Questions On setup For C and K Band Dishes.

[avenger]

Replaced the AV/Sat (38"x34") Ku dish with the $69.99 C band bargain dish about a year and a half ago. Now want to have a mini dish farm by adding the AV/Sat dish to the existing dish. The "Bargain" dish is being controlled by a PowerMax PMA24 actuator, and a GBOX.

With the Av/Sat dish I will be using a SG-2100 Diseqc HH motor. Have a variety of LNB to use such as:
Ivacom SNH-031 L.O 9.75/10.6 Ghz.
Ivacom QPH-031 Quad Polar Legacy 4 10.75/11.25 Ghz.
GKF-668 I/P freq 11.70/12.75 Ghz, Lo Freq 10.75 Ghz.
Tripple feed Multi Satellite LNB (Phase 3) DirecTv. four output, did not showed frequencies values.

Now, I would like to use my future AV/Sat MicroHd receiver whenever I get it. Woul like to get things started now.

I am having problems in receiving the C/Ku bands with the dual C/Ku LNB. Would like to have dedicated C and Ku band dishes. With the equipment that was mentioned, what is the best way of going about getting this to work with minimum effort.

What is the best way to daisy chain the LNB/dishes to one single receiver. Right now I am using a Viewsat Ultra untill my late Christmas present arrives.

I am going to start to set up by planting the Ku dish pole. My yard is not too big, and might have some obstruction problems, will see what I can do.

I have an idea of what have to be done, but any advice and help is greatly and deeply apprciated.

avenger.

 

[Magic Static]

I have a similar dish arrangement on one receiver. I go from the receiver to an 1x8 DiSEqC 1.1(uncommitted switch), then from that switch to the VBox and out to the Bargain Dish for C-Band. Also from the 1x8 switch to the SG2100 than to a 1x4 switch and 2 connections to the QPH-031. Dump the C/Ku LNBF on the bargain dish and go for a C only, ie. GeoSatPro 2.

 

[avenger]

Thanks Magic Static
Planted the pole, but it looks like there will be some obstruction to the South by the "Bargain" dish. It has been raining a little and the backyard is mushy, will have to wait untill the ground gets drier.

Will research the GeoSatPro 2. As mentioned I am not too happy with the present setup.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Avenger,

Just FYI:

One item I would like to inform you on is the Phase III DirecTV LNB array that you mentioned in your first post. These arrays use a rather confusing internal switch matrix to select which LNBF is activated or used by the receiver. Most FTA IRDs (receivers) don't support the switch matrix of these Phase III LNB arrays. The logic or selection options to set up the LNB in the receiver menus don't work quite right with them, if even at all.

I personally wouldn't waste much time experimenting with the Phase III LNB array for your FTA setup. Besides that, you wouldn't want to use one of these on a motorized dish for obvious reasons.

There may be some FTA receivers which are perfectly compatible with the Phase III LNB array, but I don't personally know of any.

RADAR

 

[avenger]

Thanks for the info RADAR,

The phase III LNB is extra heavy in weight. I just mentioned it because it was given to me for free, and though that might be useable. Did some research on the GeoSatPro 2, and it looks like this is what I need for the "Bargain" dish.

Out of the other LNBs mentioned, which one would you personally use with the Ku dish. I was using the GKF-668, but now the horn plastic is cracked, might have to use some crazy glue to mend/fix it. The weather is getting worse for me to do anything at the present time.

Thank You.

 

[RT-Cat]

Good looking wire job there Magic Static.

RT

 

[whatchel1]

Magic Static it would be nice to see your wiring diagram.

 

[Bongu]

Unless you require something special on the GKF-668 LNBF, I would recommend the QPH-031. It has 2 sets of Linear AND Circular outputs(great for multiple receivers). It helps when some of the DSS birds have ITC channels. It doesn't happen too often, but it does happen. I use the Circular output on mine to locate satellite positions faster by hand. Them circular signals are EASY to lock onto due to the sheer power behind them.

Please don't use crazy glue to mend the LNBF that is cracked. JB Weld or another epoxy is a better way to repair broken plastic. The crazy glue tends to cause a thin cyanide film(cyanide is a heavy metal) on plastics and may interfere with reception over the long run.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Thanks for the info RADAR,

The phase III LNB is extra heavy in weight. I just mentioned it because it was given to me for free, and though that might be useable. Did some research on the GeoSatPro 2, and it looks like this is what I need for the "Bargain" dish.

Out of the other LNBs mentioned, which one would you personally use with the Ku dish. I was using the GKF-668, but now the horn plastic is cracked, might have to use some crazy glue to mend/fix it. The weather is getting worse for me to do anything at the present time.

Thank You.

Avenger,

I personally recommend the Invacom QPH-031. I have near a dozen of these in my dish farm and use them on almost all my dishes except for one special dish where I have a universal Ku band LNB to pull in the low band Ku signals. I have installed many FTA systems using the QPH-031 and I like these LNBFs because, although they are expensive, I have never had one fail and they have all been extremely stable and of high quality. These were especially nice back when there were more free (ITC) circular Ku signals available.

For C/Ku Band combination I use a BSC621-2 on a mini-bud. I think that is the right number, cannot read it too well as it is sun faded now.

RADAR

 

[Magic Static]

Magic Static it would be nice to see your wiring diagram.

I used to keep one made up to keep track of all the stuff I had going on. But I've gone more motors and less LNBs so it's fairly simplified lately.
I threw together a quick diagram of todays setup.

 

[avenger]

Unless you require something special on the GKF-668 LNBF, I would recommend the QPH-031. It has 2 sets of Linear AND Circular outputs(great for multiple receivers). It helps when some of the DSS birds have ITC channels. It doesn't happen too often, but it does happen. I use the Circular output on mine to locate satellite positions faster by hand. Them circular signals are EASY to lock onto due to the sheer power behind them.

Please don't use crazy glue to mend the LNBF that is cracked. JB Weld or another epoxy is a better way to repair broken plastic. The crazy glue tends to cause a thin cyanide film(cyanide is a heavy metal) on plastics and may interfere with reception over the long run.

Fixed the GKF-668 by applying a small piece of milar tape over the cracked part, fallowed by a two coat of clear nail polish. Istalled on the dish, and checked it out, it is working alright with no problem.

Will follow RADAR and Bongu advice on using the Ivacom QPH-031. Will report new findings. Thank You.

avenger.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Good luck!

:up

 

[whatchel1]

I used to keep one made up to keep track of all the stuff I had going on. But I've gone more motors and less LNBs so it's fairly simplified lately.
I threw together a quick diagram of todays setup.

Is that the .3f/d Winegard perf? BTW thanks.

 

[Magic Static]

Yes that's the .28 f/d Winegard Perf. Check the link in my signature

 

[whatchel1]

Yes that's the .28 f/d Winegard Perf. Check the link in my signature

I put many of those in years ago. Weigh a ton but you could walk inside of them like for adj of polarotor.

 

[avenger]

RADAR,

Installed the Ivacom QPH-031 LNB and is working great on Linear side. Have not use the Circular side yet.

What would be a good satellite to point to, so I can use and test the Linear/Circular modes of this LNB.

Thank You.

 

[AcWxRadar]

RADAR,

Installed the Ivacom QPH-031 LNB and is working great on Linear side. Have not use the Circular side yet.

What would be a good satellite to point to, so I can use and test the Linear/Circular modes of this LNB.

Thank You.

Avenger,

Oh boy, I don't know. It has been so long since I looked at any circular polarity signals, I honestly cannot say for sure. If anything is still ITC, I would guess that 61.5, 110/119 or 129 would be where to look first. I think that you may still be able to detect the carrier signals from the TPs, but you may not be able to view or even log in any channels. Someone else is going to have to respond with an answer here. I have been using my motorized dish to seek out the linear FTA sat signals ever since DN took down their freebies on 148W and that has been a long time ago. Sorry I cannot be of more help at this time on this specific subject.

RADAR

 

[Magic Static]

I think 119W has ch 101 DFYI open and you don't need a 8PSK turbo tuner. Not sure the TP info

 

[avenger]

Magic Static,

Will give 119W a shot to see if anything pops up on the 101 DFYI. I have had this LNB for quite a while, and have hardly used it. I am still learning from the masters and gurus of this FTA hobby. At the present I having some questions about USAL, but will start a new thread on the subject.

Thanks for the reply and info.