Thread: RTN on AMC9 with Primestar Dish

I just re-aimed my Primestar dish from G18 to AMC9. I was hoping that the Primestar would be large enough to receive RTN, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I can receive the NBC signal on H 11774. Strength is 75%, Quality is 70% on a Pansat 2700.

The transponder at 11735 is not being detected. I'm located in upstate NY. Does anybody else have experience with Primestar dishes and RTN reception?

How large of a dish would I need to pick up RTN in this area? Suggestions?

Originally Posted by vc2

I just re-aimed my Primestar dish from G18 to AMC9. I was hoping that the Primestar would be large enough to receive RTN, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I can receive the NBC signal on H 11774. Strength is 75%, Quality is 70% on a Pansat 2700.

The transponder at 11735 is not being detected. I'm located in upstate NY. Does anybody else have experience with Primestar dishes and RTN reception?

How large of a dish would I need to pick up RTN in this area? Suggestions?

VC2,

Presented below is the EIRP map for the footprint of AMC 9 @ 83.0W from SatBeams.com.

This should help you determine what dish size is required. Although it recommends a 60 cm dish for your location, you would be better served with a 76 cm dish (such as a Winegard DS-2076) or larger.

I have found that, at least in my location, the larger dish doesn't really result in that much of a gain in signal quality, but it does reduce the affect of other interference sources, especially rain fade.

I originally began with a Winegard 76 cm dish and then upgraded it to a GeoSatPro 1.2 M dish and found some very slight improvements, but a more stable level. According to the EIRP chart or footprint map for AMC 9, my EIRP level near Omaha, NE is supposed to be the same as yours in upstate NY.

RADAR

I am using 11736 H 4440 on my 5000 and a 84e.

I use a 90cm Primestar in Illinois and have no problems with RTN in NY I would recommend a 1 meter.

Just for everyone's reference, here is the same EIRP map for AMC 9 @ 83W, but with the pointer dialed into an arbitrary location in the SE US.

Notice the difference in minimum recommended dish size.

RADAR

vc, I am also in upstate NY and just can't seem to get enough RTV signal on my 90cm motorized CM/P* dish to be watchable. I do get some signal though but just below threshold for the Mercury II. I get the rest of the arc from 72 to 129 fine.

Unless there is a major issue like there was recently (uplink isues), RTN on a Primestar should be very reliable. I would recheck all the connectors, be sure there are no "barrel" conectors in the line, for sake of testing, remove any switches etc, and maybe even move the rx and a tv out near the dish and try another short piece of well terminated RG6. Just a 3db (that's 50%!) attenuation from poor connections can hurt you on this TP and can go un noticed on sats with "plenty strong" signals.

The other ABC TP on 83W is very strong by comparison. I dont know what the relative value of 70 is on a Panny, but the reading for the ABC TP.should be as high as the Panny will register.
Good luck.

Larobpra, I see that on my Merc2 at times too. On clear days it will only show about 25%quality, usually that means stable picture, but not always. I can connect my Icon receiver to the same dish, and get solid-as-rock stable signal and quality in the 90% range. That's on a .90primestar. The sensitivity of the receiver may have as much to do with getting RTN as the dish size.

"Primestar" ?
There are a number of different styles 'n sizes.
You didn't specify round nor elliptical, nor size, nor LNB & feedhorn.

Originally Posted by melgarga

...for sake of testing, remove any switches etc, and maybe even move the rx and a tv out near the dish and try another short piece of well terminated RG6.

Didn't sound like you had a motor, but if you do, try bypassing it, along with what Mel said.