On the scrounge again..Copper feed construction

[Vipersan]

Enough for tonight my fingers are sore with all that filing ...
But the hole to accomodate the 2nd ring from the outer is ready ..
cheers
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Well ...not convinced about this ..
..and this will be a one -off ..I wont be making another ..it's wayyy too tricky.
As suspected controling the various levels is mighty difficult once the solder becomes fluid ...and having split rings doesn't help ..
Noetheless it's done but for the cleaning out of the grooves between the rings ..and you deserve to see the result regardless..
I'd say 80% happy ..
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

Nice.

But it really is important to clean out the grooves between the rings, especially split ones

 

[Vipersan]

Nice.

But it really is important to clean out the grooves between the rings, especially split ones

Probably not crucial Gordon ..but there is some solder residue that would benefit the feed by being reduced a little.
I may have a go at closing the gap in the outer ring ...or at least filling it with solder ..
we shall see.
The idea was good ..but my hands are not as steady as they once where..hence the errors I guess..
Still for hand made with crude tools ..not bad I spose.

 

[Vipersan]

The next stage goes something like this.
The copper feed will be mounted or a custom funnel made to the same specs as the gibby ku feed it has placed inside..
Smooth sided of course ..
Again ..a sort of hybrid but hopefully will illuminate the Gibby fully..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Well ..looks like I have succeeded in producing my fustrum ..after a fashion .
Found a nice on line calculator which rendered a 2d representation of what I needed ..
Tested it against the original Gibby feed ..and transfered the 2d plan to 0.5mm copper sheet ..
Cut out with a good pair of scissors ..(not so good now I suspect) ..and began the coning process ..
All done by hand over 3 hours with short breaks ..
Results are promising ..and yes it is a bit larger than needed ..but rather 2 much and trim ..than 2 short and panic.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Well ..it works ..and WOW does it work ..
Dish still wet through ..and a bit of a bodge up to test the new feed ..
but 5.6db from TPA ..and the Movi mux ..now locks solid at 7.3db ..
Previously unlockable at 5.5 db ..
So an overall gain of just under 2db ...

cant leave it out all night ..
Totally exposed and not balanced ..but I'm blown away ..totally ..
;)

 

[Lazarus]

Great stuff Evan.

I really enjoy reading of your exploits, so keep 'em coming!

 

[hexah]

Excellent bit of engineering.

With blue skies you might get some totally new channels.

 

[Llew]

Excellent metalwork there VS. Have you tried 21478H? Just out of lock for me.

 

[Vipersan]

Excellent metalwork there VS. Have you tried 21478H? Just out of lock for me.

me also ..
max I can get on the F15 was 3.5 db
lnb indoors now ..can't risk leaving it outside unprotected.
What were you getting ?
rgds
VS

 

[Llew]

I've had 6.2dB on 21478H this morning, presently 5.1dB. Seems an odd-shaped carrier in Crazyscan, droops down around the middle in my scan where I'm trying for that frequency.

 

[Vipersan]

I've had 6.2dB on 21478H this morning, presently 5.1dB. Seems an odd-shaped carrier in Crazyscan, droops down around the middle in my scan where I'm trying for that frequency.

I suspect I'll always be a couple of db down on the levels you receive ...due to my location but ..maybe there will be more to be had with some prudent tweaking ..
The feed was only fitted crudely at the focus with no adjustment ..so there may be a bit more juice in the pips..
Going to bed happy though..
definately one of my better creations.
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Now that it has been tested ..the assembly proper begins ..
A plate was soldered at the apex of the fustrum ..and a hole filed in it to make a good fit for the inverto clone feed..
This can now be trapped in place by a 22mm copper fitting ..and the rest is self explanatory..

The finished item should be a lot lighter as well..
rgds
VS

 

[Lazarus]

That's a mean Tripod you've got there.

 

[Topper]

You have endless patience Evan....I salute you

 

[Vipersan]

Final pics of the feed construction ..
All soldered up and waiting to be fitted and tried ..
Raining atm ..and until I have created a weather cap ..am loathe to put it outside ..
Maybe later if the rain stops..
rgds and thanks for putting up with my constant updates.
VS

 

[Analoguesat]

An absolutely fascinating project Evan - your ingenuity, & patience is far in excess of my own

 

[Vipersan]

Temptation bested me ..so mounted the assembly ..
Sig levels not as good as last night ..but improving as the night progresses..
Even in the rain ..dish wet through ..as is the plastic bag over the feed..
TPA solid lock at over 5db ..
Muvi mux is locked but often drops lock but over 6db generally..
Definately working ..but rain fade is as rain fade does ..particularly in Ka.
rgds
VS

Off for a bath now ...big tidy up tomorrow ..nuch copper dust and crap to hoover up..
;)

 

[Llew]

Looking good VS. For a cap, the plasic top of a Birds Custard container might be too small, but could do as a seal inside the cone - if you happen to use the stuff.