Help installing Invacom LNB

[Batman]

I use a Quad (NOT QUATTRO) Invacom C120 on my Fibo Gregorian 1.2M with good results. I need C120 as my dish has a secondary reflector, but maybe a normal offset needs a built in feedhorn. Invacom do there own feedhorn>

hxxp://www.invacom.com/products.htm

Useful info

hxxp://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm

 

[Likvid]

Why do you want to run with the Invacom integrated feed when you already have an excellent feed to your dish from Prodelin?

C120 LNB is the route to go, don't buy anything with integrated as they are all compromises.

 

[paddyharben]

Why do you want to run with the Invacom integrated feed when you already have an excellent feed to your dish from Prodelin?

C120 LNB is the route to go, don't buy anything with integrated as they are all compromises.

Thanks for your advice, Likvid. As a newbie, it leaves me slightly perplexed though, as it contradicts Dave's view (another specialist contributor) that there is nothing to be gained from choosing C120 over integrated. Who is right on this?

Is my dish the crucial factor? Just to recap, it is a Prodelin 1.8m offset which came with its own feedhorn (with a non-C120 flange). Invacom say that I should go integrated as the F/D of the dish is 0.6. They also say I won't be able to mate a C120 with the Prodelin feed.

All I want is to change my Sharp single for an Invacom quad with the best possible reception of Astra 2A/B/D out here in Madrid.

 

[powel000]

Just curious, your current setup is the Sharp LNB with the channels Master feedhorn with a 1.80m offset dish.

 

[Likvid]

Sorry, didn't see that you had a WR75 feed, i assumed it was C120.

Then you don't have so much choice than to go with the Invacom with integrated feed.

Thanks for your advice, Likvid. As a newbie, it leaves me slightly perplexed though, as it contradicts Dave's view (another specialist contributor) that there is nothing to be gained from choosing C120 over integrated. Who is right on this?

Is my dish the crucial factor? Just to recap, it is a Prodelin 1.8m offset which came with its own feedhorn (with a non-C120 flange). Invacom say that I should go integrated as the F/D of the dish is 0.6. They also say I won't be able to mate a C120 with the Prodelin feed.

All I want is to change my Sharp single for an Invacom quad with the best possible reception of Astra 2A/B/D out here in Madrid.

 

[paddyharben]

Sorry, didn't see that you had a WR75 feed, i assumed it was C120.

Then you don't have so much choice than to go with the Invacom with integrated feed.

Well, I could ditch the current feed and use a C120 feed instead (e.g. Invacom's own feedhorn). Which brings me back to my earlier question - will I get better reception with a C120 model than with its integrated feed equivalent? This is what you experts don't seem to agree on.

PS. Just to clarify, despite the references to Channel Master made by various contributors to this thread, both my dish and the feed it came with are by PRODELIN. I have heard that Prodelin's dishes are similar to CM ones, but I can't confirm this myself.

 

[dave branson]

I dont think i am an expert,Likvid is,he has helped me with advice in the past,
so i would respect his opinion.

 

[paddyharben]

I dont think i am an expert,Likvid is,he has helped me with advice in the past,
so i would respect his opinion.

Thanks for the clarification, Dave. I seem to have been mislead by the Forum's designation of you as a "specialist contributor".

Given that Invacom say I can't use their C120 quad with a non-C120 feed, my choice appears to be to scrap the existing feed and either:

* Install Invacom quad with integrated feed, OR
* Install Invacom quad with a (Invacom) C120 feed

Likvid appears to favour the latter route - have I got this right, Likvid?

 

[Likvid]

Everyone have knowledge to contribute in this forum, i have my knowledge in large broadcast antennas for uplink and downlink at Teleports so i am not so well aware of the small dish DTH market, but i am learning.

Well my only advise if you don't mind spending a little more money would to order a professional C120 feed for you dish.

If you are budget minded, then choose the Invacom with built-in feedhorn.

I can't see Prodelin offering any C120 feed, only OMT and WR75 feeds.

However you can order a C120 feed designed for you dish if you specify the correct f/d.

That is the route i would take if you want the most out of your system.

I can recommend either:

http://www.sepatriot.com/images/TX-FDKUL.jpg

or this one

http://www.seaveyantenna.com/catalog/p80/pg80-83_85.htm

Look for offest feeds depending on your needs.

 

[Likvid]

YES! a separate feed will give better results if you are willing to pay extra for this option.

Most people don't want to spend like $100 extra for this and take the cheap route.

Well, I could ditch the current feed and use a C120 feed instead (e.g. Invacom's own feedhorn). Which brings me back to my earlier question - will I get better reception with a C120 model than with its integrated feed equivalent? This is what you experts don't seem to agree on.

 

[tedy58]

...
* Install Invacom quad with integrated feed, OR
* Install Invacom quad with a (Invacom) C120 feed

Well I will not be a judge, but the Invacome lieflet tell us ... 'If you have original feedhorn just use it, bacause it is designed for the dish you are using.' I have the same LNB flange Invacom QDF-031 NF=0,3.
I couldn't say that the results are significant towords the noise figure than the previous LNB that I used, but the most importent thing is that now I have 4 outputs and combined with other dish that I have and diSeqC switch now I could see independent signals on 3 of my Receivers. ANd do not forgot that Invacom IS innovation in Comunication in the Noice Figure. So ...
My opinion is to * Install Invacom quad with integrated feed.
Best regards,
Tedy

 

[paddyharben]

I am intending to replace my existing LNB with an Invacom Quad (C120)...

Guess I'm more or less ready to wind up this thread now.

In the end I've installed the C120 Invacom quad with a (pricey) Channel Master offset feedhorn supplied by satellite superstore.

My first impression after a few days of use is that this combination shows a NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT over the Sharp LNB/Prodelin feedhorn. I am now getting 24/7 reception of all vertical/horizontal Astra 2D channels with only occasional minor pixelation. Feel that moving over to the Invacom has definitely been worth it for me.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to this thread - especially Dave Branson and Likvid, both of whom have provided crucial advice in guiding me to a satisfactory outcome.

 

[dxsat]

Sorry I came a bit late to this thread but I am also in Madrid and have been wrestling with the same problems. Just for the record, the integrated feedhorn Invacom LNBs perform very poorly on large dishes compared with the C120 ones, and the Quad C120 version is the best of all.I've also concluded that the ChannelMaster feedhorn is by far the best. I've tried loads of combinations.
The ChannelMaster feedhorn also works better on other makes of dish such as Gibertini.