and past the
peak signal, and then back to peak, in order to get a solid tone.
LED display indicates signal strength in
the SIG STRENGTH mode or
LNB current draw and LNB voltage
while in the CURRENT/VOLT mode.
-First push of the ON/MODE button
selects SIG STRENGTH mode.
-Second push activates audible tone
(still in SIG STRENGTH mode.)
-Third push activates
CURRENT/VOLT mode.
Indicates when battery is charging
(CHG) and when battery voltage is low.
LOW LED flashes the last 5-10 minutes
of battery charge life before automatic
shut off.
Indicates whether unit is powered by
the IRD.
Battery charger plug in.
detects a stronger signal, it provides a faster
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