Im new to fta. I want to order a system. But after much research on the web, I am a little confused as to what I need.
-receiver
-dish
-lnb's
-motor
I would love to be able...
- to pick up as many stations as I can
- be able to record a show while watching another
- a system that has blind scan and anything else that would make it easy for me to operate.
Thanks,
Randy
Randy,
I call myself AcWxRadar, but you can call me "Gordy" as that is my real name. The AcWxRadar stands for Aircraft Weather Radar. I worked as a RADAR technician for a FBO a few years back and I repaired the weather radar on many small aircraft such as Lear Jets.
Because of my past background in this area I have some neat little toys and information that helps with satellite TV. Weather RADAR used frequencies in the same realm as satellite television.
Here is some information that you will find interesting...
Weather RADAR utilizes a transmit frequency of roughly 9 GigaHerz. At this frequency, the signal won't pass through liquid water (or rain) so the signal is reflected back to the transmitter and received as an echo and can be used to map the cloud or storm.
To produce such a frequency, the RADAR system utilizes a magnetron. Which is almost the same device that is used within a microwave oven to cook your food. So do not stand in front of any aircraft while the radar unit is turned ON because it will cook your hotdog. You know what happens to a hotdog in a microwave oven, don't let this happen to your pal!
For satellite TV, if you increase the frequency to 12-18 GigaHerz, then the signal will pass through the water vapor and clouds more readily. This is Ku Band (or Kurtz Unter - German for just below the Kurtz or "K" band RADAR signal).
If you decrease the signal, to somewhere near 3 to 6 GigaHerz (C-Band), then the water vapor will not reflect the signal either. The signals will pass through the water vapor (clouds and rain) more readily, too.
I thought that you might find this information amusing.
I would like to tell you what I use for my satellite equipment and you may research it further to determine what you would like to get for yourself.
Receiver: Coolsat 5000
Motor: PowerTech DG-280
LNBF: Invacom QPH-031
Dish: Winegard DS-2076
You will not be able to get a new Coolsat 5000 because this model has been discontinued as well as the 4000 and 6000 models, but you may find anyone of these on E-Bay for a very nice price.
If you are going to buy something new, use the specs on these Coolsat models to refine your search.
The Winegard DS-2076 dish is a 76 cm dish, but don't let the size fool you. It can compare to many 90-100 cm dishes. The design makes it better. So don't compare the overall size, look at the total specifications (affective apperture and gain).
The Invacom QPH-031 LNBF is top of the line. There are lots of LNBFs available on the market today, but the QPH-031 is probably the best.
The PowerTech DG-280B motor is like a big brother to the SG-2100. I have both and several of each. There is nothing wrong with either. I just prefer the DG-280B personally.
I am very confident with my equipment and I will put it up against anything else in the same band (Ku). I still like to play with other equipment and experiment, but you just cannot beat this setup! Price, functionality and ease, it is probably the best system for a novice or a pro.
You have to do your own research on this, so do not take my words as anything Gospel. But, I think that you will find that many people agree.
Radar