Galaxcy 16 Satellite Coverage for .74m

[VPDan]

Doe anyone have experience with using the G16 within the 47.5dbW footprint? I notice that much of the southwest seems to be at the lower edge of the .74m capabilities and was wondering if this affected link reliability very much.

[grohgreg]

I'm guessin' you've been lookin' at the footprint on
Galaxy 16 at 99.0°W - LyngSat Maps

. Interpreted correctly, the EIRP in the (light blue) area you specify is indicated as >47.3 but <49.4. Using the chart at the right of the map, minimum dish size recommended is 65cm.

So yes, the 74cm HughesNet/Direcway reflector is sufficient. If it helps I had a 74cm dish on G16 in Kentucky, and my clear day RSL (Hughes calls it SQF) ran ~77. A 98cm dish in the same location sees ~89

//greg//

[VPDan]

Thanks. That is exactly the website I was looking at. I read in my research that EIRP of 46dbW was about the reliable limit to at .74m antenna and did know how much margin was needed to deal with reality--especially when I see the SM5 settiing up footprint above 50dbW.

Just ordered my system so not sure what to expect...but it sure sounds like a fun little setup to mess around with....looking forward to being free!

[grohgreg]

Well, I'm gonna guess that the 46 dBW figure came from a FTA or satellite TV site or forum. Cuz the size of the dish is only part of the equation. The sensitivity of the LNB plays a factor as well, and those used for satellite internet reception are more sensitivie than those used for TV. Plus, neither FTA nor ROTA involve a transmitter. Your satellite internet dish will have to send as well as receive.

Nevertheless, that 46dBW you mention will surely include some fade margin. How much it hard to tell, because you can't really corrolate dBW with RSL or SQF - they're only incidentally related. dBW is output power at the satellite, RSL/SQF is after the signal is processed by the modem.

//greg//