Q: Antenna strategies for picky newbie?

[RedSavina]

Hello all! I've been scouring this board and other sources trying to get a handle on what I need to get into FTA. I still have several questions, but one specific area is with the dishes. Below is a reflection of my current understanding. Would anyone care to clarify or correct these points?

Single satellite

• One dish with one LNBF viewing one satellite

Multiple satellites

• Multiple dishes, each with one LNBF viewing one satellite
• One dish with one LNBF and a rotor capable of viewing various satellites
• Multiple dishes with multiple LNBFs and a rotor capable of viewing various satellites
• One dish with multiple LNBFs mounted such that they are each viewing a different satellite

Okay, assuming I'm on the right track, I have the following questions.

1. When choosing a dish solution with a fixed LNBF (i.e. dedicated view of a particular satellite), are delays in switching channels essentially non-existent and based only on the receiver's capability?
2. When choosing a dish solution with multiple fixed LNBFs, are delays in switching channels the same as above plus a minimal delay for switching?
3. When choosing a dish solution using rotors, how much additional delay is added to channel switching?

I am comfortable with dish aiming, having done several Dish Network and one DirecTV install. I currently have a dishpro 110/119 and 61.5 installation. I'm amazed at the comments I get about "all those dishes" - yeah, both of them! Even so, I'm a neat freak and like my hobbies to be cleanly installed and minimally noticeable where ever possible. One of my neighbors wonders how I can have two young children and no TV (I have a projector and pull-down screen). That's how I like it! I also have put a lot of effort and expense into my mobile ham rigs to make them out-of-sight as much as possible and to make the visible portions look as professional/factory-installed as possible.

Now that you know that, what would you recommend for someone with my idiosyncrasies as far as a FTA installation goes? How many satellites (i.e. linear LNBFs) should I initially plan for in addition to the 110/119/61.5 (circular LNBFs) I am currently viewing? Basically, how can I balance the trade-off between number of dishes and maximizing viewable satellites. Those toroidal dishes seem to be the answer, but I've read nothing good about the T55 and can only assume the T90 is only marginally better.

In a nutshell, I want it all and in one box with minimal dishes. If there was a way to legally use my Nagra2 Dish card in an all-in-one box, I would be all over it. I will not go so far as a hack. I know that kind of discussion is not allowed here and I want no part of it anyway.

Anyone want to educate me or point me to a thread I may have missed that addresses these issues?

Thanks,
RedSavina

[imported_questic]

1. When choosing a dish solution with a fixed LNBF (i.e. dedicated view of a particular satellite), are delays in switching channels essentially non-existent and based only on the receiver's capability?
   
   It is based on the receiver.
   
2. When choosing a dish solution with multiple fixed LNBFs, are delays in switching channels the same as above plus a minimal delay for switching?
   
   You are correct.
   
3. When choosing a dish solution using rotors, how much additional delay is added to channel switching?
   
   Anywhere from 2 seconds to 60 seconds with most motors depending on the distance traveled.

Personally, the ability to move all the way across the arc with one satellite works better for me, although I have a few fixed dishes as well. Just about every type of setup can be found here as well as tons of information on how to get you up and going.

I suggest:

36" Offset Dish , STAB90HH Motor, .3db Invacom Quad LNBF, PANSAT 3500

Welcome Aboard!

[PSB]

Hello and WELCOME to the SatelliteGuys.US FTA Forum



1. Yes, some receivers switch channels slightly faster than others.

2. After set up changing channels will be just as fast/slow as above again depending on the receiver.

3. For example changing from Amazonas (61w) to G10 (123w) takes me 54 seconds using a motorized dish. I would have to say a motorized dish would be the way to go.

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

I am comfortable with dish aiming, having done several Dish Network and one DirecTV install.

That will be very helpful to have experience. Be aware that it is more difficult to aim an FTA dish due to the lower power of the birds.

Even so, I'm a neat freak and like my hobbies to be cleanly installed and minimally noticeable where ever possible. One of my neighbors wonders how I can have two young children and no TV (I have a projector and pull-down screen). That's how I like it! I also have put a lot of effort and expense into my mobile ham rigs to make them out-of-sight as much as possible and to make the visible portions look as professional/factory-installed as possible.

From what I see, you have all the "symptoms" of a person that will like FTA. There are many "Hams" here and many are particular about their installs too.

Now that you know that, what would you recommend for someone with my idiosyncrasies as far as a FTA installation goes? How many satellites (i.e. linear LNBFs) should I initially plan for in addition to the 110/119/61.5 (circular LNBFs) I am currently viewing? Basically, how can I balance the trade-off between number of dishes and maximizing viewable satellites. Those toroidal dishes seem to be the answer, but I've read nothing good about the T55 and can only assume the T90 is only marginally better.

In a nutshell, I want it all and in one box with minimal dishes. If there was a way to legally use my Nagra2 Dish card in an all-in-one box, I would be all over it. I will not go so far as a hack. I know that kind of discussion is not allowed here and I want no part of it anyway.

Anyone want to educate me or point me to a thread I may have missed that addresses these issues?

Thanks,
RedSavina

I would forget the Torodial. Hardly anyone here uses them because they were designed for the European market where there are several higher power birds close together. It is my understanding that a Torodial with 3 LNBs for example effectively becomes 3 small (DBS size) dishes in practical use.

If you want the fewest dishes then a motorized dish (largest you can afford/install) is the way to go. The only disadvantage is time moving between sats but there are several in the east that you can find quickly. Some people use a fixed dish for G10 and motorized for the rest since G10 is one of the western-most birds and also one of the most popular.

There is no "all-in-one" box that I know of at this time. One suggestion is to use the search function to read the "back postings". I still do that all the time-very educational!

Welcome aboard and best wishes!

[imported_questic]

Look in Equipment Reviews, many great reviews of most popular receivers.

[RedSavina]

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ADVERTISING BOX

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Everyone,
Thanks for the great replies - and quick, too!

questic,
Good tip on the reviews forum. I found that last night and was initially lost I re-read it again late after lots of research and got about 50% of what I read. After the third pass this morning I am up in the 90's. If I was buying today it would be a toss-up between the Pansat 3500s and the Viewsat VS2000. I like the component video feature of the 3500s since it will fit nicely with my home theater and the SD card slot, so would probably go for that one. However, the Dreambox has really caught my eye. It looks like speed is certainly a factor to consider.

W. Tracy & PSB,
Thanks for the real-world perspective on the dish. Based on what you both said and other research, I'll probably go with a 90cm motorized setup initially. Adding fixed dishes later on is a good tip.

Regards,
Red