Horizon specialises in the manufacture of a range of TV Meters for the UK and over twenty countries worldwide. Using a model from the range, alignment of dishes and aerials during digital satellite and DTT installs becomes quick and trouble free. Compared to heavier spectrum analysers, they offer both portability and ease-of-use. Riggers will find two models of particular interest as entry-level choices in the TV Meter market.

Digital satellite made easy

The HDSM (Horizon Digital Satellite Meter) is a rechargeable battery powered TV Meter that can store up to 32 transponders or 16 satellites simultaneously. Features that can be customised on the set-up menu include signal strength (numerically or dBµV), BER (by percentage or absolute number), a dB carrier noise figure and true-BER (by graph or logarithmic function).

Satellite data is kept up to date by downloads of hex files from the Horizon web site. On bench-test, this typically took less than thirty seconds. For specialist applications like broadband or v-Sat, this will prove especially useful. Menu languages for the HDSM can be changed, with up to four available on-board at any one time. Particularly impressive are the no-nonsense controls, with a single multi-function button, familiar to many mobile phone users, replacing a myriad of buttons on bigger spectrum analysers. The digital satellite TV Meter comes complete with a car charger, 240V AC mains charger and a serial PC interface lead. A functional leather case with shoulder strap makes the weight feel even less than 1Kg so it can be easily carried around on the job. It even comes in “difficult to lose” yellow so you won't put it down and forget where you left it!

Everyday DTT Meter

Using a similar platform to the satellite meter, the HDTM (Horizon Digital Terrestrial Meter) is NiMH battery powered, very portable and housed in a pillar-box red case. It measures RF signal strength, pre-BER and post-BER on UHF and VHF bands. Featured is a real time pass and fail indicator and inbuilt COFDM. Pre-programmed with channels 21-69, an additional 31 MUXs can be added allowing the TV Meter to be customised for local conditions. Again, the website easily allows transmitter and channel settings to be downloaded as hex files. Different potential languages can be set for menus, with the option of four onboard at a time. So impressed were the Italian broadcaster RaiWay with this facility and others that the HDTM that became an integral part of their DTT rollout programme.

Weighing in again at around the 1Kg mark, you'll hardly notice that you are carrying it around. Packaged with the same accessory set as the HDSM, you can charge it up on the go in your van or at home, and keep it updated with the PC lead supplied.

Riggers agrees that both models are an easy way to align aerials and measure signals on both DTT and satellite jobs. You probably won't get much more for your money at the sub-£300 level. Check out your local stockists for prices and availability.