C and Ku bands with Invacom QPH031 and Fortec Star 80 cm dish?

mbaltazar · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 11:29 AM

Hello Everyone, finally I got the arc. Now, I know that the Invacom QPH031 is capable of handling both C and Ku bands.

Can I get C and Ku bands with Invacom QPH031 and Fortec Star 80 cm dish?
Thanks

BYX · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 11:35 AM

Be advised that the Invacom QPH031 is a circular/lineal Ku LNB.
It does not work on C band at all, and it is not made or meant for C band.
Also 80 cm is not a suitable size for C band.
You can experiment C band with at least a 4 feet dish and a true C band LNB or LNBF.
Better with an LNBF to get less complicated.

mbaltazar · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 11:45 AM

Well, thanks. Now I know something new : the "C" band does not mean "circular" !

Assuming then that I have a Big dish, is there such a LNB/LNBF for both Ku and C?

Thanks again.

BYX · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:00 PM

Yes sir that is correct, there is a c/ku LNB made for big dishes.
By design those can be mounted on 6 feet dishes, but they can be adapted to 4 feet.
The scalar ring that ships with it is not meant for 4 footers because they are offset dishes; for offset you need a conical scalar ring, but perfect for 6 footers and up.
One coment I made on another post is that C band is not for entry level hobbyists; I'm not trying to discourage you but whenever you feel ready you will find it exiting.

elgemcdlf · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYX

...One coment I made on another post is that C band is not for entry level hobbyists; I'm not trying to discourage you but whenever you feel ready you will find it exiting.

Why would you state this? I find no real difference between the 2 other than size of the dish. I find setting up a steerable big dish easier many times than doing the little motorized systems. This is mainly due to the fact that big dishes have threaded pieces for adjustment. Making fine tuning adjustments is easier. Anyway curious as why you would say not for entry level hobbyists.

rainman · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:23 PM

Agreed Steve the big dish in my opinion is no harder than the little ku dish. finding the arc is the same process.

BYX · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:24 PM

As said before I am not trying to discourage anybody with my comments.
Glod Bless them if they want to start with a C band system.
The reason I made the comment is because in my humble opinion to do the initial setup and preparation to install a C band dish is more elaborate than the average 76cm Ku motorized system that can be mounted on a wall.
I believe that is a fact.
With Ku you deal with less weight and size.
Personally I am very happy with my C band system and in fact now I think I waited too long to have one; I am enjoying every minute I spend on the atlantic satellites that are the ones interest me the most.

Now for the well being of the forum I will never say that C band is not for entry level hobbyists.

elgemcdlf · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYX

...Now for the well being of the forum I will never say that C band is not for entry level hobbyists.

Hopefully that was meant as a joke. Both Rainman and myself have multiple big dishes running and I tend to think our outlook on the big dishes may be clouded by the fact we have done a few ourselves. Sometimes being at the very beginning gets lost in thought when standing deeper down the path. This is why I asked why you would state what you did. I will give you the prep work but I plant poles so for me it is only a matter of a smaller pole

BYX · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 02:01 PM

Of course my friends that my last statement was meant as a joke!

As we were saying in general the preparation work is the only cumbersome part on C band systems.
In my personal installation case finding the arc was easy to the point that I don't even use a compass; may sound crazy but I have my true south identified by a couple of reference points.
My 12 hours spent on the first attempt to install my C band dish was the problem with the mast diameter that was too small and the material too thin that I ended damaging the mast tip with the set screws.
The whole experience about installing my own C band dish is priceless for the rest I use my credit card.

mbaltazar · #10 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 03:43 PM

I figured out that with a bigger dish the preparation work would be also bigger and I am glad to hear that pointing the dish is not that hard.

By the way, Do the old big black mesh dishes that worked with analog systems can be used with C band?, If so, what would be needed other than the receiver and LNBF?

thanks

elgemcdlf · #11 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 03:53 PM

The "old black dishes" are C Band dishes. They still do the job just fine with one exception. If a mesh dish the holes need to be small enough you can not pass a pencil lead through to use for Ku along with C but if only using for C any old dish in decent shape will work.

rainman · #12 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbaltazar

I figured out that with a bigger dish the preparation work would be also bigger and I am glad to hear that pointing the dish is not that hard.

By the way, Do the old big black mesh dishes that worked with analog systems can be used with C band?, If so, what would be needed other than the receiver and LNBF?

thanks

you would also need a positioner such as a v box.

Powrline · #13 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:23 AM

In my humble opinion, I can be blown around the yard trying to mount (install) a Three foot dish, so therefore, I can be blown around the yard much more efficiently (quickly) trying to mount (install) a Six foot dish!

I really don't care which LNB or Feed horn is installed as long as I have secure footing.

Just joking of course!!!

<Grin> Bill

Muad'Dib · #14 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 02:01 PM

C-Band is only useful with Dishes bigger than 150cm...............
There are solutions where you have an Ku in the middle and a C-Band LNB on each side of it...........

mbaltazar · #15 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Can anyone recommend a beginner's C-band dish? Are there C-band offset dishes?
Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muad'Dib

C-Band is only useful with Dishes bigger than 150cm...............
There are solutions where you have an Ku in the middle and a C-Band LNB on each side of it...........

rainman · #16 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbaltazar

Can anyone recommend a beginner's C-band dish? Are there C-band offset dishes?
Thanks

the Fortec 180cm is a good beginner c band dish but if you have the room I would recommend a 8.5 foot dish look around you can find some good use one for free or very little money.