Signal Strength

[Elkview]

I have a couple 90cm dishes with 1200 receiver. If it's cloudy or rain coming I loose a lot of signal. I was wondering if I get a 6 foot dish will that get rid of rain fade for the most part on KU?

 

[fred555]

I just dedicated a 6 foot Ku dish for 125W and the PBS channels there. Although I have not had a thunderstorm since I put it up, I had a very heavy downpour for a few hours. All my other Ku dishes lost all signal. The 6 footer lost about 20% Q but the picture was still perfect with absolutely no glitching at all. That was on the main PBS feeds. That was the first time I ever was able to watch Ku in such a heavy rain. I do suspect however In a thunderstorm with the high cloud walls, it would go out completely, It has too.
I would also suspect a stronger transponder than the PBSs on 125W would fare a little better.

Follow what I did here, trying both a feed horn and a prime focus KU LNB:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/pbs-finally-i-hope.351960/

 

[Elkview]

125 is what I was just trying to get. No signal at all. On a clear day it does good but soon dies out with clouds. I believe I'll try a bigger dish. Neighbors laugh already.

 

[fred555]

I think the consensus here is that at a minimum, a 120cm dish is needed for 125W to get a reliable signal.
I just happened to have a spare 6 footer and no 120cm, but It worked out better with a 6 footer for me anyway.

 

[Cham]

Been using a stationary 90cm dish on 125. works fine except during very heavy cloud cover or heavy rain (thunderstorms) etc. I am using a dual PLL standard geosat pro LNBF.
What LNBF are you using?

 

[FaT Air]

I vote "bigger Dish", the bigger the better. 1.2m @ 125w here.
BITH, when I had directv, only a heavy downpour would knock out reception with the LNBF on a 30 inch. Standard 18inch, thick clouds would knock it out.

 

[Jason S]

There is a 1.2m on 125W here also.
Reception is reliable, with the exception being a heavy thunderstorm. Cloud cover and light rain haven't been an issue.

 

[KE4EST]

Agree with the others 1.2 is minimum for 125 for consistent reception.
If you are using an older LNBF you could try a newer PLL LNBF and it will help, but if you got the room go bigger.

 

[Elkview]

I ordered a 1.2 can't wait. Also ordered Stabb 120

 

[Elkview]

The instructions on the Geosatpro 120 dish says to turn the bracket upside if using Hh motor. I have a Stabb 120 and this doesn't make sense. The shaft on the motor is up, just the opposite of my Stabb 90. By reversing the bracket it puts the bent metal , ( that I assume hold the dish from sliding down) right in the way. Any ideas?

 

[KE4EST]

You don't have to turn it upside down for a STAB 120.

 

[Elkview]

Thanks, the instructions just didn't make sense. I appreciate your answer. Now to change it back.

 

[Elkview]

Got back to the dish today and after about 1/2 hour got it lined up and hitting the arc. It raised my signal by 10 on everything. I'm going to like this, now is a 6' next.