Opinions on the future of FTA with the planned reservation of C-Band to 5G.

[Mr. Sheep]

So in case you didn't hear already, radio signal authorities across the world are planning to shut down all operations on C-Band and allocate it to the upcoming 5G networks (Germany has already done this in fact). I think this is a good thing for some reasons. We all know C-Band has better FTA channels than KU, so I think this will give opportunities for broadcasters to move to KU, because after all, KU systems are much cheaper than C systems, at least for consumers. And that would also mean that KU FTA would finally get more good channels. I'm not sure how much it costs for broadcasters to get new equipment for KU (if they even need new equipment), but I think this would be better for the average FTA enthusiast and newcomers for that reason.

Sent from my SM-G955U using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[comfortably_numb]

shut down all operations on C-Band

In the US, *some* C-band spectrum will be allocated for 5G use. Not all.

 

[KE4EST]

Also broadcasters will not go to Ku. They would find other means first, too much rain fade at Ku frequencies.

C-Band for NA at least, will be around for many years to come yet.

 

[Titanium]

C-band frequencies will likey be shared combined with a reduction in satellite bandwidth. This will probably mean 16/32apsk and higher FEC will become the norm.

C-band will be around for a long time, but we may need to increase dish size and erect RV fences to deal with the changes.

 

[navychop]

...we may need to increase dish size and erect RV fences to deal with the changes.

RF. I don’t think our RVs will be much problem.



Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

 

[JFOK]

Brian,

I'm just recovering from major back surgery and because of the strong pain killers I'm on, I don't know if the term "rv fences" is real or sarcastic.
Please clarify.

Thanks,

John

 

[primestar31]

Brian,

I'm just recovering from major back surgery and because of the strong pain killers I'm on, I don't know if the term "rv fences" is real or sarcastic.
Please clarify.

Thanks,

John

The letter "V" is real close to the letter "F" on a keyboard... Just saying...

 

[Titanium]

LOL.... Sorry! New Android phone auto correct needs to learn many common satellite terms before it is of any use on the forums!

"RF fence"

 

[Mr. Sheep]

Also broadcasters will not go to Ku. They would find other means first, too much rain fade at Ku frequencies.

C-Band for NA at least, will be around for many years to come yet.

You're definitely right. I didn't think about the rain fade.

Sent from my SM-G955U using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Magic Static]

LOL.... Sorry! New Android phone auto correct needs to learn many common satellite terms before it is of any use on the forums!

"RF fence"

Ain't that the truth. Sometimes I yell at my phone, "Do you even know any English?"

 

[JFOK]

Hi All,

Auto correct on a smart phone is indeed frustrating and my iPhone is a slow learner.
Now that the rv/rf fence dilemma has been solved, can someone explain to me what an rf fence is and how its achieved ?
Thank in advance.

John

 

[Magic Static]

Your dish is an RF "fence". The frequencies you want to see are reflected off your "fence" dish to the LNB. When you have unwanted RF interfering with your reception you build a fence to block that RF from reaching the dish. Chicken wire reflects C-Band frequencies and makes a good fence. So you determine what the source of the interference is and position a reflective partition between it and the dish.

 

[JFOK]

Magic,

Thanks for your quick response.
In all the years I've been in the BUD hobby (27), I
never heard of the term before.

John

 

[Radioguy41]

Everybody I know calls it a "shield", not a "fence". Mfgs and people have been shielding RFI since radio was invented.

 

[Brct203]

about the rain fade, can't that be overcome with a strong enough link budget? I mean, Europe has never used much C-Band and has been using Ku satellite to distribute programming to its cable networks since the 80s. It rains there too... While they might not get the heavy tropical downpours, they get their share of snow etc...

 

[primestar31]

about the rain fade, can't that be overcome with a strong enough link budget? I mean, Europe has never used much C-Band and has been using Ku satellite to distribute programming to its cable networks since the 80s. It rains there too... While they might not get the heavy tropical downpours, they get their share of snow etc...

To a certain extent, YES. Witness Dish Network or DirecTv with their "super-powered" KU signals compared to FTA "regular" ku signals. However, even they have rain fade, depending. It's more the size of the radio waveform itself. KU rf waveforms are much smaller than c-band waveforms. To the point that raindrops can be larger than the KU rf waveform itself.

 

[Brct203]

KU rf waveforms are much smaller than c-band waveforms. To the point that raindrops can be larger than the KU rf waveform itself.

very good point

 

[comfortably_numb]

All things considered, there are a couple transponders on several major sats (87, 91, 103) that I have only ever lost signal on once. Of course, they are only DVB-S, but even during "monsoon" type rains they were steady.

 

[KE4EST]

Remember guys this is a family friendly forum.

 

[ZetaMale]

If C-band is sold, I hope that we'll be able to get that programming moved to Ku. It would be nice to have a much lower profile dish in my backyard. If not, I dread having to get cable or the pizza dish. Of course, IPTV may end up being a better alternative. But, streaming with stuff you want to watch is going to cost some bucks also.