Which dish? Terms?

D

Dave UK

Newbie Member
My Satellite Setup
Sky+ connected to Sky dish plus Technomate TM5400 CI+ connected to Penta 85 aluminium dish with TM-2300 motor & Invacom SNH-031 LNB.
My Location
Swindon UK
Hi

I am a newcomer to satellite tv and have been scouring the internet and forums to help me decide which system I should buy.

I've already received good advice from my first thread and am now 99% sure that I will buy a Technomate TM-5400 receiver (is there a difference between the D+ and the CI+?).

I am now trying to chose which motorised dish system to use but there are some terms used in discussions I've read about dishes that I do not understand, for example 'AZ/EL' 'F/D' 'OFFSET' 'SKEW'. I am thinking of buying either a steel Orbitel or an aluminium Gibertini dish, using a Technomate TM-2200 super motor, and a Megasat 0.1db Diamond LNB.

I live in Swindon UK and wonder if it would be better to buy a 80mm or 100mm dish? Also which is best steel or aluminium?

As I have already said, I am a complete newcomer to satellite although I do have sky+ and would be most grateful for any answers to my above questions in as much detail as you are willing to give. Also, ANY addvise you can give to this newbe would be most gratefully received.
 
Hi,

There is only one current model of the TM5400 and that is the TM5400CI+ USB super. Get that, if you want a TM5400.
The + means cardreader, the CI means CAM slot.

A 1m is better than a 80cm, more gain.

No contest between an 80cm Orbital and a 1m Gibertini.
The 1m Gibertini of course.

Steel or Aluminium, it makes no difference reception wise, except Al is lighter, and won't go rusty.

LOL, I woul not buy a 100mm dish, a bit on the small side.:-rofl2

AZ/EL= left/right and up/down (Azimuth/elevation)
Skew- twisting of the LNB.
 
Robbo said:
Hi,

There is only one current model of the TM5400 and that is the TM5400CI+ USB super. Get that, if you want a TM5400.
The + means cardreader, the CI means CAM slot.

A 1m is better than a 80cm, more gain.

No contest between an 80cm Orbital and a 1m Gibertini.
The 1m Gibertini of course.

Steel or Aluminium, it makes no difference reception wise, except Al is lighter, and won't go rusty.

LOL, I would not buy a 100mm dish, a bit on the small side.:-rofl2

AZ/EL= left/right and up/down (Azimuth/elevation)
Skew- twisting of the LNB.
Click to expand...

Many thanks, Robbo, for the information and advice. Any more input on this subject from anyone would also be very welcome, particularly concerning the abbreviations I put in the first post, namely:-

"there are some terms used in discussions I've read about dishes that I do not understand, for example 'AZ/EL' 'F/D' 'OFFSET' 'SKEW'. "

It's strange that a main dealer (Cardmania) is selling the TM-5400 with the suffix 'D+' and yet all those on eBay are all 'CI+' !!!!!!!

This is a great site for great information and help.

Cheers - Dave
 
I've now purchased the TM5400 and presently have it connected to the Sky dish. I am pleased with my first experience of non-Sky satellite t/v and am now looking to buy an 80cm offset motorised dish so I can begin to explore the many other satellites available. There is an offer on ebay for a complete kit which comprises:-

Hi-Gain 80cm Solid Offset Steel Dish with Arm, Lnb holder & pole mount fitting.
Super Dark DiSEqC 1.2 motor with metal gears.
High Performance Dark Gold 0.1dB Universal Single LNB.
Steel 450cm wall mount.
PLUS - 20mtr Coax Cable, Fittings, Sat Finder, Installation CD & Manual

Can you advise if this seems a good dish setup for £125.95 and whether it should be fairly straight forward to install (for a newbie).
 
Dave UK said:
I've now purchased the TM5400 and presently have it connected to the Sky dish. I am pleased with my first experience of non-Sky satellite t/v and am now looking to buy an 80cm offset motorised dish so I can begin to explore the many other satellites available. There is an offer on ebay for a complete kit which comprises:-

Hi-Gain 80cm Solid Offset Steel Dish with Arm, Lnb holder & pole mount fitting.
Super Dark DiSEqC 1.2 motor with metal gears.
High Performance Dark Gold 0.1dB Universal Single LNB.
Steel 450cm wall mount.
PLUS - 20mtr Coax Cable, Fittings, Sat Finder, Installation CD & Manual

Can you advise if this seems a good dish setup for £125.95 and whether it should be fairly straight forward to install (for a newbie).
Click to expand...


No Replies??
 
Well price wise I think there could be cheaper but you are paying more for metal gears on the motor, as regards whether it should be a straight forward install,.......... without knowing you, your abilities, your location, line of site and about another 20 factors nobody not even a clairvoyant could answer that, all I would say is that the angle bracket offered is a load of tosh and buy a proper set of T&K's
 
It is not too bad a price, the Dark motors are a little more expensive than the Motecks or TM2300's. You could probably get the parts possibly £10 or £20 cheaper, but there's not a great deal in it.


Have a read of Rolfs motorised dish setup guide in the stickies, to see how it's done. There is nothing insanely difficult about setting it up, but the first one for anybody is always going to be a learning experience.
 
I agree with Topper and Robbo. If you are hanging an 80cm dish plus a motor onto an angle mount, you will find it throws out your vertical alignment. Please consider using T&K's. I used an angle bracket and found it frustrating to align properly as a first timer. Much better to put your dish/motor on a sturdy, perfectly vertical mount. It will make the job that much easier!

Good luck and read the online guides here carefully.....several times!!

Pete
 
Consider the FR Penta 85 for motorising.
 
satelliteman said:
Consider the FR Penta 85 for motorising.
Click to expand...

I'll Second that, good performer :)
 
Thanks Guys, I'm listening.....I'm listening....

I WILL buy a 24" T&K mount AND a Fracarro 85....but is it worth the extra £20 for aluminium as my house is next to a main road and the brick colour (steel?) would blend in better.

I am also thinking of using the TM2300 motor as it's cheaper but would it be as good as the Super Dark?

Finally, which LNB is recommended for my setup?

I would like to buy everything from one supplier to minimise cost but don't know how to find those recommended on this site...can anyone help?

Cheers and many thanks for the info so far - Dave
 
_http://lmgtfy.com/?q=t%26k+wall+brackets
 
superloopy said:
Pardon my ignorance but what's a 'T&K mount' ?
Click to expand...

I had the same problem but finally found out that it was a pole mounting system comprising two parts, one part in the shape of a 'T' and the other in the shape of a 'K'. (I'm still not sure which one is used above the other!).

It's one of those things I sometimes find difficult when receiving replies from more knowledgable members as they often tend to forget that we greenhorns don't understand much of the shorthand used.
 
The K is the one with the extra vertical piece on it and is supposedly best put at the bottom to support the weight of the pole, but some swear till they're blue in the face the the K should go at the top. If in doubt, stick two K's on there, I've done that a few times, and put a T in the middle.
 
Dave UK said:
I WILL buy a Fracarro 85....but is it worth the extra £20 for aluminium as my house is next to a main road and the brick colour (steel?) would blend in better.

I am also thinking of using the TM2300 motor as it's cheaper but would it be as good as the Super Dark?

Finally, which LNB is recommended for my setup?
Click to expand...

If I buy the aluminium Fr 85 , would it affect the performance if I were to paint it brick colour?

Also, how does the TM2300 motor compare with the Super Dark?

Could anyone recommend a 0.1 dB LNB?
 
The Aluminium dish comes in Brick red as well, they could of course just not have stock, but you can paint them, seems a shame with a brand new dish though.

With that dish, the TM2300 or Moteck SG-2100 will work well, fitted loads with that combination.

I normally use the Inverto Silvertech, it's pretty good, take the 0.1db noise figure on some LNBs with a pinch of salt.:)
 
Dave UK said:
Also, how does the TM2300 motor compare with the Super Dark?
Click to expand...

The TM2200/2300 seem reliable enough and works fine with both the Steel and Aluminium FR Penta dishes :)
 
Dave UK said:
is it worth the extra £20 for aluminium
Click to expand...
Yes. Your motor will last longer and work better. When the dish is moved from the horizon towards the centre of the arc the motor is lifting the dish so the lighter it is the better.
 
Back
Top