Clarification on the new dual linear LNBF and availability.
Glorystar and Adventistsat will be distributing this solution within two months and it will it will retrofit any GEOSATpro 90cm, 1.2M or most dishes distributed by 3ABN and Loma Linda during the past two years using a similar design. New receivers will be preprogrammed for all available Christian channels on the two birds and promoted with all of participating satellite broadcasting partners.
The 4 degree spacing between AMC4 @ 101w and IA5 @97W is a challenge with standard LNBFs. When the scalers (caps) are touching the minimum satellite spacing is approximately 5.5 degrees. While dual LNBF brackets are widely available, 4 degree spacing is not possible without significant signal loss due to the LNBFs not being able to be mounted in exactly the sweet spot of the reflected beams. Most often the strongest AMC4 and IA5 transponders can be received, but the weaker transponders LLBN, Hope, RBN, etc. have low quality and dropout quickly during fade conditions (heavy cloud cover, rain, etc.)
The SC LNBF is a twin eye LNBF called a monoblock and it contains two LNBs fed by co-located feedhorns spaced for 3.8 degree satellite separation. The SC is also not perfectly spaced for the 4 degree spacing, but is very close and the difference will not be noticed by most viewers located in the main footprint of the satellite. Glorystar used to distribute the SC dish and monoblock solution, but the cost of this dish and twin LNBF with shipping was extremely expensive. Very few customers ordered this system.
Glorystar and Adventistsat did not wish to offer a compromised solution for viewers. Since equipment is also distributed for viewers outside of the the prime footprint in CONUS and Southern Canada, I.E. Caribbean, Mexico, Northern and Eastern Canada, a solution had to be made available offering uncompromised signal gain and quality and at low retail and shipping costs. This has been accomplished with the new designs.
Two solutions have completed testing and are currently being manufactured for 4 degree spacing:
1. A fixed 4 degree dual LNBF clamp with adjustable skew, 2 mini bullet linear LNBFs (the smallest LNBF available in the world and boasting a 0.4 NR with 65 dB gain), two 1 meter RG6 jumpers and a 2x1 DiSEqC switch. The scaler (cap) size allows for resolution under 3.5 degrees if used with adjustable LNBF clamps (see attached LNBF photo).
2. A 4 degree linear monoblock containing a built-in DiSEqC switch. The focal distance has been developed to work with the the 30,000+ GEOSATpro type dishes that have been distributed for Glorystar, Hope Channel, Loma Linda Broadcasting and 3ABN customers. This will make the addition of the 2nd satellite very inexpensive and easily accomplished by the self-installer.
Customers wishing to retrofit will be offered one of the following options: a file for auto configuring their receiver and preprogramming new channel mapping, instructions on adding the new LNBF and scanning new channels or to send in the receiver to be updated for the LNBF configuration and preprogrammed for new channels for a nominal fee.
The decision to offer equipment for simultaneous reception of IA-5 and AMC4 Christian programming is not an effort by one broadcaster, but is one that is supported by all broadcasters partnering with Glorystar to bundle as many Christian channels for no monthly charge.
The 3ABN, Hope Channel and Glorystar systems are the same price for the basic non-pvr configuration, but Hope and Glorstar systems also include an higher end receiver, install kit and 2 years warranty. Great deal including the shipping anywhere in the US.
