Back on the subject of undersized dishes..

Bibbler · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 03:26 AM

I know we've been through this before, but here's giving it one more shot...

As some of you might remember, G10R is nearly impossible for me due to a large hillside and a forest in that direction. I have considered a 600' cable run in the past and lots of other nutty ideas to grab some more programming....

These are my upcoming plans for spring to add to my hobby...

My next move will be to purchase a 48" dish from Sadoun to bring up my signals. I also plan to use this dish as stationary and mount multiple LNB's (like 4 or 5) so that I get no delay (moving the thing). I'd like to set up a LNB on my favorite sats like g25, SBS6, g28, AMC6... I'll use the other dish (the 31") to move to the sats I don't watch quite as much...

OK, now, here comes the silly part. What if I mount a C band LNB on the 48" dish to try to catch the G3-c RTN programming there? I know, I know, I know - 48" is marginal at best, but I'm just hoping to catch 4 or 5 channels and I'm thinking that 48" with a hot LNB might bring them in..

Any thoughts?

I do realize that I prob could do the same thing with a 6" dish and make life easier as I could mount C band LNB's and catch both G3C and G16 and watch the RTN and the networks. (also a couple of Ku LNB's for maybe G25 and something else..

rainman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 06:47 AM

nothing ventured nothing gained. give it a try it just might work.

elgemcdlf · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 07:42 AM

Why not go Toroidal? It is actually designed specifically for what you desire to do. The problem comes in switches. Or at least from what I have found. I have thought of ditching the motor for the same reason but have yet to find a switch/switches that would handle all the lnbf's involved. This is of course not including C Band desires. 4' dish is very marginal for C Band and you have stated you have site problems. I would tend to think you will get nothing in your location using a 4' dish for C Band.

pmb1010 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibbler

to catch the G3-c RTN programming there?

What transponders on C band G3C have RTN?

I think you will have much difficulty with mounting the LNB's on a 48"er.
The Toroidal is simply the perfect tool, made for the job..

wejones · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb1010

What transponders on C band G3C have RTN?
...

THe 4040 Equity has RTN channels. Interesting that RTN is the abbreviation for both the "Retro TV Network" and the "Racetrack TV Network", both of which can be found on G3, one on C and one on Ku.

Bibbler · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb1010

What transponders on C band G3C have RTN?

Here's what I found..

http://www.global-cm.net/MPEGlistCBandUS.html

G3C Looks to be the place to see RTN on C Band

Anyway, fine business guys. I read a bit about the Toroidal (I believe it's the one they call "the wave" and uses the reverse LNB's). Let me do some reading, sounds like what I am after....

THANKS!
Al

Bibbler · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 05:47 PM

I don't see a Toroidial dish that will work on C Band. If I'm missing something let me know, but if it would do both, I think I mught have to order a 6 footer with a multi-LNB holder for C and Ku (if there is such a creature).. You around Sadoun????

pmb1010 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 06:58 PM

yeah I think the toroidal would not work for C band.
If you really want to fool with C, get at least 6.

With my 4 footer, I dont think I could pick up the RTN stations you mention. Thats why I asked.
It could be my setup though - needs some fine tuning after a few big winds. I'll try this weekend and report back.

Bibbler · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 07:30 PM

If I get the 6" dish, can u run multiple LNB's on it??? Can u mix C and Ku (is there such a LNB holder for this dish)?????

pmb1010 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 07:38 PM

I dont know.
Remember once you get to 6 foot, it's prime focus setup (no longer offset) so that might present a challenge.

I'd put up both if I had unlimited room and funds.

glen4cindy · #11 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

Why not go Toroidal? It is actually designed specifically for what you desire to do. The problem comes in switches. Or at least from what I have found. I have thought of ditching the motor for the same reason but have yet to find a switch/switches that would handle all the lnbf's involved.

I would be interested in doing the same thing. I hate the delay. My Ultra does not even indicate that it is moving the dish like the NA does.

I would also be interested in how Iceberg manages all of his LNB's on his Toroidal. He has lots and lots of them.

Do all of the LNB's have to be reverse or just the DSS ones? I have a 3 LNB dish on the roof already for DTV so I would not want to mess with that because we have a a 3x8 multiswitch for 3 DirecTivos right now.

rainman · #12 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibbler

If I get the 6" dish, can u run multiple LNB's on it??? Can u mix C and Ku (is there such a LNB holder for this dish)?????

you can but it wouldn't be the best setup the 6 footer is a prime focus dish and the best place to mount a lnb is in the center.you could always move up to a polar mount and add a acuator to move the dish the acutator moves the dish alot faster than a disqec motor.

Bibbler · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 07:26 AM

I agree. The Toroidal seems to be the answer for Ku band. From what I am reading, all the LNB's need to be the reversed type.... I wonder how hard it is to line this thing up and get all the switching working?

Anyway, the rewards are great as I see it. I imagine you can really fine tune each LNB nicely for max signal. And for channel surfers like me, I could move from ABC News Now to ONN to Russia Today to one of the steady news feeds instantly (That's the big advantage to me)...

Now all I need to do is to find a way to hook up 2 C band LNB's one 1 C Band dish (so I can catch G3C and G16) and I'm done... (Tell me there's a way Sadoun!!!)

Come on Ice, fill us in on the challenges of getting the Toroidal going..

Bibbler · #14 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 07:45 AM

Where is the Iceberg??? His tag reads -

Wave Frontier Toroidal T90 42x40" dish with LNB's on 72,74,79,83,85,87,91,93,97, 101,103,107.3,110,119...36" dish at G10...6 foot Fortec dish aimed at G4/G16

Sounds like he is exactly where I wish to be with the C Band part of it (except I want to get 2 sats)..

wejones · #15 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibbler

I agree. The Toroidal seems to be the answer for Ku band. From what I am reading, all the LNB's need to be the reversed type....
..

Only the circular LNBFs "need" to be reversed, and even they wouldn't "need" to be reversed if you could change the polarity of the transponder in the receiver, but you can't really do that in a Dishnet or DTV receiver. With a FTA receiver, you'd just change all the R to L and visa versa.

It's just like looking in a mirror. Ie left becomes right, right becomes left, but vertical and horizontal are still the same.

elgemcdlf · #16 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bibbler

I don't see a Toroidial dish that will work on C Band. If I'm missing something let me know, but if it would do both, I think I mught have to order a 6 footer with a multi-LNB holder for C and Ku (if there is such a creature).. You around Sadoun????

Doesn't but would solve a large portion of your problem. Iceberg posted a fairly detailed thread on the Toroidal dish when he set his up. A search should pop something up. If you are going to try to get only 2