The DirecTV SL3K4NR1-03

[scopus]

VS, the 01 version came today, cap off here is a shot, looks a bit different with additional scalar ring. Will have to give this one a go, be the weekend before I get any time.

 

[Llew]

That one looks interesting with the extra scalar ring. We'll be interested to see how it performs against the 02 version, scopus.

 

[scopus]

Does anybody know if one of those old Astra ADX frequency shifters would work in place of the SUP-2400 with these Direct TV LNB's?

 

[Vipersan]

Does anybody know if one of those old Astra ADX frequency shifters would work in place of the SUP-2400 with these Direct TV LNB's?

I doubt it buddy ...
They shifted a section of the band within the same ku ranges ..
The SUP shifts a much lower range into the useable IF range of domestic receivers..

 

[scopus]

OK, made a new bracket to hold the lump, and lowered the LNB to be on the same focal plane as Ku.
Also done a bit of a Nelson B and dropped one of the dish arms so as not to interfere with Ka LNB.
Experimenting with the 01 version of this LNB the signal was more or less the same as the 03 version.
But the big difference for me was to add a feedhorn from a butchered Inverto Ka LNB this has given very stable results now on ITN Newsnet, odd pixallation but much better than without it

 

[Llew]

That's an interesting mod using the Inverto KA feedhorn scopus. I have a spare one that I considered using the method VS has done, fixing it to a port after removing the ports' existing feed.

From the picture, I can't see how you have attached it to the port - is the feedhorn neck slid into the port's entrance, or is it cut off a short distance behind the first scalar ring?

 

[scopus]

That's an interesting mod using the Inverto KA feedhorn scopus. I have a spare one that I considered using the method VS has done, fixing it to a port after removing the ports' existing feed.

From the picture, I can't see how you have attached it to the port - is the feedhorn neck slid into the port's entrance, or is it cut off a short distance behind the first scalar ring?

Hi Llew,

It is cut off behind the first scalar about half an inch. The first scalar fit snugly with the waveguide of the Direct TV LNB. I'm wondering if remove the waveguide on the Inverto LNB which is thinner 15mm, then attach it so the waveguide is all the same size it will give better results.
Newsnet has now gone out of lock after being rock solid all afternoon, is just drops like a lead ballon.

 

[Llew]

Thanks. Yes, it's trial and error I suppose finding the right place to cut the feedhorn to make a good match to the SL3. Problem is, cut too much away, and it might be worse than before.

 

[scopus]

Had a go at modifying the 01 varient of the LNB, The back is rivetted on so that was drilled and the cover removed.
In this version, the waveguide and chambers are round, so septum removal was easy as was grinding out the resonance chamber, I have also removed the horizontal strip from the PCB. It's all back together ready for test tomorrow. God knows if it will work, but this is the spare LNB so have got nothing to lose

 

[Llew]

Yes, the circular design looks to be a better proposition for modding. Let us know your test results, I have a 01 on its way, should be here in a few days.

 

[scopus]

The mod is worth it Llew. I have just compared the 03 which is untouched and the 01 modified and there is hardly lock on the 03 but the 01 I have Newsnet with fluid motion with occasional artefacts. Thanks must go to VS with this mod. Obviously I have lost H on that port but the gain with V is worth it. I will monitor this now for a few days. BTW, I have used my modded Inverto feed on the port too, which gave me a tad more.

 

[Vipersan]

The mod is worth it Llew. I have just compared the 03 which is untouched and the 01 modified and there is hardly lock on the 03 but the 01 I have Newsnet with fluid motion with occasional artefacts. Thanks must go to VS with this mod. Obviously I have lost H on that port but the gain with V is worth it. I will monitor this now for a few days. BTW, I have used my modded Inverto feed on the port too, which gave me a tad more.

I suspected as much ..this kind of modding works better with a circular chamber and waveguide..
I shall have to look out for one of these 01-s now ..
lol

 

[Llew]

Good going scopus. That's with the ground strip also removed from the PCB? (presumably your picture of the PCB was before you removed it)

 

[John]

The mod is worth it Llew. I have just compared the 03 which is untouched and the 01 modified and there is hardly lock on the 03 but the 01 I have Newsnet with fluid motion with occasional artefacts. Thanks must go to VS with this mod. Obviously I have lost H on that port but the gain with V is worth it. I will monitor this now for a few days. BTW, I have used my modded Inverto feed on the port too, which gave me a tad more.

Following all with great interest, since my 220cm Cband reflector / motor unit got completely trashed in the gale force winds we had a few months ago my playing has now been turned to Ka reception. My SUP's came last week and have modded one of them .... my SL3's have been cleared by UK customs but have been sat at the Royal Mail /Post Office/Parcel Farce now for four and a half days and i'm apparently waiting to be contacted by letter of all things to be notified of the outrageous handling charges they want before they let me play. So sat here now frustrated, spare Channel Master 120cm waiting to be outfitted and iv'e got no toys to play with.

 

[Vipersan]

Following all with great interest, since my 220cm Cband reflector / motor unit got completely trashed in the gale force winds we had a few months ago my playing has now been turned to Ka reception. My SUP's came last week and have modded one of them .... my SL3's have been cleared by UK customs but have been sat at the Royal Mail /Post Office/Parcel Farce now for four and a half days and i'm apparently waiting to be contacted by letter of all things to be notified of the outrageous handling charges they want before they let me play. So sat here now frustrated, spare Channel Master 120cm waiting to be outfitted and iv'e got no toys to play with.

Odd that they want extras for UK handling ..
When buying from the US always look for this line on the offer ..

'No additional import charges on delivery.'

Postage from the US is always the killer and often makes the purchase non viable.

 

[scopus]

Yes Llew it was. I used a Stanley knife blade but it is quite fiddly

 

[Vipersan]

..you know what they say ..
A fool and his money are soon parted
Well ..had a bit of a splurge today ..
Found these on ebay ..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231355487792?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
No extra import duty and price plus postage less than £25..
No mention of the model number so is a risk ..but the sticker in the photo claims it is the -01 version
..fingers crossed ..I ordered one.
The Llew gave me the news that the new TBS 6983 card was out and available ..
Wellll I had no choice did I ..
On order ..as is the lnb ..
Time to clip my wings for a bit I think.
rgds
VS

 

[John]

.... Don't know how i missed that link VS so thanks for that, had to order a couple to put in the toy box ..... would have been rude not to.
We must have more stock of these things here than in the States the way things are going lol.

 

[scopus]

Same here, I have ordered a couple more myself, That is the one I have modded, I think you will find this one easier to mod VS, but you need one of those hex screwdrivers to undo the screws.
Newsnet holding up well, getting a bit blocky now, but better for me with the 01 with mod. Oh and I skewed it in this time as well with just being V only. I have the nag feed working on the other Ka port.
Some piccies from todays playing

 

[John]

Same here, I have ordered a couple more myself, That is the one I have modded, I think you will find this one easier to mod VS, but you need one of those hex screwdrivers to undo the screws.
Newsnet holding up well, getting a bit blocky now, but better for me with the 01 with mod. Oh and I skewed it in this time as well with just being V only. I have the nag feed working on the other Ka port.
Some piccies from todays playing

... is that blood on the back of that ?? ..lol

 

[scopus]

Hehe, no......the red sealent they used...

 

[Vipersan]

Same here, I have ordered a couple more myself, That is the one I have modded, I think you will find this one easier to mod VS, but you need one of those hex screwdrivers to undo the screws.
Newsnet holding up well, getting a bit blocky now, but better for me with the 01 with mod. Oh and I skewed it in this time as well with just being V only. I have the nag feed working on the other Ka port.
Some piccies from todays playing

no probs with the hex screwdrivers ...I am well equipped ...nyuk nyuk..
;)
Actually they are called torx drivers ..