My SAT-playground

[RimaNTSS]

just installed openmips-2.0-gbquad-20130117_usb , will use it for a while and than maybe look for another.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Hi! I think that this "monster" can become my toy soon. It is more than 4 m and very.... very heavy. Original product!

 

[Captain Jack]

I am not jealous at all! Where are you going to put it?! And... how much?

 

[RimaNTSS]

If i get it at all than cement it in the garden. Do not know how much, but got signals that could be not too much. OK, I am afraid to grudge, so will not make plans before get it home.

 

[Captain Jack]

What are you going to use it for? Astra 2F? Or bring to me so I can receive 36E?

 

[timo_w2s]

Ooo, very nice! I want one.

 

[RimaNTSS]

When I (if I) get it installed, although it has vertical and horizontal motors, will try to have it pointed to 28*E UK star. But there are too many ifs. Still working on the issue.

 

[Piltdownpaul]

The "if" being whether your misses will slaughter you!!!

 

[hexah]

I found 2.4m was bad enough for my back!

Fibreglass dishes are always heavier than they look.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Was on that roof today and took more pictures, used camera this time. Also measured radius (diameter is impossible to measure cuz it is 4,6m) :-shifty
I mentioned to wife that me (we) will probably have new antenna this year, she was not so exited about that. But them I added that I maybe remove some of the existing dishes and she liked idea. Of course I did not tell about size . I hope neighbor will not object.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Got interesting antenna today: 90 cm primefocus, and it is foldable and very light. Made in Norway in 1997. It is originally not for SAT TV, but why not try to install LNB and catch some bird. :-nuts

 

[Captain Jack]

Riman, that 4.5m dish is insane! It's just huge! Where's the LNB? Is it at the bottom of the dish stand with the wave-guide feeding it?

And... I think your wife will kill you. And your neighbour.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Yes, I know it is insane idea, and you are right about possible killings :-crying
I think LNB, if it LNB at all that device at the end of wave-guide (Last picture of post #170). This wave-guide was under air pressure when system worked, there is rubber pipe near LNB and air-pump somewhere inside the building. Because of size (unfortunately I did not measure it) I suggest that antenna worked already not in Ku band but not yet in C-band, so it was probably X-bans, for satcoms. And now I am little bit afraid that this antenna could perform not so good in Ku-band. And after spending lots of time and resources, at the end of the day, I will get performance of 2,5m antenna, that would not be fun anymore.

 

[hairybadger]

Yes, I know it is insane idea, and you are right about possible killings :-crying

Look - I think it's a great idea. When my wife resists my attempts to put up a(nother) piddling 80cm or so dish I can show her the pictures of your setup and say "look what this guy in Latvia has on his roof, you have it so easy in comparison"

 

[RimaNTSS]

Hi! I think that soon one of those 2 scales (diameter about 40cm) will be part of tool for finding true-South of polar-mount. Another part of tool will be digital inclinometer. Of course, it is possible to fine-tune polar-mount without such tool, but anyway ... going to do it.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Another day I have got from China small toy- Sathero SH-100HD. Did not try to use it, just connected to PC via USB. Pretty easy to change frequencies on Excell and than load whole list to device. Payed just 33 bucks. Took about 3 weeks for delivery.

 

[Captain Jack]

Interesting meter... and cheap. Does it work OK? Does it report MER/BER/SNR figures?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Have no idea. I doubt it works with Dieqcs, so I need to be next to antenna, but it is still winter here.... and they promise up to -20 over the weekend. Will report as soon as I test it.

 

[RimaNTSS]

OK, I did a small test today. Participants: 1,5m PFA on polar mount moved by positioner, DM8000, Sathero meter, FS1 meter.

I took signal level in % from Sathero and DM8k, but from FS1 in dB. All three times approached Hotbird at 13*E from East to West, and made lock on 11043V 27500 ¾ channel Rossiya24 FTA. All 3 participants locked signal at positioner's position 554, got their maximums at positions 547-544, and lost signal at 535.
BTW FS1 lost signal in position 536. On Sathero I got maximum of only 90%, sometimes it was blinking 91%. Maybe I can get more on other transponders (did not try it yet). Put data in one table (attached).
My personal verdict: Stahero locks signal pretty easy, scale is dynamic enough, and, I think it is possible to tune antenna with help of this toy. Costs only 33 bucks including delivery - cheap. Pocket size. Easy to change satellite and frequency plan. Possible to attach external power or use receiver. I like it.

 

[Captain Jack]

Interesting. I really like the look of FS1 and seems to have a lot of information. Some people say it's too much but for me it's good. Does Sathero display SNR in dB or only %? What NIT scan?