INVACOM 0.3db LNB in Gran Canaria

BLUEPLATINUM

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I have just updated by LNB from a 0.5db Teléves single output one to an INVACOM 3.0db one with 4 independent outputs.

The original LNB was installed by the guy who put up the dish and was only ever meant to be temporary.

The receiver is a PACE MK 1 SKY+ box and the dish is 2.4m Channel Master.

I have no special equipment, so to install the INVACOM I just removed the old LNB and placed the new one in the holder. I then rotated it until signal stength and quality peaked on the default transponder.

It was early evening, when the BBC starts to pixelate before disapearing, so I then tuned into BBC1 and tweaked the rotation to minimise the pixelation.

I am very dissapointed because the new LNB does not seem to perform any better than the old one. I was expecting the the channels which "are there" but which pixelate or cause "there is a technical fault with this chennel" to come in.

Have I done something wrong other than not replace the receiver?

I wondered in the LNB needs to be earthed? It has an earthing point and the signal was much better when I was holding the LNB to adjust it before taking my hand off it!

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

You can see pictures of the setup before the new LNB fitting here
 

Likvid

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A new LNB doesn't make things go magic, it depends on current situation, obviously the old LNB you had was performing quite well.

You could check one thing and that's the diameter of the feedhorn flange and compare it to the Invacom LNBs flange diameter, the hole where the signal travels.

They should be the same, otherwise you need some adapter to make it adaptable.

In your case it shows that you should have bought a 3 meter dish instead, have you thought about getting a bigger dish? that would solve everything for you.

That CM 2.4m dish you have performs like a really good 2.7m primefocus dish and i don't know any good 3 meter Offset dishes for sale, maybe you should think of the Prodelin dish like 3.4m or 3.7m.

http://www.esa-com.com/ProductDetail.asp?ProductID=2213&NextPage=%2FProductTree%2Easp%3FCategoryID%3D433%26PPP%3D%26SP%3D0
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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Thanks for the input. There are numerous successful local installations using the CM dish like mine. The main difference is the receiver I think. They are all using (mainly) PACE 2600's.

I specifically need a SKY+ solution. I may need to change the box. I have heard the new PACE is good in the fringe and I am eagerly awaiting the results of experiments with the THOMSON SKY+ 160 which are currently going on in CYPRUS.

I think my next step is to borrow a PACE 2600 and see how it performs (if I can find one). Alao I am still worried about the position the dish has been put in due to the TV mast blocking its line of site (see photos).
 

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When you tweak the LNB using the signal quality meter on the digibox remember it takes a good few seconds to update. Move the LNB a tiny amount then wait for a change before moving it again. The same is true when you are adjusting it by watching a channel that is breaking up, wait a few seconds between very small adjustments.

Also, if you haven’t already done this, try tweaking it to the signal quality of a 2D transponder rather than a default one. Enter the details of the 2D transponder you want most under the installer menu (services > 4 > 0 > 1 > Select in quick succession), that will give you a signal test for that transponder rather than the default one, then adjust the LNB again.

It really is better to use a spectrum analyzer in fringe areas, it might be worthwhile paying someone with one to have a go at adjusting your dish. But make sure they have experience of fringe reception first.
 

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BLUEPLATINUM said:
I specifically need a SKY+ solution. I may need to change the box. I have heard the new PACE is good in the fringe and I am eagerly awaiting the results of experiments with the THOMSON SKY+ 160 which are currently going on in CYPRUS.

Well..... I can confirme the tuner on THOMSON SKY+ 160 is excellent...I have tested four of these units lately on various dish setups & their results were impressive.

iceman
 

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iceman said:
Well..... I can confirme the tuner on THOMSON SKY+ 160 is excellent...I have tested four of these units lately on various dish setups & their results were impressive.

iceman
Are we talking about receiving 2D ?does it compare with the pace 3100?
 

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simonskyman said:
Are we talking about receiving 2D ?does it compare with the pace 3100?

I dont have a Pace 3100 to compare M8...but it performed well on 2D as well as others.....i was impressed.(LNB's 0.3 invacoms)
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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iceman said:
I dont have a Pace 3100 to compare M8...but it performed well on 2D as well as others.....i was impressed.(LNB's 0.3 invacoms)
I have been advised by someone in another forum that part of my problem may be that I am using the standard INVACOM LNB with integral feedhorn.

They say I should have bought a Channel Master feedhorn designed for the dish and the C120 flange version of the LNB.

I am a bit annoyed because I specifically asked CM's official distributor in the UK about this and they said such a setup was not possible.

Can anyone here comment on this please?
 

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@BLUEPLATINUM
I use a motorised CM 120cm dish myself...I have tested all sorts of LNB's on this dish & i got the best result with invacom 0.3dB C120 LNB+CM feedhorn. ;)
 

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We assumed you used the CM feedhorn, of course you don't get good results with the Invacom integrated feed, you need a CM feed or similar that can take the f/d of your dish.

Leave the Invacom LNB back and exchange it for the C120 model and then get the original CM feed from here:

https://d102.x-mailer.de/lorsatnet/...34_37&osCsid=04a8549ad1019b86ea3854e26d8bbe9a



BLUEPLATINUM said:
I have been advised by someone in another forum that part of my problem may be that I am using the standard INVACOM LNB with integral feedhorn.

They say I should have bought a Channel Master feedhorn designed for the dish and the C120 flange version of the LNB.

I am a bit annoyed because I specifically asked CM's official distributor in the UK about this and they said such a setup was not possible.

Can anyone here comment on this please?
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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Likvid said:
We assumed you used the CM feedhorn, of course you don't get good results with the Invacom integrated feed, you need a CM feed or similar that can take the f/d of your dish.

Thanks guys. I am well p*ssed off.

I am an ameture and have spent months on the forums sussing out exactly what to do. I knew I needed the C120 but after the conversation with the distributor, "a supposed expert", I thought I must have got it wrong.

I don't know how I am going to exchange the LNB. I ordered it from Ciberland on the mainland and the Canarian customs already charged me €37 for the privilege.

Anyone got any idea how much the other one might be worth on eBay ?

OK so I've attached pictures of what it looks like now. If I change the LNB for a C120 with CM feedhorn will it then be correct? I assume the collar holding the LNB is the correct one ??

Many thanks guys ... we'll get there in the end.
 

Likvid

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Yes you need a CM feedhorn and a Invacom C120 LNB, it will fit nicely on your dish.

You can see in this document all available feeds to your antenna, pick the one you want.

http://www.andrew.com/search/docviewer.aspx?docid=6808

Maybe you can get like £25 for your old Invacom on eBay.

BLUEPLATINUM said:
Thanks guys. I am well p*ssed off.

I am an ameture and have spent months on the forums sussing out exactly what to do. I knew I needed the C120 but after the conversation with the distributor, "a supposed expert", I thought I must have got it wrong.

I don't know how I am going to exchange the LNB. I ordered it from Ciberland on the mainland and the Canarian customs already charged me €37 for the privilege.

Anyone got any idea how much the other one might be worth on eBay ?

OK so I've attached pictures of what it looks like now. If I change the LNB for a C120 with CM feedhorn will it then be correct? I assume the collar holding the LNB is the correct one ??

Many thanks guys ... we'll get there in the end.
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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Likvid said:
You can see in this document all available feeds to your antenna, pick the one you want.

http://www.andrew.com/search/docviewer.aspx?docid=6808
Thanks for link. Sorry to be a complete pain in the a**, but I don't understand the differences between the options on that page.

What would you go for in my situation and why? Thanks.
 

Likvid

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I would recommend you to email Andrew directly about this as i don't know myself for sure, there is a contact page you can email them at.

Just tell them you have a Andrew 2.4m Type 243, former Channel Master, dish, and you need a suitable feedhorn to it, also tell them the LNB you will use is the Invacom LNB with a C120 flange.

They can tell you directly which model you need and recommend nearest dealer at your location.

Here is the correct contact page for the dish you have, fill in all details and they get back, they are very serviceminded.

http://www.andrew.com/contactus/contact.aspx?ct=58


BLUEPLATINUM said:
Thanks for link. Sorry to be a complete pain in the a**, but I don't understand the differences between the options on that page.

What would you go for in my situation and why? Thanks.
 

iceman

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Channel Master feed can be ordered from this site also >>

http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/lnbs.htm

Bit expensive but not many places stock them these days...
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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iceman said:
Channel Master feed can be ordered from this site also >>

http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/lnbs.htm

Bit expensive but not many places stock them these days...

Thanks for the leads. I have been offered a second hand feedhorn by a local installer for €42 and he is also going to supply the LNB.

I will be auctioning the old (new) NB on eBay in the near future!!
 

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Great, report back the results to us when you have installed the new feed.
 

BLUEPLATINUM

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Well first thing to say is that whoever invented the C120 flange should be put up against a wall and shot....

Seriously though. I now have the INVACOM 0.3 C120 LNB and a feedhorn suitable for the CM dish. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get all the screws in, the last two will never align. I have taped it all up (minus the 2 screws) because I want to see if it works.

Currently getting some funny results ... the second input on the sky plus box sometimes shows zero signal. The signal quality and strength seem to vary a lot (normal default transponder).

Channels previously unreceivable remain so. Channels which previously faded in evening still do so, but the pixelation is very "fine" unlike the blocky pixelation with the old LNB.

I need to do some more experimenting - am worried the asymetry caused by the missing screws may have a bad effect?

On April 25 my Thomson SKY+ 160 will be arriving. I have a MK I SKY+ which has an inferior tuner, so it is hard to truly know what the problem is espacially without a spectrum analyser to be sure the LNB is scewed correctly.

The saga continues.....
 

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BLUEPLATINUM said:
Well first thing to say is that whoever invented the C120 flange should be put up against a wall and shot....

Seriously though. I now have the INVACOM 0.3 C120 LNB and a feedhorn suitable for the CM dish. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get all the screws in, the last two will never align. I have taped it all up (minus the 2 screws) .

You must have done something wrong...There is absolutely nothing wrong with C120 flange fitting to C120 type LNB's...ALL the screws SHOULD align without a problem if you fit it correctly...
Can you post a jpg of your feed+LNB setup please?

One last point....is your feed manufactured by Channel Master or a feed "suitable for CM dish"??

iceman
 
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