LNB / Dish advice

[Oskare100]

Hello,
I think I've decided to buy all new equipment to be able to get the weak sat I want. I did read the test at http://www.minhembio.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=168909 from a recent post here but I wanted to check with you on the LNB as well... From what I've understood the dB isn't the most important thing. Here is the three most expensive LNBs I can choose from:

White tech Universal Twin LNB 0,3 dB
MTI Single High Line 0,2dB 100mA
Titanium Single LNB 0,1dB

Which one do you think would be best? I don't know if it's relevant but I live in the southeast part of Sweden and want to get Astra 2D which should be rather hard to get from here.

Then the dish. I've found a few dishes, but a problem is that the shipping cost is so expensive on the larger dishes... Here is an option I think it reasonable priced:

Archsat 120cm*128cm offset
Input Frequency Range Low Band : 10.7 ~ 11.7 GHz
High Band : 11.7 ~ 12.75 GHz
Output Frequency Range Low Band : 950 ~ 1950 MHz
High Band : 1100 ~ 2150 MHz
L.O. Frequency Low Band : 9.75 GHz
High Band : 10.60 GHz
L.O. Frequency Stability +/-1 MHz (Max)@ Room Temp.
Local Oscillator Frequency Phase Noise -60dBc/Hz @ 1KHz (Max.)
-85dBc/Hz @ 10KHz (Max.)
-105dBc/Hz @ 100KHz (Max.)
Noise Figure 0.3dB (Typ.)
Conversion Gain 56 ~ 60 dB
Gain Flatness 26 MHz Bandwidth +/-0.5dB (Typ.)
Polarity Switching Voltage Low Band : 11.0 ~ 14.0 Vdc
High Band : 16.0 ~ 20.0 Vdc
Band Switching Low Band : 0 KHz
High Band : 22 KHz +/- 4KHz
Cross-Pol. Isolation 25 dB (Typ.)
Image Rejection 40 dB (Min.)
Current Consumption 90 mA (Typ.)
Output Connector Type 75 OHMS F-Female
Output Spurious <-60dBm
Operating Temperature Range -40°C ~ +65°C
Storage Temperature Range -45°C ~ +70°C

Does it matter if the dish is made in steel or sheet? Does the quality of the dish matter at all or is it mostly the size of it?

I'm thinking of using a DiSEqC switch and two side LNBs to also get Hotbird and so on, but do you think that would considerably decrease my chances of getting Astra 2D?

I'm thinking of DreamBox DM600 as receiver, do you think that is a reasonable good receiver for weak signals?

Regards
Oskar

 

[guest poster]

hi Oskare100,

check out some other threads regarding 2d for lnb & other fringe issues for 2d

check out invacom quad lnb for 2d fringe reception which does have a good reputation on 2d (but on bigger dishes... 1.8 2.4 etc... ) and also a new one from hama, a bit too new at the moment but worth some research...

the spec you listed is about normal for universal lnb spec btw..

not sure about sensitivity re the dreambox

best of luck with it all...

 

[Oskare100]

Hello,
OK, will do that. But what about loss with a DiSEqC switch? Would a DiSEqC switch decrease my chances of getting 2d?

And what about the dish material? Is steel best?

Regards
Oskar

 

[guest poster]

sorry I forgot about the diseqc switch.. I say avoid it for 2d unless you have a very good signal.

not sure about material for dishes as regards signal reflection ... the thickness or construction of a dish is important... too thin (steel or ali) without strengthening = not good - fiberglass / plastic contruction like asc (andrews/channel master) / prodelin are ok as reflectors but can take 125mile / 200km hour winds and harsh chemical environments.

 

[Navalcarnero]

As far as picking up FTA stuff a Humax Foxsat freesat is supposed to be very good due to the highly sensitive tuner. In fact from what i have read DVB-s2 tuners are meant to be very good in general, so other non freesat stuff with a S2 tuner might be worth looking into even if you arent interested in HD stuff

 

[Robbo]

Concentrate on getting a system working for 28E if that is your main priority, you can add offset LNBs for any other close by sats that are strong in your area.

I'd be surpised if a Diseqc switch would have a significant effect though, its attenuation is equivalent to only a few metres of decent-ish cable.

I have all sorts connected in the line to my 7W dish, and it does not make one jot of difference to the signal quality.

 

[guest poster]

Some diseqc switches definitely nick' a % of quality not just 3dB of power.. depends how well they're made like anything else.

What make have you used Robbo?

 

[Robbo]

I have the cheapest 4 way diseqc I could find at the time- Eurostar from F*******t. But I only use the Technomate ones now.

I would notice if I got a % nicked off, also I have done a direct comparison, with and without. ( Took receiver down to the bottom of the garden,where my dishes are, which removed cable losses also)

 

[LAURO2008]

Archsat 120cm*128cm offset
Input Frequency Range Low Band : 10.7 ~ 11.7 GHz
High Band : 11.7 ~ 12.75 GHz
Output Frequency Range Low Band : 950 ~ 1950 MHz
High Band : 1100 ~ 2150 MHz
L.O. Frequency Low Band : 9.75 GHz
High Band : 10.60 GHz
L.O. Frequency Stability +/-1 MHz (Max)@ Room Temp.
Local Oscillator Frequency Phase Noise -60dBc/Hz @ 1KHz (Max.)
-85dBc/Hz @ 10KHz (Max.)
-105dBc/Hz @ 100KHz (Max.)
Noise Figure 0.3dB (Typ.)
Conversion Gain 56 ~ 60 dB
Gain Flatness 26 MHz Bandwidth +/-0.5dB (Typ.)
Polarity Switching Voltage Low Band : 11.0 ~ 14.0 Vdc
High Band : 16.0 ~ 20.0 Vdc
Band Switching Low Band : 0 KHz
High Band : 22 KHz +/- 4KHz
Cross-Pol. Isolation 25 dB (Typ.)
Image Rejection 40 dB (Min.)
Current Consumption 90 mA (Typ.)
Output Connector Type 75 OHMS F-Female
Output Spurious <-60dBm
Operating Temperature Range -40°C ~ +65°C
Storage Temperature Range -45°C ~ +70°CRegards
Oskar

Hello Oskar and everybody,

I also would like to buy the Archsat 120 cm to replace the Penta85 and in order to better use the Invacom twin 0.3 (it performs better on bigger sizes)

What is your opinion about the Archsat 120 cm?

Can I use the Archsat 120 with a motor like Clarke Tech HH390?

or do I need a polarmount + actuator motor + positioner ?

Thanks

 

[satelliteman]

Whether it's exposed or not along with dish location/height may be a varying factor, but the normal advice is not to mount a heavy steel dish on a DiSEqC motor.

 

[LAURO2008]

Whether it's exposed or not along with dish location/height may be a varying factor, but the normal advice is not to mount a heavy steel dish on a DiSEqC motor.

not even a Triax 110 cm on a CT HH390?

 

[satelliteman]

If it was ground mounted and shielded maybe. There's a fair bit of backlash already on those motors (if it's the same as the dark motor)

 

[LAURO2008]

If it was ground mounted and shielded maybe. There's a fair bit of backlash already on those motors (if it's the same as the dark motor)

are you telling me to remain with my Penta85?

 

[satelliteman]

You could go for a Gibertini 104cm. They will go on a DiSEqC motor as their aluminium and light weight; again if exposed then a polar mount and linear actuator route. Gibertini 120cm also polar mount.

 

[LAURO2008]

You could go for a Gibertini 104cm. They will go on a DiSEqC motor as their aluminium and light weight; again if exposed then a polar mount and linear actuator route. Gibertini 120cm also polar mount.

Just to tease you please find attached 2 pics with a Gib 125 on a CT hh390 and on a Jager 120...according to the owners they are satifited with the set up;)

 

[satelliteman]

Just to tease you please find attached 2 pics with a Gib 125 on a CT hh390 and on a Jager 120...according to the owners they are satifited with the set up;)

Not something I'd do

 

[LAURO2008]

Not something I'd do

Just to tease you again: please, look at the existing pole and advice if you could risk a 110 or 120 cm on a e.g. stab 120 or CT h390. Ad you can see the dish is exposed to all kind of wind/meteo:mad:

PS I also have the possibility now, to sell Penta+CTh390 to a frined of mine...so I will have som emoney back;)

Thanks

 

[satelliteman]

please, look at the existing pole and advice if you could risk a 110 or 120 cm on a e.g. stab 120 or CT h390. Ad you can see the dish is exposed to all kind of wind/meteo:mad:

Looks substantial enough but if too exposed then I wouldn't risk too big a dish on a DiSEqC motor ;)

 

[LAURO2008]

Looks substantial enough but if too exposed then I wouldn't risk too big a dish on a DiSEqC motor ;)

Just ordered a Gibertini 100 cm red-brick;) !!!! same color of the penta85

Feel free to comment the decision

 

[satelliteman]

Nice dish, should be an overall improvement.