Ku-Band LNBF Comparison Report

[PopcornNMore]

Ku-Band LNBF Comparison Report

Date: AUG 4 2012
Outside Condition: 89.2 degrees Sunshine

Dish: 120cm Channel Master
Receiver: Optibox Anaconda HD

Ku-Band LNBF’s tested:
GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet Standard Ku-Band Dual Output LNBF:
RF Input: 11.7 – 12.75 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 10.75 GHz
IF Output: 950-2000 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.4dB (Typ.)
Gain: 60dB (Typ.)

WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band Standard Single Output LNBF:
RF Input: 11.7 – 12.2 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 10.75 GHz
IF Output: 950-1450 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.2dB (Typ.)
Gain: 70dB (Typ.)

DMS International Avenger PLL Universal Ku-Band Single Output LNBF:
RF Input: 10.7 – 12.75 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 9.750 & 10.600 GHz
IF Output: 950-2150 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.1dB (Typ.)
Gain: N/A

Introduction:
After reading all the positive and negative reviews on the new DMS International Avenger PLL Universal Ku-Band single output LNBF I decided to test it myself. I tested it against my current Satellite A/V GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet standard Ku-Band dual output LNBF and the WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band standard single output LNBF which I purchased several weeks ago, but never tested.

Conclusion:
Is the new DMS International Avenger PLL universal Ku-Band single output LNBF awesome as someone reported? NO! Is it terrible as someone reported? NO! It performed very well on my 120cm Channel Master dish, but not as well as expected. As you will see in the attached test reports and photos the WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band standard single output LNBF outperformed them all.

The Satellite A/V GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet standard Ku-Band dual output LNBF had lower signal strength reading across the board, but only because of its lower 60dB gain and higher 0.4dB noise figure. This LNBF still performs very well and its slim design allows a user to install multiple LNBF’s onto a single dish more easily. Unlike the other two LNBF’s the GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet can also be adjusted in and out for best performance.

Final Thoughts:
The size of your dish matters more than the LNBF installed. You will be happy no matter which of these Ku-Band LNBF’s you purchase. Let’s watch TV!

 

[PopcornNMore]

GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet Standard Ku-Band Dual Output LNBF:

GEOSAT pro SL2 Bullet Standard Ku-Band Dual Output LNBF:

RF Input: 11.7 – 12.75 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 10.75 GHz
IF Output: 950-2000 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.4dB (Typ.)
Gain: 60dB (Typ.)

Date: AUG 4 2012
Outside Condition: 89.2 degrees Sunshine

Dish: 120cm Channel Master
Receiver: Optibox Anaconda HD

AMC 1 (103.0W) w/26 degree offset:
11760 H NBC Mountain HD 86%
11880 H NBC East HD 86%
12082 H Cap1-19D 49%
11942 V MS20 86%
11840 H Universal Sports 86%

AMC 1 (103.0W) w/no offset:
11760 H NBC Mountain HD 86%
11880 H NBC East HD 83%
12082 H Cap1-19D 45%
11942 V MS20 86%
11840 H Universal Sports 0%

Galaxy 19 (97.0W):
11966 H River Broadcasting 87%
12028 H KTV 2 86%

SES 2 (87.0W):
11807 H LPBHD 86%

AMC 9 (83.0W):
11735 H PB&J 56%

Galaxy 28 (89.0W):
11886 H NoAmerica 44%

Galaxy 25 (93.0W):
12002 V Service 2 73%

AMC 21 (124.9W):
12180 V HD01 87%
12149 H SVC_3 Service 75%

 

[PopcornNMore]

WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band Standard Single Output LNBF

WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band Standard Single Output LNBF:

RF Input: 11.7 – 12.2 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 10.75 GHz
IF Output: 950-1450 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.2dB (Typ.)
Gain: 70dB (Typ.)

Date: AUG 4 2012
Outside Condition: 89.2 degrees Sunshine

Dish: 120cm Channel Master
Receiver: Optibox Anaconda HD

AMC 1 (103.0W) w/no offset:
11760 H NBC Mountain HD 86%
11880 H NBC East HD 86%
12082 H Cap1-19D 59%
11942 V MS20 88%
11840 H Universal Sports 0 to 41%

Galaxy 19 (97.0W):
11966 H River Broadcasting 89%
12028 H KTV 2 86%

SES 2 (87.0W):
11807 H LPBHD 87%

AMC 9 (83.0W):
11735 H PB&J 73%

Galaxy 28 (89.0W):
11886 H NoAmerica 63%

Galaxy 25 (93.0W):
12002 V Service 2 86%

AMC 21 (124.9W):
12180 V HD01 90%
12149 H SVC_3 Service 87%
12105 V Montana PBS 86%

 

[PopcornNMore]

DMS International Avenger PLL Universal Ku-Band Single Output LNBF

DMS International Avenger PLL Universal Ku-Band Single Output LNBF:

RF Input: 10.7 – 12.75 GHz
L.O. Frequency: 9.750 & 10.600 GHz
IF Output: 950-2150 MHz
Noise Figure: 0.1dB (Typ.)
Gain: N/A

Date: AUG 4 2012
Outside Condition: 89.2 degrees Sunshine

Dish: 120cm Channel Master
Receiver: Optibox Anaconda HD

AMC 1 (103.0W) w/no offset:
11760 H NBC Mountain HD 86%
11880 H NBC East HD 83%
12082 H Cap1-19D 47%
11942 V MS20 86%
11840 H Universal Sports 0%

Galaxy 19 (97.0W):
11966 H River Broadcasting 88%
12028 H KTV 2 86%

SES 2 (87.0W):
11807 H LPBHD 89%

AMC 9 (83.0W):
11735 H PB&J 73%

Galaxy 28 (89.0W):
11886 H NoAmerica 74%

Galaxy 25 (93.0W):
12002 V Service 2 86%

AMC 21 (124.9W):
12180 V HD01 87%
12149 H SVC_3 Service 60%
12105 V Montana PBS 86%

 

[updatelee]

Is that signal strength or quality ?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Is that signal strength or quality ?

signal strength

 

[updatelee]

Too bad, quality of the signal is what's important, its very rare that the signal level would be an unsolvable issue. Quality on the other hand is as good a it gets after the lnb and no matter what you do will only remain the same or worse.

 

[SatelliteAV]

Agree with updatelee.

Unfortunately, these tests have little meaning if these readings presented are Signal Level and not Signal Quality. Signal Level can be simply the output from a bad LNB and has very little affect on the ability to receive channels. Infact, a LNBF with a high Signal Level reading usually provides the worst reception.

If you look at the LNBF testing results that we have recently posted, you will note that a high Signal Level reading typically results in a lower Carrier to Noise ratio (undesireable) and a lower Signal Quality reading (undesireable - the STB's interpretation of the BER reading).

Would love to see the results of these same tests presented with Signal Quality readings. Maybe you will have more cooperative weather soon!

Another important point to note: It isn't that the SL1 has a higher 0.4dB NR, the other two LNBFs that you tested have been lab tested to be much higher, but the specs are altered for marketing reasons. We purposefully choose to print the actual typical specifications on our products. The typical NR on the competitors LNBFs that we sent to a lab rànged from 0.5 to over 1.0dB! The PLL321s was rated at 0.7 not the 0.1 as claimed. There is no off the shelf LNBF that is below 0.3..... If you read claims or specs for anything less, it is pure marketing BS and is not true.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Is that signal strength or quality ?

Apparently, I answered your question incorrectly the first time. The percentage value within test reports and screenshots IS the signal “quality”.
As shown in the attached screenshot the Optibox Anaconda displays the signal quality value within the “info” channel banner screens.

 

[updatelee]

Good to hear, that was alot of work you went to, to have done all that and wrote the wrong value down would have been a shame

 

[PopcornNMore]

Now that most LNBF's cost less than ordering a pizza it really doesn't matter what LNBF you use as long as you have the proper size dish. Using a 120cm dish no breakups occurred on any channels including DVB-S2 channels like Montana PBS using all three of these LNBF's.

As you can see from the reports there was only a slight difference seen between the WS International ESX521FE Ku-Band Standard Single Output LNBF and the DMS International Avenger PLL Universal Ku-Band Single Output LNBF. The WS International ESX521FE LNBF remains on my dish only because I prefer standard LNBF's and I saw little or no difference with the DMS International Avenger LNBF being PLL.

 

[SatelliteAV]

One more test that iceberg performed that showed reception differences was to perform a blind scan and compare the number of transponders found. It would be interesting to see the results of TPs found with a blind scan on your LNBFs. I will start including this benchmark on our testing results.

 

[KE4EST]

I did that in my tests, but didn't include the data. I need to add that to my charts. Remember that is what I posted in the first review I did on the SL1PLL.

 

[PopcornNMore]

One more test that iceberg performed that showed reception differences was to perform a blind scan and compare the number of transponders found. It would be interesting to see the results of TPs found with a blind scan on your LNBFs. I will start including this benchmark on our testing results.

I agree, but just how accurate would the results be? In other words, if you perform a blindscan, delete all transponders, perform another blindscan and repeat multiple times (lets say 6) would you always get the same number of transponders and channels even if using the same LNBF?

I also feel it's important to test these LNBF's on various dish sizes. For example replacing a SL1 Bullet with a SL1 PLL model on a smaller size dish might result in a larger improvement VS. replacing a SL1 Bullet with a SL1 PLL model on a 120cm or larger dish.

 

[updatelee]

if the signal is on edge blindscan may miss it once and get it another time, you would need multiple pass's then average the results. very time consuming.

Any of you guys have a decent spectrum analyzer? a good SA can really show the difference between lnb's, ie LO drift over time and temperature. Im not talking anything as elaborate as oven testing but even a 2am to 2pm test, most places if its a clear day/night will easily give you a 20+ c temp variation, enough to see if drift is an issue. Just pick a very low SR tp or better yet a beacon.

 

[KE4EST]

Any of these tests are time consuming, but I enjoy doing them.

 

[KE4EST]

I agree, but just how accurate would the results be? In other words, if you perform a blindscan, delete all transponders, perform another blindscan and repeat multiple times (lets say 6) would you always get the same number of transponders and channels even if using the same LNBF?

Well the thing of interest here is too use everything the same, receiver, dish, etc. Just change out the LNBF. Just to see what LNBF can land more transponders in a blind scan.

 

[PopcornNMore]

if the signal is on edge blindscan may miss it once and get it another time, you would need multiple pass's then average the results. very time consuming.

Any of you guys have a decent spectrum analyzer? a good SA can really show the difference between lnb's, ie LO drift over time and temperature. Im not talking anything as elaborate as oven testing but even a 2am to 2pm test, most places if its a clear day/night will easily give you a 20+ c temp variation, enough to see if drift is an issue. Just pick a very low SR tp or better yet a beacon.

I agree that the best way to test these LNBF's is to use a signal analyzer. I can borrow one from work the next time I do some testing. I'm a test engineer at a company that manufactures CATV equipment.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Well the thing of interest here is too use everything the same, receiver, dish, etc. Just change out the LNBF. Just to see what LNBF can land more transponders in a blind scan.

Yes, but if a transponder is on the edge of being able to be scanned in one blindscan could receive it and the next scan might not.

 

[Mr Tony]

Any of these tests are time consuming, but I enjoy doing them.

exactly. And that is what makes it fun