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TELE-audiovision International — The World‘s Leading Digital TV Industry Publication

— 03-04/2015

—

TELE-audiovision.com

Spectrum Display

111. The meter presents the spec-

trum of the entire satellite band

with a span of 1300 MHz. What’s

more: It all happens in real-time

and with very high resolution. The

Spaun Sparos 711 automatically

sets the RBW filter at 3 MHz for

this span in normal mode.

112. If you reduce the span, for

instance to 200 MHz as seen here,

the RBW filter is automatically

adjusted to 1 MHz, which means

optimum resolution is still availa-

ble with the same high image

refresh rate.

113. A detailed look at the

transponder – with truly unique

resolution!

114. Once again we use full span

here, but in fast mode. In order

to achieve an even higher image

refresh rate the Spaun Sparos

711 increases the bandwidth of

the RBW filter to 10 MHz. Even

though, the resolution is still

better than with most other pro-

fessional meters. This fast mode

is extremely practical for satellite

antenna alignment because it

immediately indicates every

signal change without lag.

115. The display mode can be

changed to envelope display at

any time.

116. Traditionally, the Max Hold

function is hugely popular for

fine-tuning antenna alignment, as

it continuously shows the peak

values. In this case we were not

entirely happy with the Spaun

Sparos 711 because it does not

superimpose the current spect-

rum over the Max Hold spectrum.

This means we can only see the

peak values, without the current

spectrum. Using the Max Hold

function therefore becomes

unnecessarily cumbersome. A

future firmware update could

and should easily rectify this

problem.

117. Here we are measuring the

carrier-to-noise ratio using two

markers. The Spaun Sparos 711

can also present the spectrum in

an average mode, which means

average measurements are shown

for all frequencies. As far as C/N

measurements are concerned,

this yields much more meaningful

results.

118. The Spaun Sparos 711

is capable of automatically

identifying the bandwidth of a

transponder and to indicate the

transponder power this way. Here,

too, it makes sense to work with

average mode.

119. Another unique feature of the

Spaun Sparos 711: In spectrum

mode you can just tap on a trans-

ponder and then use the NIT TV

button.

120. The meter will present a

superimposed window with the

live video and will then start Auto

Lock to determine all reception

parameters. After around three

seconds the NIT details of the

locked transponders will be read

out.

121. After a few more seconds

you will see the live video with

the most important NIT informa-

tion. Mind you: All the while the

real-time spectrum remains active

and shows through the live video.

Pure genius if you need to quickly

evaluate a transponder without

switching. A perfect feature for

satellite antenna alignment and

a dream come true for satellite

DXers.

Antenna Alignment:

122. The main menu of the Spaun

Sparos 711 offers a so-called

Check Sat function, which is a

tremendous aid for installers of

satellite antennas.

123. First, you select the desired

satellite from the list. The Spaun

Sparos 711 will start to conti-

nuously measure four represen-

tative transponders from that

position. If you prefer, you can of

course edit those four transpon-

ders and use the ones that best

meet your purpose. As soon

as all four transponders can be

successfully locked the meter will

create an audio signal so that ins-

tallers know they have found the

target satellite – without having to

look at the meter.

124. Spaun demonstrates that

there’s nothing that could not be

improved: Their new meter comes

with the option of measuring two

different satellites simultane-

ously. This is ideal for aligning an

antenna for multi-feed reception.

125. Quite unusual: The Spaun

Sparos 711 comes with a built-in

compass. Before use, it needs to

be calibrated by rotating the meter

in all directions.

126. Then you select the desired

satellite and the Spaun Sparos 711

calculates how to best align the

antenna considering the actual

location. If you enter two target

satellites, such as ASTRA 19.2°E

and HOTBIRD 13°E for example,

the Spaun Sparos 711 will calcu-

late an alignment position that is

right between the two satellites

in order to guarantee optimum

reception of both orbital posi-

tions.