Fringe Reception - Definition(s) ?

[Analoguesat]

@Captain Jack Yes Im watching this with interest - shame I havent got a big dish as Ive got a pretty good horizon out to the south west. I think Ive still got one analogue capable receiver in the shed, Although its not been on for many many years so goodness knows if it still works.

 

[John]

Just.... WOW! @Analoguesat - you listening?

I have been eyeing that transponder/satellite for a long time, given that I have a clear LOS to the west horizon. But my polar mount (Precision 2.2 one - modified) runs into itself at 59W and the Venture jack is fully compressed. How are you managing to drive the dish that far?

I also have an LT8700 in the loft.....


I had an Amstrad SRD510 back then.....

CJ, on my 2.2 PF installation I use a home brew polor mount very similar to the SSS types with a 36" Venture actuator. It's set up to give me max usable and safe West position of 71.5 deg with actuator fully retracted.
East travel is limited to 55 East due to building obstructions.
** Have to say though CJ, the LT8700 is running on max 'Low Threshold' setting of '19' and video 'Deviation' is set to lowest setting of 16MHz to give the best viewable picture from the 2.2 PF dish.

 

[Captain Jack]

Ah the 36 incher - that'll do it. Mine is just a 24" one. With some mods, I should be able to go further west at east's expense (which is full of trees anyway). Is there anything between 58w and 70w that's lockable on a 1.8m?

 

[Manikm909]

Ah the 36 incher - that'll do it. Mine is just a 24" one. With some mods, I should be able to go further west at east's expense (which is full of trees anyway). Is there anything between 58w and 70w that's lockable on a 1.8m?

i can get stuff on 58w - but after that my dish wont return... i dont think theres much either.

 

[Captain Jack]

Well it's definitely doable and hopefully with being a little further south, I may get a slightly stronger signal. Unless you're in some weird side lobe.

 

[John]

Ah the 36 incher - that'll do it. Mine is just a 24" one. With some mods, I should be able to go further west at east's expense (which is full of trees anyway). Is there anything between 58w and 70w that's lockable on a 1.8m?

65West Extended Cband linear 4.5-4.8 GHz has a fair bit of programming content now , nothing on the normal domestic Tv channels Cband range after 58W though for me anyway.

 

[Captain Jack]

I guess if I connect it up to the Echostar, I might be able to see *some* picture definitions in the noise.

This is the most exciting thing in years!

 

[John]

I guess if I connect it up to the Echostar, I might be able to see *some* picture definitions in the noise.

This is the most exciting thing in years!

Go on Go on .... lol.
*Actually it would be interesting to see what your more Southern location produces CJ - you have an excellent look across to 70W and i don't think you'll get too much if any crud off the power lines.

 

[Captain Jack]

Sounds like a weekend project. Need to drill another hole in the jack holder to allow the dish to move further. If that's not enough, I can try moving the C band LNB to an offset position.

 

[John]

Sounds like a weekend project. Need to drill another hole in the jack holder to allow the dish to move further. If that's not enough, I can try moving the C band LNB to an offset position.

Personally CJ i would'nt opt for the off-set position. Being a 1.8 reflector i would go for the main focus position, set up a monitor next to the dish looking at 70W and use the live 'sparklies' and different LT8700 video enhancement options to really fine tune the lnb position on your reflector for maximum performance , low level ambient lighting or even night time for best view of the screen - get on with it lol.

 

[Captain Jack]

Thanks John will do.

Re the AV Comm barrel - am I better off removing it and sticking the LNB (Zinwell) directly onto the feedhorn or will it not affect linears if I rotate the LNB within the barrel 45 degrees?

 

[John]

Thanks John will do.

Re the AV Comm barrel - am I better off removing it and sticking the LNB (Zinwell) directly onto the feedhorn or will it not affect linears if I rotate the LNB within the barrel 45 degrees?

Seeing as we are after every last drop of linear signal we can muster to start off with I'd go without the barrel first CJ and fine tune for max, take some screen pics and data for reference and if it's not too much of a problem re-introduce the barrel and tweek and observe and document any performance degrading or even improvement.
Good luck with it, .

 

[Manikm909]

Sounds like a weekend project. Need to drill another hole in the jack holder to allow the dish to move further. If that's not enough, I can try moving the C band LNB to an offset position.

why dont you put jack on other side... to test your signal to save u drilling

 

[Captain Jack]

why dont you put jack on other side... to test your signal to save u drilling

When I modded the mount, I made it so that I can only put it on one side. I spent more time in the east than the west but now I don't spend any time at all.

The wife is taking the kids to the in-laws on Sunday so I am hoping to do some experimentation then.

 

[Captain Jack]

Mmmhhh... I am not sure that I'll have enough clearance to get to 70W. Here's the dish looking at 58W. There's only a small-ish gap between the ironworks. I may need to grind that off but I am not sure if even that will be enough.

There's also the bottom dish arm hanging close to the picket fence. I am pretty sure that I had the dish at max west without the jack and the arm was going between the pickets but that may also need some surgery - potentially without any fruits at the end of it.

I can always try moving it manually on top of the post but it'll be a bit of a faff.

@John any chance you can take a picture of your dish looking at 58W and 70W just so I can see what the differences are?

 

[Manikm909]

hey @Captain Jack - maybe you only need to get to 65w....everything else, out of footprint for UK, no?

 

[John]

Mmmhhh... I am not sure that I'll have enough clearance to get to 70W. Here's the dish looking at 58W. There's only a small-ish gap between the ironworks. I may need to grind that off but I am not sure if even that will be enough.

There's also the bottom dish arm hanging close to the picket fence. I am pretty sure that I had the dish at max west without the jack and the arm was going between the pickets but that may also need some surgery - potentially without any fruits at the end of it.

I can always try moving it manually on top of the post but it'll be a bit of a faff.

@John any chance you can take a picture of your dish looking at 58W and 70W just so I can see what the differences are?

>> any chance you can take a picture of your dish looking at 58W and 70W just so I can see what the differences are? <<
From the side do you mean CJ ?....... can do. Bare in mind that i'm using a 2.2 mtr Prime Focus dish and not an Off-Set so i don't have the clearance problem at the bottom of the dish like an Off-Set does.
Bare with me

 

[Manikm909]

@John how do you switch between CBAND and KU (and KA?). on your PF dish?

 

[moonbase]

hey @Captain Jack - maybe you only need to get to 65w....everything else, out of footprint for UK, no?

I think he wants to try to sniff out the analogue stuff from 70.0W, it is lockable in the UK as can be seen by earlier posts in this topic.
Ultra extreme fringe dx'ing.

 

[Manikm909]

ah yes - i see now - 70w - 3711 V "locked and displayed"
"only" 37% signal though on a 2.2m - i wouldnt be bothering on a 1.8m.
maybe a 2.4....