He Shoots >> He Scores ..

[Vipersan]

...As a more general comment to software writers for set top boxes.
They should include a DX mode option in the scan menu ..
Obviously they cannot alter the hardware/gain of a receiver..
That's set in stone...
But many LSR channels require a delay so that the tuner has a chance to stabalise and the aquired signal build to a threshold _before_ the stream/NIT is interrogated for the presence of a signal on carrier.
Ideally they should perform several passes of the same frequency before admitting defeat and moving on ..
Similar in effect to setting a smaller step in blindscan mode ...but revisiting the selected frequency say ..5 times before moving on ..
This would be DX mode..
When DXing its not about speed ..(how quickly you can get the job done) ...but about patience and persistance.
Worth considering ?
Certainly from a DXers perspective ..it is.
rgds
VS

 

[pride21]

i agree with you 100% VS when you scan for weak channels it goes past it, you then have to put it in the receiver by hand,with the new software on my 5402 you can set the scan as low as 1 and it still goes past,very frustrating.

 

[Vipersan]

i agree with you 100% VS when you scan for weak channels it goes past it, you then have to put it in the receiver by hand,with the new software on my 5402 you can set the scan as low as 1 and it still goes past,very frustrating.

Thanks for confirming Pride ..
Yes indeed ..what is actually needed is the equivilant of a rotary tuning dial on a radio ...
That is ...a method of turning the dial to a frequency we expect to find a signal ...and it remaining there until that weak signal arrives ...
And..pressing the store button when it does..
With automatic Ramp generated scans on modern receivers ..this simply isn't possible ...but Could be achieved in software ...If they'd a mind to.
You'd think it was possible to just keep pressing the scan now button on a manually entered set of values ..
Not so ..the tuner resets between presses...the position on the scan ramp is _not_ held ...so the LSR signal doesn't build before interrogation.
Hope this makes sense.
rgds
VS

 

[pride21]

hi VS i have been pleased with the ali panels on my dish so far,so i decided to use 200mmx150mm sheets then cut them with a small taper so when they line up, there should not be any gaps around the dish,thats the theory anyway,so i hope there will be more gain.

 

[Vipersan]

hi VS i have been pleased with the ali panels on my dish so far,so i decided to use 200mmx150mm sheets then cut them with a small taper so when they line up, there should not be any gaps around the dish,thats the theory anyway,so i hope there will be more gain.

Looking forward to the results Pride ..
The flat panels might also benefit from a slight curve applied radially ...but this might be tricky to achieve evenly and identically on all panels..
Good luck m8 ...and I expect good results soon
rgds
VS

 

[pride21]

thats what i intend to do VS, curve one plate then do the rest the same,also each panel will be fixed to each other for extra strength,i have got the plates coming today and should get hand nibbler to cut each side in couple of days.cheers

 

[Vipersan]

thats what i intend to do VS, curve one plate then do the rest the same,also each panel will be fixed to each other for extra strength,i have got the plates coming today and should get hand nibbler to cut each side in couple of days.cheers

More power to you buddy ..
Get it right and they should out-perform Christinas new wings ...due to the increased density and rigidity if nothing else.

 

[pride21]

not sure about that VS i think you have done a brilliant job on them panels my hat goes off to you,i am just hoping to get a bit more gain and get a couple more weak signals,the trouble is we are never satisfied we want more.cheers

 

[Vipersan]

not sure about that VS i think you have done a brilliant job on them panels my hat goes off to you,i am just hoping to get a bit more gain and get a couple more weak signals,the trouble is we are never satisfied we want more.cheers

Praise indeed ...and I appreciate it.
Just as couple of interesting points ..
If you go after Niger with your current setup ...do try a T plate ..
..not because its better than the DOS plate ...but because it doesn't require tuning ...and positioning accurately ..
Its more forgiving of inaccuracies..


Also ..I'm currently watching the Pentagon Channel at 1 West..
I thought I saw it peak at around 6.7 db yesterday ..
Thats 0.2 db better than my personal best ever..
Wanted to see if it does it again ..or If it was my imagination..
cheers
VS

 

[pride21]

since ertu has gone it seems they have put the power up i used to get it hovering aroun 51% to 52% now its 56% quality,i will try the t-plate to see if i get niger,i will let you know.cheers

 

[Vipersan]

..Any dxers wanting a crack at logging this transponder
:- 4108 L
tp 86 Canal 3 Niger DVB-S 1447-3/4

18 West ...
Today would be a good day to try..
Currently up a full 1db on its usual power level..
I can lock this every day ..though sometimes a little slow to establish at around 4.8 > 4.9 db..
However it is currently at 5.9 db ..
So I suspect 1.8m dish owners would have a chance...
rgds
VS

 

[nelson_b]

..Any dxers wanting a crack at logging this transponder
:- 4108 L
tp 86 Canal 3 Niger DVB-S 1447-3/4

18 West ...
Today would be a good day to try..
Currently up a full 1db on its usual power level..
I can lock this every day ..though sometimes a little slow to establish at arounf 4.8 >4.9 db..
However it is currently at 5.9 db ..
So I suspect 1.8m dish owners would have a chance...
rgds
VS

thank you - Vipersan --
you are correct the 1.8 just gets it -
its very weak for me -- but the picture is not breaking up

regards nelson.b

 

[Vipersan]

thank you - Vipersan --
you are correct the 1.8 just gets it -
its very weak for me -- but the picture is not breaking up

regards nelson.b

Nice one Nelson ..
Just checked and its now at 6.2db on the F15..
So up again on previous check
rgds
VS

 

[Costactc]

No luck on my end. I did scan that channel in a while back but nada at the moment. When I was using a wideband corotor I'd open 2-3 channels at 18w but not much luck with an lnbf.

 

[Vipersan]

No luck on my end. I did scan that channel in a while back but nada at the moment. When I was using a wideband corotor I'd open 203 channels at 18w but not much luck with an lnbf.

What sort of depolarizing plate are you using Costa ?
Dare I suggest a T plate ?
rgds
VS

 

[Costactc]

I'm not using a plate at all VS. About 95% of the 700 open channels that scan in for me on c band are linear, I'd have to remove the nose cone and insert plate every time I scanned a circular sat- still open most of those tp anyway.

 

[Vipersan]

Ahhh ..
I see ..I guess its not convenient ...but I'd suggest the lack of depolarisation is why you can't scan this in ..
A corotor would make up for this deficiency of course..
cheers
VS

 

[Vipersan]

...What I have discovered during my many experiments is that it is possible to depolarise outside the lnbf throat ...so if you could perhaps get creative and find a way to position a dielectric plate outside the nose-cone without removing it ..at an angle of 45 degrees to the 2 internal probes ..
A sort of clip on affair ..then this plus the enormity of your superior dish ..would most likely yield results ...providing the tip of the nosecone isn't too far in front of the open throat of the lnbf..
rgds
VS

 

[Costactc]

I might just try that VS, I've been getting bored lately after the 2.4m install in March.

 

[Vipersan]

4108 L
tp 86 Canal 3 Niger DVB-S 1447-3/4

18 West ...

Not the best I've ever had this one ...but currently over 5.2db ..and its been a couple of weeks since I've been able to lock this weak channel..
Any UK dxers wanting a crack at this ..today I suspect it may be doable again..
rgds
VS