Difficult to post using questions and comments from a flat file (PDF). I reformatted your PDF to a more forum friendly format to reply, using the quote function to compose.
YOU STATED: “You may want to build a dual axis mount if your interest is in communications.”
MY COMMENT: The dual axis actuators would “modernize” the current HTH mount for the Birdview Satellite dish for the North/South drift of satellites in the Geoynchronous Arc and for the polar orbiting satellites (the International Space Station (ISS) for example). But this dual purposed design would require heavy duty actuators for the heavy Birdview mount and dish. This option does have my interest tweaked. I will add that to my R & D search list.
A simple addition of a short 8-12" linear actuator on a bracket controlling the declination setting could provide the ability to receive inclined orbit satellites. Not much programming on inclined satellites, but there is a small amount. Personally, I don't bother as the cost to add the hardware and additional axis positioner isn't warranted in my opinion.
Not really a modernization, just a different mechanism to meet different needs. Full range dual axis positioning is really only needed if you plan on tracking non-geosynchronous satellites, EMI, meteors, etc. Depending on the range of motion it could be a simple arrangement of two heavy duty 36" linear actuators or two two HH actuators (one for each axis). Ana example is the Venture Maxi Ball . It would have no problem swinging the Birdview around. A properly built mount will be balanced and the load will be handled by a low geared 36Vdc motor. I would chose instead to use a very light weight reflector and would suggest that the Birdview is too heavy and probably best to continue using with the existing polar tracking of geosynchronous satellites.
YOU STATED: “The feedhorn and LNBs should be fine for now.” | “cleaned and tested.” | “The LNBs are older, but the specs are good enough for reception of most C and KU FSS services.”
MY COMMENT: The current feedhorn and LNBs are contingent on what they offer in relation to my intended goals for my amateur radio communications. If the current feedhorn
and LNBs provide only a RECEIVE, and little unencrypted service of analog only satellites then I will jettison them for a feedhorn and LNB or an LNBF with receiver voltage switches between the horizontal and the vertical probes with a servo motor if such a critter exists. I prefer flexibility.
Both the current feedhorn and LNBFs would be receive only. To transmit, you would need a different rx/tx feedhorn and BUC specifically tuned for the target frequency. I am not aware of the availability of skew adjustment hardware for typical LNBFs, but hobbyists have built custom feed motors. If you want skew adjustment on a rx feedhorn, your current feedhorn is the best route. For radio communications, add another motor (or heavy duty servo) to control the third axis.
YOU STATED: “If the receiver is still working.”
MY COMMENT: I presume you are referring to the Birdview Satellite Transponder Receiver Controller IR AC 20/20 MR-20/20 pictured on page 2 of my previous attached PDF. If so, then I will have that receiver in the first week of June.
The Birdview receiver would likely only be used for testing if you want to control the current feedhorn servo motor. In my opinion, too much work to manually set the polarity each time you want to watch a channel on a different polarity transponder. You would need a chart taped to the wall to prompt you what channel (odd / even) to place the Birdview receiver on so you watch a channel on a specific transponder on the DVBS/S2 receiver. PITA.....
YOU STATED: “polarity skew motor should rotate 90 degrees when switching between an even or odd channels.”
MY COMMENT: I presume you are talking about the arc of the dish. The Arc of the Covenant is a good movie (humor). If you are talking about the arc of the dish then I direct your attention to
www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/more-findings-to-make-you-jealous-birdview.363335/
No, most satellites have two polarities. With North American FSS, we typically receive Horizontal and a Vertical (folks in the Eastern US can receive circular left/right from the Atlantic satellites). Uplinkers typically balance and coordinate with adjacent satellites the transponder frequencies and balance the load between the two polarities. To receive all channels on each satellite, the feed is switched between two polarities. Your current feed uses a servo motor to manually flip a probe between the two polarities and adjust any skew offset. A LNBF electronically switches between probes and there is no electronic or servo fine-tuning of the skew.
YOU STATED: “I would recommend that you keep this feedhorn with LNBs as this provides the ability to optimize the skew on each satellite and transponder, but some hobbyists will recommend the ease of installing and operating a LNBF (receiver voltage switches between the horizontal and the vertical probes without a servo motor). While this type of feed is easier, the skew is set once during install and cannot fine-tuned for each service without manually rotating the feedhorn.”
MY COMMENT: I prefer to fine-tune for each service by “automatically rotating the feedhorn” if that feature is available. Are there products for this feature?
Your current feedhorn has a small servo motor on the back (usually blue color) that rotates the probe inside of the feed when the Birdog receiver changes polarity (odd / even channels) and / or adjusts the skew to optimize reception. New receivers no longer have the ability to control this servo motor and a third party controller interfaces between a DVBS/S2 STB and the servo. The ASC1 has the ability to control this servo motor and translate the voltage commands from a DVBS/S2 STB to propery select the correct polarity and adjust the skew if needed.
YOU STATED: “The receiver is of limited use. Not much analog on the birds anymore (C-Span and a few lottery feeds on C-band), so a new digital DVBS/S2 receiver will be in order.”
MY COMMENT: I presume you are referring to the pictured receiver on page 2 of my previous attached PDF. I suspected that the receiver would not be of much use. But it is the receiver for the Birdview Satellite Dish. I will order the receive for historical purposes (antiques are antiques). I will add the new digital DVBS/S2 receiver to my R & D search list.
Correct
YOU STATED: “Suggest that a reliable and easy to operate receiver for learning the hobby is the Amiko H.265. Once you get the hang of the hobby and learn the technology, then consider upgrading to a more complex UHD STB like the VU Plus Zero 4K with Linux based Enigma 2 OS. You might be tempted to jump into buying this first, but it can quite overwhelming to operate a complex user defined STB while trying to master the basics.”
MY COMMENT: I cannot afford to spend money twice. I prefer to “jump” into buying the more complex UHB STB like the Plus Zero 4K with Linux based Enigma 2 OS but I am running Windows 10. Is there a suitable product for Windows 10?
The VU Plus Zero 4k is the best UHD 4K receiver currently available. The OS is Enigma 2 (many images available) and can be quite challenging for even an experienced user. I would certainly not recommend... Since the Amiko H.265 is less than $100 and the Zero 4K is about $180b shipped from Europe, it really isn't that expensive. If the Amiko is not abused, it should be worth $50-$75 on the used market in a year.
There are great DVBS/S2 PCIe tuner cards and I use the TBS 6983 for testi8ng and analysis. There are a few newer models with more bells and whistles. Once again, so many user options and software options that it will be much more difficult to get your system up and running because everything must be configured by the user, nothing preconfigured and there are little quirks that many of us have discovered over the years and found work arounds... Once again, start simple... It will be hard enough without making it even more difficult!
YOU STATED: “The positioner unit is fine for manually moving the dish East / West, but will not interface with newer receivers. If you decide to upgrade your positioner, check the sensor type in the actuator. This may need to changed based on the positioner model or option. Some users have built some sweet high resolution optical and reed sensors.”
MY COMMENT: So, that confirms the necessity to buy a new receiver for today’s satellites. I presume, by your use of “positioner” you are referring to the Horizon-To-Horizen mount. If so, then that is also something that I presumed. I will add high resolution optical and reed sensors to my R & D search list.
Correct
YOU STATED: “Would recommend that for automatic control of the servo motor and dish positioning via the STB that you might consider the ASC1 positioner. The ASC1 provides LNB (or LNBF) power, supports servo motors and reed switch sensors. Add the optional OHR unit and it will also be compatible with hall effect and optical sensors.”
MY COMMENT: STB, ASC1 Positioner, Servo Motors, Reed Switch Sensors, Optional OHR Unit, Hall Effect and Optical Sensors are things I will have to study up on, learn all about them, and evaluate them for upgrading purposes for my Birdview Satellite Dish.
YOU STATED: “If you wish to go a less feature (possibly less expensive route) verify the actuator has a reed switch sensor and swap out the feedhorn to a LNBF then a G or V-box should work fine (note: G or V boxes do not have servo control and only support reed switch sensors).
MY COMMENT: G or V boxes are not compatible with the amateur radio communications goals.
The ASC1 wouldn't be too compatible with radio communication goals either. The hardware and protocols for radio communications are much different than those used for TVRO systems.
YOU STATED: “There are many threads on the forum about restoring, retrofitting and upgrading the Birdview. Many talented hobbyists have identified issues and have provided many innovative solutions.”
MY COMMENT: Give me the list of those forums! That’s what I need! More information!
THANKS!
Satelliteguys forum! You will find mach information is similar for the AJAK HH systems and will be a great resource.
www.google.com/search?q=satelliteguys+ajak+birdview+site:www.satelliteguys.us
