What size dish for COZI ?

[Mister B]

I have been considering getting back into Ku-band FTA. There is just not much content that I would be interested in nowadays. I can get two PBS affiliates and their sub-channels OTA. The only other FTA programming that I would be interested in is COZI which is not available in my area. Also, I have clear line-of-sight to 103 degrees while other sections of the arc are obstructed.
My EIRP from a small map linked from lyngsat seems to be about 48 db here in El Paso County, Texas. However I know there are many other factors involved in determining dish size. While I also realize that bigger is always better, the often recommended 90cm dish is very reasonable while 120cm would put a strain on my budget (not to mention my back).

 

[Magic Static]

I can't speak from experience, I use a 1.2M motorized Ku dish, but I would think a fixed 90cm paired with an inexpensive PLL Ku LNBF will be just fine for COZI.

 

[comfortably_numb]

I'm using a 76" Winegard dish with Geosat Pro LNB and Amiko HD.265 receiver and I pick up COZI just fine. Rural SE Kansas here.

 

[SatPhreak]

I use a 90cm dish and a pll lnbf , and it comes in in fine.

Sent from my P00A using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[raydio]

Using 76cm Winegard dish and HD.265 and getting 90 Quality outside Albuquerque, NM

 

[PBSer]

I'm using a 76" Winegard dish with Geosat Pro LNB and Amiko HD.265 receiver and I pick up COZI just fine. Rural SE Kansas here.

76 cm (2.5 feet)? Often loose reception due to rain clouds?

 

[danristheman]

Anything 90 cm or bigger is the best way to go my 2 cents. I use a 4 foot dish for mine.

 

[Mister B]

It sounds as if 90 cm is the way to go then. Thanks to all. I will have to give this some real thought.

 

[comfortably_numb]

76 cm (2.5 feet)? Often loose reception due to rain clouds?

COZI is DVB-S2 so yes, there is some rain fade. Other feeds on that bird come in fine through a monsoon.

 

[Larry1]

1m Winegard in Southern Ontario Canada. Still have some outages during rain storms, but that is the nature of Ku band. Otherwise very reliable. Make sure when comparing dishes to check both width and height. In most cases, the effective size (the size of dish that the signal sees) will be just slightly smaller than the width due to the offset of the LNBF. (that of course is only for offset dishes) Some dealers will list a dish size by its height and not the width.

 

[kittyhas1000legs]

90cm dish here in western CO. Everything on 103W comes in rock solid when the weather's clear, and sometimes news feeds NC9-NC12 fade with rain, but COZI, the NBCs, and the NHK/RT mux come in great.

 

[PBSer]

Mister B, for often strong seasonal west TX winds, I strongly suggest a perfectly non-swaying mounting--I barely get by with mine mounted to a 4" x 4" garden timber cut short. Otherwise, there is likely to be "wind-fade " as the dish rocks in and out of the direction to the target satellite.

 

[Titanium]

You may get away with a 4x4 timber in dry regions, but would never recommend mounting a dish on a wood post. The wood grain twists as the wood expands retracts with moisture/drying cycles. I would never guaranty a dish install if the customer insisted on mounting to a wooden post. Have done too many reaims for dishes on wood posts.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Get your dish(es) as close to the ground as possible. Not only does that protect them from wind, but it makes it easier for future adjustment. My dishes are close to the ground and very easy to adjust.

 

[danristheman]

Metal pole is the best way 3 to 4 feet off the ground.

 

[Mister B]

Yes, I have been thinking about mounting options. I really do not want to mount with the " J pole" by drilling holes in the side of my trailer and will not drill or get on the roof. The landlord has several non-penetrating mounts that people have moved off and left behind from the two big providers. A couple of them are obviously too short for a 90 cm dish. I see that the GeoSat Pro 90 cm dish requires a 1 5/8 outer diameter pole. Is that the dimensions of the top of those commercial satellite company's mounts? I am sure he would give me one that is in his junk yard. There is also a pole with a large mass of concrete on the bottom of it that a trailer left behind down the street. I helped that tenant point his Directv dish about 10 years ago. I would have to get help to move that and it is hard to get any assistance locally even if one is willing to pay well.

 

[SatPhreak]

Yes 1 5/8" is the norm for most little dish company's mounts.

Sent from my LG-M153 using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Mister B]

Thanks, I have some other priorities at this time but am writing all of this down for future reference.

 

[PBSer]

A galvanized fence post is listed as 1 5/8, which I measured:
YARDGARD 1-5/8 in. x 5 ft. 6 in. 16-Gauge Galvanized Steel Line Post-328920DPT - The Home Depot

 

[primestar31]

A galvanized fence post is listed as 1 5/8, which I measured:
YARDGARD 1-5/8 in. x 5 ft. 6 in. 16-Gauge Galvanized Steel Line Post-328920DPT - The Home Depot

Those 1-5/8" ones are "Line Posts". A "Corner Post" is 2-3/8"