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Now that there's a increase interest in Ka-band on this forum, I am wondering:
From the enthusiast's perspective - what make and models of larger dishes (1.0m -> 5m) work well with Ka-band?
There are of course discussions on this forum with empirical evidence.
A few recent threads are:
KA Band Dish Sizes
New Inverto KaKu lnb
Most internet-over-sat operators seems to use specific Ka-band (Skyware/CM) steel dishes around 70-90cms.
Practical, easy-to-ship, not-too-expensive. Good for consumer installations.
And antennae for the professional market are usually marketed either as Ku/C models, or in models specifically for Ka-band.
There are the known criteria for Ka-band, where surface accuracy become very important the higher the frequency, and that the mesh embedded in SMC-dishes needs to have a fine mask to work properly for Ka.
But then the application questions come out:
1) Is a 20-year old CM120 up for the job of Ka-band D?
Considering it retains the shape very well, but may have been designed for Ku-band, and thus have a mesh-size that starts letting the higher portions Ka band through...
2) Or are the reflectors of the special Ka-band SMC dishes (eg from Skyware/Channel Master) made with a different reflective layers (i.e metal dust rather than mesh) that makes them better suited for Ka, even though the mechanically appear identical to the Ku-band versions?
In contrast, the GD Satcom (Prodelin) Ka-band range is clearly different from the Ku/C - much higher rigidity (more ribbing in the back).
3) Are there other generic models of SMC (eg Cahors) that by default have finer mesh etc, working better in Ka?
(The Ka-specific antennaes seem to priced markedly higher than the Ku ones!)
4) I know that the SMW ABS-reflector of the past had a layer of reflective paint instead of embedded mesh. Does this work for Ka as good as a steel dish?
5) Is a good steel pressed steel (or Alu) dish (eg Gibertini 125) as good as it gets, even though they're designed and marketed for Ku?
Of course, we should always try it out and see what works, but it would be great to hear your views on this, as getting the best out of Ka may require getting the right kit from the start...
From the enthusiast's perspective - what make and models of larger dishes (1.0m -> 5m) work well with Ka-band?
There are of course discussions on this forum with empirical evidence.
A few recent threads are:
KA Band Dish Sizes
New Inverto KaKu lnb
Most internet-over-sat operators seems to use specific Ka-band (Skyware/CM) steel dishes around 70-90cms.
Practical, easy-to-ship, not-too-expensive. Good for consumer installations.
And antennae for the professional market are usually marketed either as Ku/C models, or in models specifically for Ka-band.
There are the known criteria for Ka-band, where surface accuracy become very important the higher the frequency, and that the mesh embedded in SMC-dishes needs to have a fine mask to work properly for Ka.
But then the application questions come out:
1) Is a 20-year old CM120 up for the job of Ka-band D?
Considering it retains the shape very well, but may have been designed for Ku-band, and thus have a mesh-size that starts letting the higher portions Ka band through...
2) Or are the reflectors of the special Ka-band SMC dishes (eg from Skyware/Channel Master) made with a different reflective layers (i.e metal dust rather than mesh) that makes them better suited for Ka, even though the mechanically appear identical to the Ku-band versions?
In contrast, the GD Satcom (Prodelin) Ka-band range is clearly different from the Ku/C - much higher rigidity (more ribbing in the back).
3) Are there other generic models of SMC (eg Cahors) that by default have finer mesh etc, working better in Ka?
(The Ka-specific antennaes seem to priced markedly higher than the Ku ones!)
4) I know that the SMW ABS-reflector of the past had a layer of reflective paint instead of embedded mesh. Does this work for Ka as good as a steel dish?
5) Is a good steel pressed steel (or Alu) dish (eg Gibertini 125) as good as it gets, even though they're designed and marketed for Ku?
Of course, we should always try it out and see what works, but it would be great to hear your views on this, as getting the best out of Ka may require getting the right kit from the start...