C-Band LNB - What Type?

[BrianC]

Since I recently purchased the 120cm from Sadoun (and anxiously awaiting it's arrival this week) I wish to expand into some C-Band experimenting.
From what I read in the description of this dish on Sadoun's products page, it is capable of doing some C-Band from strong signal area's.
My question is, what type of C-Band LNB could I use?
Is there one with both C and Ku within the same lnb or would it be seperate?
I see some on ebay but not sure if they would mount well on this type of dish.
Also, would I need a switch and what type?
Can anyone help with this one?

Thanks.

-Brian

[dtsexpert]

Forget about the idea of using a 1.2m for C-band. The minium size for C-band is 7.5ft. Plus, the dish you will get is off-set type. Typical C-band lnb(f) is designed for prime-focus which won't work with off-set dish since the focal length does not match.
Off-set C-band lnbf is available in commercial line, which is very costly. Last time I check, it's about $500 just for the lnbf.
Michael

Originally Posted by BrianC

Since I recently purchased the 120cm from Sadoun (and anxiously awaiting it's arrival this week) I wish to expand into some C-Band experimenting.
From what I read in the description of this dish on Sadoun's products page, it is capable of doing some C-Band from strong signal area's.
My question is, what type of C-Band LNB could I use?
Is there one with both C and Ku within the same lnb or would it be seperate?
I see some on ebay but not sure if they would mount well on this type of dish.
Also, would I need a switch and what type?
Can anyone help with this one?

Thanks.

-Brian

[BrianC]

That is very disappointing. I think I may just cancel my order then.
I paid $460 or so between the dish, new motor since my 2100 wont fit and I paid $155 just for shipping.

The ad states the following: "Excellent quality large dish for motorized or fixed C-Band (signal stronger than 40 EIRP) or KU-Band reception. "

Now how would anyone else interpret that?



-Brian

[dtsexpert]

My interpretion is:
1. the dish might get you analog C-band from strong C-band dish.
2. Even with strong satellite, the problem here is the dish is relatively small, which will not eject the signal interference from the "neighbor" satellites. If you look at the satellite arc in N.America, they are crowded, 2 degs apart. The smallest sat might work for C-band is 5.3ft with Pas9 at 58W. Pas9 is a uniqe case since there are no C-band satellite within 6degs, therefore a small dish such as 5.3 ft will work.
3. This 1.2m is an excellent for Ku, no doubt about that. But for C-band, it's not a good candidate.
The decision is up to you. If you cancel the order, Jamal might kill me...:-) kidding.
Michael

Originally Posted by BrianC

That is very disappointing. I think I may just cancel my order then.
I paid $460 or so between the dish, new motor since my 2100 wont fit and I paid $155 just for shipping.

The ad states the following: "Excellent quality large dish for motorized or fixed C-Band (signal stronger than 40 EIRP) or KU-Band reception. "

Now how would anyone else interpret that?



-Brian

[spyder]

Originally Posted by BrianC

"Excellent quality large dish for motorized or fixed C-Band (signal stronger than 40 EIRP) or KU-Band reception. "

Now how would anyone else interpret that?



-Brian

That's the kicker here, not many c band sats are higher than 40. The ones that are are only at like 41 or 42. The conditions would have to be perfect at best to get acceptable reception on that size reflector. Look at some of the more popular c band birds: Note the darker number shaded areas are peak power.

[spyder]

Yea , what Michael said. :lol:

Sorry Michael, didn't mean to post over ya. You beat me to the submit. :lol: :lol:

[spyder]

Even PAS9 may be iffy:

[BrianC]

I went from feeling excited to feeling real shot down :cry:
I think for the money I could have picked up a BUD from somewhere's around here and did it right.

Who do I talk to to see if it even shipped yet?



Brian

[dtsexpert]

YOu should contact Sadoun.
Before you pick up BUD, you should do some more research:
1. Make sure you are allowed to put up a BUD. HOA only allow to put up dish up to 1m.
2. The quality of BUD is vary since most them at least 4 years old. Some can pick up Ku while the others can't.
3. Installing a BUD is harder than Ku dish due to the size. It's not one-person task.
4. YOu might need to buy a analog or a positioner to drive the dish. Very few DVB receiver have built-in positioner.
Good luck

Originally Posted by BrianC

I went from feeling excited to feeling real shot down :cry:
I think for the money I could have picked up a BUD from somewhere's around here and did it right.

Who do I talk to to see if it even shipped yet?



Brian

[BrianC]

I have my own home so I'm not worried about HOA. Beside, it'll be in the back yard.

I have help here that can assist with install.

The dish I am looking at is a KTI 7.5' C/Ku black mesh type.
Here are the specs, maybe you know if this is a decent setup:

* Mount's only moving part, ¾" one-piece polar pivot access
* Heavy duty 24" mount
* 3/4" declination rod for maximum strength
* 12 factory attached saddle brackets secure reflector to mount ring
* Stepped rib extrusion makes mesh insertion fast & secure
* Intermediate support ring for greater structural integrity
* Quad feed support for accurate centering & structural support
* Powder-coat finish, for a durable weather resistant coating
* Optional Horizon mount for full 180° arc of satellite reception

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:

* Operating Frequency 1.0-12.75 Ghz
* Diameter 90" (2.2 m)
* F/D Ratio 0.40
* Focal Length 40 1/8" (101.9 cm)
* Gain at 4.2 Ghz 39.3 dBi
* Gain at 12.2 Ghz 47.3 dBi
* C-Band Beam Width 1.9 degrees
* Pole Size 3.5" (8.9 cm)

It's on sale for $450 which is about the same I paid for the other dish, motor and shipping.

Let me know what you think. Not sure if the LNB is included but some stuff I can get off ebay pretty cheap. I've already spent too much money on this stuff.

Thanks

-Brian

[spyder]

If you can go just a few dollars more and get the 10' it would be well worth the investment. I think you'll be much happier with it in the long run. 7.5' is good but have heard some reports of weaker signals (which they are a lot of) are very hard to lock in on c band.

[BrianC]

My dish had already shipped but I was able to cancel the motor since it was on backorder. Actually, that worked out very well since i learned that the 120cm dish now has a new bracket that will accomadate my current SG2100.
I'll play around with the 120cm then I'll look into finding a 10' dish for C-Band when it gets a little warmer.

I appreciate everyones advice and input.

-Brian

[BrianC]

UPDATE:

The 120cm arrived yesterday and without any hesitation I started assembly.
I am VERY satisfied with the dish but wanted to point out two things I found while assembling: 1) the U-Clamps are very difficult to get inside the bracket. You have to step on the bracket and pull up with all your strength just to get enough clearance to slip them through.
2) In order to utilize my SG2100, I had to pound a small tab at the top of the bracket (and essentially mutilate my new dish's bracket) with a hammer to flatten in flush with the pole guide.
Ok, enough complaining. Here are the reasons why this dish ROCKS:
-Without even trying I pulled all the sats I was able to get on my smaller dish EXCEPT with quality levels in the 70's and 80's which I have never seen before. With some tweaks to my true south alignment and elevation I anticpate exceeding these levels.
-I have now located and locked onto SBS6 and AMC6 which was only a dream with my smaller dish. I expect to locate others when I play with it again tonight.
-My analog Ku signals and picture quality was boosted so much it was as if the transmitter was 'over the air' from next door.

So, although I wished for a C-Bander and was complaining at first, everything worked out well and I am a very satisfied Sadoun customer.
I'll eventually get into C-Band but now at least I have so much more Ku available to keep me busy for a while.

Thanks to everyone for their support.
God Bless

-Brian

[dtsexpert]

Brian,
I am glad to hear that you like the dish. 1.2m for Ku with h-h mount will be a killer system. Attach a circular next to the linear, you will never miss any feeds.
I was planing to get 1.2m dish, but the shipping cost way out of my budget. I wish I lived close to Sadoun office so I could pick it up locally...:-)
Michael

Originally Posted by BrianC

UPDATE:

The 120cm arrived yesterday and without any hesitation I started assembly.
I am VERY satisfied with the dish but wanted to point out two things I found while assembling: 1) the U-Clamps are very difficult to get inside the bracket. You have to step on the bracket and pull up with all your strength just to get enough clearance to slip them through.
2) In order to utilize my SG2100, I had to pound a small tab at the top of the bracket (and essentially mutilate my new dish's bracket) with a hammer to flatten in flush with the pole guide.
Ok, enough complaining. Here are the reasons why this dish ROCKS:
-Without even trying I pulled all the sats I was able to get on my smaller dish EXCEPT with quality levels in the 70's and 80's which I have never seen before. With some tweaks to my true south alignment and elevation I anticpate exceeding these levels.
-I have now located and locked onto SBS6 and AMC6 which was only a dream with my smaller dish. I expect to locate others when I play with it again tonight.
-My analog Ku signals and picture quality was boosted so much it was as if the transmitter was 'over the air' from next door.

So, although I wished for a C-Bander and was complaining at first, everything worked out well and I am a very satisfied Sadoun customer.
I'll eventually get into C-Band but now at least I have so much more Ku available to keep me busy for a while.

Thanks to everyone for their support.
God Bless

-Brian

[Admin]

Brian

I am glad you received and installed the dish. Now you can enjoy KU-Band satellite surfing royal style.

As fas as the U-bolt, you might have overlooked a very simple way to get it through the bracket. The way to do it is to slide the U-Bolt from the side and turn it. I will post a couple of pictures later for the benefit of others who might be interested in the dish.

Enjoy! :lol:

[BrianC]

I tried that and a million other ways.
Unless I got different U-Bolt with mine???

Well, everything is still going well but I think I want to raise the dish about a foot more higher to better reach my further south-east sats like Telstar 12.
I'll pick up a 10 foot pole at Lowes during the week (if the weather warms up over here - they're talking snow again).


Brian