KU PLL on big dish

[vassho]

I have ran across a satellite dealer that has gone out of business years ago
he has been giving me a call when he comes up with items he has stored away and just finds

He called today telling me he had 100 cal amp KU pll lnb 12.25-12.75 and if i took them all i could have them for $100 Thats a Buck a piece

How good are these LNbs and would they work good on a C band with Corotor for free to air signals on KU

I have been with Microwave systems since the navy in the late 70s then in the early 80s started with C Band only the last few years getting the knack of the KU band and not real familar as many here are with rating a KU band LNB.

I have 4 BUDs here working on my 5th 3 have KU band but they have the DRO Lnbs I have PLL C band lnbs but not KU

For $100 i figure i cant go wrong if i can use them on my dishs and try to sell the rest on ebay

Thanks
new info
specs on the lnb is as follows
Input band 12.25-12.75
Lo Freq 11.3
out put L into cable 950-1450

 

[gabshere]

regular ku ( or standard ) is 11.7 - 12.2
the freq of these is 12.25 - 12.75 I think thats circular freq probably why he has so many , either misshipped or just couldn't get rid of them.

could be fun to play with one or two but 100 is a lot

 

[voomvoom]

If you haven't made a typo, the 12.25-12.75 makes me think they were made for DBS satellites? Linear lnb's usually goes from 11.7-12.2. But, it still sounds like a Good Deal to me..!!

Edit: well I took my time and researched here:
http://www.sepatriot.com/LNBs.htm

to try and be sure of what to say....
And George beat me to the punch.... line...

 

[Anole]

a really bad idea . . . ?

Well, if the frequency assumptions above are correct, the LNBs are pretty useless to nearly everybody.
If the LO freq is printed on the unit, I'd like to know what it says.
Also, the NF is of some interest. Is that on the unit?
Can you post a photo?

But . . .

You'd think those things would be built modularly.
So, the PLL LO would probably be selectable some way, at least during manufacture.
What's the chance of cracking one open and trying to change the LO?
Doing that on one with a DRO has been documented, but I would NOT want to do it.
A PLL model is a different animal. Or it might be.

I don't think there is anything intrinsically different between using one on linear versus circular, so that's not a concern.
If it is, it's easily addressed.

Anyone interested in discussing this further?

. . . or is it a really bad idea? -

 

[mikekohl]

They could be good one dollar paperweights.

Actually, I would suspect that they were made originally for Optus reception from Australian Ku-band satellites, which used 12.2 to 12.7 linear. Likely surplused at a reduced price from Cal Amp, and somebody did not understand what their original purpose was intended for.

I would suggest putting on EBay, and try to find an international audience in the South Pacific, or possibly even Latin America, as there are some Ku-band spot beams using those frequencies there too.

 

[vassho]

Well, if the frequency assumptions above are correct, the LNBs are pretty useless to nearly everybody.
If the LO freq is printed on the unit, I'd like to know what it says.
Also, the NF is of some interest. Is that on the unit?
Can you post a photo?

But . . .

You'd think those things would be built modularly.
So, the PLL LO would probably be selectable some way, at least during manufacture.
What's the chance of cracking one open and trying to change the LO?
Doing that on one with a DRO has been documented, but I would NOT want to do it.
A PLL model is a different animal. Or it might be.

I don't think there is anything intrinsically different between using one on linear versus circular, so that's not a concern.
If it is, it's easily addressed.

Anyone interested in discussing this further?

. . . or is it a really bad idea? -

input band 12.25-12.75
lo freq 11.3
out put L into cable 950-1450

 

[Anole]

Oh, well now that you've confirmed the frequency range and LO for sure . . .
check with the Australians on the Vetrun(.net) forum.
Maybe they can use 'em or know who can.
They seem well informed on Asian birds.

If you don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, ya might have trouble looking around South America.

You can always go bird-by-bird through the Ku frequency range on Lyngsat site and see where that range is in use.

 

[vassho]

I havent bought them yet
as he is 30 miles from me
He is telling me the freq can be changed as simple as moving the peg on the inside the hole with the O Ring where it connects to the feed horn he said it slides into 4 postions from left to right

I have never seen anything like that and just curious now?
thanks

 

[gabshere]

if they are switchable then you might have something
if you can get a couple and have him show you how to switch it
they you should be able to use and probably get your money's worth back out of them

strange how he knows they are switchable and knows how to do it yet doesn't do it and sell them himself

 

[nelson61]

I think this is the link you want,

CalAmp - 150345-1

 

[vassho]

if they are switchable then you might have something
if you can get a couple and have him show you how to switch it
they you should be able to use and probably get your money's worth back out of them

strange how he knows they are switchable and knows how to do it yet doesn't do it and sell them himself

This guy is in his late 70s early 80s, he has been selling me new perfect 10 dishes for $50 when he finds them and dsr922 receivers for $50.
i guess he is trying to make a few bucks and get his farm cleaned up at the same time.

I dont think he is trying to pull anything over on anyone , plus he likes to talk alot
Thanks

 

[vassho]

a picture

I found a photo of the inside of one but this is a JRC not Cal amp
could this be what he means whe he says switchable?? ?

 

[gabshere]

that little pin sticking out inside is the probe
i've never tried to move one but i know your not supposed to touch it with you fingers cause your body oils will make it corrode.

i don't know if the probe is hard wired in or if it moves and has another slot / pin hole like mentioned.

I dont think he is trying to pull anything over on anyone , plus he likes to talk alot
Thanks

yeah i didn't think anything bad about it but after i posted i figured it was someone who probably didn't use the internet