Advice required on receiving Astra 1 (19.2E) & Astra 2 (28.2E)

[alfa145]

I first got my freesat kit - a Philex dish/decoder/lnb bundle from my local B&Q when they were on offer at the end of last year. I was able to set it up and can receive 28.2E perfectly. Since then after reading and learning more, I now want to add 19.2E to get Spanish stations. I was able to move the dish and successfully receive stations from this satellite OK.

So, I want to run 2 lnb's, the dish is 60cm, should this be enough for the 9 degree angle of seperation (we are just west of London)?

I've read the FAQ in this section which explains about the mirroring. There is no multi lnb bracket for this dish, so I presume I could just knock up an adjustable bracket to hold the 2 lnb's but my main query is elevation. There is an elevation difference between the 2 satellites, so I presume I need to factor this into the making of the bracket so that one LNB sits higher, or lower than the other?

Would I do best to centre the dish in terms of azimuth and elevation and then offset each LNB, or would I do best to center it on one and then just offset the other? If so, which one is best, I get a good signal on both, but a higher quality on Astra 2.

I would appreciate any thoughts!

[satelliteman]

Welcome to satsuk,

Firstly a good 60cm is fine for these two satellites. You should be able to purchase a universal offset bracket that clamps to your LNb boom, if not, knocking one up could work just as well.

To set up, align the dish perfectly on 19e and offset 28e (from behind the dish looking out to the Sky, the offset LNb will be to the right).

As you say the two satellites have El differences, this can be overcome by raising or lowering the offset LNb's on the bracket.

Leave the focal LNb and raise the offset LNb a tad, bend the bracket if necessary.

[alfa145]

Thanks for the welcome & reply satelliteman. The boom arm is a square tube, I haven't found any generic ones on Ebay or other online satellite shops - there don't seem to be many generic brackets, even less that are adjustable or offset.

I should be able to knock up something fairly easily with a few bits of spare metal. It sounds easy in theory, I'll report back when I've made some progress!

[dilan89]

I have a question, I also have a dish 60cm, but it is pointed to 19.2e, its old but still works on my digital receiver,, it was previously used for analouge. I want to be able to view channels from both 19.2e and 28.2e, I have been contacting satellite dealers here in the UK, only two of them replied saying my dish is not compatible to hold two LNB's, one replied offering an expensive price of £20 each!!! but he is unsure if it would be compatible with the dish I have, so I'm confused, from what I see here it would work, what and where could I order the things needed for this? are there good dealers out there? unfortunately, there are no satellite dealers in my area who deal with what I want.
hope to hear from you soon many thanks!

[rolfw]

This is what you need: Ebay 310158938477

[satelliteman]

In addition and don't know if you can still find them, these use to fit on older style Astra dishes.

[rolfw]

Haven't seen one advertised for ages, although I've got one in the garage somewhere. Last one I installed, had to attach with a couple of self tappers. Think it was made by Lenson Heath.

[satelliteman]

Yes I believe it was Lenson Heath. Always handy to have in stock at that time

dilan89, maybe you could post up a picture of your dish.

[Tivù]

This is what you need: Ebay 310158938477

Had a look at this, thankyou rolf

On the verge of buying one to play around with, I checked Feedback and there are several comments that the one supplied is not as described.

I've asked Worldwide Satellite to update the picture. If and when they do, I'll post the new link here and also decide whether to purchase.

[Tivù]

........... there is no update.


No response to my query and no change to the misleading (ie Incorrect) picture.


I'll give it a miss for now.

[satelliteman]

In a week or so I'll post up a picture of the aforementioned working bracket.

[Tivù]

In a week or so I'll post up a picture of the aforementioned working bracket.

Will it be one that is of the design and quality advertised, or of the lesser design and quality some punters have reported?

Or a different one altogether?

TBH, the one illustrated by Worldwide Satellite looks very good indeed - but they don't actually supply it!

[satelliteman]

Don't know, I haven't got round to collecting it from Rolf yet

[Tivù]

Don't know, I haven't got round to collecting it from Rolf yet

ROFL - or is it ROLF?

[satelliteman]

That'll be chief admin rolfw

[Tivù]

That'll be chief admin rolfw

Indeed

[dilan89]

sorry for the late reply, here is the picture of the satellite dish, thanks for the help!

[Tivù]

........... there is no update.


No response to my query and no change to the misleading (ie Incorrect) picture.


I'll give it a miss for now.

Well I got one (the last one) anyway. Looked like a "Return" but a bit of tlc with a hacksaw, sandpaper and all-purpose cleaner and it looks ok.

Far too wet and windy to even think about trying it out yet.

[satelliteman]

Picture of the aforementioned LNb offset bracket rigged up on a quick test.

Zone 2 dish, focussed on 13e and 28e offset. All signals acceptable.

[Tivù]

Nice.

That's the same bracket I've just received, albeit mine is white.

Did you need to hack bits of the floating clamps?

[satelliteman]

Did you need to hack bits of the floating clamps?

No alterations to the bracket, went straight on.