What's currently the best LNBF for Dish/BEV (Circular Polarity)?

[rossb]

OK, let's revisit a topic that's probably been covered before, but then, technology changes... Vendors/installers, please weigh in....:

Have been nosing around vendor sites (and privately PM'ing some folks - thanks!) in an attempt to locate a newer/better LNBF for fringe reception of Dish/BEV circular polarity signals (vs. DirectTV/SC linear polarity) on my offset dish...

I currently use an Eagle-Aspen dual output LNBF, with stated noise figure (when new) of 1.1 dB - but then, it's had three years of use in an extremely warm, humid location... I've gotta believe age and/or obsolescence is setting in...

There's been a fair bit of buzz lately about Invacom's line of extremely low-noise (stated at .3 dB) LNBF's - but their line (with a couple of exceptions) is primarily linear polarity.

So aside from Eagle-Aspen, are there any other contenders? And if so, links to site and specs would be appreciated...

Anyone?

Ross

P.S. Moderators - if this thread would be better moved elsewhere (or cross-posted - but I leave that to you...), please feel free... Thx

 

[Mr Tony]

DirecTV uses Circular too (just a FYI)

If you are out of the footprint of the crapelites* a better LNB will not help. Heck a larger dish may not help. I know people have tried the Invacom quad (QPH-031) that does both linear & circular. It claims a .3 but I dont know if that is circular too. For me anyways, I did not notice a difference between the Invacom and a simple Dish LNB when I aimed at Bell (but then again, I am in the footprint). I don't think I gained any points on the signal meter with the Invacom


*-crapelite--a crappy satellite aka nimiq 3 & 4

 

[stuarts23]

Hey Iceberg Do you have a map or idea where this foot print line is? I am in Central Oregon I get most bev channels (all at night). Used to be better before the Sat. move.
thanks

 

[Mr Tony]

I always thought the cutoff was Northern California on the west coast?

 

[Derwin0]

For Oregon and Washington, the cutoff goes up the middle of Oregon into the middle of Washington where it starts to veer over towards the coast before getting to B.C.

 

[rossb]

Merci...

DirecTV uses Circular too (just a FYI)

If you are out of the footprint of the crapelites* a better LNB will not help. Heck a larger dish may not help. I know people have tried the Invacom quad (QPH-031) that does both linear & circular. It claims a .3 but I dont know if that is circular too. For me anyways, I did not notice a difference between the Invacom and a simple Dish LNB when I aimed at Bell (but then again, I am in the footprint). I don't think I gained any points on the signal meter with the Invacom


*-crapelite--a crappy satellite aka nimiq 3 & 4

Thanks Iceberg... for the info and the gentle correction - fingers were disconnected from brain when I was typing...

Dying satellites aside, signal strength comparisons with another BEV user nearby suggest my LNBF is slowly dying due to environmental factors - and as I may (eventually) make the jump to SC, the quad unit could act as a transition LNB [and yes I realize I'll need some more equipment e.g to control the local oscillator frequency].

BTW, a bigger dish [+ maintenance] CAN make a difference (as well as it's construction). My 8' Andersen (formed aluminum reflector) outperforms the same size fiberglass ChannelMaster in these parts - proof is in transponders... and my maintenance? You'll laugh... Occasional application of high gloss car wax improves reception, if only by minimizing salt/dust deposition, and lessens rain fade... Above statement backed by experiments with the same LNB on different dishes...

Every l'il dB helps!!!