Considering New FTA System Mainly for PBS

[iBoston]

I have 7 dishes and 10 LNBFs for that reason, also so wife and I can watch in different rooms, different channels, different sats.
Can't do that with a motorized system.

Usals is a great way to go to get your feet wet or if you have limited space. But I'm with Fred555, i went the multiple dish route to have 4 system setup so everyone has access to all the channels instantly and because the USALS was a constant headache for me. I have two HH-120 USAL motors now collecting dust.

 

[FarmerCharlie]

I was cleaning out my barn this week and found two old DirectTV dishes. One was a 22" x 32" SlimLine with a triple LNB I think, and the other was about 18" x 19". One of them may be the one I used occasionally in a portable RV setup. Is it worth hanging on to either of these for possible future use with my FTA system>? I plan to go ahead with either the 90 or more likely 120 cm dish as advised above. If the old dishes and LNBs are useless for me, would DirectTV want them back, or would they be recyclable? I hate putting stuff like this in the landfill.

 

[KE4EST]

You could keep the slim line and get a linear LNBF for it and fashion a mount. It would be usable for some stuff up there. The other one is just too small to fool with.
No they don't want them back and yes you can take them to a metal recycle place.

 

[FarmerCharlie]

Y
No they don't want them back and yes you can take them to a metal recycle place.

Thanks. Sounds like they are not a treasure worth burdening my kids with after I'm gone. Off to the recycler--along with all the other stuff that's been cluttering up the barn all these years. But I'm keeping my 1973 VW bus that the pine tree fell on during Hurricane Opal.

 

[MikeI]

Usals is a great way to go to get your feet wet or if you have limited space. But I'm with Fred555, i went the multiple dish route to have 4 system setup so everyone has access to all the channels instantly and because the USALS was a constant headache for me. I have two HH-120 USAL motors now collecting dust.

Are you listing any of the hh120s for sale?

 

[Jagosaurus]

I've been lurking here for probably 2 years. This thread encouraged me to join as I may be making this leap in August.

Thanks to OP for asking these questions.

Thanks to KE4 for recommending 90cm dish by GEOSATpro & Amiko Mini HD RE. I had been eyeing those two on ebay.

Do any receivers have built in software for the motors or do they all require a secondary box to control the movement? Not sure if DiSeq1.2 compatible means there is no need for a motor controller (receiver does it all) or if that software codec is required on receiver to work in tandem with a motor controller (need both boxes).

Current pole I will have my Ku dish on has (2) RG6 cables if that helps, but it looks like some run off a single cable. Seems like from reading, stationary might be the way to go for beginners, but I'd like to get a dish and receiver that are future proof for a motor. I'm still tempted to dive directly into the motorized scene from day one or at least buy the gear. Thanks all.

 

[KE4EST]

Most receivers will drive a smaller "Ku" motor. However, they will not drive the actuator on a C-Band dish. You will have to have a separte box for that. Something like a Titanium ASC1 or a Vbox/gbox.

 

[KE4EST]

By the way, to SatelliteGuys Jagosaurus!!!!

 

[clucas]

A stationary dish is the way to do an initial setup especially for someone new to the hobby. Once you are comfortable with the receiver in a week or two, you will be installing the dish mover and trying to get it to track the Clarke belt. It's a good feeling once you succeed.

 

[Jagosaurus]

Most receivers will drive a smaller "Ku" motor. However, they will not drive the actuator on a C-Band dish. You will have to have a separte box for that. Something like a Titanium ASC1 or a Vbox/gbox.

Does the Amiko Mini HD RE have the ability to connect to the LNBF and motor over one coax cable (know there would need to be a patch cable in there somewhere if so)? Just remembered the (2) RG6 cables I have coming from my current Dish Network existing cabling hit a signal joiner they installed and then it is (1) cable segment coming into my house media area. For that 2nd RG6 cable running to the pole, I'd have to do some drilling into my hardy plank which I'd like to avoid if possible because I already had it done once. Goal would be to utilize existing infrastructure if possible.

I'm going Ku band. I live in an HOA neighborhood. Looking at a replacing my current Dish with a single 90cm FTA dish. We have a relatively small back yard & I also don't want to eat up too much family space with multiple poles. Luckily there are no houses behind me (south) which should help!

Thanks for the welcome! I work in telecom and IT integration, although I am more on the system architecture design and client relations side, I understand technical projects fairly well as I design them for business every day and tinker at home. The research and tinkering is half the fun! The journey into satellite will be a new one though. All the help is appreciated.

A stationary dish is the way to do an initial setup especially for someone new to the hobby. Once you are comfortable with the receiver in a week or two, you will be installing the dish mover and trying to get it to track the Clarke belt. It's a good feeling once you succeed.

Seems to be the consensus for beginners. I'd like to future proof my starter set up to were I can seamlessly upgrade to a motor in the future. Essentially, if it is avoidable I'd hate to being drilling more holes, running any type of power conductor cable (if RG6 isn't used), buying a second box, buying a different main box, etc even if it a year down the road. Do you guys think the 90cm dish by GEOSATpro & Amiko Mini HD RE are good for those needs?

I am still doing quite a bit of research and plan to create my own thread to document my progress, show pics of my current set up, update with pics of the new set up/migration process, ask questions related to my install, etc. I tend to dig in, get stuck, dig in more, then ask questions. Questions above are still relevant to OP's new set up and goals without high-jacking the thread too much

 

[Titanium]

Power and control for the LNBF and motor are carried along with the return satellite signals through the same single coax cable.

Looking forward to following your install and assisting with any questions!

 

[Jagosaurus]

Power and control for the LNBF and motor are carried along with the return satellite signals through the same single coax cable.

Looking forward to following your install and assisting with any questions!

Thanks. I'll definitely start a dedicated thread & consult with you guys before buying anything (sat, LNBF, motor, receiver) to ensure the set up will meet my needs.

 

[Cham]

One of you retailers will have to come up with a package deal... GeosatPro 90, HH90 motor, feedline, and receiver (or what ever close-to-equivalent hardware is available)

I have a couple 90cm GeosatPro dishes, they both work fine, a really good dish for the price

 

[Jagosaurus]

One of you retailers will have to come up with a package deal... GeosatPro 90, HH90 motor, feedline, and receiver (or what ever close-to-equivalent hardware is available)

I have a couple 90cm GeosatPro dishes, they both work fine, a really good dish for the price

Speaking of package deal, I found this bundle on ebay recently for $249.50 shipped. I don't really need the 100 foot of coax included though. No motor included. Having not researched LNBF models and pricing too much, is this overall a good deal and set up for a first timer? Or is it more worth my time to buy all individually and go with a better LNBF & the Amiko Mini HD RE? Keeping in mind I'd like to add a motor in the future. You guys will know some of the retailers online that may have better deals or sell items individually.

• GEOSATpro HDVR3500 Receiver with 64MB DVR and IPTV
• 36" / 90cm Dish and Mounting Hardware - GEOSATpro 90cm
• LNBF - 0.4NR PLL - GEOSATpro SL1PLL
• Installation Supplies & Cabling Kit
• • Coaxial Cable 75 Ft. RG6
  • Coaxial Cable 25 Ft. RG6
  • Coaxial Cable RG6 Jumper 3'
    
  • Grounding Wire 10 Ft. 8AWG
  • Grounding Block Dual 3GHz
    
  • Grounding Strap 6"
  • 2 Lag Bolts with Collar 3" x 5/16"
  • 4 Lag Bolts with Collar 2" x 5/16"
  • 6 Nylon Tie Wraps
  • 8 Coax Cable Clips
  • 1 Silicone Sealant 15ml
  • 1 Compass Liquid Filled

 

[TRG]

To echo what others have already said. A 90cm dish might be OK for pulling in PBS on 125W depending on your location. But many of us us have moved up to a 1 or 1.2m dish for more reliable reception.

 

[jholt5638]

Speaking of package deal, I found this bundle on ebay recently for $249.50 shipped. I don't really need the 100 foot of coax included though. No motor included. Having not researched LNBF models and pricing too much, is this overall a good deal and set up for a first timer? Or is it more worth my time to buy all individually and go with a better LNBF & the Amiko Mini HD RE? Keeping in mind I'd like to add a motor in the future. You guys will know some of the retailers online that may have better deals or sell items individually.

• GEOSATpro HDVR3500 Receiver with 64MB DVR and IPTV
• 36" / 90cm Dish and Mounting Hardware - GEOSATpro 90cm
• LNBF - 0.4NR PLL - GEOSATpro SL1PLL
• Installation Supplies & Cabling Kit
• • Coaxial Cable 75 Ft. RG6
  • Coaxial Cable 25 Ft. RG6
  • Coaxial Cable RG6 Jumper 3'
    
  • Grounding Wire 10 Ft. 8AWG
  • Grounding Block Dual 3GHz
    
  • Grounding Strap 6"
  • 2 Lag Bolts with Collar 3" x 5/16"
  • 4 Lag Bolts with Collar 2" x 5/16"
  • 6 Nylon Tie Wraps
  • 8 Coax Cable Clips
  • 1 Silicone Sealant 15ml
  • 1 Compass Liquid Filled

I'm thinking of getting into the hobby myself and that is the first package deal I saw. Hope someone with more knowledge comes along

 

[Cham]

The price and easy setup of the 90cm is a great place to start. If a beginner finds the hobby interesting, then there are options in larger dishes etc, depending on HOA issues etc...
Another thing is to look for used dishes. This is where many of us find larger professional quality dishes (and other equipment) like on kajiji or craigslist, or just driving by the right place at the right time.

many of us us have moved up to a 1 or 1.2m dish

 

[Jagosaurus]

Thanks. So the ~4 inches from 90cm to 1m makes a considerable difference?

There is a bundle for 39"/1m dish, motor, LNBF for $195 on ebay.

I see several LNBF types. What's going to be the best for a beginner in your opinion?

 

[Cham]

LNBF should match the dish; LNBFs are built for a specific focal-depth ratio range (dish design). GeosatPro also sells LNBFs for their dishes. I think their dishes, regardless of size, have the same or similar focal ratios so they would work good. PLL is generally a good thing to look for, it allows for a wider range of transponders, especially on the narrow end or low symbol rate channels. A DRO is usually cheaper and will work fine with most signals out there. Get in touch with Ti or KE4EST, they have some good products.

From a 90cm to 100cm you might gain 1dB of signal. That can be the difference between just locking a transponder (picture blocking badly) to a good steady picture (when viewing). Gets kind of tricky here though... there will always be weak signals you can't quite pick up, and to pursue ALL those signals you'll never have a big enough dish!

 

[Jagosaurus]

Thanks for the tips Cham. What about universal vs standard?

Also, I see .1, .2, .3dB for LNBFs. Depend on the dish?

Sounds like I definitely need a "check my build" thread when I jump into this before ordering.