Independent setting of the plate Tricolor TV on the satellite via the smartphone Xiaomi: without the device and unnecessary costs

Setting up a Tricolor TV satellite dish without professional equipment seems impossible to many. However, with a modern Xiaomi smartphone (even a budget model) and the right approach, you can accurately orient the antenna to the Eutelsat 36 satellite.° (36.0°E) without buying expensive appliances, the key is to understand the physical workings of the satellite signal and be able to use the built-in sensors of your phone.

In this article, we will analyze the entire process from tool preparation to the final setup of the receiver, paying special attention to the practical application of the smartphone as an alternative to satellite feeder. You will learn which applications actually work, how to interpret the readings of the compass and accelerometer, and avoid the typical errors that cause the signal to disappear after a few days. All steps are illustrated with screenshots from Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, but the instruction is suitable for any model of the brand on Android 10+.

We warn you right away that this method requires patience and precision, and if you live in a low-visibility area (northern regions, wooded areas) or use a plate less than 60 cm in diameter, you may need to do more, but 90 percent of the time, for urban apartment buildings or the private sector in central Russia, this will work the first time.

1. Preparation: what will be needed to adjust without the device

Before you start physically putting the plate in, gather everything you need, and not having at least one item on the list can make the effort go away.

• 📱 Xiaomi Smartphone with working sensors (compass, accelerometer, gyroscope) Any model from Redmi 9 and newer will fit. Check the sensitivity of the compass in the Compass application (included in the standard set). MIUI).
• 🛠️ Tools: keys for mounting the plate (usually 10–13 mm), screwdriver, level (you can use virtual on the phone), tape.
• 📡 Satellite plate with bracket. For Tricolor TV, the optimal diameter is 60-90 cm. Plates less than 55 cm may not catch a signal in cloudy weather.
• 🔌 Cable and connectors: Coaxial cable RG-6 with a wave resistance of 75 ohms, F-connectors (minimum 2 pcs) and a crimping tool (or pliers).
• 📺 Tricolor TV receiver with TV connection, even if you have CAM-module or built-in tuner, you need a separate receiver to set up.

Pay special attention to cables. Cheap or damaged cables can eat up to 30 percent of the signal. If you have an old cable, you better replace it, because the satellite signal is more sensitive to interference.

Important: if you set up a plate on the balcony of an apartment building, agree in advance to the mounting with the management company. № 491 of 2014, installation of antennas on facades without permission is prohibited.

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Before starting work, turn off the AutoSearch Channels function on the receiver in the Settings menu → Install an antenna. It can knock down manual settings.

Installation of the plate: location selection and fastening

The place where the dish is placed determines 50 percent of the success, and even a perfectly tuned antenna will lose its signal if there are obstacles in the way of the beam.

• 🌳 No Obstacles in the Southern Sky (for Satellite 36)°E. Use the Satellite app AR (Available on Google Play to visualize the signal path, trees, neighboring houses or roofs can block the signal.
• 🧲 Minimum distance to metal structures. Metal creates interference. Do not place a plate near drain pipes, air conditioners or electrical wiring.
• 🏠 Hard attachment. The plate should not stagger in the wind. For brick walls, use anchor bolts, for wooden ones, use screws of at least 80 mm.

To verify the visibility of the satellite:

1. Install the Satellite Pointer app on your smartphone (the free version is suitable).
2. Select the Eutelsat satellite 36E (36.0°E) in the list.
3. Point the phone’s camera south – the app will show the virtual trajectory of the signal and the obstacles.

If you can't avoid obstacles, try to move the plate left/right or raise it higher, and sometimes even 30-50 cm can make a difference.

Adjusting the angle of inclination (elevation) and rotation (azimuth)

Here, the Xiaomi smartphone replaces the professional satellite feeder, and we'll use two key parameters:

1. Azimuth is the horizontal angle of rotation of the plate (where it "looks" by compass).
2. Elevation is the vertical angle of the plate inclination (how much it is “tightened up”).

For the angle calculation:

1. Go to the DishPointer website.
2. Enter your address or coordinates (can be obtained from Google Maps).
3. Select the Eutelsat satellite 36E (36.0°E).
4. Write down the values of Azimuth and Elevation.

An example for Moscow:

To measure azimuth:

1. Open the standard Compass app on Xiaomi.
2. Stand behind the plate and rotate it so that the compass needle shows the calculated azimuth (for example, 180.3).° Moscow).
3. Use compass calibration mode (shake your phone or bring them eight) if the readings jump.

To measure elevation:

1. Install the Clinometer app on your phone (or use the built-in Level in the app). MIUI).
2. Attach the phone to the plate plane (as shown in the photo below).
3. Tilt the plate until the angle matches the calculated value (e.g. 25.8).°).

Critical error: Many people forget that the angle of elevation is measured from the horizontal plane, not from the wall or the roof. If the plate is fixed on the wall at an angle, use a transporter or ruler to adjust.

Install Compass and Clinometer applications|

Get the exact coordinates of your location|

Calculate azimuth and elevation on DishPointer|

Hold the plate tight, without backlashes.|

Check for the absence of metal objects near-->

4. Fine signal setting with a smartphone

Now, to the most critical stage, signal search, where Xiaomi's smartphone will work as a signal level analyzer.

• SatFinder app (the paid version is worth it) ~300 ₽, But there's a free trial).
• adapter OTG (If your Xiaomi supports it) + ph-mom → F-mother to connect to the converter.
• Or alternatively, a second person in front of a TV with a receiver remote.

Method 1: Connecting the phone directly to the converter (recommended)

1. Connect the F-cable from the converter to the SatFinder adapter USB (buy separately, ~500 ₽).
2. Insert the adapter into the smartphone through OTG.
3. Launch SatFinder and select Eutelsat satellite 36E.
4. Slowly turn the plate left-right (azimuth) and up-down (elevation) while watching the signal scale in the application.

Method 2: Blind-configure with an assistant (if there is no adapter)

1. Assistant turns on the receiver menu → Installation of the antenna → Manual search.
2. Selects a transponder 12226 L 27500 (the main one for Tricolor TV).
3. You slowly turn the plate, and the assistant monitors the scales Signal Level and Signal Quality on the TV screen.
4. When a signal appears (even 10-20%), you fix the position of the plate and begin fine tuning with a step of 1-2 mm.

Optimal signal values:

• 📶 Signal level: 70–90% (less than 50% – possible breaks in rain).
• 🎯 Signal quality: 80–100% (if below 60%, check cable and connectors).

The secret trick is, if the signal floats, wrap the F connectors on the cable in a tape so that there are no gaps, and oxidation or poor contact is a common cause of unstable reception.

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Fine tuning requires patience. Optimal signal is achieved by combining maximum levels and quality. Don't rush to fix the plate at the first sign of the signal - often the best position is 2-3 mm from the first "caught" spots.

5. Verification and recording of the result

When the signal is stable (level) >70% quality >80%), tighten all the nuts on the plate bracket, but before you fix it, do a check:

• 🔄 Stability test: wobble the plate slightly with your hand. If the signal goes missing, tighten the mounts.
• 🌧️ Weather simulation: pour water from the spray gun on the plate, if the signal is still there, the rain protection is sufficient.
• ⏳ Long test: leave the receiver on for 10-15 minutes, sometimes the signal disappears after a while due to overheating of the converter.

If everything's okay,

1. Keep all the slacks in place (do not overdo it so as not to break the thread).
2. Launch on the receiver AutoSearch Channels (Menu) → Installation of the antenna → Search engine).
3. After searching, check the channel list – all Tricolor TV packages (including paid ones if you have an active subscription) should be displayed.

A typical problem is that once you fix it, the signal drops by 10 to 20 percent. That's normal -- when you tighten it shifts a little bit. Compensate with the initial 80 to 90 percent adjustment.

6.Receiver setup and troubleshooting

Even with a perfect signal, you can have broadcasting problems.

If some channels are not working after setting up:

1. Check if your subscription is active in your account.
2. Update the receiver software (Menu) → Settings → Update of the PO).
3. Reset the receiver settings to factory (Menu) → Settings → Reset) and repeat the channel search.

Important for Xiaomi owners: if you use your phone as your only setup tool, turn off Adaptive Brightness and Autoturn in the screen settings. This will prevent accurate tilt measurements.

1) Satellite selection (36.0)°E, not 36.1.°E or another).

(2) Converter polarization (for Tricolor TV, vertical V or L).

3) Cable integrity (call the tester).-->

7. Signal optimization for stable reception

To keep the plate running smoothly for years, follow the following steps:

• 🛡️ Weather Protection: Cover the Converter LNB A special case (sold in satellite stores) and treat the cable joints with silicone lubricant to protect against moisture.
• 📶 Signal amplification: If the signal strength is less than 60%, install a signal amplifier (e.g., Gecen). A20). Replace the standard converter with a low noise model (e.g. Inverto Black Ultra).
• 🔄 Regular maintenance: Check the plate's mounts every six months - they may weaken from the wind. Clean the converter from snow in winter (carefully, without scratching the body).

For residents of the northern regions (across the Arctic Circle) or mountainous areas:

⚠️ Attention: due to low elevation angle (less than 15)°) A standard 60 cm dish may not pick up the signal. Use a 90-120 cm dish or an offset antenna with an elongated bracket.

Useful life hack: If you have an old Wi-Fi router, connect it to the receiver via Ethernet and set up remote access, which will allow you to restart the receiver or check the signal from your smartphone without leaving your home.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up