My SAT-playground

[Captain Jack]

It was surprisingly light, thought there was just paper inside the packaging!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Yes, it weights only 503 grams (including weight of 4 M6 nuts and 4 washers). I've measured dimensions of this Tiny last night, it is 350x379mm, 33,5mm deep. Offset angle same as on all CM dishes - 22,6*. Opening angle 80*, and F/D ratio 0,6 .

 

[RimaNTSS]

I have several options how to mount the Tiny. First option is to use 36V motorized mount I have.
Second option is to use adjustable mount from 1m foldable PFA. Basically, it is ready right away . Third option can be IRTE system, which is in working condition and can easily handle such a small dish
Other options are also possible. I think that I will start with option #2 (the easiest one). In all cases I still need to think how to make feedarm and LNB holder.

 

[Captain Jack]

Oh wow, I remember that Irte motor - it has a separate controller, which uses the same LNB cable. Not unlike modern DiSEqC motors but without DiSEqC....

 

[RimaNTSS]

Brought Tiny to the fresh air. Will try to catch some signals tomorrow or over the weekend. ALPS LNB is the smallest one I could find in the stock, another option would be to strip some LNB and just tape the hole.

 

[blademedia]

I like that little dish , i was going to bid until i saw you wanted it, i know you said it didn't matter but fairs fair . it looks like its gone to a good home , look after it

 

[RimaNTSS]

I was quiet occupied by Tiny last 2 days. Friday evening was trying to catch some signal.... changed several LNBs but got nothing, not a blink on spectrum screen. Besides, it was too cold to stay outside for a long time. So, decided to adopt IRTE motor to hold Tiny, for that I made special adapter and then installed system outside (at least I can stay inside the room) . Spent some time turning antenna East-West/ Up-Down, and...... nothing again! I was almost desperate and started to suspect that this is some kind of Toy-antenna, made for fun or exposition purpose, it even can no reflective layer inside . Then I brought antenna home and covered it surface with aluminum foil and hanged it to IRTE again , and, what a hell... immediately started to observe spectrum of signals . Tuned Tiny to 28,2*E and there you are -- it is watchable

Unbelievable what is going on! If I remove the foil the signal is lost immediately! Can somebody explain what that could be?!
Abyway, my next step will probably be to find the place where they apply layer of metallic (reflective) cover to the surface.
I just love this antenna, it gave me so much fun and seems that is is unique.

 

[blademedia]

I cant understand why it only works with a reflective surface, something must be in the wrong place, you cant really put a reflected surface on it, it will melt the lnb on a warm day

 

[archive10]

Unbelievable what is going on! If I remove the foil the signal is lost immediately! Can somebody explain what that could be?!

<far-fetched>
Maybe it's a nano-BUD?
Works great for C-band, but not for Ku?
</far-fetched>

 

[RimaNTSS]

you cant really put a reflected surface on it, it will melt the lnb on a warm day

Yes, I know, but that can happen only during sun-outage periods. Next period is early spring next year.... I doubt this antenna will stay so long And, secondly..... I have more than 10 LNBs, I do not mind to burn couple of them.

Maybe it's a nano-BUD?

Then it should work with Ka-band as well. ;)

 

[blademedia]

I have more than 10 LNBs, I do not mind to burn couple of them.

I would sooner put the lnb in its correct position rather than spoil its looks and burn lnb out twice a year

 

[Trust]

I was almost desperate and started to suspect that this is some kind of Toy-antenna, made for fun or exposition purpose, it even can no reflective layer inside .
Abyway, my next step will probably be to find the place where they apply layer of metallic (reflective) cover to the surface.
I just love this antenna, it gave me so much fun and seems that is is unique.

Rimants , dont you have such detector for cable or pipes in the wall ?
It must react at the metal inlay ( if its present )

 

[RimaNTSS]

Wim! I know what are you talking about. No, I do not have it, but will try to find and check whether Tiny has some metal inside.

 

[archive10]

Wim! I know what are you talking about. No, I do not have it, but will try to find and check whether Tiny has some metal inside.

Should be easy - detach from mount, and hold in front of radio path to existing similarly-sized dish to "block the view".
If radical change then there is a reflective layer. If little or no change - it is a blank/dud/toy/decorative item.
Good candidate could be Fibo you put up the other day?

 

[RimaNTSS]

I think it is no need looking for a "black cat in the dark room, especially if there is no cat".... dish does not have reflective layer inside.
As I was bidding on e-bay and even asked some questions to the seller about the dish he had for sale, I wrote him a letter again asking for more information about the dish. And he answered:
It is Channel Master sampler dish, never used, never installed.
It was design for BSB - British Satellite Broadcasting (doesn't exist now), never in production.
Thats why I suppose, no brackets and nothing about the dish on internet.
That automatically means (at least for me) that it is super-rare dish. I was exploring possibilities (still continue to do it) about metal coating of the dish surface. Came to this spray , I think that should do the job.

 

[Captain Jack]

So it's literally a toy dish?!

 

[RimaNTSS]

So it's literally a toy dish?!

Yes, but that is great! It has perfect shape and produced by well known company. And, most importantly, there are not so many same dishes (if any) around.

 

[Lazarus]

Here's one

 

[RimaNTSS]

No @Lazarus , this one is Prime-focus, I have offset and without any handles

 

[Captain Jack]

I had 28E on a pan-lid once...