What else do I need? (long post - lots of questions)

[1kewlcat]

I got somewhat of a system up and running with a Big Ugly Dish and a Toshiba TRX-80 receiver but I've only been able to get three different satellites on C-band and probably a total of 3 different channels.

Thinking I knew what I was doing I bought a C/Ku feedhorn on ebay and slapped it on there. When I got everything connected I found a couple satellites using the feed from the C-band LNB. When I connected the Ku cable and press the Ku button on the reciever a little light goes to indicate Ku for a few seconds and then goes back to C-band.

Questions:

1) Why doesn't Ku work? Is the reciever bad or maybe the LNB on the feedhorn?

2) Is there a signal combiner I can get to combine the two C and Ku feeds into the single sat coax input on the reciever? Seems to me there are different types and I don't know what I need.

3) There are two areas in my back yard where the neighbors trees grow up pretty tall. Is it worth having the big dish if my line of sight is limited or would it make sence to get a smaller dish that could be mounted up higher on the roof for better reception?

4) I want more chennels what kind of receiver do I need? Are there digital receivers that will controll the actuator on the big dish or do I also need an analog receiver to position the dish?

Thanks, any help is greatly appriciated!
Matt

[dtsexpert]

Matt,
Not many folks here have C-band. Join www.satforums.com, check the Trakerlee C-band forum.
Michael

Originally Posted by 1kewlcat

I got somewhat of a system up and running with a Big Ugly Dish and a Toshiba TRX-80 receiver but I've only been able to get three different satellites on C-band and probably a total of 3 different channels.

Thinking I knew what I was doing I bought a C/Ku feedhorn on ebay and slapped it on there. When I got everything connected I found a couple satellites using the feed from the C-band LNB. When I connected the Ku cable and press the Ku button on the reciever a little light goes to indicate Ku for a few seconds and then goes back to C-band.

Questions:

1) Why doesn't Ku work? Is the reciever bad or maybe the LNB on the feedhorn?

2) Is there a signal combiner I can get to combine the two C and Ku feeds into the single sat coax input on the reciever? Seems to me there are different types and I don't know what I need.

3) There are two areas in my back yard where the neighbors trees grow up pretty tall. Is it worth having the big dish if my line of sight is limited or would it make sence to get a smaller dish that could be mounted up higher on the roof for better reception?

4) I want more chennels what kind of receiver do I need? Are there digital receivers that will controll the actuator on the big dish or do I also need an analog receiver to position the dish?

Thanks, any help is greatly appriciated!
Matt

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by dtsexpert

Not many folks here have C-band.

Speak for yourself !! HeHeHe :lol: :lol: :lol: Some of us old timers still have 'em.

kat

:wink:

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by 1kewlcat

Questions:

1) Why doesn't Ku work? Is the reciever bad or maybe the LNB on the feedhorn?

2) Is there a signal combiner I can get to combine the two C and Ku feeds into the single sat coax input on the reciever? Seems to me there are different types and I don't know what I need.

3) There are two areas in my back yard where the neighbors trees grow up pretty tall. Is it worth having the big dish if my line of sight is limited or would it make sence to get a smaller dish that could be mounted up higher on the roof for better reception?

4) I want more chennels what kind of receiver do I need? Are there digital receivers that will controll the actuator on the big dish or do I also need an analog receiver to position the dish?

Thanks, any help is greatly appriciated!
Matt

1) Some BUDs do not do a very good job of picking up KU band signals; the mesh type dishes in particular have this problem; KU band wavelengths are shorter than C-Band and sometimes the KU signals pass right through the mesh rather than be reflected back to the feedhorn.

2) Most BUD cables have 2 runs of RG6 - the 'licorice' cable as its called has 2 runs of RG6, motor control and polarizer control wires; use 1 of the RG6 cables for C band and the other for KU band. I don't know of any combiner that allows one RG6 cable to handle both.

3) It would make sense to switch to a smaller dish if you don't mind sacrificing C-Band stuff; why don't you keep the BUD for C-band and get a 33" dish for KU? Add a motor to it and you've got the best of both worlds.

4) If you don't mind junking your Toshiba receiver (I never liked Toshiba satellite receivers because their polarity presets sucked heavily) then get something like the SatCruiser DSR-401P; it does both C and KU, analog and digital, and has a built in positioner to move your BUD; I think it will also drive a small HH motor if you get a 33" KU dish. I just sold one today to a guy in your very same situation.

Michael is right though; check out the C-Band forums; lots of juicy BUD stuff there ---> http://forums.satforums.com/SatForum...tag=trackerlee

kat

[Sadoun]

:lol: :lol: :lol: C-band is where it all started. My first C-band dish was a 10' mesh with c-lnb and a Toshiba TRX-## (can't remember now). I had it back in 1988-89 and lasted for many years. I sold it to a friend and I think he still uses it.

I have an old analog receiver, aquired in trade from a customer, in excellent shape for sale. If anyone interested, I will be happy to post pictures and specs.

Best regards

[1kewlcat]

Great, thanks for your help!!!

Matt