Newbie Here Monobloc on a Zone 2

[tntfr]

Does anyone have any suggestions about a 6 degree monobloc to go onto a zone 2 for Hotbird and Astra 1? I know there's plenty of threads about this sort of thing but I'd like to know if there's an easy solution to this - something which doesn't involve lots of braketry and customisation!

I saw one of these on eBay and wondered if it would be any good:

 

[Lazarus]

Lots of people have successfully done this, but the results are not necessarily going to be perfect across the board as the Zone 2 dishes are the wrong shape to match effectively with "proper" LNBs, whether Monoblock or Single.

Also, Monoblocks are best used on 80cm dishes.

But you should nevertheless be able to make a decent fist of it.

I can't see, from that pic, whether it's a 6 degree Monoblock, though: So do take care to ensure it is - These days, they are available in several different fixed separations and there are even some adjustable ones!

 

[tntfr]

Interesting stuff. So a conventional LNB on a Zone 2 will perform worse than the supplied one, because of the unique dimensions of sky dishes? With regard to the monoblock, I was hoping to get the best possible signal for astra 1, and treat anything in from Hotbird as a bonus.

 

[Lazarus]

In which case, use 19.2E for dish alignment (Either position can be used, entailing merely the reversal of the DiSEqC settings and governing which head of the LNB sits in the clamp).

I actually do have a conventional LNB on one of my dedicated 28E Zone 1 dishes: In practice, the signals are so strong from the latest clutch of birds, that the difference is no more than theoretical. In weak signal areas it would be potentially significant, though.

As for the pictured Monoblock, I don't know what the price is, but many brands are available, with little to choose between them in performance, so I'd buy on price: Suggest an Inverto 0.2dB at £17 (eBay Item #251308283257 as an example)

 

[digi247]

The Official Sky Quad/Single LNB Feedhorns are matched to the elliptical shape of the Sky Dish, although saying that due to its shape it does make a good choice for MultiLNB setup.

I had 13°,19.2° and 28.2° on a Zone 2 using official Zinwell quads and that worked perfectly, if you can get the Monbloc to fit the go for it

 

[tntfr]

Digi. How did you get them all on? I'd love to do similar but Im worried that bracket mounting and aligning is tricky.

 

[Tururu]

As indicated by the peers as the standard monoblock is for 6th and works 100% in antenna 80cm, if the antenna is smaller, we need a 4th or 3rd to perform at 100% or part of the signal will be lost, so same with antenna 100cm and monoblock 6th, in the picture, we see that the signal enters the mouth all the LNB offset.

Adjustable LNB, careful not monoblock are 2 single LNB in a body that can fit in separation (3º-10º), requiring a switch/external DiSEqC.
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Como indican los compañeros, el monoblock estandar es para 6º y funciona al 100% en antena de 80cm, si la antena es mas pequeña, necesitaremos uno de 4º o de 3º para que rinda al 100% o parte de la señal se perdera, lo mismo pasa con una antena de 100cm y un monoblock de 6º, en la foto, vemos que la señal no entra toda por la boca del LNB desplazado.

Los LNB ajustables, cuidado que no monoblock, son 2 LNB individuales en un cuerpo que podemos ajustar en separacion (3º-10º), necesitando un conmutador/DiSEqC externo.

Installation J-puig, Changing to 13º East.

 

[Analoguesat]

Does anyone have any suggestions about a 6 degree monobloc to go onto a zone 2 for Hotbird and Astra 1? I know there's plenty of threads about this sort of thing but I'd like to know if there's an easy solution to this - something which doesn't involve lots of braketry and customisation!

I saw one of these on eBay and wondered if it would be any good:

Give it a try - many of us are using sub optimal installations for assorted satellites and get decent results

My system is so lashed up and bodged with lnb's stuck in anywhere they will fit I shouldnt get anywhere near the results I do with it (I dread the thought of ever moving house as it would take WEEKS of hard work to get the system bodged up anywhere near the efficiency its running at atm again!)

I use old fence posts mounts - every spring I have to get the sledgehammer out of the shed and belt the posts back into the ground after they move in the soggy ground over the winter! (This doesnt do the alignment of the dishes any good at all!!!)

 

[tntfr]

Give it a try - many of us are using sub optimal installations for assorted satellites and get decent results

My system is so lashed up and bodged with lnb's stuck in anywhere they will fit I shouldnt get anywhere near the results I do with it (I dread the thought of ever moving house as it would take WEEKS of hard work to get the system bodged up anywhere near the efficiency its running at atm again!)

I use old fence posts mounts - every spring I have to get the sledgehammer out of the shed and belt the posts back into the ground after they move in the soggy ground over the winter! (This doesnt do the alignment of the dishes any good at all!!!)

Makes me feel better about some of my "sub optimal" installations in the past!

 

[tntfr]

Does anyone know what the "collar" (unsure of correct term) size is for the Zinwell LNB that comes with a Sky Dish - I am curious if the monoblock would fit straight in?

 

[rolfw]

You'll struggle with a monobloc, it will probably need to be a 4 degree version. Here's a little experiment with a zone 2 for Astra 28.2 and 19 East, so 19 and 13 will be pretty much touching.

http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/had-a-little-play-with-a-zone-2-minidish.153659/

 

[hexah]

The 6 degree monoblock works well with a Triax TD64 which can be useful if you need to hide away a small dish that can get 13e and 19e.

 

[william-1]

60 cm region 2 dish working ok here for HotBird & Astra 1
Using a 4 way DiSEqC switch with 28.2 east from a 45cm twin output Lnb.
Tried a mono block but the signals are not as good as this set up.