Ok, this is my story and I am sticking to it!
I have tried faithfully for over three weeks to get the CK1 to marry outstanding Ku and C-Band signals using the Solid Birdview. After attempting every known configuration of F/D ratio, Focal Length, and polarity tuning, I have to agree with Mike Kohl that it is not possible to get both with outstanding signal quality.
I can get Ku signal so high it would make a Primestar owner weep. It would make a 6' off-set dish owner weep. I just can't get the C-Band to come up to that level. In fact if tuning for C-Band alone, the quality would only come in as what I would classify as good using the CK1.
So yesterday afternoon a couple of friends came over and we switched the Birdview reflectors. The Perfed reflector is now where the solid was, and the Solid is now where the Perfed was. The reason I did that is because I knew what kind of signals the Perfed can achieve having had the CK1 on it before.
After working this morning for just 3 or 4 hours, I now have outstanding C-Band signals and good Ku signals. I think I can get very good Ku before I am finished. If I were to have my preference, the C-Band is where I want the strongest signals. I can supplement Ku with stationary dishes, or even run my motorized Primestar using USALS if necessary, but I believe the Ku will be quite acceptable.
Remember the sole purpose in having this setup this way is to have the Twinhan 1020A and a possible future HD STB on this dish. None of those will control a servo motor for skew and polarity.
I think it was mentioned by someone else that if some manufacturer would build a GBox/VBox that would control the actuator and a servo motor, it would be a huge instant seller. Here that SatAV and Sadoun? Hint-Hint!!
As for the Solid dish, it now has my infamous ADL patent infringing Co-Rotor on it, being powered by the Pansat. I walked over after quitting on the Perfed for the day. Checked the declination, and put the elevation where it was supposed to be. I didn't tune or adjust. Hooked the Pansat back up at the TV, and had instant 90 SQ on 91W 3720 H and 75% SQ on 12060 V without doing anything. I am using the same exact F/D ratio and Focal Distance the CK1 had and this is the difference.
There are differences between the Perfed dish and Solid dish. They have different serial numbers, the OEM Focal Length is different, and their mounts are just a little different. For instance, the Solid is on the mount it came with, and it requires nothing to adjust the declination. It is dead on just as it sets. The Perfed dish is now on it's OEM mount and required only 3 washers at the bottom to set the declination. The solid required 5 to set the declination on that mount.
The quality of both dishes is still fantastic IMHO, but for a voltage controlled LNBF, the Perfed works better. Both are outstanding with a Co-Rotor.
My best chance of getting truly married outstanding Ku and C-Band signals is with a Bulls-eye type Dual C and Dual Ku Feed-Horn. So if any of you have one, or know of one, I am looking. Please keep me in mind.