Satellite tuning with SatFinder: how to download and how to use

The use of a satellite dish makes it possible to watch many interesting programs. In order to provide a good signal, you need to fine
-tune your satellite dish . An error of even a few degrees can lead to signal loss. In order to carry out such a setting, special programs are used. SatFinder is one of the highest quality applications used to align satellite dishes.

What kind of application is this, what is the feature of satellite finder

You can set up a satellite dish yourself . To do this, you need to know how to do it and have all the necessary information about the satellite that transmits the signal. Knowing the exact direction, based on their coordinates, the user gets the opportunity to qualitatively tune the antenna.
The SatFinder application allows you to do the following:

1. Sat Findr contains a list of all available satellites with basic data about them.
2. By choosing the right one, you can find out the exact azimuth and determine their height, the required tilt of the converter.
3. For each satellite, you can get a list of available channels.
4. Satellite data can be not only presented in digital form, but also reflected on maps
5. If your smartphone has a built-in compass, this will help you directly determine the direction.
6. Here the principle of augmented reality is used. Looking through the video camera, you can see the direction to the selected satellite.

The user can tune in to free channels of any of the available satellites that produce
satellite broadcasts . Usually, the subscriber enters into an agreement with the provider and gets access to paid channels. After depositing money, he gets access to view them. In the latter case, he knows exactly which satellite is broadcasting from. SatFinder users can take advantage of the following benefits:

1. The program is distributed free of charge.
2. Provides high accuracy in determining the azimuth and angle of inclination of the direction to the satellite.
3. At any time during operation, you can take a screenshot, fixing the received data.
4. Simplicity and reasonableness of the interface. Even a newbie can easily learn to use this application.
5. Minor consumption of system resources.
6. High speed.

SatFinder is one of the most popular offers for determining the position of broadcast satellites.

Where to download and how satfinder app

The SatFinder app can be downloaded and installed on an Android smartphone. It is available at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esys.satfinder. To do this, from a smartphone, you need to open the specified address and click on the “Install” button on the page. After that, the application will be downloaded and installed automatically. If for some reason Google Play is not available at this moment, you can use a search engine, for example, Yandex, to search for a program. For example, if you enter the text “SatFinder for Android smartphone”, the search results will show pages from which you can download the application.

Device requirements

The program will work provided that the version of Android 4.1 or higher is installed on the smartphone. In the process of work, you need to be able to use GPS. A built-in compass may be required to determine the direction to the satellite. Without it, the program will not work. To work, you need to have a video camera in your phone. Without fulfilling these conditions, you will not be able to use the program.

How to use satellite finder on your phone to set up satellite dishes

Before starting work, you need to make settings. The following points will need to be corrected:

1. Audio Alert – allows you to enable or disable the sound signal when determining the correct direction to the satellite.
2. The search for the desired direction will be carried out with a certain accuracy. It can be set in this settings item. If it is too high, you will have to spend considerable effort to determine the exact direction. If insufficient, it will affect the quality of the received signal.
3. In the Satellite List section , a list of those satellites with which work will be carried out will be presented. This application works with almost all broadcast satellites in the world. It should be borne in mind that only a part of them is needed. Here you can make a short list of satellites that will be displayed in the program. If necessary, it can be supplemented or shortened.

When you first start the program, you will be asked for permission to use GPS. If this is not done, SatFinder will not be able to perform its functions.

1. It is necessary to turn on the Internet and keep in mind that being inside buildings it is not always possible to access GPS. It is desirable to make the setting on the street or being next to the window . In some cases, determining the user’s location may be slow. If this happens, you need to wait until it is done.
2. The next step should be to specify the desired satellite . This requires getting the names of those that are above the horizon. To do this, you need to click on the magnifying glass icon. In the proposed list, you will need to select the desired satellite.

   

3. Further, the necessary calculations are carried out and the user is provided with the azimuth, altitude and inclination of the direction to the satellite . When determining the azimuth, the magnetic inclination is taken into account. In this case, the green line will be directed to the satellite, and the red line will show the direction of the smartphone at that moment. The user must change the position of the phone so that these two lines coincide.

To get the exact value, you must first calibrate the built-in compass. To do this, after turning on, you need to rotate the gadget several times about all three axes.

Next to the magnifying glass icon is an icon with a book symbol. If you click on it, a Google map will open, on which the user’s location will be marked. Two search methods can be used for tuning: arc display and pinpoint positioning. In the first case, viewing through a video camera is performed. The image displays the following data:

1. A visual arc (also called Clark’s belt) in which all available satellites are located in various places.

   

2. There is an exact mark of the direction to the selected satellite.
3. At the bottom of the screen, the exact data characterizing the direction to the satellite in digital form is indicated. They occupy two lines.

This method allows you to visually determine the direction to the broadcast satellite. In this case, you can see if there are obstacles to signal reception. If necessary, you can take a screenshot to capture the information shown here.
To determine the direction, you can use the precise detection mode. At the same time, an image resembling a sight is shown on the screen. In the center, the angle of elevation of the satellite and the azimuth of the direction to it are indicated. Yellow arrows may be shown on the four sides. They appear when you need to correct the position of the phone in the corresponding direction.

Once the correct direction has been established, the arrows will turn green, point to the center of the screen, and the buzzer will sound.

Overview of the Sat finder Android application for setting up satellite TV:

https://youtu.be/o8brGu4RSdo

How to set up satellite TV with SatFinder

In order to proceed with the installation procedure, you can use a specialized measuring device. The built-in capabilities of a TV or tuner may not be enough to carry out this work. Such a device is called SatFinder. Its name reflects its purpose – searching for a satellite, determining the optimal parameters for signal reception.
Device SatFinder [/ caption] This device has two connectors. One of them is designed to connect a satellite dish (with the designation TO LNB), the cable from the tuner is connected to the other (TO REC). When the device is not in use, there are plugs on the connectors. There is an adjustment knob that can be turned left or right. On the scale there are numbers from 0 to 10. There is an arrow here, which, when fine-tuned, should show the largest possible number. In order to perform tuning, you need to connect an
antenna and a tuner to the device. Tuning consists in changing the direction of the antenna in search of the optimal position. When a signal appears, the device starts beeping. The louder the device beeps, the more precisely the setting is made.
Further, to improve the signal, you can use the adjustment knob. Twisting it, you can more accurately tune to the satellite signal. After the correct direction is found, you need to fix the position of the antenna. The receiver is then directly connected to the satellite dish. How to set up a satellite dish with your own hands using the SatFinder device: https://youtu.be/jkB05w8GlGA

Problems and solutions

On phones with a weak video camera, the data will be difficult to see if you work in the daytime in bright sunlight. In this case, tuning work is best done in the morning or evening. If you set a high setting accuracy parameter, it may fail due to measurement error.
The accuracy must be such that it provides high signal quality.. If it is raised too much, it will not improve it, but will only make it difficult to adjust. Sometimes you need to determine the correct direction of the satellite dish in a place other than where the user is located. The program provides such an opportunity. To do this, you need to activate the corresponding item in the settings. When the program is running, you need to view ads. This can be disabled if you purchase the paid version. There are no other differences between these options. The free version is fully functional.