Monoblock advice

[cwsat]

An update regarding this, the monoblock does not appear to be performing as expected.

I have tried various different skew degrees, even tried removing the LNB holder completely and holding the lnb myself and it is noticeably down on signal quality on 16e never mind 19.2 and 13e which are weak. The slightest bit of drizzle and the picture is breaking up. With my single LNB on, the rain needs to be biblical for it to break up.

I took my Inverto Blue PLL lnb off the dish yesterday and stuck on an old Technomate TM-1 just to make sure the Inverto was not working wonders and the TM LNB actually performed better so it’s not that.

 

[sonnetpete]

If you are using a monobloc the only adjustment you have will be the elevation relative to the satellite arc (i.e. above or below). At best this will be a compromise. However with three separate LNB's and a suitable bracket you can individually position them for best results (angling towards the dish centre helps, I found). The additional cabling and switch is a complication but perhaps a worthwhile one.

 

[cwsat]

I won't be going down the multi lnb route.

I either get this monoblock working to a decent level so the signal is stable or i'll just leave the dish on 16e until I move house and then motorise it.

 

[ozumo]

Is the weight of the monoblock causing the dish to sag at all? Also have you tried moving the monobock closer/further from the dish face?

 

[cwsat]

Is the weight of the monoblock causing the dish to sag at all? Also have you tried moving the monobock closer/further from the dish face?

I highly doubt it, the build quality on the Gibertini is superb. LNB arm is nice and tight. The dish is bolted to a paving slab so no real flex.

 

[Satspot]

I wouldn’t waste too much more of your time on it. As you say wait till you move house and motorise your setup. The compromise on a monoblock isn’t worth. Rain will be your biggest enemy every time and we have no shortage of that these days.

 

[ozumo]

I highly doubt it, the build quality on the Gibertini is superb. LNB arm is nice and tight. The dish is bolted to a paving slab so no real flex.

No harm trying to re-peak the dish using the monoblock instead of an LNB. I'm surprised there wasn't a decent improvement from skewing the monoblock as it was some way off in the photo.

 

[cwsat]

I had to cut the alignment short last weekend as it started to spit with rain, not great when you've got your TV and box out by the dish.

The fitment of the LNB into the holder is incredibly tight due to the spacer provided. I'm thinking of greasing it up with something to help with that as skewing is rather difficult.

I will try a complete re-align, maybe even a dish move with the monoblock on and see if that helps.

 

[ozumo]

The fitment of the LNB into the holder is incredibly tight due to the spacer provided. I'm thinking of greasing it up with something to help with that as skewing is rather difficult.

Slackening the screw on the LNB holder might help.

 

[cwsat]

I have had a good play with the monoblock today and have worked out why the sats were weaker than they should have been, it’s the skew.

Unfortunately, I am bit stuck on how to resolve the issue.

The gap between 16e and 13e plus the width of my LNB holder means it is incredibly difficult to positively skew the LNB, which the dish needs.

Apart from shaving some plastic off the LNB holder I’m really unsure what to do.

I can’t seem to find a 23mm lnb holder for a triax / gibertini.

 

[ozumo]

Skew the whole dish or get shaving. Depending of the construction of the holder you may need to reinforce the inside. Or if you know anyone with a 3D printer you could create a 23mm holder.

 

[cwsat]

Skew the whole dish or get shaving. Depending of the construction of the holder you may need to reinforce the inside. Or if you know anyone with a 3D printer you could create a 23mm holder.

Really not sure how I’d skew the dish with it being pole mounted.

Think my only option is to shave the holder.

 

[sonnetpete]

Think my only option is to shave the holder.

I don't think shaving a few mm from the edge of that holder is going to alter it's integrity. From memory those holders are a bit over engineered..

 

[Channel Hopper]

Skew the dish.

 

[cwsat]

Skew the dish.

How when it is pole mounted onto a paving slab?

The dish is a Gibertini OP85L.

 

[cwsat]

I’m thinking of trimming that outer ridge / flange down and hopefully, it will not cause any weakness to the holder.

 

[Channel Hopper]

How when it is pole mounted onto a paving slab?

The dish is a Gibertini OP85L.

Bend the post.

 

[cwsat]

From what I can see, the Triax TD lnb holders will fit my Gibertini.

I have a TD64 tucked away in storage so gonna pop and get the LNB holder off it.

The width of the holder is a lot narrower than the stock Gibertini.

 

[cwsat]

I went and got the holder and it fits the Gibertini and the monoblock like a glove - allowing me to properly skew the monoblock now.

The test will be tomorrow to see if there is still a rain margin on 16e. On the monoblock I am sitting at 69% quality compared to 73% on my Inverto Blue PLL lnb - which always holds up in the rain.

Hotbird and Astra 1 are coming in pretty strong now so not worried about rain fade on those two.

 

[cwsat]

Seems to be holding up well on 16e this morning in pretty heavy rain.