Not very exciting..but another milestone for me

[Vipersan]

Hi friends ..
Freeky nasty weather has made aligning my TD88 with 2 extra inverto lnbs at 4 degree intervals spaced to the west of focus ...damned near impossible.
The idea behind the 2 extra lnbs is to enable me to 'see' Eastward beyond the dishes limitation of travel ..which is about 64 East ..

The original intention was to view 68East ..but I suspect my location above sea level might prevent this .
..however I was always convinced 66 East was a possibility ...and although its hit n miss ..I think I proved my suspicions correct ..
I'm posting 2 photos of the same boring testcard ...(exciting to me nonetheless)...snapped seconds apart ..(appologies the first image is a bit fuzzy..had to snap the image quickly )
Showing that the signal fluctuates wildly ..going from 0db to 5db + ..??
I'm guessing this is due to low elevation angle plus extreme rain over the Pennines to the East.
Its the only visible channel apart from Heliosnet ...which is a data transponder.
Here are the details of this 'catch' from Russia ..
Pity there is only a testcard to see

Intelsat 17 at 66.0°E
12624 H
tp RU2K Kazakstan TV Aktau DVB-S 2356-7/8
rgds
VS

..I should also mention that this bird is only visible to me for about 6 hours a day (evening)....so I'm struggling at the edge of the footprint.

 

[Topper]

May not be exciting but it is impressive VS

 

[A nonymous]

Getting 66e and 68e is not the easiest in the UK.

I struggle to get those birds, and i live at the top of a hill with clear sight to the horizon. (I'm 750 ft above sea level)

I can get 68e but the signal bounces up and down quite badly i also have the same problem with 66e.

Nano

 

[Llew]

Good result VS. Out of the question for me to try extreme measures that far East now neighbour next door has built a loft extension...

 

[sonnetpete]

It's a really good catch VS. I might try for it with my 1M Gibi as I can set it up on a pole supported in the Workmate and move it to where I'd have a clear line of site. But, I am in a small valley so it probably will be on or just below my horizon. Are they Black Ultra's you use on the TD88?

 

[Lazarus]

Yup, great stuff VS - I think you've achieved the max there.

 

[Analoguesat]

Great stuff VS - congratulations

 

[Vipersan]

It's a really good catch VS. I might try for it with my 1M Gibi as I can set it up on a pole supported in the Workmate and move it to where I'd have a clear line of site. But, I am in a small valley so it probably will be on or just below my horizon. Are they Black Ultra's you use on the TD88?

Hi Pete ..
viewed from the front.

There is a Black ultra dual at the focus ..
The second is a Black ultra single ...that was the one I caught Aktau on..
The third sadly isn't ..currently its an Inverto premium ..single ...but will replace with an ultra asap

To the right of the centre focus is the Cband adapted LNB ..
Still working on this ..

Here is a preview of what that will look like..but still need a less dense cover
The Tupperwear bowl removes too much signal...

rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Hi again ..
Thought this worth mentioning also..
I managed to scrape another couple of db gain ..by avoiding passing the signal through the sg2100 motor ..
I used an F connector 'T' piece (not a splitter as such) ..
This allows the signal to go direct to the pole mounted 4 port switch ...then to the lnb array ..
The other arm of the 'T' feeds the motor input ..
_Nothing_ is connected to the motor output now ..
rgds
VS

 

[Stejc]

Hi Vipersan,

Is the T-piece you have used similar to the one here?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/T-Piece-F-Connector-Splitter-TV-Cable-PACK-2-/370341401153

I am tempted to give the same ago and bypass the motor if it would get me a couple of extra db gain on my TD88 with the same Black Ultra LNB and SG2100 that you have. Where in the UK are you? Are you able to get anything on the African beam on 36E?

 

[Vipersan]

Hi Vipersan,

Is the T-piece you have used similar to the one here?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/T-Piece-F-Connector-Splitter-TV-Cable-PACK-2-/370341401153

I am tempted to give the same ago and bypass the motor if it would get me a couple of extra db gain on my TD88 with the same Black Ultra LNB and SG2100 that you have. Where in the UK are you? Are you able to get anything on the African beam on 36E?

Hi Stejc ...
Yes thats the T connector ...I bought 6 ....as I may well find uses for them in the future..

If you intend to use outside ...make sure you bind the joints and the T piece.. well with self amalgamating tape

As to the African beams ...Zilch ...Nish ...Nada..on 66 E

I'll get back to you on 36 East ...
I know I get some txpdrs ..but not all ..and I suspect only Russian..

Only the Russian beams provide anything at my location ...and I'm not far from you ....Manchester..
rgds
VS

 

[Stejc]

Thanks for that. I've just ordered one to hopefully allow me to get that extra bit of signal on 7W by bypassing the motor. With abit of luck I will get the Nilesat 201 verticals better than I currently do.

 

[Vipersan]

Well its still there ;) ...and the sun has come out so less cloud on the horizon ..
Signal still bouncing but now between 7db and zero db ...
Had to grab a couple of snaps whilst there was something other than a testcard on ..
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Nice hats.

 

[Analoguesat]

Nice hats.

Looks like summat out of Eurovision

 

[Adam792]

Brilliant! I've never seen Kazakh TV before. And I agree on the hats.

 

[Analoguesat]

Brilliant! I've never seen Kazakh TV before. And I agree on the hats.

Caspionet on 13E ;)

 

[sonnetpete]

Nice hats.

In the first photo, the guy on the right has obviously worn one before, as he now has two medals for service above and beyond the call of duty.........though hang on, isn't he normally on the meat counter at Morrisons.........or is it Burt Reynolds???

 

[BombedOne]

Nice try, considering the distance and projected spot. Kazsat to be launched, these channels will be moved to it, so if anyone else likes to see these guys, hurry up!

What is interesting for me is the fact, when I'm receiving weak satellites, I see no noticeable signal fluctuation across the day? For example, when receiving Astra 2B, 1H or Hispasat, certain transponders are weak and picture breaks up, but it is not in relation with daytime. Sure, it fluctuates a bit, but only noticeable on spectrum analyzer, and produces no impact on actual image. Only noticeable difference is period of year change (or really bad weather conditions). Winter (Jan-Feb) is the best for both C band and Ku band. In C band, difference may reach several db. For example, with 120cm dish you can get the channels, which you only can get with 160cm in summer. For Ku band, it's less prominent, and equals about 10-15% in signal quality.

 

[doktorofsat]

Hello 4all

Congratulations, very good result VS!If I were you I try 68,5East too especially in C-band!There are some very strong tp there almost impossible you won't receive them

Bombed One

Jusr checked flysat,and I see tjat Kazsat 2 will be launched next month at 10!Tht means in max 10 weeks we'll watch tv station/s from it ,but this satellite will be under horizont in da UK!At my QTH 86,5East in receivable and 95East too