dragging a dinosaur into the late 20th century

lesb

Hello - I have a lovely old analogue system driven by an Echostar LT 8700, based on a polar mounted motorised 1.2 metre dish with a quad-band co-axial LNB with magnetic polariser.

I'd like to make the mechanical parts work with a satellite tuner PC card that has a DiSeqc controller so that I can see what HD looks like.

I can't see any DiSeqc "jack" actuators on the market, so it looks as if I must buy a "V box" to convert the DiSeqc signals for the actuator.

But what do I do about the LNB? Do I still need an adjustable polariser, or would a "normal" LNB do? Do modern LNBs that fit the axial mount still exist, or will I have to modify the mount? I only want KU band...

Many thanks, I hope...http://www.satellites.co.uk/php-bin/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif

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Topper

Welcome to the forum lesb

Last time I checked we were in the 10th year of the 21st century but well does it matter.

Really all depends upon what options you have available in the menu of the stb regarding your current requirements, I am sure one or two menbers have had this stb in the past and may be able to help.

War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left!

Formerly toppervte33h
whose six pack has turned into a keg

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Huevos

There are for medium sized dishes, the DXJ6000 for example.

Channel Hopper

If you can advise which 1.2m dish you have, somebody will be able to confirm the best LNB that will fit, either intrgeal with feed, or with a flange to fit the one already on the end of the boom arm(s).

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Huevos

Oops, sorry, double post.

Max2000

Hello,
As you've said, the best way for your DVB pc card to move your old dish is with a v-box control. It really works fine with your kind of system.

Of course you need to change your old lnb with a modern universal one. It will be better and it will have a real lower noise margin.

An inverto c120 universal one could be fine for your prime focus dish.

Max

lesb

Very many thanks for all the help. The dish and its manual do not give any manufacturer's details, but it was built in Germany in the 1980s and is pretty solid. The LNB fitting is a short length of 40mm alloy tube, on axis, so I think I can see where to go to from here.

I will be trying out an Elgato EyeTVSat which has a DISEQC 1.1 output - but first I will buy and try a high-output LNB (more than 25m of co-ax to get indoors). Maybe I'll make the 21st century after all!


Thanks