New Solid 6' Fortec vs Used Mesh 7.5'

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pacificrim

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Oct 5, 2008
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I am thinking of setting up a 6' Fortec dish but the other day came across a used 7.5' mesh that would likely be free if I wanted it. Of course is has a few dings and while being in good shape, it less than perfect. The mesh size would be ok for ku to work in a dual setup but I don't want to put money and effort into a used dish that may not work much better than a newer but smaller one. How hard is it to get new panels for a 7.5' mesh?

I mostly am interested in c band for nasa and baseball feeds. is a 6' ok for that? Thanks.
 
Those few dings in the mesh can be pressed out fairly easy. We used two short pieces of 4 inch PVC pipe. It's a two person job when it's on the pole or off standing up, one on each side of the mesh panels.Just take it one ding at a time, and ours flattened out pretty good. If that 7 1/2 footer is free, give it a new home...
 
I am thinking of setting up a 6' Fortec dish but the other day came across a used 7.5' mesh that would likely be free if I wanted it. Of course is has a few dings and while being in good shape, it less than perfect. The mesh size would be ok for ku to work in a dual setup but I don't want to put money and effort into a used dish that may not work much better than a newer but smaller one. How hard is it to get new panels for a 7.5' mesh?

I mostly am interested in c band for nasa and baseball feeds. is a 6' ok for that? Thanks.

You should go for the 7.5' dish. Dings will not affect it even a tiny bit. I've seen complete single panels removed from a dish, and it made NO difference in signal level. It can make a slight difference in ground noise though. Dings can also be flattened out with a body hammer and block. I've done that with my 10 footer. All in all, the 7.5 footer is better for signal, and for smaller beamwidth.
 
Just taking it apart should give me a very solid idea of its condition - which right now I think is good. I imagine an angle grinder will be needed to get the bolts out of it. I have to completely disassemble it to get it on the boat to bring it home, so it will be a lot more effort than getting a new 6' together from a box kit.

I really appreciate the your replies and will check it out again on Monday when I do another install nearby. I'll take some pictures. Thanks.
 
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Hands down, go for the 7.5' dish!
And don't waste your time trying to get Ku on it.
Focus on what's important: C-band reception! ;)
 
This was my first free 7 1/2 footer.

And this is what I started out with.







This was the end result after a couple of evenings.

th_3-16-2012003.jpg



The basic tools where the backside/flatside of a hatchet, a propane torch, pliers, screwdriver, wrenches, paint and my hands and fingers.


Go for the 7 1/2 footer it should be way better than a 6 footer.

I replaced the 7 1/2 footer with an 10 footer not to long ago with better results.
The bigger the dish, the better.
 
This was my first free 7 1/2 footer.

And this is what I started out with.







This was the end result after a couple of evenings.

th_3-16-2012003.jpg



The basic tools where the backside/flatside of a hatchet, a propane torch, pliers, screwdriver, wrenches, paint and my hands and fingers.


Go for the 7 1/2 footer it should be way better than a 6 footer.

I replaced the 7 1/2 footer with an 10 footer not to long ago with better results.
The bigger the dish, the better.

OK, you got me thinking --- maybe I can rescue that 10 foot Winegard.... It was so depressing to look at it and drag it back home after the "tempest in the ice storm". I have hardly looked at it since. But you have boosted my hope again. Thanks! No, the camper can NOT be repaired!
 
IIRC, years ago I was told that a solid dish was equal in performance to a mesh dish of 2 foot larger diameter.
 
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