My SAT-playground

[Captain Jack]

CJ! As you probably know, there are some 90cm Fibos that have exactly the same subs 120cm Fibos have (usually with ears). And also there are 90cm Fibos that have little bit smaller subs, like this one I used those days. The hardest thing is to properly aline sub to not-fibo dish, ore you have weaker sighal.

Hm, yes, my 120 sub has ears and the 90 one doesn't. Still, will be a very interesting experiment for when I get my 1.8m Did you modify the LNB yourself or did Trust do this?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Did not have time to ask Trust, I wanted it very quick, so gave LNB yesterday evening to local workshop, said what I want and picked up modded LNB this morning.

 

[margusten]

Hi!
Finally did some tests. However not so sure that all LNBs were adjusted perfectly to antenna (I think it is not possible at all, I mean, nothing is perfect). So, I used 7 LNBs:
- White-labeled IBU;
- Red-labeled IBU;
- Modified IBU, adopted to antenna with 70* illumination angle;
- Modified IBU, adopted to antenna with 90* illumination angle;
- "Gold" LNB, adopted to original Prodelin feedhorn;
- Invacom SNF-031 with Fibo feedhorn and subreflector;
- Octagon Twin with Fibo feedhorn and subreflector;
In parallel with my work on antenna, during last 3 days, guys were drilling 80m deep hole not far from antenna. I consider this activity as an obstacle. I've said them that I will not be angry if they break some apple tree but I will go bananas if they touch any of my dishes and they obeyed that. Another obstacle was my laptop, which started to bluescreen, annoying. Can use only Safe mode and Excel is not working.
So, I tuned antenna perfectly (I think) to 28,2* (not sure which exact position from 28,2* cluster, but I used frequency where they show Bloomberg. Then I put one by one LNBs in sequence I mentioned them. Not surprisingly, but it is not possible to fix LNB and get stable signal, usually it jumping up & down in margin of ~0,5 dB. Then I scanned all receivable frequencies, all 58 of them and put all data in spreadsheet, then calculated average signal in % to find out which LNB performs better. But my real goal was -install Fibo SUB to antenna and get positive results. Positive, in my case - better than usual offset antenna. By now I did not succeed as you can see from resulting table. Unfortunately I do not have available IBU adopted for Fibo feedhorn, if I had it, than results could be much better, I am positive about that.
But today winner is - Micro Twin LNB Gold Edition attached to original Prodelin feedhorn.
Will try to repeat all measurements by the end of July, if..... I have time.
That's all folks. Enjoying my vocation, working at home, drinking beer....
Rimants

Good work!
I have same interest as You, maybe opening My playground too.

I was thinking Invacom SNF-031 is the best...
But maybe InvertoBlackUltra is better, needs some mechanical modification for prime focus antenna.
Of course there is now awailable some PF IBU LNB-s.
But old long neck offset IBU is wery good.

In Your LNB tests pdf file 28.2E position You can delete 28.5E position frequencies.
It can make results more accurate. Such a big antenna has difference.
Is there weaker signal transponders? Less than 10dB CN good to compare LNB-s.

 

[RimaNTSS]

In Your LNB tests pdf file 28.2E position You can delete 28.5E position frequencies.
It can make results more accurate. Such a big antenna has difference.
Is there weaker signal transponders? Less than 10dB CN good to compare LNB-s.

Yes, I know that in position 28,2*E are several birds and 0,3* makes difference. And TBH I was pointing antenna to 28,5*e, if I go 0,3* west than there will be 28,2* frequencies stronger. I've also made comparison test by pointing antenna to 28,5*e and then to 28,2*e. In the last column you can see difference in signal levels.
Perhaps, I would better chose for initial tests not 28,2*e but something like 26*e Badr or 7*W Nilesat, but now is too late to do so, have no time.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Just in case added also terrestrial antenna to set-up. 23 TV and Radio FTA services came in. I do not wish to lift antenna up to the roof to get better reception as it is not priority.

 

[Captain Jack]

Back in Belgie?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Picked up another Fibo90 today . It came with positioner, mechanical polarizer, LNB, some cabling. Made in Norway, France and Taiwan. For some reasons polarisation plate inserted in the feedhorn. I am not sure about this mechanical polarizer, should I try to renovate it or just forget about it? Ideas are welcome.

 

[Captain Jack]

Nice. You have two Fibos two now! What are you going to do with it? I guess the polariser plate was for circulars on 36e?

 

[RimaNTSS]

I guess the polariser plate was for circulars on 36e?

Where? In Amsterdam in Arab family? Do not think so.

Nice. You have two Fibos two now!

Not really, have 4 of them and working on getting Fibo55. So final goal is to have 55/90/120 and 2x1,8m Gregorian Prodelins.

 

[Riverblue]

Not really, have 4 of them and working on getting Fibo55. So final goal is to have 55/90/120 and 2x1,8m Gregorian Prodelins.

No problems with hiding dishes for you! Lucky sod.

 

[Captain Jack]

Looks like Fibos are easier to obtain in Netherlands/Holland than elsewhere. I don't suppose you have a spare fixed mount for the 90 version? I made my own but am not happy with it...

 

[RimaNTSS]

It is not so easy, but, if you keep an eye on secondhand sales, it is sometimes possible.
I am still try to grow muscles in Fifo field. By now, till everything done I am not considering any of Fibo parts as spare. This may change in the future.

 

[Captain Jack]

I wouldn't give up Fibo parts either! I do have a Fibo 90 motor mount that I am not likely to use ... But maybe? Fibos have a weird motor and some sensor that need a 5v volt supply to it. Also, there's Fibo box but I honestly couldn't tell you what it does!

 

[RimaNTSS]

I've opened the motor box, of course it has optical sensor inside. And motor is made in Belgium. Really international stuff. It looks to be in good condition, did not connect power, but do not think something is wrong with it.

 

[CROSSBONES]

Not really, have 4 of them and working on getting Fibo55. So final goal is to have 55/90/120 and 2x1,8m Gregorian Prodelins

I did have all 3, but only the 55cm remains thinking of installing it in the next few days on an alsat motor.

I do have fibo spares here also, motors, polar mounts for 90 1.2 fibos.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Hi folks! If everything goes right, and it seems so, than this small toy (55cm) will be in my hands in less than one month. ;)

 

[CROSSBONES]

Hi folks! If everything goes right, and it seems so, than this small toy (55cm) will be in my hands in less than one month. ;)
View attachment 68086 View attachment 68087 View attachment 68088

Ha ha you are very lucky finding such gems! Looks in good condition!

 

[Captain Jack]

Is that Fibo made out of fibre glass?

 

[CROSSBONES]

Is that Fibo made out of fibre glass?

No CJ the 55cm Fibos are made from the same material as the sub reflector.

 

[Captain Jack]

Aluminium?