Can I get C band with a Ku dish

[gentech]

Hi,

I have been viewing the Ku band FTA for some time now. I would also like to get some C-band programming. I have no experience with C-band. I would appreciate it if some of you that know would tell me if this will probably work.

I am considering the possibility of installing a Geosat CK1 LNBF on one of my Ku dishes with a WS-KU2C mounting kit as listed at Sadoun. I would like to get some of the programming on Galaxy 16 @ 99.0 W.

If I am reading the Lyngsat Maps correctly. This should work with my 90 CM Fortec or with the 1 meter Winegard Ku dish.

My Questions:

Am I likely to have a decent quality C-band signal with this setup in SW Minnesota?

By adding the items listed above to my Mercury II receiver through the DS21-C DiSEgC switch that connects to my other KU dish LNBs. Should all of this do what I want it to without any other equipment?

It is about a 90 - 100 foot coax run from the dishes to the box using RG6. If I put a C-band LNBF on this should I be using the larger RG11 coax for that distance?

I am considering the combination C/Ku band LNBF simply because I may want to use the Ku side of it later. I do not plan to use the Ku portion of it at this time. Could I do better with a different combination or C-band only LNBF?

I would appreciate information about this. I have searched this and other forums for this information without any success.

 

[Mr Tony]

I am considering the possibility of installing a Geosat CK1 LNBF on one of my Ku dishes with a WS-KU2C mounting kit as listed at Sadoun. I would like to get some of the programming on Galaxy 16 @ 99.0 W.

If I am reading the Lyngsat Maps correctly. This should work with my 90 CM Fortec or with the 1 meter Winegard Ku dish.

Lyngsat maps you have to take with a grain of salt. They are not right in a lot of cases (like this case)

My Questions:

Am I likely to have a decent quality C-band signal with this setup in SW Minnesota?

I'm just up the road in Minneapolis (well near Mistake Lake Casino) and honestly a 1m would be the absolute minimum to try this experiment. I had them on a 1.2 and it worked ok. Not the best but it worked.
Please note that if you go smaller than a 6 foot dish you are taking alot of issues into consideration some of which are
-the smaller dish size
-adjacent satellites
-very narrow spot to hit a signal

Folks have tried to get them on smaller dishes. 1meter might work. I know 1.2m does work and most definitelly the 6 footer works

There are a couple really strong transponders on 99W (world harvest and a couple feeds) that a 1m should work just fine. It will take a lot of patience

It is about a 90 - 100 foot coax run from the dishes to the box using RG6. If I put a C-band LNBF on this should I be using the larger RG11 coax for that distance?

no...I run 100 feet with no issues

I am considering the combination C/Ku band LNBF simply because I may want to use the Ku side of it later. I do not plan to use the Ku portion of it at this time. Could I do better with a different combination or C-band only LNBF?

If you want to try this. go C-Band only. Those combo units suck on a offset dish. Been there tried that. When I did my review on the 1.2m dish "minibud" a C-Band only LNB I gained a couple points which is critical.

I would appreciate information about this. I have searched this and other forums for this information without any success.

mini-bud search would have brought up numerous posts

 

[1ADAM12]

Hi,

......
I am considering the combination C/Ku band LNBF simply because I may want to use the Ku side of it later. I do not plan to use the Ku portion of it at this time. Could I do better with a different combination or C-band only LNBF?

I would appreciate information about this. I have searched this and other forums for this information without any success.

I've got two of them on the shelf, that is where they belong unless you have a large BUD.

You can still have C and Ku on the 1m offset, you just need to offset the Ku and use a motor.

I get G16 on a 90cm dish and it is solid 90% of the time.

 

[Inno]

Bottom line, it can be done but there are weak transponders and whole satellites which will be impossible to get. Without sufficient signal quality you will be fighting with signal drop out a whole lot and it will likely cause more frustration than joy.
Just my $0.02..........
Having said that, I find a LOT more to watch on C-Band than I do on Ku so if you have the space, seek out a decent 8-10' dish.

 

[gentech]

Thanks everyone for the answers to my questions.

Iceberg, I have read some of your writing on this forum so I knew that you was just a short distance north of me. I am just south of Lake Sarah about 12 miles north of Slayton.

These things do not always work the way that one would expect. I have found that I have always needed a little bigger dish than what Lygnsat lists for Ku.

I will just get a c band dish when I am going in a direction to pick one up. The shipping charges kind of takes some of the fun out of it. I have been looking at C band dish prices at different companies websites. They sure do vary a lot for basically the same thing. Sadoun has the lowest price right now that I have found. It looks as though they are clearing them out to make room for their own brand name dish.

 

[Mr Tony]

I will just get a c band dish when I am going in a direction to pick one up. The shipping charges kind of takes some of the fun out of it. I have been looking at C band dish prices at different companies websites. They sure do vary a lot for basically the same thing. Sadoun has the lowest price right now that I have found. It looks as though they are clearing them out to make room for their own brand name dish.

The shipping on the C-Band dishes really arent that bad. When I had my 2 Fortec 6 foot units shipped they were about 35 bucks to ship which is about the same price as a 36" dish to be shipped

The box is pretty small

 

[dashaund]

I agree with the previous posters. Since I've had my C-Band dish setup, I barely watch anything on Ku anymore, except maybe a sports feed on the weekends. "Can" you get C-Band on G16 on a 90cm on 1m dish? Eh, maybe a couple channels when the weather is good. It's one of those things you would to play with for fun, it's not going to deliver satisfactory results. My vote is to get a minimum of a 6ft dish. If you want to buy new, then I would go with Iceberg's suggestions on the Fortec. However, with a little effort you should be able to find an 8ft, 10ft, or even a 12ft dish locally for free or low cost. Sure, you may have to replace the actuator or LNB or something, but those parts are much cheaper than a whole dish shipped. And performance wise, you're going to find much better results with a bigger dish.

 

[Anole]

Sadoun has a sale on the C2 LNBF.
If you look around the forum, you'll find it well reviewed.
Good choice for any size dish.

Also, for moving any size BUD, you'll want a motor controller.
The Gbox v3000 is the one we highly recommend.
Read our review for more details.

 

[Inno]

Thanks everyone for the answers to my questions.

Iceberg, I have read some of your writing on this forum so I knew that you was just a short distance north of me. I am just south of Lake Sarah about 12 miles north of Slayton.

These things do not always work the way that one would expect. I have found that I have always needed a little bigger dish than what Lygnsat lists for Ku.

I will just get a c band dish when I am going in a direction to pick one up. The shipping charges kind of takes some of the fun out of it. I have been looking at C band dish prices at different companies websites. They sure do vary a lot for basically the same thing. Sadoun has the lowest price right now that I have found. It looks as though they are clearing them out to make room for their own brand name dish.

Many of us find old C-Band dishes which are no longer in use and offer to "remove that eyesore" from the owner's yard. I have not had to purchase one yet! There are a few threads on "dish hunting" here. No doubt if you put some time in you can find yourself a workable unit cheap if not free. That to me is half the fun of the hobby, re-purposing old parts.

 

[Anole]

any way is a good way:

I agree with Inno (see my signature), but if you want the 6' from Sadoun, here's more info on the new model.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-air-fta-discussion/191431-sadoun-180-cm-prime-focus-dishes.html

 

[melgarga]

Let me add to all the fine comments above Welcome to C Band!..well almost.....lol

The old adage size matters definitely applies here. No such thing as too big....well unless you are subjected to some premadonna HOA Gestapo tactics.

Choosing to support one of the site sponsors is always a good thing but I would like to believe that you could find a mesh dish in the 7.5-10' range with a bit of hunting and developing a "trained eye". If your passion for this increases (as usually is the case) you will end up with a bigger one eventually anyway (deed restrictions and spousal approval not withstanding).
The mini-bud projects are usually an exercise in "proof of concept" or out of necessity to comply with restrictions. (The FCC has really hung us out to dry drafting the 1m size limit and the HOAs eat it up.) Dont get me wrong I applaud the efforts of those who have made what should be impossible happen, but if you can go bigger then by all means do so.

I run polarotor driven dual-band (C and Ku) feeds on both my 7.5 and 10 footer, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Some prefer the 13/18v controlled LNBF over the legacy system, and you will find staunch support in both camps. If you are fortunate enough to locate a system free for the haulin' off, ask about the original analog C band IRD as well if you intend to use the legacy polarotor setup. That is a major (and justifiable) complaint by the LNBF camp, because there is not any polarotor control equipment, save the legacy IRDs commercially available. (There was mention of one in development a while back, but so far nothing has come of it AFAIK.)
I come from the analog days and keep a 4D sub so that is a non issue to me.

If you have an unobstructed "view" of the entire southern sky, and you are fortunate enough to come across a Birdview dish you may want to take the trouble to get it as it has an H-H actuator system. They are not generally a good choice for the 1st time C bander since they require some special attention to optimize performance, but drag it home anyway (pending spousal approval) because if you pass it up and it's gone by the time you get the hang of this you'll be kicking your own butt. There are several Birdview enthusiasts on the board, and you should have no problem getting assistance if/when the time comes.

So...take the wife, kids, whoever will go with you out "dish hunting". My 6 yo grand has spotted some I completely missed! Drive slow, look high, look low, look between houses and peer into back yards, and if you get pulled over for suspicion of "casing the neighborhood" be sure you dont have any unpaid parking tickets......lol.
Once you have canvassed an area re-run the route backwards. Point of view is everything. Stay aware of where south is (turns out pizza dishs actually are useful for something ) think - "If I were a C band dish, where would I be sitting/pointing" Take a camera. Keep a list......FIND THAT PERFECT DISH! It's out there.
When you get ready to take it down and put it back up/re-align it, there are some tips and tricks to that too, all available with a search, or if that isnt enough info by all means post your specific question(s).

Now...get out there and do some re-con soldier!

 

[(((Garyd)))]

Let me add to all the fine comments above Welcome to C Band!..well almost.....lol

The old adage size matters definitely applies here. No such thing as too big....well unless you are subjected to some premadonna HOA Gestapo tactics.

Choosing to support one of the site sponsors is always a good thing but I would like to believe that you could find a mesh dish in the 7.5-10' range with a bit of hunting and developing a "trained eye". If your passion for this increases (as usually is the case) you will end up with a bigger one eventually anyway (deed restrictions and spousal approval not withstanding).
The mini-bud projects are usually an exercise in "proof of concept" or out of necessity to comply with restrictions. (The FCC has really hung us out to dry drafting the 1m size limit and the HOAs eat it up.) Dont get me wrong I applaud the efforts of those who have made what should be impossible happen, but if you can go bigger then by all means do so.

I run polarotor driven dual-band (C and Ku) feeds on both my 7.5 and 10 footer, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Some prefer the 13/18v controlled LNBF over the legacy system, and you will find staunch support in both camps. If you are fortunate enough to locate a system free for the haulin' off, ask about the original analog C band IRD as well if you intend to use the legacy polarotor setup. That is a major (and justifiable) complaint by the LNBF camp, because there is not any polarotor control equipment, save the legacy IRDs commercially available. (There was mention of one in development a while back, but so far nothing has come of it AFAIK.)
I come from the analog days and keep a 4D sub so that is a non issue to me.

If you have an unobstructed "view" of the entire southern sky, and you are fortunate enough to come across a Birdview dish you may want to take the trouble to get it as it has an H-H actuator system. They are not generally a good choice for the 1st time C bander since they require some special attention to optimize performance, but drag it home anyway (pending spousal approval) because if you pass it up and it's gone by the time you get the hang of this you'll be kicking your own butt. There are several Birdview enthusiasts on the board, and you should have no problem getting assistance if/when the time comes.

So...take the wife, kids, whoever will go with you out "dish hunting". My 6 yo grand has spotted some I completely missed! Drive slow, look high, look low, look between houses and peer into back yards, and if you get pulled over for suspicion of "casing the neighborhood" be sure you dont have any unpaid parking tickets......lol.
Once you have canvassed an area re-run the route backwards. Point of view is everything. Stay aware of where south is (turns out pizza dishs actually are useful for something ) think - "If I were a C band dish, where would I be sitting/pointing" Take a camera. Keep a list......FIND THAT PERFECT DISH! It's out there.
When you get ready to take it down and put it back up/re-align it, there are some tips and tricks to that too, all available with a search, or if that isnt enough info by all means post your specific question(s).

Now...get out there and do some re-con soldier!

Yes there is a lot of c-band dishes to be had if any one in CT needs one just ask

Been a C-band dealer since 1982 Scott knows me

or just call my cell at 203 232 8888 diamondsatellite@snet.net