Whats left to view on c band in the uk ?

[subman]

Been away from motorised systems for about 30 years so just getting the system up and running again :
Receiver is a Echostar ad 3600ip viaccess , With a Chaparral Corotor II fitted 1 x Ku-Band Quad Multiband LNB , 1 x C Band Gardiner 40 Kelvin .
Dish size is a 3.7m Precision Antenna on one of there polar mounts

I have access from about 65-70 east to about 60 west its all down to the time of year with the trees .

The first problem I have found is my old receiver is only good for MPEG-2 and as we all know most channels these days are MPEG-4

So I wonder what systems your running and are you running like me a Chaparral Corotor and what is available these days .
One things for sure there has been many changes over the past 30 years as when I left we were still down loading codes into my dragon cam for channels like TV1000

 

[Analoguesat]

Have a look at 20E - plenty of fta dvb-s mpeg2 c-band on there.

FlySat Arabsat-5C @ 20° East

www.flysat.com

 

[Channel Hopper]

There are other threads on C band reception on the forum, your dish has plenty of gain as it is and so changing the front end is less important than getting the indoors sorted.

Spend your money in the meantime on a receiver with futureish-proof tuner and perhaps 4k delivery to the telly (about £130 tops), or a PCI type card.

Things to do with the dish movement and switching between bands will happen sooner rather than later. I can give you some pointers by mid week next week with what you already have since I pulled a 3000 or two with remote out of the garage late last night.

 

[moonbase]

...The first problem I have found is my old receiver is only good for MPEG-2 and as we all know most channels these days are MPEG-4 ...

The choice of a receiver depends on what type of use it will get.

If you are doing a lot of blind scanning for feeds and new channels popping up then a Technomate TM-5402 (M3) is a decent unit. It is an older receiver and is a bit dated but it has user friendly menus, does mpeg4 and allows blind scan user selection of a frequency range and polarity. There are still a few about available on eBay second hand and they can also be bought new. However, the TM-5402 is not a 4K receiver.

Although I have no experience of them, the Octagon series of receivers seem to be getting good reports and there are a few dedicated topics to these models on the forum. I am reasonably sure that there are 4K models in the Octagon range.

Lastly, there are the Enigma2 receivers such as the Edision OS Mio 4K which are good but they require a bit of a learning curve to get to grips with the Enigma2 system. These receivers have a lot of customisation options and are quite powerful but they can be a bit tricky and frustrating at times.

 

[Analoguesat]

Lastly, there are the Enigma2 receivers such as the Edision OS Mio 4K which are good but they require a bit of a learning curve to get to grips with the Enigma2 system. These receivers have a lot of customisation options and are quite powerful but they can be a bit tricky and frustrating at times.

Thats an understatment. You love them or loathe E2 receivers. I fall into the latter category & would happily take a sledge hammer to the E2 receivers Ive owned! Most of the guys on the forum seem to get on ok with them tho.

 

[moonbase]

Thats an understatment. You love them or loathe E2 receivers. I fall into the latter category & would happily take a sledge hammer to the E2 receivers Ive owned! Most of the guys on the forum seem to get on ok with them tho.

Over the years I have probably allocated quite a bit of time to get familiar with E2 receivers but still do not use any on a regular daily basis. My main use of a hobby receiver is blind scanning/feed hunting for which I use a Dr HD F15 or a Technomate TM-5402 (M3). I have an Edision Nino Pro E2 receiver but only use it if I have a need for DVB-S2X.


@subman

One option would be to get a second hand Technomate TM-5402 (M3) from somewhere like eBay just as a quick and low cost re-entry back into scanning and getting a feel for things as they are nowadays. This will provide mpeg4 functionality and should offer a pain free experience due to ease of use. The TM-5402 (M3) is capable of menu configuration to accept input from C-Band, Ku-Band and Ka-Band LNB's, as are most receivers nowadays.

I have a spare TM-5402 (M3) sitting here doing nowt, you are welcome to borrow it for a month or two if you wish. After that you could explore options for a second receiver offering increased functionality such as 4K and DVB-S2X. Alternatively, check out some of the Octagon topics on the forum, "Wiliam-1" is the resident guru on these receivers and should be able to provide advice on choice of a model based on your needs.

Most blind scanners/feedhunters have two or three receivers, it is easy to build up a collection, you get drawn in by the latest models as they are released with promises of better tech.

As regards C-Band content, 68.5E, 40.0E 38.0E, 20.0E, 10.0E, 40.5W and 55.5W all contain a reasonable number of frequencies. If you have line of sight to 68.5E it has quite a lot of general viewing as well as feeds. There are a lot of satellites across your arc with C-Band content, the 7 I have listed are the ones that come to mind immediately as having quite a few frequencies.

 

[subman]

Many thanks for all your feed back its given me a lot to think about . I had a reply from RimaNTSS regarding replacement feed arms so I sent him some pictures I will check the length tomorrow . but I have told him its for a 3.7m dish his just worried on shipping due to the size .

Back to the receiver yes when I bought the Echostar ad 3600ip viaccess it was because my dragon cam just plugged in the front so it was idea for watching D2-Mac . Well if it was in shack there is no problem when it comes to cables but in the lounge I am a bit limited on what I can get away with with the cables its a pity that one receiver cant do it all . I think back in the old days before astra we used to watch Premiere. ... On Intelsat VA F11 (27.5 degrees west .

 

[subman]

I see what you mean MoonBase regarding the Spec of the Technomate TM-5402 (M3)

• Fully MPEG-2, MPEG-4 & H.264 compliant
• DVB-S & DVB-S2 QPSK, 8PSK, 16APSK, 32APSK Compliant
• Output resolution: Full HD 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i & 3D Ready*
• 1x Smart Card Reader & 1x Common Interface (CI) slot
• Local IR Extender to keep the TM-5402 HD M3 in a closed cabinet
• HDMI Output
• Dolby Digital Plus compliant via optical S/PDIF output
• 10,000 TV & Radio Channel Memory
• 2x USB PVR Ready Ports via a USB-powered external device: Rewind/Forward, Slow Motion Rewind/Forward, Timeshift (Pause Live TV) & Record Scrambled/Free-To-Air (FTA) channels, play Mp3 files & JPEG viewer
• USB compatible with WiFi & 3G Adapters
• Record up to 2 channels (on the same transponder) and playback a file at the same time via USB
• Fast software download & channel List upload/download via USB 2.0
• Ethernet Port
• Very fast & detailed hardware Blind Search (power scan)
• Scart Output with RGB and CVBS support
• Super sensitive tuner for very weak signals and weak transponders
• Less than 1 second channel change
• DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 (USALS) compatible
• PLL type RF-Modulator (Ch. 21- 69) and UHF tuning function
• DiSEqC Indicator
• Enhanced 16 Favourite channel list groups and sort function
• Auto Navigation system – select as many satellites as you want to search automatically
• Extended EPG and programme reservation on EPG
• Fast & easy-to-use menu system
• Channel control by: Favourites, Lock, Skip, Move & Delete
• Channel sort by: All, Alphabet, Transponder & CAS
• Parental, Installation & Receiver password lock
• Multilingual OSD Menu: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Turkish, Arabic, Russian, Greek, Czech
• Support for multiple audio language broadcasts
• Automatic digital satellite signal detecting function
• Manual transponder editing
• Supports PAL/NTSC systems
• Parental Control
• Last channel auto-save and recall function
• Various games
• Multi-picture display
• SCPC & MCPC receivable from C/Ku band satellites LNBs supported: Universal, Single, Single S & C band wideband LNBs
• 4:3 & 16:9 screen formats
• Timer & multi-event timer functions
• Automatic FEC and PID detection and manual entry of PID values
• Pause capture
• Loop through tuner and satellite
• Real time clock
• Teletext & Subtitle support by OSD and VBI
• LNB short circuit protection onboard
• Software & channel list upgrade via RS-232C: PC to STB, STB to PC, STB-STB and USB
• 1W Standby power consumption option**not all 3D formats are compatible & requires a 3D TV

Specification

• Video Decoder: MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, PAL, NTSC
• Audio Decoder: MPEG-1/2, Dolby Digital Plus AC3 Audio
• Tuner: 1x DVB-S2
• High-Definition HD:1080p, 1080i, 720p, 576p, 576i
• Front Display: 7-Segment 4-Digit
• Front USB: No
• Smart Card Reader: 1
• Common Interface (CI) Slot: 1
• Video Interface: 1 x HDMI, 1x TV Scart (RGB, CVBS), RCA
• Audio Interface: Optical S/PDIF
• Ethernet Interface: 10/100mbps
• Rear USB: 1 x USB 2.0
• RF Modulator: CH21-69, PAL-I/G/K/M, NTSC
• Internal SATA Support: No
• Fan: No
• Input Voltage: AC 90~250V, 50/60Hz
• Standby Consumption: Under 1Watt
• Size: 260x54x232 (mm)
• Weight: 1.8 Kg

I have had a chat to Rimants and he can make me 3 x Support arms and Corotor Clamp for £70 + shipping the beauty of it is its all stainless steel I have a feeling my feed arms are about the same length as yours .

 

[moonbase]

...
I have had a chat to Rimants and he can make me 3 x Support arms and Corotor Clamp for £70 + shipping the beauty of it is its all stainless steel I have a feeling my feed arms are about the same length as yours .

Hmmm, I am not sure about the feed arms for your 3.7m dish being the same length as those for my 2.0m dish? The Precision Antennas catalogue lists the focal length of your 3.7m dish as 1207mm whereas the focal length of my 2.0m dish is 755mm. If I remember correctly I think the original Precision feed support arms for my 2.0m dish are 998.5mm, from your picture it looks like your feed supports arms are 1490mm?

What you can do is to measure the length of a feed support arm that is on your dish from the dish face to the scalar clamping collar and subtract 80mm from that length and get the shortened length made up as the stainless steel pipe part of the adjustable feed support arms. The adjustable screw threaded extension rod at the feed end can then be used to make up the shortfall.

I think when I got mine made up by Rima I subtracted about 90mm from the length of the original Precision feed support arms and got the extendable threaded rods at the feed end made to 150mm to give me plenty overage.

The other point to consider is the internal thread sizes at each end of the stainless steel pipe part of the adjustable feed support arms. I had mine made with M10 threads at the dish face end and M8 threads at the feed end. This allowed me the option to fit a Precision Ku-Band feed which has M8 internal threads that the feed support arms secure into. The M10 threads at the dish face end matched the specification of the original feed support arm securing bolts. You might need to measure the internal diameter of the 3 press stamped holes on the dish face to confirm an appropriate thread size?

If you have no plans at all of ever fitting a Precision Ku-Band feed to the dish there is no need to adhere to the M8 threaded extension rods, they can be whatever size you choose to fit your co-rotor clamping collar. I had the clamping collar made up with 9mm holes on the 3 legs to give some slight adjustment with the M8 extension rods.

One thing I can probably say with certainty is that you will be delighted with the quality of the parts you receive, they look good, are well made and represent great value for the price.

 

[subman]

Hi MB yes your right 1490mm seems to be the length .The best way I have found to attack the dish is move it right over to max east and with a small step ladder I can get to the feed point . The main thing for me is its all in stainless steel and your right its very cheap .I wonder how much did you pay on import duty and shipping cost I wonder ? I think I will always have a corotor so best to change the band round the scalar ring . Many year ago I did see someone made a 3 port which had S band as well but from looking at the Technomate TM-5402 (M3) it looks like this will do the job I think on Ebay there about £125 but I will see if I can buy a or have the loan of a dish positioner + skew control Other wise it means using the Echostar which is going to be a pain changing screens . But as soon as I can get my satlook working again I will take a load of signal readings to compare once I change over to the other corotor clamp and support rods . Oh yes so far the only Research Concepts RC2000 dual axis controller with skew control I can find is from the states for over £550 + £300 import duty . So looks like I keep searching the UK or the states for a ADC1 .

 

[RimaNTSS]

I was mentioned here couple of times and I am finally here @subman you've got too good antenna (I mean size and quality) to leave it unattended. Certainly, all rusted parts should be changed to INOX ones ASAP. That will probably not change so much performance of your sat-system, but , for sure will dramatically change aesthetics .

 

[subman]

Well last year I did all the outstatanding maintenance on the tower and that took 10 months so things do get done . But assuming my new battery arrives this week I will take a load of signal measurements with the sat look to compare once the new clamp and arms arrive and are installed . Due to work I have not been in the UK for more than 2 months a year so things dont get much maintenance . If I had have thought about it more I would have put heat shrink over the rods to stop them from rusting .

 

[william-1]

Thats an understatment. You love them or loathe E2 receivers. I fall into the latter category & would happily take a sledge hammer to the E2 receivers Ive owned! Most of the guys on the forum seem to get on ok with them tho.

My brain is not wired for E2 either
I much prefer my Octagon SX88+ Optima

 

[jeallen01]

Ref E2 receivers: if you are a "Linux person" then they probably "come easy" - but if not (and I'm not!) then.......

 

[moonbase]

...I see what you mean MoonBase regarding the Spec of the Technomate TM-5402 (M3)...

I am not sure if a second hand TM-5402 (M3) would be of interest to you? There are a couple listed on eBay for £69 and £70, both with free delivery and both described as being in excellent condition, links below.

£69

Technomate TM-5402 HD CI Super+ high definition satellite receiver | eBay

Ive thrown in for free a couple of signal receivers (again technomate) but as for these, I am not sure of their working condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

£70 (almost new, boxed with accessories)

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[John]

I am not sure if a second hand TM-5402 (M3) would be of interest to you? There are a couple listed on eBay for £69 and £70, both with free delivery and both described as being in excellent condition, links below.

£69

Technomate TM-5402 HD CI Super+ high definition satellite receiver | eBay

Ive thrown in for free a couple of signal receivers (again technomate) but as for these, I am not sure of their working condition.

www.ebay.co.uk

£70 (almost new, boxed with accessories)

Pardon our interruption...

www.ebay.co.uk

@ subman
The one listed at £70 from Nottingham has now been dropped to £60 with free delivery.
I use one of these as well as other Rx's in my Feed hunting gear and find it really versatile re: using it on either Ka band, Ku band, C band or extended Cband LO settings - They are not the most up to date receivers - Horses for courses of course depending what you want to watch or what type of signals you want to watch, but used with a 3.7 mtr dish should be a good match for each other.

 

[subman]

Thanks MB yes I will have a look see as for dish positioner and skew control after seeing your comments about the ADC1 it does not sound to good as far as getting hold of a RC2000 there are many second hand ones for sale on ebay going from a few hundred to over a thousand but there all from states side so add 25% duty . Looking at my 36 inch jack its a 36 inch Hall job the make is Thomson Saginaw . As for the Skew control thats just a 2 wire job but looking at the rear of the RC2000 there is a load on sockets So I hope they come with a manual . How about this one Research Concepts RC2000A Dual Axis Antenna Controller, Lightly Used, Clean | eBay

 

[subman]

Well its all happening round here today the Torx screwdriver set arrived so I removed the 6 x T9 screws only to find that the battery that I had ordered is to large so that will be heading back for a smaller one the dealer has confirmed he has some this size :
Length: 5.28" (134 mm)
Width: 2.64" (67 mm)
Height: 2.4" (61 mm)

I wonder how you got a PS-1270 Power-Sonic 12 volt 7Ah to fit as its 94 mm high and the current one is 64 mm

PS-1270 Dimensions: L151mm x W65mm x H94mm (height over terminal 100mm)

Oh well back to mowing the lawn .

 

[moonbase]

.... How about this one Research Concepts RC2000A Dual Axis Antenna Controller, Lightly Used, Clean | eBay

If you do not want dual axis control of both Azimuth and Elevation then the Research Concepts RC1500 will do the job including Azimuth and skew control. How about this one, £165 or make an offer from Northern Ireland, no taxes, just a bit of local UK postage.

rc1500 single axis dish controller by research concepts | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for rc1500 single axis dish controller by research concepts at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

The manuals for use of the Research Concepts units should all be online on their website. In reality, it's a question of connect the wires, power it up and start pressing a few buttons to see what happens.

 

[subman]

Thanks MB Yes I only need a single Axis since I only have to drive the 36 in Jack and the Skew on the Corotor so thats fine I will check out the ad on ebay yes your right no import duty from Ireland it looks to have been built in 2011 but £165 is cheap if it runs my Jack and Skew .

Many Thanks for the heads up .