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Radar, I don't see any additional points after my post#8. Perhaps I didn't mention difference in material of the parabolic reflector if we are talking about same part.

Smith said:

Radar, I don't see any additional points after my post#8. Perhaps I didn't mention difference in material of the parabolic reflector if we are talking about same part.

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Smith,

That's OK. I do understand your point. I am not trying to hash out opinions one way or the other on this subject. I was only interested in showing the difference between a poor quality "large" dish versus a good quality "smaller" dish. A definite difference can exist here, but it is not always a true statement in either direction.

Obviously, and to make an extreme point about it, a 10 foot dish is going to be an improvement over a 3 foot dish. I do not argue that with you.

However, I would argue that some (not all, but some) dishes which are 90cm may be equivalent in reception quality to a smaller 76 cm dish because the manufaucturer has designed it differently in regards to it's overall geometry.

Not to put too fine of a point on it all, but I have compared a 1 meter Winegard dish against a 76 cm Wiengard dish and there is verylittle advantage with the 1 meter.

My point being that if you do not gain a great deal in signal quality, or more channels or more satellites, then why would you opt for a larger dish that is so much heavier, larger, more expensive and harder to handle when you can get nearly (NEARLY) the same reception on a lightweight dish that is smaller and easier to handle and less expensive?

You and I both understand the physics (the geometry of the dish), but I disagree with you on one point and that is that sometimes the smaller dish, if it serves the customer's needs, might just be better and nicer in an all-around manner.

I wanted to ensure that you understood that I am not in a total disagrement with you on this subject, but that I believe that an average Joe etting up a dish antenna may find sufficient and nearly equal results with a smaller antenna that is constructed well.

I was trying to hint at the spec's of the dish and not just the general size so that others would research these parameters and understand that there are differences.

I enjoy this hobby, and I would like others to enjoy it, too. However, I don't want to tell some newbie that he has to buy a 120 cm dish to get what I know he can get with a 76cm dish. That is not fair. I want them to understand how to calculate what size of dish the truly require and allow them to understand why it is so.

If they understand what they are researching, they will understand what they need and they won't purchase an oversised dish or an undersized dish for their purpose.

I wish that you would understand the direction that I am coming from. I really want people to understand that they may be able to gather these signals with a slightly smaller dish and at less expense to them.

With a few concoctions out of the garage, my brother is pulling in C-Band channels on a 1 meter dish. We have researched that and everyone said that it was impossible, well huey on them! Because it is possible!

I and my cohorts don't know everyything there is to know about satellite technology, but we try awfully hard to learn.

What we have learned is very well ingrained.

I am open to any knowledge that you will forward my way. I will cerainly listen to everything you can say as I know that you also have a great deal of knowledge.

If we disagree on any one subject, that does not mean that either of us are wrong. We are just looking at the same thing from a different angle.

I must state that I enjoy debating with you, it is good for the mind to debate! I must thank you for recharging my mind! I don't doubt that I can learn a lot from you. So, allow me to thank you for simply stating the facts and getting involved! What a great learning experience all around!

You are always welcome to PM me if you wish. Otherwise, I wish you a great deal of fun with all your hobbies!

Catch you later, Smith

Radar

That's good to know your position regarding, lets say, performance as we come to the exactly point in our short discussion.

While I'm agree with possible outcomes of low performance bigger dishes, I can't advise newbie or other ppl to follow the path.
Because it's involved unmanaged approach to measure efficiency of particular dish. I can't foresee how regular ppl starting the hobby will do that.
I can wish we have somewhere in Internet good database where anyone could find a picture of particular dish, parameters, include efficiency, manufacturer's info.
But in reality if you would stick with proposed ratio of local signal in dBm units and corresponding _recommended_ dish size - that's would be fair recommendation for unexperienced amateur.

Smith said:

That's good to know your position regarding, lets say, performance as we come to the exactly point in our short discussion.

While I'm agree with possible outcomes of low performance bigger dishes, I can't advise newbie or other ppl to follow the path.
Because it's involved unmanaged approach to measure efficiency of particular dish. I can't foresee how regular ppl starting the hobby will do that.
I can wish we have somewhere in Internet good database where anyone could find a picture of particular dish, parameters, include efficiency, manufacturer's info.
But in reality if you would stick with proposed ratio of local signal in dBm units and corresponding _recommended_ dish size - that's would be fair recommendation for unexperienced amateur.

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I understand you quite well, Smith. Thanks for giving me some honest and direct feedback. No one can learn anything if someone else doesn't criticise their comments, ideas, or statements. It is a good learning tool to be criticised or challenged. I honestly appreciate it because I learn from it. Thank you!

Without going into too much depth, I do think that "newbies' ought to be provided with the data and knowledge that maybe you or I might already know, and the directions to get to the sources where we might have learned it, even if they may not identify with it particularly well. Many of them will. The others will catch on eventually. Don't you think?

I guess I am not trying to be a diplomat, but I am trying to teach and I am trying to learn at the same time. You understand that, I hope?

Regardless, it is good to know you! Learning from others is a great experience and I appreciate knowing you! I don't know the best way to phrase it, but learning and knowledge is the most valuable asset and one should always treat it with the highest regard!

Gordy (RADAR)

I would say, you're diplomatic kind of person. If we could go back to the topic - have you using spectrum analyzer for hunting FTA signals, attempting to attribute them (freq/modulation/SR/FEC/etc) ?

Smith said:

I would say, you're diplomatic kind of person. If we could go back to the topic - have you using spectrum analyzer for hunting FTA signals, attempting to attribute them (freq/modulation/SR/FEC/etc) ?

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Smith,

Sorry so long in responding. I was in the middle of typing something up and then zip... power went out, started again and zip, power went out again. I unplugged the PC and modem after that and after a few more power drop outs, I was left sitting in the dark for about six hours or better. We had an ice/snow storm with some good winds and I got shut down completely, then I had to go to work.

But, anyway, no I don't have a spectrum analyzer at home to use.

I only have a 100MHz Hitachi O'Scope which doesn't do much here at these frequencies and my Super Buddy meter, which is excellent, but not a spectrum analyzer by any shot. Then, I have my Coolsat 5000, which is pretty doggone good. These are the only items that I use at home for hobbying around.

I was looking at a spec analyzer recently, but I can't afford 4Gs right now, they have on cut back in hours at work.

Radar