Diagnostics - Satellite Receiver Test

The DIRECWAY satellite receiver must be able to acquire and lock to a signal received from the satellite. The signal strength is monitored by the built-in diagnostic program and can be viewed from either the antenna pointing program or the DIRECWAY Navigator status dialog. If your signal strength drops below a minimum operational value, the built-in diagnostic program will automatically alert you. A signal level above 30 is sufficient for your system to operate normally. However, a signal level in the lows 30's typically only occurs during severe weather conditions. As weather conditions improve, so will your signal strength.

The Satellite Signal Strength diagnostic test verifies that an adequate satellite signal is present. Without adequate satellite signal strength, you are unable to utilize the satellite receiver adapter for high-speed data transfer.

The following are some potential conditions that can lead to a low or inadequate signal strength:

• Cable from LNB of satellite dish is not connected to satellite receiver adapter - If the cable connecting the satellite receiver adapter to the LNB of the satellite dish is loose or not connected, an adequate signal will not be acquired. Verify that the cable connection between the satellite receiver adapter and LNB is secure and tight.
• Severe weather conditions - In severe weather conditions, the satellite signal may be lost temporarily. Typically known as "rain fade", an adequate signal will be acquired automatically when weather conditions improve.
• Satellite dish misaligned - If your satellite dish is not properly aligned then your receiver might not obtain an adequate signal strength. If you had an adequate signal strength in the past, verify that the satellite dish is mounted securely such that high winds or other weather conditions would not cause the satellite dish to move.
• Problem with satellite receiver adapter and/or device driver - In rare circumstances, an inadequate signal strength may be due to a defective satellite receiver adapter or a device driver problem. If this is the case, the Satellite Device Driver Test should detect this problem and suggest a corrective action.

The satellite receiver diagnostic test can discover the following receiver conditions:

• Not locked

• No signal detected

• Pointing mode

• Locked to wrong network

• Locked to an unknown network