Dish dimensions and signal quality

[RedSavina]

Okay, I've run several searches and not found the answers to my questions, so here's a new thread.

For Dish Network multi LNB dishes, how does one interpret/predict signal quality?

             Mast    Height   Width
Dish 300     1 5/8"     18"     18"
Dish 500     1 5/8"   22.5”     20"
Dish 500+    1 5/8"   23.8”   30.9"
Dish 1000    1 5/8"     18"     23"
Dish 1000.2  1 5/8"     19"     24"
Dish 1000+   1 5/8"   23.8”   30.9"

Since the LNBs are on a horizontal plane I would tend to think the horizontal (width) dimension would be more critical. Is this correct? The trend in the Width column tends to support this. However, the Height column does not seem to correspond (the 500 is bigger on this axis than the 1000 and 1000.2).

Along the same lines, is a Dish 1000+ going to have significantly better signal levels than a Dish 1000.2? Ignoring the obvious difference of the 118.7 LNB, is the 1000+/DPP44 really $250 better than the 1000.2 with DPP Triple and integrated switch?

EDIT: One other question that I forgot. When referring to a non-circular dish, which dimension does one use? In other words, is the 1000.2 a 19" dish or a 24" dish?

Thanks!
Red

 

[boba]

To answer your question completely would require a class on antenna design. Suffice it to say the dish is designed for a particular application or compromise of applications. A dish 500 is designed to receive signals from 2 satellite locations separated by 9 degrees. A dish 1000+ is designed to receive signals from 4 satellite locations over a 19 degree spread. A dish 1000+ will not necessarily get a better signal off 119 than a dish 500 because it is a compromise design. You buy the dish that is designed for your needs.

 

[RedSavina]

I appreciate the response. It's good to know we have people here at SatelliteGuys.US who understand antenna design. Maybe someday I will take an antenna design class to gain a deeper understanding.

I also understand where the addition of a fourth orbital slot changes the geometry of the dish. Makes sense. In that regard, my original question was mixing apples and oranges a little.

Clearly, three individual dishes (the larger the better) would eliminate the issue of compromise. Likewise a combo dish and single dish would also remove some of the compromise. I get that.

However, when accepting compromise it would be helpful to rate those compromises against each other. The fact remains that Dish Network offers programming from 110/119/129 that may be received a number of ways:

* Three individual Dish300
* Three individual Dish500
* Dish500 for 110/119 and Dish300 for 129
* Dish500 for 110/119 and Dish500 for 129
* Dish1000 for all three slots
* Dish1000.2 for all three slots
* and others

Since I am unwilling to have a dish farm for one provider, I need to compromise. I would like to know if a two dish combination offers a significant advantage or disadvantage over a single dish that receives all three orbital slots.

I currently have a Dish500 @ 110/119 and a Dish500 (with I adapter) at 61.5. Since my RSN is at 129 I am thinking of adding this slot. As noted above, I am not wild about a third dish so am considering swinging the 61.5 dish to 129 (and losing Sky Angel) or replacing the 110/119 dish with a 1000.2. I have eliminated the other options mentioned in my previous post due to the cost and your point about compromise.

Sincerely,
Red

 

[Smith P.]

I would keep a dish for 61.5 and will replace D500 to D1K or D1K+ for fun.

 

[RedSavina]

P Smith,

Thanks for the suggestion!

And hello and all that. I enjoy reading your contributions to other topics and appreciate that you chimed in here.

Red

 

[Miner]

RedSavina,

Being in south Texas you may be hosed trying to pick up 129 with any standard size Dish. The "footprint" of the 129 does not include south Texas from about Victoria to the border. There are a couple of guys in the Corpus area that reportedly pick up 129 using a 30" dish.

You can try swinging the 61.5 dish over to the 129 position and see what you get. Of course, the pacific northwest is supposedly in the "footprint" but the signal fluctuates enough that we need a 24" dish to maintain signal. Until the new satellites are on line getting FSNSW in HD may not work out for you.

Miner

 

[RedSavina]

Miner,

Thanks, that's good info. I've been trying to determine if the 1000.2 would work for me and have gotten vague information that it might. I talked to Claude at DishStore.net and he told me I could give it a try and if things didn't work I could return the dish for a refund (less shipping).

I am intrigued by your comment about 129. I spoke to a local installer recently when helping a friend move. He suggested trying the 1000.2.

Also, I thought the limitation with the 129 had something to do with the 1000.2 dish and not the satellite footprint. For example, I have read where people in other exclusion areas do just fine with a separate dish @ 129.

The other curious thing is that E* put FoxSW on 129 if it does not provide a good signal to the entire area.

Again, very interesting info. I will do as you suggest and swing over to 129 this weekend to check results myself. I've been meaning to do it, and should finally have some time this weekend.

Cheers,
Red

 

[Jim5506]

The 129 satelite was originally at another orbital location and its aperture was designed to cover the continental US from that spot. By moving it has made places like south Florida and south Texas fall outside its main beam (out of the focal area) so I would recommend at least a 24 inch and maybe a 30 inch dish dedicated to 129 in the far south Rio Grand Valley since the signal is so much weaker.

 

[Smith P.]

I would start from visiting your neighbors who have Dish; probably you could find a couple with diff config - D1K and two dishes; ask for signal level at 129W. It could give you all data for final decision.

 

[RedSavina]

All great suggestions - and thanks for the info on the 129 aperture. Somehow I missed or forgot that in the shuffle of satellites.

I have been scanning the neighborhoods for a 1k.2, but so far the only triple dishes I have been able to positively identify are for D*. I will keep up the search and try swinging my 61.5 over to 129.

Red

 

[RedSavina]

Found 129w with the D500!

Well, I found it with my D500. As mentioned above, I swung my 61.5 dish around to 129 to see what I get. Here are the results:

TP Strength
01 84-89
02 82-83
04 91-93
05 85-87
06 76-78
07 81-82
08 86-87
09 92-93
10 89-91
11 79-80
12 89-91
13 95-97
16 84-85
17 87-90
18 77-78
21 87-88
22 81-82
23 85-87
27 87-88
30 91-92
31 98-100

These seem to be pretty good levels for 129 using a D500. I should note that I only made a brief attempt to peak signals; with a little more work I might pick up a couple of points. Any guesstimates how much I will go down by "compromising" to a D1000.2?

Attached is a photo of the setup. Notice that the dish on the right (normally for 61.5) that is pulling in 129 is pretty tight against the 110/119 dish. Despite appearances to the contrary, the 110/119 dish does not seem to block the other dish or interfere with the signal. Assuming I get the D1000.2 it will replace the 110/119 setup and the current 129 will swing back to 61.5.

Thanks to everyone for the help,
Red

 

[Smith P.]

If you will ever go with similar setup - swap dishes with cables; current position definitely does blocking part of 129W by dish D500 with lower arm/LNBFs/right egde.

 

[Kru83]

If you will ever go with similar setup - swap dishes with cables; current position definitely does blocking part of 129W by dish D500 with lower arm/LNBFs/right egde.

also use FACIA mount. it will be much better.

 

[RedSavina]

You noticed the problem with the foot mounts! Yeah, the system I have is temporary - although there are three lag bolt on each foot.

Red

 

[Kru83]

You noticed the problem with the foot mounts! Yeah, the system I have is temporary - although there are three lag bolt on each foot.

Red

Qa guy always tells me if the dish is on FACIA, and u can't get 6 legs, MUST USE FACIA MOUNT...

 

[Miner]

RedSavina,

Those are excellant numbers on 129 for your area that is supposedly out of the footprint. They are better than I get in Seattle with a 24" dish. Part of me says call it good with your setup and the other part says get a 1000.2 and throw it up on your temporary mount and enjoy!

Miner

 

[RedSavina]

RedSavina,

Those are excellant numbers on 129 for your area that is supposedly out of the footprint. They are better than I get in Seattle with a 24" dish. Part of me says call it good with your setup and the other part says get a 1000.2 and throw it up on your temporary mount and enjoy!

Miner

And the kicker is that I am as far south as one can possibly get in TX - 10 minutes from the ocean and about 30 minutes (or so) from MX. I am really encouraged with these numbers! It certainly supports some of what I've read about people in Florida and Connecticut having success with the 1000.2.

Red

 

[Dishtechman]

Dish 1000

I need fix a dish tonight, I went to the customer house and they have a dish 1000 with a dpp and a single lnb. I did a check switch and I got 110 and 119 with a green box. 129 gave me a red box, then I checked the signal level and it gave me 69% on 129. I am assuming that the dpp is bad and I am going to change it. What is the peak I should get on the 110 119 and the 129 with dpp and a single lnb with a dish 1000? some installers say that you can only get 57% on the 129 and that should be good is this true? please help I am in Rialto California
thanks in advance

 

[Smith P.]

There are tons of post regarding SS for 129W from different places - try to find them here or at DBSTalk.com .

 

[Cab Driver]

I'm in Southern California which, like Texas, is an area of weak signal strength for the 129 satellite. My local installer said they are not installing the 1000s here and he put in a pair of 500s for 110/119 and 129. I've had good luck with this setup but your mileage may vary.