The DirecTV SL3K4NR1-03

[Llew]

OK, .crs not .cri.

Need to do some realignment of the LNB now to get a better fix.

 

[Vipersan]

Hi Llew ,..
It should be in the directory CrazyscanSP with all the other files ..>>>> SL3 Ka Band A Full
selectable from 'Load' on crazyscan.
But of course it may now have moved relatively speaking as it wont be exactly the same location..
But easily found.
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

sorry about the CRS typo ..
Serves me right for typing replies without specs on ..that early in the morning ..
lol

anyway ..it works thats the main thing ..
;)

 

[pride21]

hi VS and Llew have been experimenting today and what I found seems strange when I got the racing channel on 19E I used the righthand output looking at it front on,well today I put the lead on the lefthand output and the racing channel has shot up to 81% tried newsnet all I am getting is 47%-52% no lock also 18538V at 44% no lock any ideas

 

[Vipersan]

As I have mentioned already ..it may be neccessary to make one of the lnb ports more linear friendly ..
Not surprised at the increase as only one of the ports is probably at the focus ..and the other offset by about 3 degrees ..
Newsnet reception is a very tricky beast indeed and a lot may depend on location accurate setup and dish size ..
I have in the past locked Newsnet on the older SL3 on a 1.25 gibby ..but suspect a smaller dish than this might be problematic.
removing the plastic lnb cover wil not gain you much ..maybe half a db ..and modding one port for linear will gain you another 1db +
Hope you guys are successful ..but it is not an exact science sadly..
Newsnet can vary in strength from 11db on a good day to 6db on a bad one..
on average 8db will give you a lock ..and 9db neccessary for fluid video..
rgds
VS

 

[pride21]

hi VS both ports were at focus when I tried them,racing channel has gone up to 89% quality also I am getting penthouse at 24% quality,newsnet gone up to 54% still no lock.

 

[Vipersan]

hi VS both ports were at focus when I tried them,racing channel has gone up to 89% quality also I am getting penthouse at 24% quality,newsnet gone up to 54% still no lock.

When you say both ports were at the focus ...do you mean you physically shifted the SL3 on the boom arm between tests ?

 

[Llew]

Sadly Newsnet carriers are a no go for me on the Triax, TD88 or 1M. Racing channel always easy to lock though.
Tried on both ports for Newsnet, 4dB best I can do. Easy for me to slide the LNB across to each port with my set-up using redundant multi-LNB strips, just loosen the screws and slide. Wood block holder inserted into the dish arm fine, might weatherproof it later.

 

[pride21]

hi VS yes

 

[Vipersan]

You may well need to get the SL3 on a larger dish ...and even then may require some physical modification to make it more 'linear' receptive..
Sorry mates..

 

[Vipersan]

Just noticed Llew ..that you have the SUP2400 outside next to the lnb ..
I found this to degrade the IF signal somewhat when I tried it ..
The SUP is designed for interior use really ..and as close to the receiver as possible ..
It may not fix your problem ..but can't hurt to try ..

The clue really is in the pigtail Fconnector supplied with it ..
That short lead goes between receiver and SUP ..with the IF from the SL3 to the non leaded end ..
All three of my SUP2400s had that short lead firmly attached on the Receiver end of the unit ..
Presumably you swapped ends ??
rgds
VS

 

[Llew]

OK VS, I'll try it connected straight to the TBS5925. Yes, should've been indoors, silly me.

 

[Vipersan]

OK VS, I'll try it connected straight to the TBS5925. Yes, should've been indoors, silly me.

...Not saying the improvement will be massive ...but I found it was relevant ..
In the US there would be 4 IF lines entering the house from the 4 SL3 outputs ...one to each room/receiver ...and each receiver would have had its own BB converter..
rgds
VS

 

[pride21]

Hi VS tried the 2400 indoors did not make any difference for me personly, I am getting at last newsnet at 64% quality locked but blank picture,racing channel gone up to 91%-92%,penthouse gone up 37% all locked well pleased

 

[Vipersan]

Hi VS tried the 2400 indoors did not make any difference for me personly, I am getting at last newsnet at 64% quality locked but blank picture,racing channel gone up to 91%-92%,penthouse gone up 37% all locked well pleased

Getting there buddy ..
Getting there ..
Being 8PSK 2/3 doesn't help..
64% equates to roughly 6.5 db ..but you need at least 8db for a picture lock on the newsroom feed (the only constant signal ..OBs come and go).
How do you feel about modding one of the lnb ports Physically ?

Some would be put off ..
;)
It would gain you another 1 to 1.5 db ...
Or a bigger dish for more signal.
rgds

 

[Llew]

With it indoors, cleaner scan and RF levels higher, but too weak on a TD88. Tomorrow I'll try the 1M Triax, then think about fitting it to the Gibby. Meanwhile, the Norsat wins every time at the mo, even if Newsnet's mostly temperamental.

 

[Vipersan]

With it indoors, cleaner scan and RF levels higher, but too weak on a TD88. Tomorrow I'll try the 1M Triax, then think about fitting it to the Gibby. Meanwhile, the Norsat wins every time at the mo, even if Newsnet's mostly temperamental.

Yep ..thats what I found ..
Cleaner scan ...
and probably the difference between lock and no lock on Newsnet when bordeline.

As to the Norsat ..I don't expect the SL3 to neccessarily outperform it ...
But for some reason ..it appears more suited to locking Newsnet with access to the same signal level..
just my opinion of course..
Like I said ..
Not an exact science.
Good luck for tomorrow..

 

[pride21]

hi VS modding does not put me off just wondering how the racing channel will fair in doing it

 

[Vipersan]

hi VS modding does not put me off just wondering how the racing channel will fair in doing it

It will vanish buddy ..
No more Horizontal ..
but don't let that put you off ...cos u got 2 lnbs and you're only modding one of 'em..
The unmodded one will still perform as it does now.
;)

If you do decide to go ahead with the modding ..
Clearly mark the port you intend to modify ..so as not to get mixed up during the process ..
Take your time ..read again from the beginning of the thread ..
Once tou have it clear in your mind ..proceed carefully ..
ANYthing you are unsure about ..please ask first and I'll help where I can..
Get some good quality needle files to hand ..and again ...take your time and proceed with caution.
There is no need to remove the lower pcb in the SL3 ..
The one connected to the F connectors ..
Just the upper PCB ,,
It IS delicate so have a box to put all removed parts gently inside ..and a screw top jar for the screws you will be removing ..
All philips head screws ..nothing fancy like the older SL3 (that used tortion screws and was more difficult to work on) ..plus more unsoldering to be done.
This one IS easier imo but still requires good eyes and a steady hand.
rgds
VS

 

[scopus]

I have been reading this thread with great interest, and have ordered the said LNB to experiment getting back ITN news net since its departure from 24W. I look forward to joining this thread when I get the LNB and modding a bracket for my channel master 1.8
I may have to remove my C Band LNB and attach there and use my inclined jack as I do to receive C Band. Mounting it at the side maybe problematic owing to the dish boom arms.