Panasonic DSB30 in Madrid

[lar]

I'm sorry to 'resucitate' an old thread, but after reading a lot here, I'm a bit desperate, and still not very clear about what I can do.
I have a Panasonic DSB30 which has worked fine for 5/6 years with a 1.2m dish and 0.6db LNB in Madrid. No Astra 2D though. Sometimes (only sometimes) the machine froze when changing channels. Two weeks ago I upgraded to a 1.8m Prodelin offset with a 0.3db Invacom LNB. Great change. I've got BBC1 all the time, and BBC2 and ITV in the mornings. Perhaps it needs fine tuning as I have read that with this setup I should get those channels all day. I get a lot more channels I couldn't get before, and the movie channel don't break up for a few hours in the afternoon as they used to.
However, now the machine freezes all the time when flicking through channels!! It's a lot worse than with the 1.2m. I've got much better signal, improved quality, but continuous freezing. Does this make sense?
I was considering changing the box, until I came across this thread. Anything I can try?
Thank you very much, and sorry for going on about this topic again.
Regards,

 

[dxsat]

Somehow you posted in a thread for Cyprus..
Anyway, to answer your question.
You should have received BBC 1 and ITV with your old dish, 2D is perfectly possible in Las Rozas Madrid with this size.
The problems you experience now are well known with the Panasonic 30. Most people now recommend using them as a door stop. It's because your signal is still too weak on 2D horizontals to give it a reliable signal. If the signal is present but too low to give a picture, the DSB30 will freeze on channel change. There is no cure for this. A Pace 430n or 2600 CI will work a great deal better, no lockups, they will cost about £40 or £60 respectively on eBay.
You need to do a bit more work on tuning the dish. Which Invacom 0.3 are you using? If it came in one part, ready to use, you have the wrong one.
BBC 2 is weaker in west Madrid than the East, you will lose it by about 10-30 pm where you are. Vertical polarised channels such as most BBC1, ITV London, Granada, etc, should be solid 24/7.

 

[bignick]

I'm sorry to 'resucitate' an old thread, but after reading a lot here, I'm a bit desperate, and still not very clear about what I can do.
I have a Panasonic DSB30 which has worked fine for 5/6 years with a 1.2m dish and 0.6db LNB in Madrid. No Astra 2D though. Sometimes (only sometimes) the machine froze when changing channels. Two weeks ago I upgraded to a 1.8m Prodelin offset with a 0.3db Invacom LNB. Great change. I've got BBC1 all the time, and BBC2 and ITV in the mornings. Perhaps it needs fine tuning as I have read that with this setup I should get those channels all day. I get a lot more channels I couldn't get before, and the movie channel don't break up for a few hours in the afternoon as they used to.
However, now the machine freezes all the time when flicking through channels!! It's a lot worse than with the 1.2m. I've got much better signal, improved quality, but continuous freezing. Does this make sense?
I was considering changing the box, until I came across this thread. Anything I can try?
Thank you very much, and sorry for going on about this topic again.
Regards,

Hi

I think the thread actually gives you the answer. I own opinion is that the Digiboxes, fine though they are, are no longer suitable for really fringe reception where drop out is expected.

My own opinion is that you should swap out the digibox for a Pace 2600C1 is has better performance than the DSB30 and is not so affected by the software updates. A word of warning though, ensure that the software version is 3.4.4.b or better (at time of writing ;) ) or it could be a case of 'out of the frying pan' If you want to be safer (but with less fringe performance) then go for a DS430N.

If you can't get one locally or through Ebay then PM me and I'll try and help.

Cheers

Nick

 

[bignick]

Somehow you posted in a thread for Cyprus..

The basic problem is not unique to Cyprus, it applies to all weak areas.

Cheers

Nick

 

[dxsat]

You need this Invacom 0.3 LNB: QDF-031

 

[lar]

This is the Invacom I've got (SNH-031). Isn't it the right one?

 

[dxsat]

Nope, you got the wrong LNB. It works, but nothing like well enough.
The only combination that will get good Astra 2D horizontal reception in Madrid is the Quad C120 version as above, with the ChannelMaster feed.

 

[lar]

Thank you very much for your quick replies!!!
So it looks like I need a new receiver and a new LNB!!! :mad:
Regards,

 

[dxsat]

This is mine with the feedhorn

 

[lar]

Thanks Snap, now I understand (I hadn't seen these feedhorns before; I always used the LNB's that had a 'neck' like the SNH-031).
Where can I get a feedhorn from? Which model should I look for?
Thanks again, and regards,

 

[PoloMint]

I’ve moved this into a new thread for you lar - best to keep it separate from the Cyprus talk

 

[lar]

Thanks PoloMint!

 

[iceman]

Thanks Snap, now I understand (I hadn't seen these feedhorns before; I always used the LNB's that had a 'neck' like the SNH-031).
Where can I get a feedhorn from? Which model should I look for?
Thanks again, and regards,

http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/feedhorn.htm they are listed as Andrews offset feedhorn.

 

[lar]

Thanks Iceman, that's very helpful!

 

[Likvid]

This is mine with the feedhorn

Why do you have the dish so close to the ground?

 

[dxsat]

It does look a bit strange, I agree, it's mounted on a sloping bank to mimimise the visual impact and exposure to the wind.
Here's a picture, and a skew setting for Madrid.
Note this is a corrected value from Satlex.de website, as Astra 2D and 2B are 'pre- skewed' (inclined in orbit- presumably to compensate for Sky minidishes with their limited adjustment)