FAQ
TL;DR: 50–66 % signal quality is “typical values” [Elektroda, andpol 33, #17458420]. A correctly aligned 70 cm dish can reach 70 %+, but an 80 cm gives ≈3 dB more link margin [SES Guide, 2021]. Why it matters: Extra margin stops rain-fade dropouts.
Quick Facts
• CP HD 7000 quality scale steps: 50 → 66 → 83 → 100 % [Elektroda, andpol 33, #17458503]
• Recommended MER for stable 8 PSK 3/4: ≥12.5 dB [DVB-S2 Handbook]
• 80 cm dish adds ~2.3 dB gain over 70 cm [SES Guide, 2021]
• Good universal LNB noise figure: ≤0.3 dB, cost ≈ 50 PLN (typical retail)
• Professional alignment visit: 100–150 PLN in PL major cities (installers’ price lists, 2023)
Why does my Polsat HD 7000 show only 50–66 % quality?
The receiver reports quality in coarse 1 dB steps; 50–66 % corresponds to MER around 11-13 dB. This is normal on a 70 cm Polsat dish with a standard LNB [Elektroda, andpol 33, #17458420; #17458503].
Can I boost the signal without replacing the dish?
Yes, but gains are small. Precise azimuth/elevation tweak and correct LNB skew often add 1 dB (≈+16 % on the HD 7000 scale). Clean the dish, tighten mounts, and ensure RG-6 cable hasn’t absorbed water. No electronic amplifier restores quality lost before the LNB.
What size dish gives solid reception in heavy rain?
Tests show an 80 cm class dish raises carrier-to-noise by ~3 dB, cutting rain-fade outages below 0.1 % annually in Central Europe [SES Guide, 2021].
What is MER and why is 12 dB marginal?
Modulation Error Ratio (MER) measures signal cleanliness. Below 12 dB, 8 PSK 3/4 services flirt with the decoder’s error floor; pictures freeze or drop audio. Your 12 dB reading is right on the edge [Elektroda, scenicman22, #17458651; DVB-S2 Handbook].
How do I check MER on a Polsat set-top box?
On the HD 7000: Menu → Diagnostics → Signal Details → highlight a channel (e.g., TVN HD). MER appears under “Jakość”. Press “Info” twice to refresh live during alignment [Elektroda, netTv, post #17458644]
3-step DIY alignment for a 70 cm dish
- Set elevation using the dish scale minus 1° for bracket play. 2. Loosen azimuth bolts, swing slowly East-West while watching MER—stop at peak. 3. Rotate LNB for maximum MER, then tighten all bolts. Each tweak should move readings by ≥1 %. “Small moves—15 mm on rim equals 1 dB,” advises an installer.
Will an inline amplifier or LTE filter help?
No. Amplifiers raise strength but not quality. If MER is poor at the LNB, amplifying the noise also happens, leaving margins unchanged. Use filters only when a known LTE tower overloads the tuner—rare on satellite bands.
Which LNB specs really matter?
Low noise figure (≤0.3 dB) and phase noise below –80 dBc/Hz improve MER by up to 0.5 dB. A solid weather cap and metal collar resist water ingress, preventing 2 dB losses during rain.
Why do some users still lose signal with an 80 cm dish?
Edge case: mis-set skew or a bent reflector can erase the 3 dB gain. A 5 mm dent drops gain by ~1 dB, enough for outages (SPAUN Field Notes, 2020).
What does a pro installer offer that DIY lacks?
Pros use spectrum meters to peak MER within 0.1 dB, finish in 15 minutes, and warranty work for a year. Typical call-out costs 100–150 PLN, cheaper than trial-and-error hardware swaps.
