Optimum dish size

[wolsty]

My existing dish is about 90 cms vertical x 80 cms horizontal. On my Hummy, signal strength for the strongest channels shows at about 40% and signal quality at about 30% even on a good day. The signal does vary quite a lot, so the picture is unstable. I'm over 5 degs W and nearly on the 50 deg N latitude, so I'm way off the Thor footprint. I've resigned myself to buying a new dish, but I'd be grateful for views on the optimum size under 1.2 metres (neither my motor nor my pocket will take anything larger)

 

[jmc54bc]

what are you trying to watch/access?

 

[wolsty]

The signal on clear channels, eg Kiosk 1 is fairly stable at about 30%. However, on encrypted channels such as MUTV, Discovery and Kiosk 2 - 22 the signal strength fluctuates visibly and quite rapidly between 20% and 30%. As a result, the picture is unstable when using the Season setup.

 

[rolfw]

I would have thought that 1.2 metre would have been close to the minimum for steady reception of those channesl from your location wolsty, I pick them up in anything but bad weather on my 63cm, but am a lot further East and further north than you.

 

[wolsty]

I had a feeling you were going to say that, Rolf. There are advantages in living out in the Atlantic, so close to the Equator, but easy reception of Thor is not one of them. Still, the primroses in the hedgerows are pretty at this time of year.

 

[amdaley28]

Hi there.
There is only two rules regarding dish size.
(1) Get the biggest you can afford.
(2) Make sure that it's properly set up.
Regards.
amdaley28

 

[jimbo]

In a perfect world you would be right amdaley28 but, unfortunately, neighbour relations and planning permission come in to play these days. So, location of dish governs the size allowed I'm afraid.

 

[pixey]

@Wolsty, 1.2m CM dish, Lat 51.9 Long 0.09, signal very strong (can't remember exact figure at the moment).

Hope this helps.

pixey

 

[Old Satellite]

My recommendation Wolsty would be at your location to go for a 1.8 mtr for reception in less than perfect conditions.
a 1.2 and a 1.5 mtr will provide an improvement but at your location you will most likely loose several transponders at various times.

Regards

Old Satellite

 

[Channel Hopper]

Put up a large dish and camouflage it

Before

 

[Channel Hopper]

And after


It doesnt have to be quite so large, but blending in is really helpful

 

[rolfw]

Nice CH, what's the imitation foliage, just standard plastic stuff?

 

[Channel Hopper]

A British Army surplus tank/APV cover.

Plastic 'leaves' totally transparent to microwaves and about 20 quid for the larger size that can be tied behind the dish

Stands out a bit in the winter though