Just Sharing This Analogue 70MHz IF Loop receiver

[John]

Just in case i can not dig out of the stock pile of the collection of ancient and disused old receivers that are lurking in a dark corner of an out-building - has anybody got at hand any old analogue sat receivers that have the labeled '70MHz IF Loop' F sockets lurking in their hidden pile ?.

 

[s-band]

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Closeish to you. I've got a service manual. Tuner looks a bit grubby and I don't remember them having a bit of Veroboard inside.

and someone is 'aving a larf

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4 viewing card slots. For sale dish positioner for motorised system.

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[John]

ECHOSTAR BR-4500 SATELLITE RECEIVER (NOT WORKING) FOR SPARE PARTS | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ECHOSTAR BR-4500 SATELLITE RECEIVER (NOT WORKING) FOR SPARE PARTS at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

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Closeish to you. I've got a service manual. Tuner looks a bit grubby and I don't remember them having a bit of Veroboard inside.

and someone is 'aving a larf

CHAPARRAL SCT MONTEREY 40 MULTI SATELLITE TV RECEIVER - boxed | eBay

4 viewing card slots. For sale dish positioner for motorised system.

www.ebay.co.uk

Well, trawled the deep hidden depths of the 1st possible location ie: garage and nothing to be seen. 2nd possible location ie: storage cupboard in the house & nothing. Last possible location to check is the loft and that is rammed solid with all sorts of stuff.
Yep saw the Grantham chaps offering, needs a good hoovering out for a start - might be worth a punt in case i get lost up in the loft.
I thought the Echostar AD-3600IP had 70MHz IF loop sockets as it shows a pair of 'loop' sockets but isn't labelled up as so - after having a look at the specs in the manual it doesn't mention anything about '70MHz IF Loop'

 

[Llew]

Well, trawled the deep hidden depths of the 1st possible location ie: garage and nothing to be seen. 2nd possible location ie: storage cupboard in the house & nothing. Last possible location to check is the loft and that is rammed solid with all sorts of stuff.
Yep saw the Grantham chaps offering, needs a good hoovering out for a start - might be worth a punt in case i get lost up in the loft.
I thought the Echostar AD-3600IP had 70MHz IF loop sockets as it shows a pair of 'loop' sockets but isn't labelled up as so - after having a look at the specs in the manual it doesn't mention anything about '70MHz IF Loop'

I have an old Echostar RX with the 70MHz O/P somewhere out the back, John. I'll see if I can dig it out.

 

[John]

I have an old Echostar RX with the 70MHz O/P somewhere out the back, John. I'll see if I can dig it out.

Ok Llew thanks .

 

[Llew]

Ok Llew thanks .

It's the first Echostar I had. It did sterling service for me on long lost Analogue channels in the 90's.

It has the Eurosat TAD module (bottom right) to enhance weak signals - I never found out what the IC type was in it.

There was also a tweak to the tuning voltage section, courtesy of a Roger Bunney mod, but it's long ago now, and I've forgotten the details.

I might fire it up, at least to see if it has survived over the decades

 

[John]

It's the first Echostar I had. It did sterling service for me on long lost Analogue channels in the 90's.

It has the Eurosat TAD module (bottom right) to enhance weak signals - I never found out what the IC type was in it.

There was also a tweak to the tuning voltage section, courtesy of a Roger Bunney mod, but it's long ago now, and I've forgotten the details.

I might fire it up, at least to see if it has survived over the decades

View attachment 152232

View attachment 152233

View attachment 152234

Gordon bennett Llew, that is a blast from the past for sure bless it. Stand well back when you switch on If you reply back i'll know your ok

 

[Manikm909]

its been 7 mins, should we be worried.

 

[Channel Hopper]

its been 7 mins, should we be worried.

?

I have a Drake esr324 (and I think a 4240) sitting in the lock up.

My assistant was the one that designed the Threshold Assistance Device, (just as Echostar brought out the SR5500). I'll ask him next week when we meet up.

 

[John]

?

I have a Drake esr324 (and I think a 4240) sitting in the lock up.

My assistant was the one that designed the Threshold Assistance Device, (just as Echostar brought out the SR5500). I'll ask him next week when we meet up.

Get rummaging - if i can get some different brands here to try out using the 70MHz IF band pass tuner toy iv'e aquired for play purposes i can do some comparisons of Analog reception capabilities coupled with 5G interference from 70° West to the Echostar LT8700 i'm using at the moment

 

[Llew]

its been 7 mins, should we be worried.

I might try it gently at first with the Variac...

 

[Channel Hopper]

Get rummaging - if i can get some different brands here to try out using the 70MHz IF band pass tuner toy iv'e aquired for play purposes i can do some comparisons of Analog reception capabilities coupled with 5G interference from 70° West to the Echostar LT8700 i'm using at the moment

Many manufacturers of the time streamlined the receiver rear panels to save money, yet keeping the 70MHz loop on the main board.

You could be lucky with what you currently have in the shack.

 

[s-band]

It's the first Echostar I had. It did sterling service for me on long lost Analogue channels in the 90's.

It has the Eurosat TAD module (bottom right) to enhance weak signals - I never found out what the IC type was in it.

There was also a tweak to the tuning voltage section, courtesy of a Roger Bunney mod, but it's long ago now, and I've forgotten the details.

Looks like it already has some kind of BW control. The IF loop isn't connected. Assuming the de-mod is on the main board, I wonder if this is the way it should be routed:

 

[s-band]

I think I've posted this pic before. @John If you get a 70MHz IF RX, you are welcome to try this 3 BW filter I used to use on the SR4500. The 5500 was never as good as the 4500 with filter for getting stuff out of the noise. Pictures got a bit mangled but at least they were there, not like this digital crap.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I think I've posted this pic before. @John If you get a 70MHz IF RX, you are welcome to try this 3 BW filter I used to use on the SR4500. The 5500 was never as good as the 4500 with filter for getting stuff out of the noise. Pictures got a bit mangled but at least they were there, not like this digital crap.

View attachment 152236

It's a long time ago, but following disappointing sales in the Middle East, Echostar brought out the SR-5500 LT version with a filter running at 470MHz (I think). This was just about the same time as the power supply issues appeared.

 

[John]

I think I've posted this pic before. @John If you get a 70MHz IF RX, you are welcome to try this 3 BW filter I used to use on the SR4500. The 5500 was never as good as the 4500 with filter for getting stuff out of the noise. Pictures got a bit mangled but at least they were there, not like this digital crap.

View attachment 152236

Ok G thanks, we'll see how things pan out over the next few days or so then .

 

[Llew]

I might try it gently at first with the Variac...

Couldn't be bothered. Straight into the power socket and no sparks or pops.

All I can do for now is check the RF out. It has a restricted channel range of E30-E39 so this is at channel 37.

Aerial Techniques of Poole supplied the TAD module. @Channel Hopper - is that the one your assistant designed?

 

[Channel Hopper]

The first receiver out is the ESR-250A, boxed, complete and spankers. From my memory there was/is no IF loop on the rear (but knowing Drake it should be inside). Will take the lid off tomorrow.

The second is the StellarVision 102, based on a Japanese receiver, but is direct conversion so requires the IF to 70MHz tuner/demod.

Both were functional last time I plugged them in.

Still looking for the ESR324 (or was it a 325) ?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Couldn't be bothered. Straight into the power socket and no sparks or pops.

All I can do for now is check the RF out. It has a restricted channel range of E30-E39 so this is at channel 37.

Aerial Techniques of Poole supplied the TAD module. @Channel Hopper - is that the one your assistant designed?

If it is the one pictured in the receiver then yes.

You should find rubbing the chip surface with methylated spirits brings up the identifying numbers, but I will have an answer mid-week.

 

[Channel Hopper]

The 102, produced by GRE of Japan for the US/UK market.