We are 15-25 miles north near Jodrell Bank and get 7w verticals on as low as a 1m- no H's and struggle with weaker verticals... to keep Hs in rain etc.. 1.8 - 2.4 or struggle with a really fine tuned good 1.2m like a Channel Master.
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If you did go for a Fortec Star £99 1.8m (or £160 2.4m) (like the 1.8 on display at Maplits Stoke... try wobbling it) what I would say is that you can get the 1.8 to perform like a Channel Master or Prodelin 1.8 with very careful setting up and providing it's not already distorted when you get it.... RD100 set one up and he got that sort of performance* …
BUT....
.. you have to allow for some custom strengthening of the dish and the mount because they are simply not strong enough- especially on an exposed location.... one good wind and it could distort and a real storm can wreck it (as happened).
They take some setting up too...
Once you've done all that and strengthened it properly you've got a decent enough 1.8m dish for a fraction... (not sure about the 2.4m) we've modified and made loads of sat gear and have engineering facilities so look at any manufactured item from that prospective Channel Master or Fortec Star or a
Sky dish... They can all get modified and improved.
You could PM us if you go down that route and need any help, we are not that far and often in your area (very busy at the moment though).

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