The following are some common technical questions asked of our engineering staff about MRN downlink equipment:

 Q:   What do I do when no audio is coming from my receiver?

A:   Check to see that all four green lights (Power, RF Sync, Audio Sync and Signal) are on and steady.   Be certain you are monitoring the proper output (L or R) from the receiver.

Q:   What do I do if the audio I get is the wrong program?

A:   Be certain you are monitoring the proper output (L or R) from the receiver.   Watch the green lights on the front of the unit blink off then back on.   Often no audio will be present on a channel up to 10 minutes prior to a feed.   If you feel you should be hearing something call MRN @ (517) 484-4888

Q:   What Satellite are you on?

A:   All IRN and distributed programming is presently fed on Galaxy XVI at the 99 degree (West) orbital slot on Transponder 3.   The format is a proprietary digital carrier and all receivers must be authorized by IRN to decode our feeds.   Our polarity is horizontal.

Q:   Can I receive this on my home satellite receiver?

A:   No.   All feeds are a proprietary digital format and require a ComStream ABR 202 or ABR 202A receiver permissioned by MRN.

Q:   Can I receive MRN programming on my old Microdyne or Micro Phase analog receiver?

A:   No.   Effective April 1, 1998 all IRN programming and distribution events were moved off of the old analog satellite channels onto a new digital channel with a proprietary encoding scheme.

Q:   I own a ComStream ABR200/202/202A receiver.   Can I program it to receive your signals?

A:   Yes.   However, you must contact our office and provide the serial number of the unit.   We will give you the proper command strings to enter into the receiver.   The serial number is then used to “permission” the receiver with the proper frequency information.   Registering the serial number in our system will also prevent the possibility that the signal will be terminated at some point.

Q:   Why do I need a 3 meter dish when the DSS home dishes are so small?

A:   DSS dishes look at high-powered video carriers that are of a very high-band width.  MRN’s carriers are only 200KHZ wise and are of relatively low power when compared to video signals.   As a result the IRN carriers require a 3 meter dish in order to collect the signal necessary to establish a receiver lock.

Q:   What compass heading is Galaxy XVI(16)?

A:   We don’t know.   It depends on your location in relation to the satellite.   Many satellite companies have computer programs and/or charts to help determine elevation and azimuth adjustments.   If you’re stuck for the information give us a call and we can recommend a satellite dealer.   We have found this website to be very helpful in determining Elevation and Azimuth:   http://vader.castles.com/tomhyatt/azel.html

Q:   Do you provide automation closures?

A:   Yes. Affiliates of our network may wire the contact closures on the back of the ComStream ABR 200/202 and ABR202A to an automation system.

Q:   What does it mean when the “signal” light is flashing?

A:   A flashing Signal light indicates the input signal (from the dish) is below a preset threshold.   If you notice the Signal light flashing you most likely have a problem with dish alignment, polarity (of the LNB), or the cabling.   Have your engineer or local satellite dish expert check the system for problems.

Q:   What is an IDU/ODU fault?

A:   IDU stands for Indoor Unit Fault.   If you see this fault it means the receiver is unable to lock into the satellite channel requested.   This could be caused by any number of problems from having no dish to a problem with the receiver.   If you see this fault check for loose connectors broken wires, obstructions in the dish or fed horn, water in the transmission cable, or misalignment of the dish.   If that doesn’t work you can call MRN for assistance at (517) 484-4888.

ODU stand for Outdoor Unit Fault.   If you see this fault it most likely means you have more than one ABR 200 receiver looped together (being fed from the same LNB).   The second receiver will display ODU fault because its power supply is not providing power to the LNB (the first receiver’s power supply is doing that job).

Q:   What is needed to split the Satellite feed to my old analog equipment?

A:   The analog equipment (Microdyne, Micro Phase, etc.) require a LNA to be installed in the dish.   It also requires a run of less than 100 feet of ½ inch hardline to the downconverter (receiver).   The digital equipment requires L band input so a C band splitter is installed and one output is red to the analog receiver and the other output is fed to a PLL Block Downconverter which is then fed to the ABR 200/202A.  

Q:   Does this Receiver need breathing room?

A:  Yes.   The ABR receivers tend to run very warm and require breathing room above and below to prevent overheating.

Q:   Why do I hear two programs simultaneously?

A:   You (most likely) have wired the two output channels (L and R) from the ABR 200 together.   Although the majority of MRN programming is fed in mono, we utilize the left and right channels to feed separate programming simultaneously.   If you have only one input to your console you may wish to install a selector switch to chose either the L or R channel.   More information on this is available by calling IRN at (800) 755-1466.

Q:   My downlink is out of service.   How do I get telephone feed?

A:   MRN will provide telephone feeds on an as-needed basis for stations with technical problems.   All long distance charges for such phone feeds are incurred by the affiliate NOT by MRN.   Sine phone couplers are in extremely limited supply, you are advised to notify us as soon as you know you are going to need a phone feed so that we may reserve one for you.  The procedure for getting a phone feed is: call (517) 484-4888 and speak with someone in the newsroom.   He will give you another number to dial to get the feed.   This number will automatically latch after the first ring.

Q:   My dish is in disrepair or is out of alignment.   Who do I call?

A:   We recommend calling a local satellite dealer.   Make sure they understand that you are receiving C-Band and SCPC satellite signals.   If they do not know what that means, call a different satellite company.  MRN does not repair, replace, align, or relocate satellite dishes.   If all else fails, however, we may be able to recommend someone who can do the job.   Call us at (517) 484-4888.

Q:   MRN originally installed my satellite dish and LNB.   Why won’t you repair it?

A:   All dishes, LNB, cabling, and associated hardware are the responsibility of the affiliate.   Those systems are “given” to the affiliate sine they become a permanent part of the radio stations facility and are not moved to other affiliates. MRN maintain and/or replaces the ComStream ABR200/202.202A satellite receiver.  MRN is available for technical support via telephone Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM CDT.   In many cases a satellite system problem can easily be corrected by your station engineer with assistance from MRN via phone or e-mail.

Thanks to The Florida Radio Network for compiling these FAQ’s.