AMC-3 C-Band (4080H) DVB-S2 on a 4' Dish

[PopcornNMore]

For those who believe that a minimum 8' dish is needed to receive DVB-S2 signals on C-band it might be easier than you think.

Earlier this week I attached a GeoSat Pro C-band LNBF to my 4' Channel Master dish and started scanning in channels using an Openbox S9 receiver. To my surprise when I scanned AMC-3 I received all the RTV/TUFF TV/PBJ channels on the 4080H mux each having a signal strength 75% and above. In fact, these signal strengths compare to the same received on my 8' WS International dish.

Please note that NO adjustments were made to the dish or C-band LNBF. I simply installed and began scanning. I also received a CW channel in HD on Galaxy 28 that looked awesome which is also a DVB-S2 signal. I'm also receiving most of the channels on Galaxy 16 (Leasea, Networks, etc), Galaxy 17 (EWTN, WORD, etc), Anik F3 (TV HOT, MeTV, etc) and other satellites.

I'm going to be doing more scanning tonight to se what else I can receive before making adjustments to see if I can also receive the RTV 3800H mux.

 

[brentb636]

Easy for you , Popcorn. If you look at the sat's EIRP map, you're in a good area . I'm in the worst area in NA for the signal, and I don't get a burp !! ( Well , maybe a burp, but no lock ! ) Thanks for the info , though. I'm a big fan of a 4 foot mini-BUD in the right situation.

 

[markbone100]

Hmmm. According to the footprint I may be able to pull it off with my 4ft dish. Only issue would be I would really like to the C and Ku band capabilities on it. What would I have to do to convert a 25mm lnb mount to a C/ku feedhorn?

 

[cracklincrotch]

There are a number of fta retailers that sell 60mm holders. I bought one from galaxy marketing a few years ago. It wasn't very expensive.

 

[brentb636]

Hmmm. According to the footprint I may be able to pull it off with my 4ft dish. Only issue would be I would really like to the C and Ku band capabilities on it. What would I have to do to convert a 25mm lnb mount to a C/ku feedhorn?

I wouldn't expect that you'd get good performance from a C/Ku lnbf on a 4 foot offset dish. Wrong geometry for the Ku , even with the conical scalar ring. Plan on optimizing the c-band side and getting no Ku from it.

 

[markbone100]

I wouldn't expect that you'd get good performance from a C/Ku lnbf on a 4 foot offset dish. Wrong geometry for the Ku , even with the conical scalar ring. Plan on optimizing the c-band side and getting no Ku from it.

DOH! There goes my idea. Wouldnt mind having a dish dedicated for the RTV mux on S3 but late this year there is a lot of sports on Ku that I would be watching too

I have spotted a 4ft metal prime focus dish with what looks to be a C band lnb on it, but the dish is warped pretty bad so I passed on it. Plus they wanted $$ for it too


But then again I have two spare Ku dishes that arent up yet plus the 4ft setup for Ku band. One of the Ku's will likely be set for 89W for feeds and the other im not totally sure, maybe 72 or 125 for the PBS. The 3rd dish which is the 4ft if it stays Ku maybe for one of the network feeds but wouldnt mind one for RTV and WN. Really wish I could have some indiana/kentucky news stations but other then the one on 119 I dont know of any that show local news from there

 

[brentb636]

DOH! There goes my idea. Wouldnt mind having a dish dedicated for the RTV mux on S3 but late this year there is a lot of sports on Ku that I would be watching too

I have spotted a 4ft metal prime focus dish with what looks to be a C band lnb on it, but the dish is warped pretty bad so I passed on it. Plus they wanted $$ for it too

Well, I had a 4 foot miniBUD for awhile plus a 1.0M Ku motorized dish. It was a good solution for my needs until the WSI cheap 6 footer came along !

 

[PKII]

For those who believe that a minimum 8' dish is needed to receive DVB-S2 signals on C-band it might be easier than you think.

Earlier this week I attached a GeoSat Pro C-band LNBF to my 4' Channel Master dish and started scanning in channels using an Openbox S9 receiver. To my surprise when I scanned AMC-3 I received all the RTV/TUFF TV/PBJ channels on the 4080H mux each having a signal strength 75% and above. In fact, these signal strengths compare to the same received on my 8' WS International dish.

Please note that NO adjustments were made to the dish or C-band LNBF. I simply installed and began scanning. I also received a CW channel in HD on Galaxy 28 that looked awesome which is also a DVB-S2 signal. I'm also receiving most of the channels on Galaxy 16 (Leasea, Networks, etc), Galaxy 17 (EWTN, WORD, etc), Anik F3 (TV HOT, MeTV, etc) and other satellites.

I'm going to be doing more scanning tonight to se what else I can receive before making adjustments to see if I can also receive the RTV 3800H mux.

Cool. I just wanted one to receive Nasa Tv think that will work?

 

[brentb636]

I had no trouble picking up NASA on a 4 footer, here in Michigan. You should have even a stronger signal.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Easy for you , Popcorn. If you look at the sat's EIRP map, you're in a good area . I'm in the worst area in NA for the signal, and I don't get a burp !! ( Well , maybe a burp, but no lock ! ) Thanks for the info , though. I'm a big fan of a 4 foot mini-BUD in the right situation.

The EIRP map looks good to me.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Cool. I just wanted one to receive Nasa Tv think that will work?

NASA HD is pictured in image number 30.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Now I just need to get my Channel Master 6' motorized.

 

[RT-Cat]

Easy for you , Popcorn. If you look at the sat's EIRP map, you're in a good area . I'm in the worst area in NA for the signal, and I don't get a burp !! ( Well , maybe a burp, but no lock ! ) Thanks for the info , though. I'm a big fan of a 4 foot mini-BUD in the right situation.

I picked up all of the 4080H RTV/TUFF, etc. with an S9 the other day. I am 90 miles North of you. Must be something to do with bigger being better. It was on an 8' mesh dish.

RT.

 

[Dee_Ann]

I'm seriously impressed! This also gives me food for thought..

 

[Tron]

MiniBUDs have the advantage of being small and lightweight enough to motorize on a good heavy-duty DiSEqC H-H motor.

 

[brentb636]

I picked up all of the 4080H RTV/TUFF, etc. with an S9 the other day. I am 90 miles North of you. Must be something to do with bigger being better. It was on an 8' mesh dish.

RT.

My Solomend Q just "twitches" to about 10% when I try to tweak it in on my 6 footer. I was hoping the orthomode feed would do the trick, but so far, no magic.

 

[PopcornNMore]

I believe the reason for me receiving DVB-S2 channels with a signal strength of 75% and higher is due to the fact that I'm using a commercial Channel Master 4' dish which holds its shape and is one solid piece rather than being mesh or having panels.

Plus after 10 years in service the dish still looks great and can easily be cleaned. My newer 6' and 8' panel dishes on the other hand have rusted hardware that bolts the panels together as well as some of the panels.

I understand they do this in order to make them easier to ship and to reduce costs, but they just don't compare with a good 4' or 6' commercial Channel Master dish. when I lived in Florida I purchased (6) 4' and (2) 6' Channel Master dishes for only $10 each from a surplus supplier (Astro Too) located in Melbourne.

As I said before the signal on my 4' Channel Master is roughly the same as received on my 8' panel dish. this is why I want to get one of the 6' Channel Master dishes up, because I feel it would perform as well as any 10' and possibly 12' out there.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Attached is a picture of how the GeoSat Pro C band LNBF is attached to the 4' Channel Master dish. Since this is an older picture it shows the blue conical scalar which is not installed now.

 

[tvropro]

The better the surface accuracy of the reflector the more efficient it is. A 8 foot ant with 80% efficiency will out perform a 10 foot with 60%. If your dish is beat up and had warped dented panels don't expect it to work well. Do a string test make sure it isn't a potato chip. and align it to the max. These tricks go a long way. .

 

[Dee_Ann]

Attached is a picture of how the GeoSat Pro C band LNBF is attached to the 4' Channel Master dish. Since this is an older picture it shows the blue conical scalar which is not installed now.

Where did you find the LNB adapter?