The DirecTV SL3K4NR1-03

[Archive-8]

Newsnet is booming again.

 

[Vipersan]

So ...
I'm thinking all my hard work has paid off ..
Preliminary tests with the modded SL3-03 on the 1m Orbital with the new mount ..
Newsnet locked at approx 11db ..and no tweaking at all ..
just had to set the usals to 20.2E ...and bobs yer uncle ..
Easily as good as on the 1.5 ...but then I am at the focus (more or less) of a 1m ..as opposed to about 6 degrees off focus on a 1.5 ..
BIG difference ...and with some tweaking might yet get more..

Now ..fwiw This is what I think ..
probably no logic to it ..But..
here goes ..
11.2 db on the new setup ....Newsnet Locked ..and fairly fluid movement wise..
11.2 db on the 1.5 ..but offset ..Same signal level ..but only occasional lock..
??
makes no sense ..OR does it ?
Maybe 8PSK signals in Ka dont like to be skewed (not arriving at the same time) ?
IE the signal not coming direct to the feed..
QPSK feeds ALWAYS lock and at lower signal levels.
at these ultra high frequencies ...signals arriving slightly staggered due to the skewed offset angle..
could these signals occasionally cancel each other out causing the errors I am seeing ?
We do know that dishes are precision made at these frequencies ...and setup of internet by satellite is a more precise art form..
So ..could this be a factor ?
I'm now thinking it could well be.
rgds
VS

 

[Trust]

So ...
I'm thinking all my hard work has paid off ..
Preliminary tests with the modded SL3-03 on the 1m Orbital with the new mount ..
Newsnet locked at approx 11db ..and no tweaking at all ..
just had to set the usals to 20.2E ...and bobs yer uncle ..
Easily as good as on the 1.5 ...but then I am at the focus (more or less) of a 1m ..as opposed to about 6 degrees off focus on a 1.5 ..
BIG difference ...and with some tweaking might yet get more..
rgds
VS

Great news VS

 

[Archive-8]

Has that solved the BER problem? Great going :-)

 

[Vipersan]

Has that solved the BER problem? Great going

Wont be able to try till tomorrow ...
Cant connect to the TBS card atm due to a straight run cable to the F15 ..
I'll let you know in due course Chris
rgds
VS

 

[Llew]

So ...
I'm thinking all my hard work has paid off ..
Preliminary tests with the modded SL3-03 on the 1m Orbital with the new mount ..
Newsnet locked at approx 11db ..and no tweaking at all ..
just had to set the usals to 20.2E ...and bobs yer uncle ..
Easily as good as on the 1.5 ...but then I am at the focus (more or less) of a 1m ..as opposed to about 6 degrees off focus on a 1.5 ..
BIG difference ...and with some tweaking might yet get more..

Now ..fwiw This is what I think ..
probably no logic to it ..But..
here goes ..
11.2 db on the new setup ....Newsnet Locked ..and fairly fluid movement wise..
11.2 db on the 1.5 ..but offset ..Same signal level ..but only occasional lock..
??
makes no sense ..OR does it ?
Maybe 8PSK signals in Ka dont like to be skewed (not arriving at the same time) ?
IE the signal not coming direct to the feed..
at these ultra high frequencies ...signals arriving slightly staggered due to the skewed offset angle..
could these signals occasionally cancel each other out causing the errors I am seeing ?
We do know that dishes are precision made at these frequencies ...and setup of internet by satellite is a more precise art form..
So ..could this be a factor ?
I'm now thinking it could well be.
rgds
VS

Maybe not the same, but that could well be something similar I had with my SL3-03 VS, when I had to place a brass ring slightly skewed across the mouth of the feedhorn on a Triax dish, which was aiming correctly at 19E.
Perhaps the feedhorn to my Triax dish area wasn't truly compatible, unlike with using a DirecTV dish?

 

[Vipersan]

Maybe not the same, but that could well be something similar I had with my SL3-03 VS, when I had to place a brass ring slightly skewed across the mouth of the feedhorn on a Triax dish, which was aiming correctly at 19E.
Perhaps the feedhorn to my Triax dish area wasn't truly compatible, unlike with using a DirecTV dish?

Certainly I could see some similarities there Llew..
There is another possibility re ..my assumed explanation..
Currently I am using the modded SL3-03 which of course is TRUE linear but V only ..
..and yes I had more success with this lnb offset on the 1.5.
Now of course I'm using the NON modded SL3-03 on Carl ..and relying on the credit card plate to 'twist' the signal for V ...
This for me does not work as well as the modded tue linear SL3..
Even though the db levels are comparable.
Of course ..it _could_ be a combination of both offset from focus and pseudo linear by twisting the signal ..
So many possibilities ..
but ..
all I can definately say is that I currently am getting fluid locked Newsnet Newsroom on a 1mtre dish ..
and I havent had that in a while.
??
Ka is definately a challenge and understanding the idiosyncrasies is soooo important imo
rgds
VS

 

[Llew]

Head-scratching this KA business VS. Which makes it all the more interesting - as proven in the myriad posts we've made in this section ;)

 

[Vipersan]

..Newsroom changed to feed ..
which I just watched without a single glitch..
and this is with a cover on the SL3-03 ..which will always reduce the dbs by approx 0.5
I'm currently a VERY happy bunny..

 

[Archive-8]

..Newsroom changed to feed ..
which I just watched without a single glitch..
and this is with a cover on the SL3-03 ..which will always reduce the dbs by approx 0.5
I'm currently a VERY happy bunny..

That's really good news :-)

 

[Llew]

..Newsroom changed to feed ..
which I just watched without a single glitch..
and this is with a cover on the SL3-03 ..which will always reduce the dbs by approx 0.5
I'm currently a VERY happy bunny..

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you considering giving up on these LNBs?

 

[Vipersan]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you considering giving up on these LNBs?

Yep ...rub my nose in it buddy ..
I did indeed say that..
Luckily dogged persistance prevailed and a bank holiday gave me the opportunity to try some new ideas.
There had to be a reason ..and I may well have found it.

 

[Llew]

Resurrected for Easter, eh?

Sorry if I offend the sensitivities of our religious brethren

 

[Vipersan]

So ..
5:30 in the AM and normally I wouldn't be aware there were 2 x 5:30s in a day ...but the cats just woke me wanting to go outside ..
Took the opportunity to check on the Newsroom ..
Yep ..still there ..
signal now at 9.7db ...whereas last night left it at 11.5db before going to sleep..
Now we are back to occasional freezing and glitches ...which is what I'd expect from past experience..
If memory serves ..the magic number for me was 10.4db
but still am Impressed with how this is holding up.
C U later ..
back to bed for another hour or so.
;)

 

[scopus]

Great news VS. It made a big difference when I got my SL3 at focus on the 1.8. Off to enjoy the sunshine in the Yorkshire Dales, we managed to pick a good week weatherwise

So ..
5:30 in the AM and normally I wouldn't be aware there were 2 x 5:30s in a day ...but the cats just woke me wanting to go outside ..
Took the opportunity to check on the Newsroom ..
Yep ..still there ..
signal now at 9.7db ...whereas last night left it at 11.5db before going to sleep..
Now we are back to occasional freezing and glitches ...which is what I'd expect from past experience..
If memory serves ..the magic number for me was 10.4db
but still am Impressed with how this is holding up.
C U later ..
back to bed for another hour or so.
;)

 

[Vipersan]

Ok approx 9:30 AM and the signal is totally unlockable at 6.5db...
No rain here atm ...but quite a thick mist (not quite fog) ..
So I might try sorting the cable out meantime.
Such a variation in levels over the day does make me wonder ..
Not so much about the intended recipients receiving capabilities (big dishes no object for them) ...but the OB units ?
Setting up must be tricky with what is obviously a moving target.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

Just nipped home to check on the Newsroom signal level which bottomed out here around 12:30 PM at 5.5db ..
Steadily climbing again ..and currently at 7.5db

 

[Vipersan]

Hmmm ..
didn't get a chance to try this last night ..
but I was hoping there might be a slight amount of adjustment on the elevation look angle re- lnb/feed ..
No wonder I got good results ..
looks like I almost guestimated it spot on ..

 

[Llew]

18582V. Unusual for me to get a feed above 18556V.

They must have switched from 18556V, as that was off, but came back when 18582V left. Maybe no room on the 18556V carrier?

 

[Vipersan]

Newsnet Very active this evening ..
These are the transponders (in Ku frequencies scanned on the F15) ...using my modded SL3-03 on the 1m orbital..
Most of which are currently active and 75% are solid lockable..
In short ..this setup will me staying put..
rgds
VS