Adding a second dish... Thoughts & recommendations desired...

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Jason S

Jason S

Ordinary Average Guy...
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Aug 9, 2014
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North Central Texas
Since I installed my first FTA dish in July, it's been set on 125W so we can have PBS for the kids (as well as the wife and I). Here is a link with the current setup: http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/new-to-fta-and-so-far-so-good.340498/

Upper management has been very happy with this first setup. Happy enough that she has okayed a second dish setup for scanning other satellites.

So for the second dish, I have thought I would just replicate my first dish setup. That is go with another of the Patriot 1.2 m dishes and the Invacom SNH-031 LNB.

Here are my questions:
1) So besides adding the additional dish with LNB and obviously wiring; I think i need some switches? If so, what would I need to get?

2) This question may need a separate posting: If I also were use this dish as a base for a mini-bud, what else would I need to get (besides a C-band LNB).

3) Am I 'leaving something on the table' (so to speak) with the Invacom SNH-031 versus using another LNB? AND similarly by using the Patriot 1.2 m dish versus other brands?

Any thoughts/suggestions/recommendations are appreciated.
 
For a mini bud you would need the c band lnbf, a conical scalar, and a lnbf holder for the c band lnbf.

I agree with Elkview, a motor is a wise investment either for the dish you have or for an additional dish. With either a diseqc switch or 22khz switch you could use 2 dishes with your receiver.
 
I have three of the Patriot 1.2m dishes. They are too heavy for most motors. Search Ebay for an Amiko Diseqc 8x1 switch.
 
I would recommend an Ecoda 22KHz 2x1 switch with a motorized KU set-up of a Stab hh90 motor, GEOSATpro 90cm dish with PLL LNBF. There are quite a few great channels on other KU satellites. Maybe when you show this additional programming, she'll approve a 8-10' c-band dish that actually would reliably receive most C-band channels.

In my opinion, a motorized 1.2 for c-band is an invitation for frustration. C-band on a small reflector will not be reliable and will receive only a fraction of the available channels. There are so many great c-band channels that won't be able to be received with an undersized reflector. If you have no other option to install a proper sized c-band dish, a fixed mini-BUD for 99w makes sense to receive some of the stronger channels during clear weather.
 
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What is the weight of the a 1.2m Patriot? The Stab HH120 moves dishes weighing to just over 37 lbs or you could buy/build/adapt a polar mount and use Diseqc commands and an actuator.
 
Titanium said:
I would recommend an Ecoda 22KHz 2x1 switch with a motorized KU set-up of a Stab hh90 motor, GEOSATpro 90cm dish with PLL LNBF.
Click to expand...

His current LNBF is universal, if I'm not mistaken, so he's going to either need a non-universal LNBF or forget about using a 22kHz switch.
 
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actually and Ecoda switch WILL work with a Universal. Just set it on the 22k side of the switch. He wont get any lo band frequencies (10700-11700)
 
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Right, but he has a universal and wanted to buy another one.
 
Thank you all for the replies and recommendations.

I'd like to keep one dish on 125W for PBS, probably the current 1.2 m which has a universal Invacom...

As for a second dish, it's for exploring so I'm very open to recommendations... I've been told by an independent satellite dealer/installer previously to get the biggest dish that you can.

Since I'm new to this I'm trying to get as much information as I can. I'd like to play around with the second dish, so I thought another 1.2 m would allow me some leeway. Additionally, adding a motor to the second dish has also been considered.

Also, I don't necessarily have a strong desire one way or the other for another Invacom (like what I currently have) or any other universal LNBF.

Again, I would like to expand upon what I have keeping a dedicated dish for 125W and get going with a setup to search Ku and I had thoughts of experimenting with a mini-bud setup as well.

Again thanks for all the replies.
 
The Invacom is overkill for just PBS. Get a simpler standard, (not universal) lnb for that dish and use the Invacom on the new dish. With all its options you could find more sats to watch. IMO E_V
 
I haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. I've been keeping my eyes open for orphan dishes.

Paying attention as I drive through town; I've seen a lot more BUD's in town than I ever imagined would be here.

As for the second Ku dish, there is what looks to be about a 1m offset Ku dish on an empty building that I'm trying to find out about.

Addtionally, the school has a fixed mount (dish mounted to a frame) offset dish (90cm?). It looks like it is designed to sit on a flat roof. They said I could have it, but it is fixed to a frame and has some pretty good size hail dents.

El_Viejo said:
The Invacom is overkill for just PBS. Get a simpler standard, (not universal) lnb for that dish and use the Invacom on the new dish. With all its options you could find more sats to watch. IMO E_V
Click to expand...

Why would the Invacom be overkill? I ask, mainly because I'm still learning and researching...
 
Update:
I read and reread the Switches Simplified post at http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/switch-setups-simplified.134124/. Thank you Anole. This posting is absolutely one of the most useful and informative posts for a newby that is considering adding dishes or LNBFs.

After careful consideration of everything recommended I was on the verge of ordering the 90 cm Geosat packages that included the LNBF. However, I decided to get another Patriot 1.2 m dish. The ultimate deciding factor was: 1) previous discussions with a professional satellite dish installer to go bigger; and 2) that I could purchase the larger dish and pickup locally.
DSCN0240.JPG

Initially, this new dish will be used for 'manually' searching out satellites hopefully to become proficient with the basics (i.e., I'm not ready to motorize it yet) while searching out new channels. The whole reason for the second dish is so that we don't disrupt the household's PBS viewing... As for motorizing, I have some homebuilt polar mount ideas that I've been rattling around in my head.

So now that I have the dish, there's some parts I've ordered off eBay being shipped from North Carolina and California. I ordered from ke4est and decided upon the Titanium PLL Ku LNBF, Titanium C-band C-1 PLL LNBF Scalar Package and an Ecoda 22 Khz Multi switch.

I already had a 'go' for the second dish and now I essentially have a 'go' for a third dish which will be a C-band of some sort. So I decided to order the C-1 PLL LNBF to try try and get my feet wet until I get the C-band dish...

As for C-band...I have feelers out for a C-band dish, including one Unimesh I posted previously. Additionally, I've had a 'verbal commitment' on a Birdview solid dish and a possible second Birdview and will ask on a third solid dish I've spotted locally. Until then, I plan to experiment with the new dish on Ku and C.
 
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97w ku is one of my favorites also don't forget about micro budding on 99w c band. Glad you are having fun with this hobby.
 
Birdviews are great dishes, but might require some mods (sensor circuit, scalar opening, etc.) to modernize to make work with todays elctronics. There is a lot of Birdview info that can be searched for on this forum.

A Unimesh, in good condition, is hard to beat for a lot of reasons, the bigger the better. They made a perforated dish (not expanded metal) that was outstanding, but hard to find.
 
Got the Ecoda switch in the mail yesterday and USPS tracking says the LNBF's are out for delivery today... Overall, super fast shipping for parts ordered Wednesday.

So I plan to start assembling the new dish this evening and begin work on tuning up the second setup.

danristheman: Thanks, I'm looking forward to this second setup.

phlatwound: Thanks for the input, it helps to hear comments on what brands/styles are good performers. In the meantime, I'm still keeping my eyes open for a C-band dish.
 
Jason S said:
...phlatwound: Thanks for the input, it helps to hear comments on what brands/styles are good performers. In the meantime, I'm still keeping my eyes open for a C-band dish.
Click to expand...

You are welcome, Jason. To clarify, what I meant to say is that a mesh (or perforated) dish is usually easier to put up than a Birdview (or fiberglass) dish, for several reasons.

Mesh dishes are much lighter, and if in good condition and parabolic shape, will perform about as good as anything of comparable size (on C-band at least). Also, most mesh dishes will have an easily setup (or replaced) linear actator, declination adjustment and a feed support/scalar that requires no mods.

Amongst the "common" mesh dishes, I am a fan of Unimesh, they appear to me to be a little more robust than some of the other brands (Perfect 10, SAMI, etc.)

That being said, get whatever you can, especially if it is free, and get the pole too if you can. Post a pic or 3 of what you find and run it past the folks here on the forum before you commit, you will get a good idea if whatever you find is desirable...or not.
 
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