I got my start with FTA a couple of months ago using a Coolsat 5000, a Techsat Tracker II+ lnb on an eBay lnb bracket, and a DTV AT-9 dish (~24x29" rounded rectangle). I was very happy to get all of the available signals at 97W. I've since added another Tracker II+ to get the Pentagon Channel and MS91 on 103W (after a lot of fine adjustment to the lnb, for which the mount is still in the prototype phase).
For my next project, I'm planning to set up another dish to receive 123W with an additional lnb to get 129W. Before I start, I was hoping to get some advice and opinions.
I have another AT-9 as well as a Slimline dish available. Any thoughts on which might provide the strongest signal?
I'm assuming that I should aim at 123 and then add a sidearm to get 129, but is that the best approach?
Which of these two dishes would be easier to add a second (or third) lnb? (I haven't come up with anything better than a "hunt and peck" alignment approach with the AT-9 for the second lnb).
How much better is the Tracker II+ lnb at 0.2 dB versus a 0.3 dB lnb, especially with a small dish?
Just for background on my existing setup, I've attached some pictures. The photos show the initial set up for 97 only and also for the extra lnb. For the second lnb, I used a homemade bracket mounted on a tie-strap that is completely separate from the main lnb mount. Until I install a permanent mount, this allows me to swivel, rotate, etc without moving the main lnb.
For the 97W mount, I simply removed the old lnb and installed the Techsat linear lnb with its face at the same location as the existing center lnb that was on the AT-9 and then aimed at 97W. The dish had an Eagle DTVP3 triple-head lnb (which may not be standard, but it had apparently been used for a 101,110,119 setup). I used the nice little eBay bracket that is made for 30-40mm lnb's and attaches by a single nut and bolt through a hole I drilled in the existing arm.
On 97W, I'm getting either 66-70 or 88-90 signal quality depending on the transponder. I think I need a minimum of about 63 to lock. So far it's been good through light snow and fog, but we haven't had a big snowstorm yet. I'm getting about 69 SQ on the Pentagon channel on 103W with the adjacent lnb. Before settling on 103, I got strong signals on 105W (it was hard not to get 105) and also tweaked enough to get 101W. On the other side, I'm hoping to get 87W, but that's probably a longshot. All I've gotten so far is a feed that I think is 91W.
I hope to someday get a motorized C/Ku system, but for now I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck while learning the ropes.
For my next project, I'm planning to set up another dish to receive 123W with an additional lnb to get 129W. Before I start, I was hoping to get some advice and opinions.
I have another AT-9 as well as a Slimline dish available. Any thoughts on which might provide the strongest signal?
I'm assuming that I should aim at 123 and then add a sidearm to get 129, but is that the best approach?
Which of these two dishes would be easier to add a second (or third) lnb? (I haven't come up with anything better than a "hunt and peck" alignment approach with the AT-9 for the second lnb).
How much better is the Tracker II+ lnb at 0.2 dB versus a 0.3 dB lnb, especially with a small dish?
Just for background on my existing setup, I've attached some pictures. The photos show the initial set up for 97 only and also for the extra lnb. For the second lnb, I used a homemade bracket mounted on a tie-strap that is completely separate from the main lnb mount. Until I install a permanent mount, this allows me to swivel, rotate, etc without moving the main lnb.
For the 97W mount, I simply removed the old lnb and installed the Techsat linear lnb with its face at the same location as the existing center lnb that was on the AT-9 and then aimed at 97W. The dish had an Eagle DTVP3 triple-head lnb (which may not be standard, but it had apparently been used for a 101,110,119 setup). I used the nice little eBay bracket that is made for 30-40mm lnb's and attaches by a single nut and bolt through a hole I drilled in the existing arm.
On 97W, I'm getting either 66-70 or 88-90 signal quality depending on the transponder. I think I need a minimum of about 63 to lock. So far it's been good through light snow and fog, but we haven't had a big snowstorm yet. I'm getting about 69 SQ on the Pentagon channel on 103W with the adjacent lnb. Before settling on 103, I got strong signals on 105W (it was hard not to get 105) and also tweaked enough to get 101W. On the other side, I'm hoping to get 87W, but that's probably a longshot. All I've gotten so far is a feed that I think is 91W.
I hope to someday get a motorized C/Ku system, but for now I'm trying to get the most bang for the buck while learning the ropes.