A thought on re-using old analogue boxes...

2cvbloke

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I was just talking about my MSS300 on another forum, and mentioning that I want to get it out and use it before all analogue channels are gone, and someone mentioned I'd probably come up with a modification or other use for it, and, I think I may have, assuming nobody else has of course... :confused

Given that an LNB drops the 10+GHz down to something around 2GHz (I think, been a while since I've been doing this stuff!!!), why not come up with a modulator that takes say the output from another sat box or a freeview box, convert it from AV or UHF up to the frequencies the analogue box wants (and heck, use the LNB power it sends up the line to power the device!!!), and thus use the box sort-of as intended, and add several modulators & channels and you have a distribution system... :D

That's all I can do though, I haven't a clue where to begin to create such circuitry, if anyone wants to try, there's a copyright-free idea for you... :D
 

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LOl, still analogue and FM demodulation though. Things have radically moved on. Talking of modulators, we now have AV to - COFDM ... at a cost. ;)
 

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satelliteman said:
LOl, still analogue and FM demodulation though. Things have radically moved on. Talking of modulators, we now have AV to - COFDM ... at a cost. ;)

Well, I was thinking more about keeping those cool old analogue receivers in operation, just as vintage TV collectors use "Aurora" AV-VHF modulators to produce 405-line TV channels, I mean, the Pace MSS300 is a neat looking box, it'd be a shame just to shelve it cos nobody wants analogue TV (well, bar those like Analoguesat!!), cos at the end of the day, analogue is easier to play with, and you never know when the powers that be may introduce a mandatory analogue channel for whatever reason, cos I don't think digital TV could survive a disaster or something, too much hassle... :D
 

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Sadly the only practical use for the old receivers on May 1st next year is to prop doors open if we ever get a hot summer again.....

Ive already started having a clearout of the old analogue boxes Id hoarded over the years..
 

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Start a new hobby - use one for Amateur TV reception. The 23cm band falls within the input range of an analogue box.

Most boxes' tuners are pretty deaf though, so you will need a preamp on your aerial, preferably mast-mounted.
 

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Llew said:
Start a new hobby - use one for Amateur TV reception. The 23cm band falls within the input range of an analogue box.

Most boxes' tuners are pretty deaf though, so you will need a preamp on your aerial, preferably mast-mounted.

I was thinking more like how a cable system works, no wireless transmissions, just boxes connected to a custom network of cables that tune into the signals, and at the other end of the cables are the modulators that take regular TV outputs from whatever source you like and up-converts them to the right frequencies to what the analogue boxes will see... :)
 

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My old Grundig will continue life as an RF modulator, one soure via the decoder socket and another through the vcr socket :)
 

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srx200 said:
My old Grundig will continue life as an RF modulator, one soure via the decoder socket and another through the vcr socket :)

Id never thought of that, could be handy. Its straightforward I take it?
 

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Very. Add the analogue box into the rf chain, just like an old video recorder and connect your scart sources to the a/v and decoder sockets. To view the a/v source, turn the box on and turn the source on and select the rf channel on your telly and it should be there. Might have to press an a/v button or so. The source connected to the decoder socket can be viewed by choosing any channel on the old box and telling the box (in the menu) this channel uses a decoder. Select this channel (with the a/v source turned off) and voila. All based on my old Grundig box.
 

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srx200 said:
Very. Add the analogue box into the rf chain, just like an old video recorder and connect your scart sources to the a/v and decoder sockets. To view the a/v source, turn the box on and turn the source on and select the rf channel on your telly and it should be there. Might have to press an a/v button or so. The source connected to the decoder socket can be viewed by choosing any channel on the old box and telling the box (in the menu) this channel uses a decoder. Select this channel (with the a/v source turned off) and voila. All based on my old Grundig box.

Good show, might help an old TV in the shed then, Il give it a go!
 

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The Pace MSS100 will be shoved in a cupboard for when new birds are testing - they often have blank carriers running which can be seen on analogue receivers.

Any other analogue kit left lying around will be scrapped the first week of May.
 

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what freuqncy testing signal ?
 

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Frequencies vary - depends what tp's the operator needs to test!
 

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Interesting topic - I wonder if anyone has come across a Palcom SL- 8000RP analogue receiver. My story goes back to just after I had bought my Pace MSS500IP receiver in September 1995 and installed it with my Fibo dish. I received a letter saying I had won a competition in "What Satellite" for the Palcom receiver. As it was just after I had been through the whole installation procedure on the Pace I never installed the Palcom but kept it. Your thread aroused my interest and looking at the instruction booklet I am amazed at what this receiver offers, not seen on modern digital receivers.
My question therefore is - if I do a new search for channels will it bring up the digital channel frequencies and if so, like when we switched from analogue to digital on freeview, we were able to watch analogue TV with the aid of a set top box (ST:cool: which from what I understand, converted the digital signal back to analogue. If these frequencies can be stored on the Palcom and then converted back to analogue to be viewed on a TV, is this possible? Or must this receiver be consigned to the dump once analogue goes off in April?
 

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One way trip to the electronics scrap bin Im afraid.

Unless the Rewind satellite museum might like it
 

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And what about amateur satellite systems and using that old receivers with suitable converters to receive HAM-radio satellite signals? I think, it is possible!
 

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Amateur slow scan tv is certainly possible with a bit of modification to the equipment.
 

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And I'm thinking about generating D2MAC signal using FPGA logic... As I've read, it is not very difficult to make multiplexed signal and generate digital packets in every frame... I have old Nokia 8003S receiver, which has built-in D2MAC decoder... I'll make experiments on it :)
 

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I use a old drake dsr 250 for the 36 volt supply to move my dish
 
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