Time to tune your antennas

[RimaNTSS]

Took (actually programmed DM8000 did) measurements of signals from 12 birds starting from 7:00 till 16:35 local time today. From data collected build this graph. Vertical axis is signal strength in dB, and horizontally time of the day.
What is seen from this graph? ..... On some satellites there are complete lose of signal (below lock), on some just considerable drop. On some satellites I observed some difference between calculated time of maximum outage from real time of maximum outage time. So what? Perhaps antenna is not tuned properly or calculator does not give exact data?
The main conclusion- yes, sun outage is taking place and it is interesting bi-annual time of the year when people can have some experiments. Surely, I had some fun. Will shut up (at least in this thread ) till October, if no extraordinary discussions happen.

 

[Captain Jack]

Sadly, the crappy weather does not allow for visual checks this time around. Also, my dish moved about 5 degrees to the east in recent storms - need to realign!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Hi! Will bump this thread again as in first decade of October Sun-outage will take place again. I think it is enough time to get ready for some experiments.

 

[mapperuo]

Just seen the Sun outtage on my 1.8m dish on 16e. Lost about 5db on everything for 3 minutes despite is being cloudy as hell. Love it Like a mysterious mist passing by...

 

[trigger]

It's that time of year again

 

[Captain Jack]

Took advantage of full sun this morning. The trees need trimming!

 

[mapperuo]

Sky just lost their 16e OB from the Wedding.. Bang on sun outtage time.

 

[Adam792]

This autumn's sun outage season has arrived!

Perfect timing as I've just moved house and set up my two 80cm dishes in as discreet a location as possible, on the back of the garage at low height, where they can just see above the fence.

Pleased to just have seen my 5°W dish (which is the lowest down) with no shadow on its face at the peak interference time! About an hour and a half until I can check 30°W. Hopefully it remains at least vaguely bright enough to see the shadows!

 

[Adam792]

Gah! I was so close but just not quite!

Think I’ve got just enough play to move the 5°W dish (front) down a bit and the 30°W up slightly to get it perfect though.

30°W is already pretty strong, with higher SNR on some crucial TPs than I managed in Worcester, even though I'm only 40km-odd further south. I'm still convinced there's a Worcestershire null on its beams

 

[Captain Jack]

With that much shadowing, I probably wouldn't even bother rejigging the jig!

 

[Adam792]

With that much shadowing, I probably wouldn't even bother rejigging the jig!

I needed to add the final bolts to the bracket of the front dish so I ended up moving it down slightly while I did that. I will probably leave it as it is now!

May end up changing that bracket eventually though anyway. The stand-off on the U shaped one I had is only just wide enough for me to get 5°W - the dish touches the wall on its edge.

 

[Adam792]

Moved the 5°W dish down slightly, using today's solar outage to prove it still has completely unobstructed line of sight - looking at it had me almost convinced it just looked straight at the fence... But then that's offset dishes I suppose!

The shadowed area on the 30°W dish is now about half of what it was before, and I think I will leave it as it is. The signal is fine on both, and the 30°W dish is the only one visible from any other property. Where it is it blocks the view of the second dish from the only direction both would be visible - out of sight, out of mind!

 

[Adam792]

It's that season again!

Nice weather this weekend, especially tomorrow here in the west, so good timing for it

 

[rodscha]

so when is the right day and time for this year?

 

[ozumo]

Use the site RimaNTSS linked to in the first post:

Sun Outage / Sun Interference Prediction for Geostationary Orbit Satellites - Jens T. Sætre - https://www.satellite-calculations.com

Sun Outage / Sun Interference Calculator for Geostationary Orbit Satellites

www.satellite-calculations.com

 

[rodscha]

Thank you!! Now,I can see the light...
providing the morning mist vanishes of course!!

 

[a33]

Use the site RimaNTSS linked to in the first post:

Sun Outage / Sun Interference Prediction for Geostationary Orbit Satellites - Jens T. Sætre - https://www.satellite-calculations.com

Sun Outage / Sun Interference Calculator for Geostationary Orbit Satellites

www.satellite-calculations.com

The strange thing is:
I used to use this webpage from Jens T Saetre: Satellite Look Angle Calculator
and then look for the date when 'satellite elevation' equals 'sun elevation'.

Even a few days ago, that webpage indicated Oct 11 for my highest sunoutage (I'm at 53N).
But yesterday, and now, the satellite elevation gives a value of 11 degrees lower!
On the RimaNTSS linked webpage, it is still Oct 11.

Do others also experience this?
I remember that I've seen reported in the past that there was a difference in outcome between some of Saetre's webpages, but I thought is was fixed.
But I find it strange, that a few days ago I seem to have had the correct outcome, but now an incorrect outcome..

Greetz,
A33

 

[RimaNTSS]

I have just went outside and took a picture. It has happened that time was right (accidentally), that is still 3 days till there will be maximum outage @28,49*E

 

[ozumo]

Even a few days ago, that webpage indicated Oct 11 for my highest sunoutage (I'm at 53N).
But yesterday, and now, the satellite elevation gives a value of 11 degrees lower!
On the RimaNTSS linked webpage, it is still Oct 11.

Do others also experience this?

It's working as expected here

 

[rodscha]

there was JUST a bunch of clouds 30 mins ago..so I blew it...
Question ,will it still work tomorrow same time?
with a slight drift maybe?
Or,must I wait for another month?