My SAT-playground

[samoloko]

can you tell us If there are great variation In snr between 1 - 2 mm position of lnb up and down
btw how about using fibo feed and lnb here

 

[RimaNTSS]

If there are great variation In snr between 1 - 2 mm position of lnb up and down
btw how about using fibo feed and lnb here

LNB holder does not allow to move LNB sideways, but, I think that 1-2mm movement would make noticeable difference. Moving LNB closer/further from the SUB also makes difference, maximum signal is achievable within ~5mm of movement. Will probably try also Fibo feedhorn some day and then let everybody know about performance.
Will ask question here: Does anybody know where I can get RC2000 positioner?

Am I to understand that these are your "memory sticks"?

Yes, those are adjustable pieces of wires. When I point antenna to particular satellite then adjust wires in the way their ends are exactly in front of each other. Next time I just move antenna till same wires touch each other, that means antenna pionting at the same satellite.

 

[archive10]

Will ask question here: Does anybody know where I can get RC2000 positioner?

E-bay. There are plenty of used (decommisioned) systems on the market (most in the US).
I also inquired with Research Concepts, and they will happily sell you one directly (at 5-6 times the price of the the used ones).
(Also, you need to get the right version of RC2000 - the one for El over Az)

 

[RimaNTSS]

Pre-programmed more satellites to my "positioner". I think it should be possible to attach laser-pointed somewhere to the dish and control it's position by the beam of the laser.

 

[margusten]

Pre-programmed more satellites to my "positioner". I think it should be possible to attach laser-pointed somewhere to the dish and control it's position by the beam of the laser.

This is great idea. I have green laser somewhere just collecting dust. I can use it to adjust My 3M antenna to other satellites. Still watched only 28E and 26E positions. I have no polar mount and actuators.

 

[RimaNTSS]

This is almost too late (before Autumn comes) to do some installations. But I think I can still manage to do some. Will install SMW-OA1600 to replace couple of antennas (crossed in red), for it I prepared nice support with easy adjustable azimuth. So, on this Swedish dish will install 9 Quads for most-watched satellites (4*W-0,8*W-4,8*E-9*E-13*E-19,2*E-23,5*E-28,2*E-36*E). On top of the platform (instead of 1,5 polar-mounted PFA) will install 1,8m polar-mounted dish with arc 90*E-30*W.

 

[archive10]

I just love that can-do approach.
While I spend ages procrastinating about where to stick the bracket for polar mount for a 1.2, you weld extension arms together, slap-up dishes, and generally just make them work...

Perhaps I should make a playground post too - that would put some pressure on getting new stuff happening at a constant rate...

But whaddayamean by the it's almost too late? You can mount dishes in December if you want - only the failing light, the rain and the snow might impede the evening work a bit. What else are you going to spend those winter days doing??

...ah, yes. Motorising the 4.6?

 

[Archive4]

While I spend ages procrastinating about where to stick the bracket

So nice of you to finally admit the truth, there are many who would offer advice!
But of course, once again you are totally correct, Rimants´just get on with it approach leaves us all to shame.

 

[a33]

Will install SMW-OA1600 to replace couple of antennas (crossed in red), for it I prepared nice support with easy adjustable azimuth. So, on this Swedish dish will install 9 Quads for most-watched satellites (4*W-0,8*W-4,8*E-9*E-13*E-19,2*E-23,5*E-28,2*E-36*E).

And will you, as you are allways looking for the G-spots, also test the best aiming points of all the side LNBs as I suggested here: SMW OA 1600 dish ?
I'm curious to see the results!

Greetz,
A33

 

[RimaNTSS]

Long time ago I've made Diseqc-box, at that time I liked cascades. Now is time to take the box apart and use only part of it, leaving only 4 Dseqcs 1x10. Will make another box, much smaller than previous, and fix it to the back-frame of SMW-OA-1600. Basically, those 1x10 Diseqcs are preventing me to go for bigger number of fixed satellites. So, by the end of the day, I will have 10 satellites (8 from SMW-OA-1600 and 2 from another dish), all of them will have Quad LNBs installed, so there will be 4 leads to the house. Plus another couple of leads from movable dishes. And, of course, also terrestrial input.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Made a box of plexiglass to fit 4 x 10/1 Diseqcs and attached it to the frame of the dish. Will need to do some cabling soon, means lots of mess

 

[RimaNTSS]

Installed 8 Quads and tuned them to 4*W-0,8*W-4,8*E-13*E-19,2*E-23,5*E-28,2*E-36*E (circ). Also put 8 coax to one of the Diseqc, just to check and for family to be able to watch TV. Will do cabling over the weekend, but I need a wrench for F-connectors which, I think, I am going to make before cabling ops. Otherways it is not very handy to screw F-connectors. 4*W and 0,8*W are too close together and not possible to get maximum on both sats, so, most likely I will abandon 4*W. Remaining ports on Diseqcs I reserve for 75* and 90*E, they will be on another antenna.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Out of old&ugly screwdriver and 7/16 drum made The Tool. I think it should work just fine.

 

[Captain Jack]

I am scared of your limitless workmanship abilities...

 

[Lazarus]

Why? Shirley he's not planning to start on your Shack next?

 

[Archive4]

I am scared of your limitless workmanship abilities...

 

[RimaNTSS]

Finished with wiring. Still have 3 free places on Diseqcs for additional satellites.

 

[RimaNTSS]

As promised (also to wife), have removed couple of antennas.
Will see how SMW-OA-1600 performs and how it will withstand wind-load, in case it wobbles too much will change the way it is attached to vertical pipe. I have this hook, which is short and strong.
That how my playground looks now..... less stuff, but more capable

 

[RimaNTSS]

Attached piece of 40mm square-pipe to the back of the antenna. Idea is to make small roof over the pedestal-mount and motors, and also to be able to stay there even if it rains. The roof should go along yellow lines. However, does not know yet how to make this roof sliding when elevation is changed.

 

[RimaNTSS]

I've promised to wife to remove couple of antennas, so I did. And even mother-in-law praised me . But I did not promise that I will not be installing another antennas instead. So, I am completely innocent.
There are 2x60mm poles on top of the platform. Making adapter to be able to hang 75mm mount on top of one pole. Piece of 75mm pipe, 6x10mm nuts and 6x10mm bolts (INOX) will make this adapter adjustable. Will be installing 1,2m CM on one of the poles, on another one, perhaps 1,2m FIBO. Both motorized, of course.