How to Make Satellite Dish LNB Adjustments

LNB stands for Low Noise Block and it is the receiving end of a satellite dish. The LNB must be pointing directly to the satellite overhead in orbit to receive the strongest and clearest signal. There are many types of satellite dishes available, some of them are installed in a fixed position, others are installed so that they can move on regular basis usually determined by the type of satellite that you would like to receive signals from. As with a normal TV antenna, it may be required for you to adjust the LNB in order to receive the highest quality (strongest and clearest) satellite signals available.

Types of Satellite Dishes

Adjusting your LNB will usually be determined by the type of satellite signals you would like to receive. There are two distinct types of satellite dishes available, those that are installed to move (dynamic) from one satellite to another on a regular basis (depending on programming) and satellite dishes that are installed to be stationary. They do not move and receive all their programming from one source.

LNB Adjustments with Stationary Satellite Dishes (DBS)

Most satellite TV dishes today use a stationary position to receive all of their television programming. They are called Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) or sometimes referred to as direct to TV. These satellite dishes are usually part of a paid service. Two popular services in the United States are DirecTV and Echo Star's Dish Network.

DBS satellites are installed to be stationary, they point in one direction to receive signals from the satellite which is in geostationary orbit in space. Geostationary orbit means that it is always in the same position in the space due to the same speed of the satellite and earth's rotation.

Most people only adjust their DBS satellite dishes once, usually when they first install it. However, if the signal is not clear or if the satellite dish has unexpectedly moved or needs to be removed and placed someplace new, you will need to adjust the LNB.

Use an LNB Tester to Adjust the LNB

An LNB tester is helpful for finding and testing signals from the satellite that you would like to align your dish to receive signals from. All LNB testers are very sensitive equipment and usually include some sort of meter either digital or analog that clearly states the signal availability and its strength.

For most DBS systems, the frequencies will vary from 950 MHz to 2050 MHz. Besides locating the availability of the signal, LNB testers will usually tell you at what strength the signal is (usually from -40 to -80 dBm). When installing your dish, which obviously includes your LNB, connect the LNB tester between the dish and receiver. As you view, your LNB tester searches for the best response in satellite signal; most dishes must first point to the Southern sky and must not be obstructed by trees, buildings or other structures.

Now using the LNB tester, try to find the best position of the dish, incorporating the strength and availability of the signal. Most of the time you will just need to slightly adjust a dish that has moved a little.

For instance a strong wind has moved the dish slight upwards or to the right, or installation materials such as a hardware bracket has loosened and gently turned the direction of the dish. Using the LNB tester is still a sure fire way to regain a high quality signal. However if you do not have a LNB tester, you will have to ask a friend or family member to tell you which position is best for receiving a signal. This can be more time consuming and less scientific.

LNB Adjustments with Movable Satellite Dishes

If you have a satellite dish that moves from one satellite to another depending on the program that you would like to watch, you will usually find these dishes installed on a rotators. These rotators are usully controlled via remote control and have electrical motors to move the dish in various directions. Most rotating dishes can change the height degree of their LNB and the direction in which the LNB faces. While these rotating dishes can't point in every direction, they are usually able to point in the most useful directions based upon which satellite programming the viewer wishes to see most.

With a rotating LNB, you can easily control the direction with a remote control using digital coordinates. Years ago, you would have to manually move the LNB connected to the dish.