DIY Satellite Receiver Kit

HB13DISH

I am wondering if there is a DIY satellite receiver kit that one can build, or if any member was crazy enough to make an attempt at designing or building such a receiver.
My aim is to understand how the receiver works by building it from scratch.
I don't want to make anything sophisticated. Just the simplest FTA version for not more than 10-20 FTA channels (TV and Radio)
I know that you can buy a very good old receiver for few quids, but where is the fun in that?
Anybody interested to look deeper into this with me?

T_G

Ahh the good old days where I used to build my own amplifier from a kit. I used to have one, can't remember the name maybe SG 1000. Worked ok for a long time as well...unfortunately I cannot help you as my electronics is crap...

__________________
I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth

HB13DISH

Yes T_G, these were the good old days.
Last kit that I bought was from Elektor and it was a PC Teletext gadget so that I can print the information that was in some of the cable TV channels.
After I built it it worked great, but then I had a simpler solution from the satellite receiver that was installed afterwards. If only I knew.

Anyway, no more responses so far so I guess people are contented with just buying a receiver and don't have the time to spend to build one.

T_G

Maybe worth posting this in the workbench section? Most of the technical mineded users lurk in there

__________________
I only believe stuff that comes straight from Mr. Horses mouth

HB13DISH

Good idea. Thanks.
Perhaps a kind mod can move it there.

Llew

OK, moved as requested.

Before even thinking about such a project, you will have to equip yourself with a load of expensive test gear, chip insertion and soldering equipment etc.

Then comes the question of construction. A professionally made circuit board CAD drawn to you spec.

Sourcing of chips, tuner and so on.

My brain hurts just thinking about it

Llew

__________________
Celebrating Ten Years Of The Forum As A Founder Member

Topper

There are no Philips Electronic Kits for an STB are there?

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

Formerly toppervte33h
whose six pack has turned into a keg

Help support this web site by making a donation
Or use other options to help support Sats UK
Show Your Support
by clicking the button

Thank you.
Freddie Flintoff is back

HB13DISH

Thanks Llew.

If you know of any good technical books on the subject, I would appreciate it very much.

I looked for kits, but couldn't find any.
The technology for the satellite receivers has improved a lot over the last few years and from what I have seen so far there are some special chips to do a lot of the necessary functions and with less parts.
The problem is that such manufacturers deal with OEMs with commitments to buy huge quantities and wouldn't respond to private requests.
They have what is called evaluation boards which should give the developer a big head start.

It is a shame really since it should be possible to build a simple sat receiver for just few channels without any sophistication, just like a simple FM or AM radio.
I can deal with the hardware side, but it the software that I am worried about.

So if anybody wants to join me in this project, welcome aboard.

BM300

With so many very cheap recievers around, is it worth taking so much trouble and expence to build such a unit?

HB13DISH

Hi BM300,
Yes.
As I mentioned in my first post, It is for learning purposes mainly.