newbie C-Band large dish reception problem

[nielsdaj]

We are attempting to get a signal using an old 10 foot dish and a new PCI card - WinTV-Nexus-S which is supposed to allow us to get FTA signals. Since the owner still has the working receiver, we have tested that we are receiving a strong signal on Satcom C-3 using the old setup. Using that great site by Mike Kohl listing all the C-Band sats available in NA, when we switch to the PC and selected the transponder H-3860 we are unable to get any signal. We have tried another station manually H-3912 with the SR o4ooo, H polarization and still no luck. Any suggestions as to a stategy for resolving our problem?

 

[Mr Tony]

Satcom 3 has been replaced by AMC11

When you select 3860, you should get Bloomberg (3860 H 29270).

How is it hooked up? Did you run the line from the dish to the PC card? I dont have a card so someone out there should be able to help

 

[mkm4]

Did you leave the old receiver on? Was it on a horizontal transponder?
The old receiver should be used to control the dish and lnb polarity.

 

[nielsdaj]

An Update: After insuring that the receiver was able to get the signal, the line was then removed from the receiver and connected to the card. The receiver was only used to set the horizontal polarity and dish position accurately. I see mentioned that the card requires "a digital universal LNB". I'm not sure how to tell if that is what it is. I certainly appreciate your interest in helping us. Thanks.

 

[nielsdaj]

...and we had turned off the receiver after orienting the dish. We'll try it "on" next time.

 

[nielsdaj]

We tried it with the power on the receiver with no success. BTW, the dish is a UniMesh with a Chapparel lnb. I don't know enough about these things to know if perhaps one needs to replace the lnb with a universal digital one. Any thoughts? Boy, one learns lots very quickly on this site. Congratulations to those responsible, and thanks to those who so patiently assist us newbies.

 

[charper1]

Is the LNB totally compatable with your DVB/FTA setup?

 

[nielsdaj]

According to the docs, the DVB card expects a "digital universal LNB". I have no idea what the lnb is on the 10' dish - analog maybe? Is there an easy way to determine that?

 

[PSB]

Does it say anything on your LNB? A picture would also help.

 

[nielsdaj]

More on C-Band dish

Here are photographs of the dish and the lnb. Yes, that's snow on the lnb. For what it's worth, the old receiver is a Panasonic 700 PSEX.

 

[charper1]

you need to take the feedhorn cover off to look at the LNB. my bet is it is a C-band only and with a very high degree rating.