KU universal vs. KU standard?

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imax_01

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Oct 4, 2008
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Guys,

what is the difference between KU universal and KU standard LNB? If I am trying to aim for Galaxy 10R what should I set my reciever to where it says LNB =?

I had it set on universal as I thought standard lnb are only C band. Does it mean that I should always have my settings to standard in the reciever regarldess of c/ku band lnb? Please explain me what settings should I have on the viewsat receiver. I currently have KU lnb and that's all i know. Not sure if its standard or universa. It came with the bob jones university home sat system.

Thanks.
 
Can't really explain the difference beween Universal and Standard but, if that is the same LNB that I got with my BJU system I think you you should set it for:

Standard
LO = 10750
 
check the LNB for any writing on it. That will give you the settings

Universal LNB has a KU low & a KU high band
Standard is just KU high band

unless you're working with satellites across the atlantic you dont need a Universal.
 
LNB FAQ ?

This is a good question, and deserves a good answer.

We really should have a simple and short FAQ on the subject.
Was surprised we didn't have one.

It should tell what and why the low band exists on Ku for Universal LNBs, and why we use Standard in North America.

I have written a short 7-point outline, if anyone is interested in discussing what should be listed in the FAQ (not the details).
Once the subjects are decided upon, we could then fill in the detailed points.

Or, we could forget the whole thing. - :D
 
Anole, I am interested in seeing your outline :)

From the time I started using FTA I only used universal LNBs, but recently I got an analog receiver and I was forced to change to a standard LNB :eek:.

Here are the Pros and Cons I have seen:

Universal LNB
Pros - Can pick up a few extra transponders (Mainly Atlantic satellites)
Cons - Can not use 22Khz switches, Slower blind scan (larger range, or incorrect range on some receivers)

Standard LNB
Pros - Can use 22Khz switches, Correct blind scan range.
Cons - Can not pick up (The Atlantic sateliites low band)
 
here's as far as I got:

Suggested format for LNB FAQ (maybe one post per topic [so, 7 posts?] ):

1. Standard Ku LNB.
- Used in North America.
- Local Oscillator frequency.
- Typical receiver settings.
- Comment about switching being simplified with Standard.

2. Universal Ku LNB.
- Use in Europe, and for Atlantic satellites.
- Local Oscillator frequencies.
- Typical receiver settings.
- Comment about switching being more complicated or restricted with Universal

3. Bandstacked
- Use in North America, Dish Network, advantages, switching.
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical settings if OCS supported by receiver
- Typical settings if OCS not supported by receiver .

4. DBS Ku LNB, Circular
- Use in North America
- Local Oscillator frequency for NA, (and SA 11.3?)
- typical receiver settings

5. C-band, traditional linear
- Use in North America
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical receiver settings

6. C-band, Bandstacked & Linear
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical receiver settings

7. C-band Circular
- not used in North America (some discussion)
 
Unless you are trying to keep the FAQ to one page, why 7 posts for a FAQ of "LNB Settings and WHY". One reason for the one post with a wide title is that when I started I did not have enough information to even think about the right question. But another section / post = "What are "S" and "Q"? and is "Skew" just another word for "Q""
 
No, I was suggesting that each of those "posts" could be written (well or poorly), and then discussed by the members.
Once each of the seven (?) was rewritten, reformatted, and everybody was happy with it, then it could be moved to the FAQ area as part of the eventual document.
That's pretty much how the Switches Simplified FAQ was done.
Well actually, once the thread had matured, then Iceberg took the main posts and moved them.
He left behind the question, discussion, and argument posts.
In other words he acted as a book or magazine editor would... and did a great job. :up

The first post could maybe list all the possible LNB types, and be an index to which post the reader should visit to get his answers?
Yea, I like that. Good idea!

You are right that it is terribly hard for a newbie to know what to search for.
But as with the Switch FAQ, those familiar with the document can point a newbie to the one page (post) he needs.
All he has to do is ask. ;)

. . . hrmmmm.... should signal level, Quality, and skew be part of this?
With seven main sections, it was getting pretty large already, so my knee-jerk is to say no.
But your are right: that's important stuff to cover, so maybe another short FAQ?
Or if we already have one, then we should all know about it and refer newbies to it.

Well, I know Iceberg likes to make the forum very friendly.
Everyone gets personal hand-holding when they come here.
Referring them to a FAQ and telling them to RTFM is less friendly.
That's why breaking it into small bite-sized pieces, which cover just what the newbie needs to know, is useful.
He can read it quickly and easily, and is still welcome to ask questions.

Expecting anyone to read a seven-post FAQ to get an answer is not friendly.
There are all sorts of long documents on motor install and alignment, and I think a lot just do not read 'em!

When I refer someone to the Switch FAQ, it's always to ONE POST!
The one that deals with what they asked.
And most of those pages have a picture at the bottom.

Not sure we need pix here, but they'd help, we can talk about what would be best! - :cool:

I am not especially anxious to write this FAQ, but thought I'd present an outline.
It got kinda large as I was typing. Maybe too large and comprehensive.
Maybe someone who's interested would prefer a whole different outline.
That's what discussion is good for... bringing out all sorts of ideas.
 
This might have some indirect relation to the subject but I am posting it to see if it might have some use in the FAQ section...if it does feel free to include, if it don't feel free to delete...
 

Attachments

  • LNB Frequency (LO-LOF) Explained.pdf
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With a little editing that would make a very good technical document to have around.
I'd like to see it posted though, not just offered as a PDF.
Reason being, some folks wouldn't read a PDF, but might read a thread. ;)

While it certainly covers a lot of technical territory, I wonder if a scaled down version might help the newbie better?
Or just put a simplified front end on it, and leave that as the meat for those who wanted to delve deeper into the subject?

Always a question: which is better, more or less? :cool:


Also, I remembered there's a very very very basic intro to LNBs at the start of the Switches FAQ.
I didn't think you could discuss switches without at least a few tech facts.... and there are very few. :rolleyes:
So, I wonder if that one post is worth beefing up, or maybe just stealing and fleshing out?

A lot of newbies come to the forum and don't really want to learn anything.
They just want to know how to set up their LNB and their receiver to get bird X.
Making them understand a lot of stuff might not be as helpful as the current method of individual hand-holding.
 
Suggested format for LNB FAQ (maybe one post per topic [so, 7 posts?] ):

1. Standard Ku LNB.
- Used in North America.
- Local Oscillator frequency.
- Typical receiver settings.
- Comment about switching being simplified with Standard.

2. Universal Ku LNB.
- Use in Europe, and for Atlantic satellites.
- Local Oscillator frequencies.
- Typical receiver settings.
- Comment about switching being more complicated or restricted with Universal

3. Bandstacked
- Use in North America, Dish Network, advantages, switching.
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical settings if OCS supported by receiver
- Typical settings if OCS not supported by receiver .

4. DBS Ku LNB, Circular
- Use in North America
- Local Oscillator frequency for NA, (and SA 11.3?)
- typical receiver settings

5. C-band, traditional linear
- Use in North America
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical receiver settings

6. C-band, Bandstacked & Linear
- Local Oscillator frequency
- Typical receiver settings

7. C-band Circular
- not used in North America (some discussion)

I feel a sticky note coming on
 
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