Monoblocks on a multi sat dish.

[sonnetpete]

Like the title says, can you use monoblocks on a multi sat setup? I thought it would be a possible solution if you'd reached one end of the mounting bar for the LNB's but could add an extra one by putting a monoblock at the end. (E.G. a 6° monoblock on 5°E would get you 1°W)

Will the monoblock make the switching arrangements difficult or even impossible?

 

[Lazarus]

It depends ................. !

When I first started in the hobby, I had an 80cm with 6deg monoblock for 13/19E.

Later, I added a motor, leaving the monoblock in situ.

Used Port A with motor control and found that with the motor at 23.5E, Port B quite happily got 28E.

But that was only possible because the Receiver in use at that time (early Fortec Star Lifetime Classic) permitted it.

When I "upgraded" my Receiver, I've not come across another one that permits both basic DiSEqC switching and Motor Control at the same time.

 

[sonnetpete]

Maybe I should have explained more clearly. This is not for the motorised dish. It's for a theoretical fixed two dish (west and east arcs) set up. I'd keep the 1.2M for fringe reception. (the days when I actually had a fringe have long gone sadly)

 

[Lazarus]

Ah, right - misread it!

Can be done, but not with standard DiSEqC switches .............. the inbuilt Monoblock DiSEqC switch creates cascading problems.

I've seen a fair few other threads where it is suggested the issue can be overcome with Spaun Uncommitted DiSEqC switches, but have no real idea how it works.

I think once the workers get home tonight you might get the advice you need


(Note to self: Must not skim read!!)

 

[davemurgtroyd]

You can only cascade DiSEqc switches to achieve this by using a mixture of uncommitted and committed DiSEqc switches - most DiSEqc switches (including those in monoblocs) are of the committed type. The uncommitted switch needs to be the first switch connected to the receiver. The receiver must support both DiSEqc 1.1 (or 2.1) and uncommitted switches and not many do. For how to connect up see this page (in German) _http://www.satellite-heaven.de/technik/diseqc11.htm and here for further receiver settings etc _http://www.satellite-heaven.de/testberichte/asat-diseqc-schalter-sw101d.htm

Note also that using a mixture of switches it is possible to connect up to 64 lnbs to one lnb input on a receiver that supports it. That should cope with every visible to the UK satellite position up there.

 

[Robbo]

Like the title says, can you use monoblocks on a multi sat setup? I thought it would be a possible solution if you'd reached one end of the mounting bar for the LNB's but could add an extra one by putting a monoblock at the end. (E.G. a 6° monoblock on 5°E would get you 1°W)

Will the monoblock make the switching arrangements difficult or even impossible?

Check out Southernsatellite and sateuropa, they are selling a kind of adjustable monoblock LNB. The switch is external, and the LNBs can be adjusted to up to 15 degrees or something like that. I came accross it yesterday, so not seen or tried one.

 

[Lazarus]

Ooh, sounds interesting.

Research mode engaged.


Edit: Linkie _http://www.sateuropa.co.uk/product_overview.asp?prod=Octagon-0.1dB-Flex-Feed-4-15-Degree-LNB&id=2743&catid=12&subcat=50

 

[sonnetpete]

It's an interesting design, really two LNB's with an adjustable tube connecting them. The switching arrangements wouldn't (I think) be any different to having seperate LNB's. Obviously you would have two cables instead of one, which you would have had from a monoblock, so more connecting to do. But, on the multi bracket I can get for my Gibi it comes supplied with 4 holders. If you used four of these you could (in theory) run 8 lnb's from 4 holders.

 

[Huevos]

if you'd reached one end of the mounting bar for the LNB's but could add an extra one by putting a monoblock at the end. (E.G. a 6° monoblock on 5°E would get you 1°W)

6º corresponds to an 80cm dish. On a T55 it would be completely different. I would forget the monoblock altogether so you don't limit your switching options and use something like the bracket in the attached image which clamps to the body of neighbouring LNB. It's adjustable over several degrees and allows you to set independent skew on both LNBs.

View attachment 34969

Edit: I used two of these brackets to add two LNBs to one side of the central LNB on my Gibertini dish. It worked fine but is no longer on that dish.

 

[sonnetpete]

I'd almost discounted the monoblock when I saw that flex feed, but I'm not sure how adjustable it's skew would be. Have you got a link to that bracket or is it something readily available?

 

[Huevos]

Have you got a link to that bracket or is it something readily available?

It's from Fte Maximal (ref: MF U, part code: 0701116, probably about 3€), but anything that works on a similar principal would do. That one is adjustable from 60-110mm.

 

[timo_w2s]

Check out Southernsatellite and sateuropa, they are selling a kind of adjustable monoblock LNB. The switch is external, and the LNBs can be adjusted to up to 15 degrees or something like that. I came accross it yesterday, so not seen or tried one.

Yes, I noticed that yesterday too thanks to the Sateuropa newletter. It would be interesting to know how the LNB performs.

 

[Ghostleader]

I have a problem with it, if you look at spec on SouthernSat, it tells you the adjustment between the LNB's is up to 37mm (Just over 3 & half centimeters) & this allow's for upto 15 Degrees seperation, there's about 12 to 14 centimeters between my Hotbird 13E & Astra/Eurobird 28E on my 80cm dish (Just over 15 Degrees seperation there) so are they quoting degree seperation on a 60cm by any chance?, This has the same wiff as the Inverto Multiconnect system "..up to 30 Degree's seperation....", yes on a 60cm!

 

[satelliteman]

Looks good and inexpensive too.

I'd almost discounted the monoblock when I saw that flex feed, but I'm not sure how adjustable it's skew would be. Have you got a link to that bracket or is it something readily available?

Skew on monobloc's are fine for 3 or 6 deg spacing. The further apart they are could be an issue; maybe adjusting skew somewhere between the two.

 

[Huevos]

Skew on monobloc's are fine for 3 or 6 deg spacing.

Yeah, on a conventional dish it would be fine, but he wants to use it on a T55 so it needs to follow the focal line. That means the LNB skew will end up a mile out. I'll try to post a photo later and you'll see what I mean.

 

[sonnetpete]

Although the info about skew, spacing and what size dishes are most suited is interesting (and I don't want to stop discussion on the subject) I think I'd better clarify where I'm up to before this thread reaches Tolstoy epic length.

I've decided not to use, monoblocks, T55's and those flex lnb's. I think single lnb's, mounted individually (or maybe with those fte clamps) are the way to go. I'd really like to use my Gibi 1M and Triax TD88 as I believe you can get hold of their relative multi brackets quite easily.

I'd like to cover the arc from 30°W to 42°E (or 45°E if poss) with these two dishes. I've selected 14 higher powered sats to try and catch, covering about 30/35° of arc on each dish. The bugbear will be that the TD88 is smaller and I'm not sure which side (west or east) to place it. I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible, reusing what I have spare here. Now you can shoot me down in flames!!!

 

[sonnetpete]

What do you think of this as a 'universal' multi bracket? It seems to be made reasonably well.

_http://www.2galli.fr/boutique/fiche_produit.cfm?ref=Sup_4_ANC&type=10&code_lg=lg_fr&num=71

 

[Ghostleader]

I'd like to cover the arc from 30°W to 42°E (or 45°E if poss) with these two dishes. I've selected 14 higher powered sats to try and catch, covering about 30/35° of arc on each dish

I love it! Your as nutty as fruit cake!:-worship, Problem with the Triax TD multi bracket is like most brackets the bar's only meant for 20 to 22 Degree spacing & without modding your could be wasting your time mate.

 

[sonnetpete]

I love it! Your as nutty as fruit cake!:-worship,

I see you have the measure of me.

 

[Ghostleader]

I have 5W,1W,7E,13E<Focus LNB,19E & 28E all on the one ISS 80cm dish, I was told it was "impossible", who was right?