Thanks for the measurements TJ!
So that's 32.25" x 22.50" = 725.625 sq in surface area for the SlimLine as compared to 29.50" x 25.50" = 752.25 sq in surface area. So the SlimLine dish, based on these measurements, is a 26.625 sq in SMALLER reflector. So, did they lose anything? Is 26.6" a negligible loss? Did they overcome the smaller surface area with an improved surface design or improved LNBs? I know any comments on this will be purely speculative.
The gain is improved. I haven't been able to read the gain data regarding the reflector itself. The data I base that fact on is comparing the signals of an H20-100 between an AT-9 and Slimline aligned using the same meter, same mount, same cabling, and the same AZ/EL back assembly.
The H20-100 shows 71 & 74 on transponders 1 & 2 respectively with the AT-9.
With the Slimline, the signals improve to 76 & 77.
The LNB also draws less current than the old AT-9 dish as well. 180ma vs. 250-300 ma of the AT-9 LNB. This is good news because you can have longer cable runs with less voltage drop between the receiver and LNB when you have an LNB that needs 30-40% less amperage.
.18a *(.015ohm * 500ft)= -1.35V across 500 ft of RG-6.
.30 *(.015* 500ft)= - 2.25V across 500 ft of RG-6 for the old LNB (this is the worst case scenario for an AT-9 LNB)
Average HVDC for your average D* IRD to select LHCP (even transponders) is 18.3v at the sat input. Sooooooooooooooo...
~18.3v - 15.5v = - 2.8v. <--- the theoretical max voltage drop you can experience to the LNB before an IRD can no longer select LHCP.
Yeah... so, just in case anyone was wondering... uh... there you go.