Is there a safe way (not shorting out the conductors) of either
detecting or crudely measuring a digital video signal?  I've got an
analog signal strength meter, but it won't register anything with a
satellite signal at a jack.  How about an LED?  Milliamp meter with
diode?  A squeeky rat and a couple well placed electrodes?  Thanks, Greg

In article <1112116727.828276.136420@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>, 
darknesslite@hotmail.com says...

> Is there a safe way (not shorting out the conductors) of either
> detecting or crudely measuring a digital video signal?  I've got an
> analog signal strength meter, but it won't register anything with a
> satellite signal at a jack.  How about an LED?  Milliamp meter with
> diode?  A squeeky rat and a couple well placed electrodes?  Thanks, Greg

	The ideal method is a field-strength meter. Whatever you use would 
need to apply the appropriate DC bias to the cable's center conductor 
(required to fire up the satellite dish's LNB).

	This is not a cheap instrument, and it requires some skill to use 
properly. Even used units can run a couple of hundred, and new ones bear 
a four-figure price tag.

	I have seen what look like relatively inexpensive handheld units 
used by sat-TV techs. They appear to be designed to give a quick-and-
dirty "Do I have a signal?" reading. I have no idea how reliable they 
are, but I suspect you're still going to end up shelling out at least 
$100 or so.

	Happy hunting.


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