Need Guidance on FTA Satellite Setup, multiple LNBs and Latest Tech

[SEOShamsher]

Hi everyone,


I’m returning to the FTA satellite hobby after about 10 years, and I’m planning to set up a new system. A few things have changed in the industry since I left, and I would like to get some guidance from the community on the latest setups and equipment.


I’m specifically interested in understanding the current situation for FTA satellite channels in India. A lot of Indian satellite forums have been closed recently, and I’m curious to know what the latest trends and challenges are for FTA satellites in the region. Why satellite TV trend declining in India?


I’m in the process of buying a new system and have already decided on the satellites I want to track. I’ve found a seller with an 18 ft C-band dish, which I think will be perfect for my needs. My previous setup was an 8 ft dish that covered a wide range of satellites with multiple LNBs, but I believe the 18 ft dish will provide much more gain. I understand that the 18 ft dish will give around 7.2 dB more gain compared to an 8 ft dish, which translates to more than five times the signal power, and I’m confident this will allow me to track all my chosen satellites.


Here are the satellites I plan to track:

1. Eutelsat 3B - 3.0°E
2. Eutelsat 10B - 10.0°E
3. Badr 5 - 26.0°E
4. Paksat MM1 - 38.0°E
5. Paksat 1R - 38.0°E
6. Intelsat 20 - 68.5°E
7. Apstar 7 - 76.5°E
8. GSAT-10 - 83.0°E
9. GSAT-24 - 83.0°E
10. GSAT-30 - 83.0°E
11. GSAT-15 - 93.5°E
12. GSAT-17 - 93.5°E
13. GSAT-9 - 97.0°E
14. AsiaSat 5 - 100.5°E
15. AsiaSat 7 - 105.5°E

Given that satellites from 38°E to 105°E have strong signals, I plan to set the dish to focus on 38°E, so I can prioritize weaker signals from other satellites. I’m confident I can cover all of them with a single dish setup.


Regarding the technical side, I’m aware that DVB-S2X is the latest standard, and I understand that 5G has impacted C-band frequencies, requiring specialized LNBs. However, I’d appreciate some advice on any other recent developments I should be aware of. For example, are there any new technologies or best practices in satellite reception that have emerged over the past decade? What kind of STB (Set-Top Box) would be best for receiving only FTA channels and handling C-line?


I’ve done a lot of research, but I just want to make sure I’m making the best decision in terms of equipment to stay up to date with the latest technology. I’m open to your opinions and recommendations!


Thanks in advance for your help!