Time to Upgrade/Replace

[Gadget Man]

Hi Guys,

I am a new member having just joined and I am asking for some advice please.

I am not new to motorised sat equipment but I haven’t updated things in a while other than my receiver which is now a Technomate 6900HD Combo. The rest of my equipment is a Triax 88cm dish and a SG2100 mount (I think it was a Moteck).

The dish etc was installed back in 2004 and has provided great service since, however my dish has now started rusting quite badly and paint is starting to flake off so I’m looking to upgrade.

Also I have a problem but I’m not sure what’s causing it, my dish will turn from 7 degrees west (Nilesat) but when I when it gets to a point just past 16 degrees east it stops (although it still looks as though its moving on my screen). I don’t know why this has happend but it’s been like it for about 2 months now so I think maybe it’s time to change the motor along with the dish?

My main question is, which of the following dishes would you choose as my new dish and why (cost is not an issue, I want the best):

1. Triax 1.1m
2. Gibertine 1m
3. Orbital 1m
4. Channel Master 1m

Am I right in thinking the Channel Master is heaver so will need to upgrade to 36v ?

I watch 1 degree west quite a lot and would like to maybe see if it would be possible to pick up more channels on Nilesat with the above set up?

Any comments and advice will be greatfully received.

Thanks
Simon

[Tivù]

Well you won't pick up anything but a few Verticals from Nilesat even with an extremely accurately aligned and loss free Dish of the size you are proposing - in fact you probably won't get anything without a 1.2m at least.

As for getting Horizontals from Nilesat, well you would need something over 1.8m !!

Back to basics: I have a Triax 1.1m on a Motor and it is very heavy. Were I to start again, I'd get the Gibertini 1.04m.

Going even further back to basics, your existing system should be easily improved: The failure to go beyond 16E can be caused by several things, the least likely of which is a real failure of the Motor: In the first instance, look carefully at the condition (eg Signs of water ingress) and security of the F connections - don't forget that simply changing the Motor and/or Dish might leave any problem with cabling/connectors to continue to cause you problems.

A rusty Dish isn't really a problem - why not just clean off the worst then spray it with WD40 or paint on some Kurust.

[Gadget Man]

Thank you for the repy, it's appreciated.

The thing is, I am already receiving some verticals from Nilesat with my current Triax dish!

The odd thing with my motor is that t actually went to 23 east then started stopping just short, then a week later only went as far as 19 east, then a week later only went to 16 east and has stayed like that for the 2 months but works fine other than not going past 16 east. (well it tries to go past as it appears to still be moving on the indicator on my tv screen but it doesnt it goes about 2 degrees past, goes silent and stops).
The fact the my motor is working fine between Nilesat 7 west and 16 east made me think it must be something internal with my motor rather than anything alse, but what would you suggest I check to see if it may be something else?


I have read good things about the Gibertini 1.04 it seems to get good reviews. I was also reading about the Fracarro Penta 85cm would this be another option or would the 1.04 Gibertini still be a better option overall?

[Tivù]

............. I still think the most likely culprit is a loose connection.

What you describe is consistent with such an easy thing to rectify.

Second up, the Moteck has a Reset feature activated by shoving something up a small hole in its bottom - I find an unbent paper clip is ideal.

I am not the Penta king, but a man who is will no doubt pop along quite soon.

That said, the Penta does seem to have a dedicated fan club.

You do amazingly well to get anything from Nilesat with an 88cm!

[Gadget Man]

Actually, I was just thinking and I think my Triax is 1.1m now I come to think of it lol ....still must be doing well from what you say!

[Tivù]

Yes, 1.1m sounds more like it.

I have the same Dish and do get some Verticals.

Located not far North of you.

[Vipersan]

Yes, 1.1m sounds more like it.

I have the same Dish and do get some Verticals.

Located not far North of you.

...as do I ..
Same dish
..similar latitude..

[Tivù]

...as do I ..
Same dish
..similar latitude..

You appear to be making sense - has the Ale run out already?

[Vipersan]

...LOL ...
only been home half an hour...
got to give it time to kick in ..
See me in another hour or so Gordon...
Hic!

[Gadget Man]

Well I have solved the motor problem

I had a day off today so took time to check all connections and disconnected and reconnected everything and reset the motor and reset my east and west limits and now everything is working fine once again.

However having had a closer look at my dish, I'm not sure if you would agree that it needs replacing?
I have enclosed a couple of photo's, would you suggest replacing it due to where the rust is?

[Tivù]

Ouch!

That is bad!

Well done on getting the motor going again, though.

There are people up in the Scottish Borderlands who would consider that Dish to be in pristine condition, but I now agree wholeheartedly with your suggestion that it's time for a change

[Gadget Man]

Yes I'm pleased about the motor, I'm now getting from 30 degrees west (Hispasat) 33 degrees east (Eurobird3) once again.

I just need to decide on which dish now then.
I think I am leaning towards the Gibertini as the gain figures look about the best for a 1.04m dish, unless anyone else wants to suggest any others?