Ok here goes.
I need suggestions for a budget minded free to air setup. This has to be done on a budget, retirment gives you lots of time but not always alot of cash to work with, hence the term "budget" lol.
The area that this set-up will be done, in general geographic terms will be located in the extreme southern ontario. I have an open sky in which to work with, at least from near horizon as the dish will be located on a TV tower, but will be located approx. 25 feet up the tower, tower heighth is 50 feet(free stander), but due to physical limitations, It needs to be accessable from a ladder. I can get around, just not too well, and only for a limited duration. There are no trees that will block the view, or buildings either from either side, I have an open sky to work with
I haven't totally decided on the size of dish to use yet, so I would appriciate some suggestions on the dish also.
But the basis of any good set-up, I have read, is the motor. I need a motor that will be as durable as possible, as the winds in this area can strip out gears in a large TV antenna rotor, let alone what the wind will be like for a dish. Because this won't just be used for entertainment reasons but testing as well. So at times it could be driven quite a bit back and forth.
I have read in these forums that a 2100 motor will need to have the relays replaced, as if you use it too much for driving back and forth, they can fail, and need to be replaced, with a more heavy duty set of relays.
If I can get a good heavy duty motor that is very durable, and built strong as well, Due to the enviromental factors, but don't cost an arm and leg to buy. I know I am looking for alot, but at the same time, I don't want to have to buy a motor every couple of months either.
So in review;
1) I need suggestions on a good, durable, long life motor, that don't cost an arm and a leg.
2) Suggestions on a good dish, as I would like to be able to use the dish for testing, so it will need to pull the weak transponders in.
3) Suggestions on an LNB, will have to allow both linear, as well as circular reception.
I thought that this would be a better place to ask these questions, as there is an abundance of people who will give an honest opinion, rather than to talk to a salesman in a store that will only try to sell you the most expensive, and would only be one persons opinion, instead of many. Also keeping in mind this has to be done on a budget also. If it takes me 2 or 3 months to be able to get all the nessasary equipment then so be it, I would rather do that then comprimize what I hope to be a very solid build that will last, and perform.
At the present time I have the choice of the only two recievers I presently own which are the Coolsat 5000, and a Sonicview 360 Elite.
And to make this absolutly clear, this setup will be used only for FTA, not anything illegal as my betterhalf would be holding my family jewels if I even suggested doing something illegal.
Even a suggestion, if there is a better reciever is not out of the question, but I thought I would let you's know what I had for recievers as far as recievers goes, if it helps to decide what motors and dishes and lnb's are going to be used. For the most part I will be using the set-up for testing and for use in the "Doghouse", formerly known as the garage, the tower it will be placed on is at the back of the garage and presently has 2 stationary dishes(which the "new" moterized dish will be replacing), a large OTA antenna and a Antron99(omni directional antenna), that is used for Ham radio/ scanner(when not used for the ham radio).
In advance, I will thank-you for the suggestions, as I am more than willing to provide pictures of the setup once it is completed. As well as what can be recieved. Being more or less in the middle of the country, with an open sky should yeild some rather good results hopfully.
With the present dishes, some recycled(given to me) 18 inch BEV dishes, and 2 old Starchoice dishes(oval 33inch by 28 or 26 inches high) one old Star Choice "beercan" lnb, and a newer square SC linear lnb(came with the dishes when I had them given to me). I have had very limited performance, and results. So it is time I installed somthing that is going to do what I am hoping to be able to do, basically enjoy this FTA hobbie, instead of getting frustrated with what I presently have for equipment. As it has been said, and I have learned, if your going to do somthing, do it right, or not at all.
Thanks again for your suggestions, they will be put to good use. As well this might be able to be used by more people than just me as there are many that probly know what they want to do, just don't know what they should get for equipment and good bang for there buck so to speak.:up
I need suggestions for a budget minded free to air setup. This has to be done on a budget, retirment gives you lots of time but not always alot of cash to work with, hence the term "budget" lol.
The area that this set-up will be done, in general geographic terms will be located in the extreme southern ontario. I have an open sky in which to work with, at least from near horizon as the dish will be located on a TV tower, but will be located approx. 25 feet up the tower, tower heighth is 50 feet(free stander), but due to physical limitations, It needs to be accessable from a ladder. I can get around, just not too well, and only for a limited duration. There are no trees that will block the view, or buildings either from either side, I have an open sky to work with
I haven't totally decided on the size of dish to use yet, so I would appriciate some suggestions on the dish also.
But the basis of any good set-up, I have read, is the motor. I need a motor that will be as durable as possible, as the winds in this area can strip out gears in a large TV antenna rotor, let alone what the wind will be like for a dish. Because this won't just be used for entertainment reasons but testing as well. So at times it could be driven quite a bit back and forth.
I have read in these forums that a 2100 motor will need to have the relays replaced, as if you use it too much for driving back and forth, they can fail, and need to be replaced, with a more heavy duty set of relays.
If I can get a good heavy duty motor that is very durable, and built strong as well, Due to the enviromental factors, but don't cost an arm and leg to buy. I know I am looking for alot, but at the same time, I don't want to have to buy a motor every couple of months either.
So in review;
1) I need suggestions on a good, durable, long life motor, that don't cost an arm and a leg.
2) Suggestions on a good dish, as I would like to be able to use the dish for testing, so it will need to pull the weak transponders in.
3) Suggestions on an LNB, will have to allow both linear, as well as circular reception.
I thought that this would be a better place to ask these questions, as there is an abundance of people who will give an honest opinion, rather than to talk to a salesman in a store that will only try to sell you the most expensive, and would only be one persons opinion, instead of many. Also keeping in mind this has to be done on a budget also. If it takes me 2 or 3 months to be able to get all the nessasary equipment then so be it, I would rather do that then comprimize what I hope to be a very solid build that will last, and perform.
At the present time I have the choice of the only two recievers I presently own which are the Coolsat 5000, and a Sonicview 360 Elite.
And to make this absolutly clear, this setup will be used only for FTA, not anything illegal as my betterhalf would be holding my family jewels if I even suggested doing something illegal.
Even a suggestion, if there is a better reciever is not out of the question, but I thought I would let you's know what I had for recievers as far as recievers goes, if it helps to decide what motors and dishes and lnb's are going to be used. For the most part I will be using the set-up for testing and for use in the "Doghouse", formerly known as the garage, the tower it will be placed on is at the back of the garage and presently has 2 stationary dishes(which the "new" moterized dish will be replacing), a large OTA antenna and a Antron99(omni directional antenna), that is used for Ham radio/ scanner(when not used for the ham radio).
In advance, I will thank-you for the suggestions, as I am more than willing to provide pictures of the setup once it is completed. As well as what can be recieved. Being more or less in the middle of the country, with an open sky should yeild some rather good results hopfully.
With the present dishes, some recycled(given to me) 18 inch BEV dishes, and 2 old Starchoice dishes(oval 33inch by 28 or 26 inches high) one old Star Choice "beercan" lnb, and a newer square SC linear lnb(came with the dishes when I had them given to me). I have had very limited performance, and results. So it is time I installed somthing that is going to do what I am hoping to be able to do, basically enjoy this FTA hobbie, instead of getting frustrated with what I presently have for equipment. As it has been said, and I have learned, if your going to do somthing, do it right, or not at all.
Thanks again for your suggestions, they will be put to good use. As well this might be able to be used by more people than just me as there are many that probly know what they want to do, just don't know what they should get for equipment and good bang for there buck so to speak.:up
