Intelsat 14 @ 45.0W

[moonbase]

I looked through the past topics in the C-Band section for a 45.0W topic but could not find one? If there is a dedicated 45.0W topic would a moderator please merge this topic into the other existing topic?

In the past, 45.0W in C-Band has been difficult to receive in the UK and Europe. However, since around January this year the Revival Channel has been broadcasting on the Europe/Africa beam which should be receivable in the UK. I thought I would give this one a go to see if I could get a lock on the signal.

No such luck I am afraid, I was getting ~ 3.5 dB with a Dr HD F15 receiver and ~3.2 dB with a TBS 5925 USB2 tuner connected to a laptop running EBS Pro. The Revival Channel is on 3902 H, SR 1410, FEC 3/4 DVB-S2 QPSK and needs around 4.0 dB for a lock. I am not convinced I have the dish and feed arrangement optimised so I may try some adjustments to the feed and scalar setup and one or two alternative LNB's.

I think that one or two other forum members have been successful in locking the Revival Channel and their results are probably in other topics in the C-Band section?

For what it's worth I have pasted a couple of pictures below from my paltry effort to lock a C-Band signal from the satellite. I did manage a few data transponders but the local kids are picking these up with bin lids.

.

 

[Dave5118]

No chance for me, never even got round to trying my c band lnb on my gibby 1.5, but found this and subsequent posts, including from you LOL C band feeds - SatsUK
Maybe this will give you a bit of a clue?

 

[moonbase]

No chance for me, never even got round to trying my c band lnb on my gibby 1.5, but found this and subsequent posts, including from you LOL C band feeds - SatsUK
Maybe this will give you a bit of a clue?

Yes, that's where I had seen it, both "John" and "Feedsat" locked it back in January. The old grey matter is suffering from a day outside in the sun messing about with a satellite dish.

 

[Captain Jack]

I think I only ever managed to get that 3764 data transponder in the past - nothing else seems to even show a hint of.

 

[dx qwer]

Just my scan (4,9m) in linear range.

 

[nelson_b]

Finally - i get a free day to play with satellite things .... and with a Zinwell l.n.b at center position on the 2.4 cm offset i,m locking Revival o.k. here now. not fine tuned the l.n.b and feed positions yet so maybe i little more signal to be had.

edit .. i need to set the time / date yet again on this F15 ..... l.o.l.

 

[moonbase]

Finally - i get a free day to play with satellite things .... and with a Zinwell l.n.b at center position on the 2.4 cm offset i,m locking Revival o.k. here now. not fine tuned the l.n.b and feed positions yet so maybe i little more signal to be had.

edit .. i need to set the time / date yet again on this F15 ..... l.o.l.

View attachment 125990

@nelson_b ,

Well done, great catch, is the Zinwell LNB in a polo pipe or directly in the LNB clamp itself?

Looking at your signal level of 5.1db with a 2.4m dish and that of "dx qwer" who has 9.9 db with a 4.9m dish, I might struggle with a 2.0m dish. I will need to get the mount alignment and feed arrangement spot on to get a lock.

 

[nelson_b]

@nelson_b ,

Well done, great catch, is the Zinwell LNB in a polo pipe or directly in the LNB clamp itself?

Looking at your signal level of 5.1db with a 2.4m dish and that of "dx qwer" who has 9.9 db with a 4.9m dish, I might struggle with a 2.0m dish. I will need to get the mount alignment and feed arrangement spot on to get a lock.

Its directly in the clamp... i,v found the A/V com - polo pipe to be somewhat unstable overall, on my offset dishes so far ... and have not used it for some time now

 

[nelson_b]

I think you may get it ... @moonbase i,m getting 5.9 - 6.3 db now after fine tuning .. .

 

[moonbase]

Its directly in the clamp... i,v found the A/V com - polo pipe to be somewhat unstable overall, on my offset dishes so far ... and have not used it for some time now

I started off with the LNB in the AV-COMM polo pipe but was getting some cross polarisation. I swapped out the AV-COMM polo pipe for a "non polo pipe" that has no steps in it. This acted as a feed throat extender and allowed me to get the throat aperture at the focal distances required.

The feed holder that I use for C-Band places an LNBF feed throat aperture too far away (780mm) from the focal point (aperture at ~ 745mm) so I need to use a strap on extension.

I have attached a pic of the non polo pipe feed arrangement below, it is not a good picture but it illustrates the principle.

.

 

[nelson_b]

I started off with the LNB in the AV-COMM polo pipe but was getting some cross polarisation. I swapped out the AV-COMM polo pipe for a "non polo pipe" that has no steps in it. This acted as a feed throat extender and allowed me to get the throat aperture at the focal distances required.

The feed holder that I use for C-Band places an LNBF feed throat aperture too far away (780mm) from the focal point (aperture at ~ 745mm) so I need to use a strap on extension.

I have attached a pic of the non polo pipe feed arrangement below, it is not a good picture but it illustrates the principle.

.
View attachment 125992

Ah - Yes i see ... possibly the incorrect distance and strap on extension. loses you that little bit of signal ?


tried a number of l.n.b,s here today all locked ok .. but the Zinwell is best -it always has been for linear on these offset dishes.
the weather has turned here now and its threatening rain so the feed cover is on and t.v. monitor etc packed
away still holding a steady 6.1 / 62 db ...

 

[John]

Ah - Yes i see ... possibly the incorrect distance and strap on extension. loses you that little bit of signal ?


tried a number of l.n.b,s here today all locked ok .. but the Zinwell is best -it always has been for linear on these offset dishes.
the weather has turned here now and its threatening rain so the feed cover is on and t.v. monitor etc packed
away still holding a steady 6.1 / 62 db ... View attachment 125993 View attachment 125994

... these 'strap on' extensions - - are they Unisex ?.

 

[moonbase]

... these 'strap on' extensions - - are they Unisex ?.

Not sure, I will let you decide.

They got a hole at both ends, one end receives pipe from an LNBF and the other end has an open throat with a ring round it !

 

[moonbase]

away still holding a steady 6.1 / 62 db ...

That's a good signal level, you have got that peaked very nicely.

 

[dx qwer]

Two AFN packages started in clear.
4124 L 11000 1/2 DVB-S2 QPSK
4175 L 30000 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK