FTA Contact in Japan

[N6BY]

Thats the way it is in the US -- certain parts of the country aren't affected much if at all by 5G. But my area (Roseville, CA) is. Can't receive any C-Band satellite TV here below 4 GHz.

 

[cyberham]

Reading the local forum further, there are two knowledgeable guys (one with a spectrum analyzer and 135 cm dish) and they say it is virtually impossible to catch KCTV due to 5G. My hope might be that I am rural in farmer's fields away from the big city. Maybe I would stand a chance.

 

[cyberham]

I have a lead on a Maspro 1-metre dish not too far from my location. This is a high-quality dish as you can see in the photos attached. The owner is getting older and feels he needs to get rid of some things. He is only asking US$35 if I can take it away. My challenge is to figure out how to transport it when I have no personal car.

 

[cyberham]

My faith has been renewed. There are crazy FTAers in Japan too!

 

[mikekohl]

You may be right. I've read on the local forum here that guys are complaining about 5G. But the only way I'll know is to try.

If you can physically shield the 5g interference out of your system, try a C-band LNBF (or a feedhorn and LNB) that may be on someone's shelf because they are not aware that older units handle 3700-4200 or even the 3400 to 4200 MHz range (though not filtered). Probably a few opportunities with a Chinese supplier. Good luck!

Mike

 

[cyberham]

If I actually get even a good 1m dish installed, then I will bring my Titanium LNBF next time and try. In Canada, I've received C with a 1m dish, limited though the results are. If it works, I can leave it here. If not, I take it home. And I will keep a lookout for a local one of any brand too.

 

[one_db_compression]

I have a lead on a Maspro 1-metre dish not too far from my location. This is a high-quality dish as you can see in the photos attached. The owner is getting older and feels he needs to get rid of some things. He is only asking US$35 if I can take it away. My challenge is to figure out how to transport it when I have no personal car.

View attachment 174838

Wrap the perimeter lip in a few rounds of gaffer tape after removing the arms. Put the latter in a backpack. Roll the dish to public transportation.

Joking, not joking.

 

[Keith Brannen]

Wrap the perimeter lip in a few rounds of gaffer tape after removing the arms. Put the latter in a backpack. Roll the dish to public transportation.

Joking, not joking.

LOL! You just reminded me of one of my favourite stories:

My epic all-night Paraclipse odyssey...

As I sit here contemplating this post, I wonder if I really might need therapy. I mean, FTA is an addictive hobby, but I think I might have taken things a bit far this morning... 9/10 of a mile TOO far. Where to begin? I guess I should begin at the beginning. It all started seven hours...

www.satelliteguys.us

 

[navychop]

Cannot respond to noted thread. PM only.

But great story! I hope max enjoyment was obtained before C band declined.

Regarding the NOLA PD. I grew up there. Do not call them and tell them to keep an eye on your home while on vacation. They will- hands on.

 

[cyberham]

I have a lead on a Maspro 1-metre dish..... My challenge is to figure out how to transport it when I have no personal car.

The local courier company advises they will pack and ship the dish to me as they would handle a large household appliance. I should receive it next week. So total cost including purchasing the dish is only going to be about US$90 delivered. Sometimes I get lucky. I can install it in my driveway on the ground to start and see from 144E through 86E between the houses.

 

[cyberham]

So I'm back in Japan. Incredibly, I cannot source the typical 3-foot satellite dish tripod that I've used for three dishes back in Canada. I tried ordering one via Amazon Japan from two different local suppliers and they both came back to say they could not source stock from the U.S. even though I actually had ordered from their listing. Nobody seems to make them locally since they aren't required here by most. There aren't a large number of RVers who want them while camping.

So I have a new idea. I will source a 50-lb concrete block and a 5-foot long 2" pipe from my local DIY store. Both are available at reasonable cost. I must put these on my bicycle and push the bike home. They won't deliver concrete blocks, for some reason. What we do for our hobbies!

You can use your imagination of how I will use these items to create a mount for my 1-metre dish at ground level with easy access. I will combine them with multiple strong tether ropes to hold the portable mast upright and level. No motor is planned for this installation to keep things simple. I need to be able to re-locate the dish at different spots at different times to be able to cover the visible arc here from about 100E through 172E.

I've discovered that Japan has several 3D HD channels that are ITC on 128E and 124E. These are Sukachan channels. These might be interesting to try viewing. I think I need 3D glasses to see them properly. There should be many other transponders to receive from the various satellites with footprints here though not many, if any, in English. The best one may be BBC News Asia Pacific in English on 113E on low-band Ku from Koreasat as shown in Lyngsat. I brought a collection of Ku and C LNBs and V7S5X receiver with me so once I have the dish installed, then I'm ready to try.

I've been warned in advance that 5G will make C-band reception impossible. I even received a publicly mailed brochure just a couple weeks ago that says 700 MHz mobile phone signals may interfere with OTA reception. No problem with that yet though.

 

[cyberham]

I have signals! The dish is ground-mounted sitting on an old heavy-duty azimuth rotator only to hold the base of the mast fixed yet loose enough to allow manual azimuthal rotation and a 50-lb concrete block to help stabilize the assembly. All supported by heavy ropes. So nice to have non-rusted bolts to allow easy elevation adjustments.

First sats received were 124E and 128E both JCSAT with SQ at 85%. Not much to see so far since most channels on these satellites are encrypted but I am seeing promotional channels and three ever-present shopping channels. It's always thrilling to receive your first signals from a new installation. Now the fun part comes exploring the rest of the arc. Looking for 113E which should have BBC English.

Weather is cooperating with 64 to 71 F now. Great for working in.

 

[cyberham]

Today I tried C-band. I wasn't expecting much since I have the Titanium LNBF mounted on a 1-metre offset dish. Was I surprised with the results.

I was able to blind scan in four video and four radio channels on the AFN encrypted circular transponder from 169E Horizons 3e. Nothing to watch or hear but it was great knowing I could receive it. It's C/N lock value is just 1.0 dB which helped.

I also blind scanned in 19 transponders from 166E Intelsat 19. I could lock all but one transponder. Per Lyngsat, there are many encrypted tps. But I am able to view NHK World/Premium, Arirang TV which is Korean TV but in English, a Philippines Knowledge channel, EMTV from Papua New Guinea, and others. Also there are many radio channels.

I also blind scanned in transponders from 159E ABS6, 154E JCSAT 2B, 145E Express AMU7 and 138E Telstar 18. Though I scanned in many tps from these, only 145E allowed me to lock one well enough that I can view two Russian channels. Though I can't understand the language, it's still interesting to see the images that Moscow is showing its audience.

C-band is certainly more interesting than Ku. There's still more of the arc to explore. No evidence of 5G interference here yet. I'll try for 96.5E Express 103 tomorrow and see if I can scan in Korean Central TV from North Korea in HD. Lyngsat says it's available.