Signal readings on receivers. Can you believe them?

[videobruce]

I was never a fan of any signal level indicator on any consumner receiver, satellite or otherwise. I guess they are better than nothing, but my question here is can you trust the readings? Yes they give you some kind of number which can't be compared to anything other than another reading from the same receiver.

This 'level' bar graph, would someone tell what good is it when it usually shows between 70% & 80% with or without a satellite?? How can you use a reading like that? :rolleyes:

[calin]

You get a level eventhough you do not set the LNBs on the receiver... Because the receiver send to them some voltage to make them work properly.

[t160hq]

It's like one of those cheap tire pressure guages. If you don't have anything better at least it will get you in the ballpark and get you home.

For the best signal nothing beats a decent signal meter. On the whole a built in signal meter will get you signal without loss in most adverse weather conditions. That said a decent signal meter will allow the best alignment with almost no down time for adverse weather conditions.

So I guess it's just a matter of is it worth the extra couple dollars for continous TV in the worst thunderstorm.

In my opinion yes. Other opinions may vary.

t160hq