Fracarro Penta for multisat?

[sonnetpete]

I'm thinking of changing my smaller multisat dish and fancied trying a smaller Penta. The LNB arm looks like it would be awkward to mount an muti LNB bar on, anyone managed to get one working on a multisat or has tried and failed?.....don't want to spend €60 to find out LOL

 

[Juan69]

Do you not need a receiver that allows multi satellite reception?

 

[sonnetpete]

Do you not need a receiver that allows multi satellite reception?

I refer my honorable friend to "My System" - 'VU+ Solo + 16 LNB's on 4 dishes'.

 

[Juan69]

Not plug and play. So can handle more than one satellite?. So you´re saying ideal for Sonnetpete?

 

[sonnetpete]

No it isn't plug and play, but once set up properly, eminently suitable for multisat or motorised. Several members here use one for both fixed and motorised set ups so it's not just ideal for me. Anyway, the thread was about a dish....

 

[Captain Jack]

Juan: Huh?

Pete: Should be doable. I assume you mean the Penta 85 and not the 65 cm version. What do you mean about the awkward LNB arm - seems like a standard one to me...?

 

[sonnetpete]

Actually CJ, I do mean the 65cm version (to replace a 60cm French dish which in a reckless moment, I sort of promised to some neighbours for their Freesat install). Looking at the photo's I've found, the arm doesn't look box section but a sort of inverted U, which would be less than ideal for the arm mount I'm using. Could you do me a favour and check on your Penta (maybe upload a close up photo if you could?)

 

[Captain Jack]

Have a look in this thread http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/...nstallations/198013-new-windy-home-penta.html There are some fairly close pictures with good views of the LNB arm.

I can get a closer one when I get home later if you need any more clarification.

 

[sonnetpete]

Thanks for that CJ, mainly I'm wondering how the LNB fits onto the support arm and if the arm itself is a hollow square or rectangular section. I'm also wondering if the 65cm differs from the 85cm as from a photo I've seen the arm looks to be a different design.

 

[Captain Jack]

The arm itself is a hollow rectangle - you can probably feed the cable through there but, as you can see, I didn't bother. The LNB holder simply sits on top of the LNB arm with a single screw stopping it from going anyway.

Not sure of the differences between the 65 and the 85 version though - can't be that much considering how similar the overall designs are with the exception of perhaps the length of the arm to accommodate a different focal point.

 

[sonnetpete]

Yes, I've just looked again at one on Amazon.fr and the photo isn't that clear, though they're showing a photo of an 85cm dish for both sizes. Your post kind of confirms what I'd hoped, that I can mod the clamp for the bar to fit inside the Penta LNB support arm. Cables for the existing dish (four LNB's) already run on the outside. I've decided to go for an 85cm one anyway, there's only about €10 difference in the price.

Edit: I've just ordered a Penta 85, should be here at the end of the week. I suppose I'll answer my own question about the mounting bar in due course. It'll be interesting to see how it performs as part of a multisat setup.

 

[N1501]

Yes, I've just looked again at one on Amazon.fr and the photo isn't that clear...

Don't know if the attached help, PENTA DIGIT ( 68cm) and PENTA 85: