The DirecTV SL3K4NR1-03

[Vipersan]

Thanks a lot scopus.

Needed an hour just to get my vision back in order after replacing the cap. Tweezers and soldering bit look like plumber's tools under the magnifier

Welcome to my world Llew ..
I know that feeling well ....
Old eye(s) do indeed need time to adjust after such jobs ..
I have a range of jewellers eyepieces X2 X5 X10 and X20 ....which I can affix and hold like a monacle..
but the X10 and X20 often trigger migraine headaches after a few hours of smd work.

Credit to you for sticking with it buddy..

 

[Llew]

Well I managed to solder in the bits. Whether they're the right values heaven knows. Might not even be the problem though. I'll find out after I've had a lie down ;)

Like you VS, I have a range of eyepieces. I use an illuminated magnifier that sits on the bench, but still need a loupe (fancy name for it).

 

[John]

.... now thats one damn tidy twin feed horn job scopus m'boy. Whats the black stuff pray tell

 

[scopus]

That's some nice waterproof resin from work John Boy;)

 

[Llew]

SL3 -01 still playing up, obviously another problem somewhere on the board. Can't be bothered to delve deeper any further.

scopus, I'll take you up your offer of another board if I may - I'll be in touch with you in a while.

 

[scopus]

No problem Llew, will post it tomorrow.

 

[Llew]

No problem Llew, will post it tomorrow.

Brilliant. let me know with the parcel how much for the postage

 

[scopus]

No worries. should be fairly cheap, no weight in the actual PCB.

 

[scopus]

No worries. should be fairly cheap, no weight in the actual PCB.

Posted off Llew

 

[Llew]

Appreciated scopus.
Managed to fashion an LNB holder to fit the Triax dish. Couldn't use the one I have for the SL3-03, different clamping needed.

 

[Llew]

Finally got the SL3-01 working after the mishap removing the casting from the PCB.

The casting having been warped, I reckon it wasn't seating correctly on the ground plane of the PCB when I screwed it on, causing uncontrolled oscillation (leaking somewhere maybe).

I had to make sure all screws were as tight as possible - not easy with my old, worn Torx hand tool. I had to use its bit in the powered drill, even then it was slipping out occasionally. Must get a decent tool.

Placed the LNB on the Triax, but too dark to set up correctly; however it's bringing in Newsnet OK at 9 dB.

My thanks to scopus for providing a replacement PCB

 

[scopus]

Great news Llew...........

 

[Llew]

Yes scopus, makes me wonder whether the original board would have worked after replacing the missing components and tightening the bolts properly.
Not that I'm going to try it anytime soon...

 

[scopus]

Agreed. If it works, don't fix it!;)

 

[Vipersan]

Still not functioning at pre Christmas levels ..but figured it was time to at least attempt to use the feeds designed by Trust ..
So dug out my unmodded SL3K4NR1-03 ...and srilled a couple of bolt holes for the plastic escutcheon thusly ..
Now to try the anti circular depolarisation dielectric mini plate in one of them ..
Rather than jump in making various attempts at dimensions ..
Anyone whos already made one ..care to share thickness/dimensions/ material types used for best effects ?
rgds
VS
Trying NOT to re-invent the wheel..
;)

 

[scopus]

I followed Trust with his dimensions of 20mm x 11mm. I used an old plastic Dielectric plate from another LNB and it's 2mm thick. Just looks like semi clear PVC. Hope that helps VS.

 

[Llew]

I put my piece of old smart card with those dimensions in the new feedhorn on the SL3 -01 left-hand side yesterday, with excellent results. Currently on the Triax 110.
Better all-round performance than with the -03 version without the new feedhorn.

 

[scopus]

I was wondering why my dielectric plate was the opposite to everyone elses, and when I twisted round the other way I lost signal......Doh! silly me, I had scanned in Horizontal as this was better when the port was modded. Now corrected and the the feeds and the Nag feed are now showing the correct polarity...

 

[Vipersan]

So ..
Maybe some rotation of the feed holding the dielectric plate tomorrow when I can see what I'm doing ...
But atm just fitted with clingfilm stretched over ...cos it's _bound_ to rain overnight ..
What I have noticed so far ..
Currently Newsnet is below 8db and will not lock ..(V)
The Nag Feed is locked at over 9db it being H
Selection of H or V is still has little bearing of course ..
Both signals appear in both H and V..
But there is a slight advantage to be had on both by selecting V for Newsnet and H for teleippica ..
That advantage manifests as o.5db ..
I will also be trying various plastics for the plate and hopefully increase this tiny advantage for linear...but in truth.
Like Llew I get more when using the modded SL3 -01 with the Trust feeds ...but as yet not tested with a plate..
In this mode the Teleippica (H) feed drops to about 2db ...and Newsnet rises to about 9db ...
The SL3 orientation giving presidence to V (as expected)....it having had it's septum removed of course..
rgds
VS

 

[Vipersan]

I was wondering why my dielectric plate was the opposite to everyone elses, and when I twisted round the other way I lost signal......Doh! silly me, I had scanned in Horizontal as this was better when the port was modded. Now corrected and the the feeds and the Nag feed are now showing the correct polarity...

I suspect I might also have mine the wrong orientation ..see my post above ..
This I will test tomorrow..
..and hopefully get closer to No H signals in V ..and vice versa..