Mesh dishes

[dan1974]

Hi Guys im losing quite a few Sky channels here in Finland, so im thinking of upgrading my dish size.
I have pasted a link below of a mesh dish 180cm prime focus.
My question is are these mesh dishes any good compared to a solid dish?



http://www.satshop.fi/antennit/satelliittiantennit/primefocus-mesh-180cm.html

 

[PaulR]

My first reaction was that it's a C band dish however they claim that it's suitable for Ku band as well. But when I looked at their spec sheet it claims that the gain for 12.2 GHz is 45.0dBi (No Guarantee) - which esentially means that it might or might not work for you.

Frankly, unless you can get a cast iron guarantee that it'll work on Ku band I'd avoid it. Even then I'd be wary as you might struggle to get your money back if they decide to play difficult.

 

[timo_w2s]

I would also not bother with those mesh dishes.

This is what I have for a decent Finnish dish: http://www.aerial.fi/ep/tiedostot/Satellite_TV_antennas.pdf

Currently have a 1.8m but thinking of trying to get the 2.4m version when Astra 2A goes.

 

[Kveys]

I have 2.3m mesh dish from satshop.fi. For me its a C-band toy but I tried earlier it with Ku-Lnb and must say that 125cm Gibby is better or same than 2.3m mesh. So no chance to get better gain with it.

 

[RimaNTSS]

I have never had any mesh dish, but from what I've read understood one thing: Good solid dish will work good in Ku-band and also in C-band. In opposite, good mesh will probably work pretty good in C-band, but bad in Ku-band. Therefore, in any case, I would prefer to use solid dish.

 

[Pietclock]

I have a 3m KTI micro mesh dish. It works really well for C-Band (you get almost everything with it) however it is no better than 1.3-1.5m solid offset for Ku Band. So it can be used for Ku band too obviously, but do not expect any wonders. The surface simply is too rough to get gains comparable to solid dishes.

 

[PaulR]

Hence the Not Guaranteed I think.

 

[Pietclock]

But they should make it more clear... besides that, in the original manual, it says 47dB gain @12GHz, which is not even near reality....

 

[Robinson74]

Looks like those mesh manufacturers are trying to cheat us.

 

[Pride Of Cucamonga]

What is the purpose of mesh - just to look nice? I guess useful close to the equator where there's lots of rain and dishes point straight up.

 

[Pietclock]

less weight, less wind load... complete knock down. There are some advantages, if you want C-Band. And they are cheaper than solid dishes.

 

[dan1974]

I would also not bother with those mesh dishes.

This is what I have for a decent Finnish dish: http://www.aerial.fi/ep/tiedostot/Satellite_TV_antennas.pdf

Currently have a 1.8m but thinking of trying to get the 2.4m version when Astra 2A goes.

Thanks Timo i have just asked for a price for this dish.

 

[timo_w2s]

Thanks Timo i have just asked for a price for this dish.

Let me know how it goes. Those are well made quality ridged dishes and mount for the fixed dishes is rock solid even in high winds. If you end up with one of those dishes I find the Invacom QDF-031 Quad works very well with it (apparently the single and twin versions aren't so good).

 

[dan1974]

I would also not bother with those mesh dishes.

This is what I have for a decent Finnish dish: http://www.aerial.fi/ep/tiedostot/Satellite_TV_antennas.pdf

Currently have a 1.8m but thinking of trying to get the 2.4m version when Astra 2A goes.

Hi Timo, 2.4m is a monster, do you really think we will need that big dish for the Sky channels?

 

[timo_w2s]

Hi Timo, 2.4m is a monster, do you really think we will need that big dish for the Sky channels?

Yes, the 2.4m dish will be a big project as it'll need to be mounted on the ground.

At the moment our 1.8m Aerial dish is just a bit too small for 2F Euro beam in Helsinki, channels break up during the day and when it rains/snows. I'm right on the edge of reception. I'm going to wait and see how 2E is in the spring, if it is stronger than 2F then we may put up with the 1.8m. Then there is the question of how many channels will use 2G Euro beam next autumn as this satellite should be OK with an 80cm-100cm dish on the south coast but I have a feeling most channels will stay on 2E...

 

[Kveys]

http://www.satshop.fi/antennit/satelliittiantennit.html?___store=default&___from_store=fi

Our finnish satshop now offer even 490cm mesh dish That would be cool for C-band

 

[timo_w2s]

"No return right" Reminds me when I bought the wrong model of an ADSL modem from a Sonera shop in Helsinki and they wouldn't let me return the unopened box... You'd never get away with that in the UK.

 

[Captain Jack]

2.3m dish for only 600 Euros! Wonder how long it would take to ship to UK... and how much. Seems like it's being sent from the US. Or certainly not Finland direct.

 

[Kveys]

Yep, that Sonera subject sucks but if I would be little satshop owner I would set same rules also. What a mess with 5m returndish. Only enthusiast even think about buy so big dish and then you should know what you will get, or..?

 

[timo_w2s]

Yep, that Sonera subject sucks but if I would be little satshop owner I would set same rules also. What a mess with 5m returndish. Only enthusiast even think about buy so big dish and then you should know what you will get, or..?

Yeah I can understand for large items individually ordered like that but it did bring back bad memories... ;)