Simple 28.2E installaton for proof-of-concept in Copenhagen/DK

[archive10]

Here's a top-of-the-roof re-alignment I did earlier today.

I re-pointed what I think is a Visiosat 80cm SMC dish from 19.2E to 28.2E.
It did seem as a 100cm dish, but the ribbing in the back corresponds to the 80cm version.
It is using an Inverto Red Classic single LNB, and high-grade coax cable (outdoor-stuff, not able to dechiper make or spec).
Cable run is easily >100 meters, and there is at least one combiner, two couplers, a wall outlet and a splitter in the signal path.

Nevertheless, it manage to pull in BBC1/2 in watchable quality using the ProMax connected directly to LNB via short cable for pointing, and a somewhat pixellating/chirping version using a Pace Sky box connected after the massive cable run. Eutelsat stuff came in fine with no probs.

Clear skies, yes, but still amazed that I can pull down BBC1 on an 80cm dish!!
I will measure the dish on monday just to be shure...

 

[hexah]

Cable run is easily >100 meters, and there is at least one combiner, two couplers, a wall outlet and a splitter in the signal path.

Nevertheless, it manage to pull in BBC1/2 in watchable quality using the ProMax connected directly to LNB via short cable for pointing, and a somewhat pixellating/chirping version using a Pace Sky box connected after the massive cable run. Eutelsat stuff came in fine with no probs...

Great result.

I wonder if putting in a cheap domestic line amp before the first obstruction after the LNB would give a usable signal at the Pace $ly box.

 

[archive10]

Great result.

I wonder if putting in a cheap domestic line amp before the first obstruction after the LNB would give a usable signal at the Pace $ly box.

Probably not. I had this strange experience when connecting the $ky box to the end outlet of having signal strength at almost nothing, and quality at around 70%! (on the $ky homing channel, not the 10773 BBC mux, though!) Usually, it's the other way around.

Because of the quality of cable, components and general install (not mine!), the S/N survives multiple aggregations and distributions.
Just goes to show, that if you use proper (expensive) components, you can get surprising results!

I have been pondering to change the Visiosat to something slightly larger next week. Hope to get better S/N ratio.
Depends on the weather, really.

 

[archive10]

I have been pondering to change the Visiosat to something slightly larger next week. Hope to get better S/N ratio.
Depends on the weather, really.

So... I replaced the 80cm Visiosat with a Channel Master 1.0m dish.
LNB is the same Inverto Red Single.

Due to mounting position on scaffolding hand-rail, the normal 3" Az-El mount would not work. Instead, mount is a new (well, at least not used before) CM pole mount kit. Bracket bits are powder coated, not sure if they are galvanised. Time will tell.
Slightly more fiddly to set up - some dish holding necessary to position properly, first azimuth, then elevation. But nevertheless works well, and allows the CM to be mounted mid-pole at my lattitude.

Performance as expected: Slightly improved reception. Still not enough to provide non-pixellation, but good enough to watch on meter. still doesn't survive the long cable run, although quality is slightly better.

It is tempting to compare measurements on the CMs, but they are with different (but all Inverto) LNBs, so rough outline for Copenhagen is:

CM100: ~8.6 dB C/N (pixellation)
CM120: ~10.0 dB C/N (ok, little rain-margin)
CM180: ~11.7 dB C/N (very good, some rain margin)

Not quite accurate measurements, just a (not too surprising) indication.

...and notice how well the little brother fits in with all it's big brethren!

 

[Captain Jack]

So when are you going to test the 2.4m ?

 

[archive10]

So when are you going to test the 2.4m ?

As soon as the weather looks a little better, I think.
Also need to figure how to hook up the receiver to the fibre termination point for the LNB.
Actually, I need to find the termination point first. These are big Buildings ;)

 

[hexah]

Probably not. I had this strange experience when connecting the $ky box to the end outlet of having signal strength at almost nothing, and quality at around 70%! (on the $ky homing channel, not the 10773 BBC mux, though!) Usually, it's the other way around.

Because of the quality of cable, components and general install (not mine!), the S/N survives multiple aggregations and distributions.
Just goes to show, that if you use proper (expensive) components, you can get surprising results!

I have had the same effect refurbishing friends and relatives terrestrial installations. Sometimes ripping out old cables is not possible without making a huge mess. Using decent gear from Antiference, Proception, etc etc I've had 10% strength with bright red bars and signal quality green 75% - 80% and totally reliable!

 

[archive10]

Performance as expected: Slightly improved reception. Still not enough to provide non-pixellation, but good enough to watch on meter. still doesn't survive the long cable run, although quality is slightly better.

I have to change this statement: The CM100 now takes down all of 2F without any pixellation on the Humax iCord.
That bit does survive the cable run, so this is even better than expected, and/or the Humax iCord has a really good tuner!

 

[archive10]

Even better, after about 3pm, 2E also comes in clearly on all transponders on the Humax iCord. In the morning, there's too much pixellation.
This is true both with blue skies, but also with a slight overcast.
Not bad for a 100cm dish on the fringe in Denmark, eh?

 

[timo_w2s]

If only I had that kind of "fringe" reception...

 

[archive10]

Well, it is now end-of-installation.

The CM100 has gone off the roof, and is now living in Latvia alongside it's 120, 180 and 470 cm brethren.
The Visiosat/Cahors went back on, and was pointed at 19.2E for UHD reception of Astra 1.

As it has turned out, it is unlikely I will be going back to that roof.
I was a nice roof (see other thread about 2.4m Galore), but I am seeing other rooves going forward!

Thanks for following!

 

[Channel Hopper]

The CM100 has gone off the roof, and is now living in Latvia alongside it's 120, 180 and 470

I would blame the installer for not securing the dish well enough.