Using an old 10 foot dish with DirecTV Slimline %

[jmudrak]

Is it possible to use a large diameter (10ft) dish and attach a
5-LNB asembly? We have a lot of issues with "rainout" and was wondering if it is possible to do this, as the reflective properties are multiplied greatly.

Any input in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation.

 

[mini1]

Yes, but it won't help much. The problem lies with the transmission type, not with the reflector. KA band is not powerful enough to penetrate dense clouds filled with high moisture levels. Your signal is being lost or scattered in the sky, not at your dish. A large dish (10 feet is too big) may actually over-feed your system and cause more problems.

 

[JerseyMatt]

Not only that but it's never going to be able to see all 5 birds. With that big a dish you'll probably get it to see 101, but on 99 and 103 you'll have weak signal if anything because the triple eye was designed for a specific focal point. You have to remember that if something's off by a few inches down here, that translates into hundreds of miles of error in space. 110 (nothing there anyway) and 119 would be completely blind.

I've been contemplating using a 1.2m Alaska/Hawaii dish (for the same reason), which has a specially designed triple LNB, but it's true the Ka transmission gets completely obscured by high thunderheads. So it doesn't matter the reflector size or gain, if it ain't there it can't be received. The only solution is for Directv to boost the transmit power, but there's something preventing that (I forget what).

 

[harshness]

The only solution is for Directv to boost the transmit power, but there's something preventing that (I forget what).

Perhaps long-term power consumption or that the satellites are only 4 degrees apart?

 

[Joe Diamond]

You can bolt a Slimline to the rim of your K band dish & use the wiring that runs to your TV. That sucker is sunk in about a ton of concretes so you might as well use it. Crank it around to SW and see what you get.

Joe

 

[johns70]

Perhaps they don't want to boost the power to all the satellites when it's only raining in chicago or seattle one afternoon.

 

[tvropro]

Technically you could look at 3 birds with a 10 foot dish ( I would not use a mesh dish) but you could not use a slimline LNBF. You would need 3 LNBF's, 2 ka and one ku and a custom feed bracket with electronics to switch. Ka band is also 3 times more susceptible to rain fade then Ku and Ku goes out in rain events. Rain fade is not fun and can be a hassle but that is what the DBS system does. Why do you think the broadcasters use c band to provide distribution to affiliates.

 

[tvropro]

Perhaps long-term power consumption or that the satellites are only 4 degrees apart?

The birds would have to be putting out 5000 watts or more to start to overcome rain fade since every time you double the power you only get a 3db improvement. There can be losses of 30db + in a rain event. 5kw would really mess with with other signals and toss tons of harmonics.