Next project

[fredhead]

Hello all ,

Now that I have the satellite up and running( with your help ) I think its time to do the next project. What I would like to do is :

Receive Astra 2 so I can still receive all FTA English programmes ,and using the same dish receive Hotbird. I have a TM1000 Receiver
Question is what are best options to do this ? Also do I need to set up anything in the receiver?

Thanks in advance,

Fred.

[kerrywez]

Hi your best option would be to go motorised, but failing that you can get a multifeed on a big enough dish. I should be possible to receive 4 sats from the one 90cm dish. I should think that you would be best advised to go with a rotor and a 1mtr dish. With that set up you should get from 42E to 30W.

I have no experience of Technomate boxes, well the new ones anyway, so I can not advise you on anything to do with them.

Very best regards Wez

[fredhead]

Originally Posted by kerrywez

Hi your best option would be to go motorised, but failing that you can get a multifeed on a big enough dish. I should be possible to receive 4 sats from the one 90cm dish. I should think that you would be best advised to go with a rotor and a 1mtr dish. With that set up you should get from 42E to 30W.

I have no experience of Technomate boxes, well the new ones anyway, so I can not advise you on anything to do with them.

Very best regards Wez

Thanks Wez , but what is a multifeed and what is a rotor ?

[kerrywez]

Hi,

A multifeed is a bracket which holds several LNBs, at angles which allow them to receive signals from several different sats, with the one dish.

A rotor is just another name for a motor that bolts on to a pole, it has a short tube, which turns. coming out from the motor, the dish is bolted on to this and when the motor turns the dish moves from sat to sat.

Very best regards Wez

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by fredhead

Hello all ,

Now that I have the satellite up and running( with your help ) I think its time to do the next project. What I would like to do is :

Receive Astra 2 so I can still receive all FTA English programmes ,and using the same dish receive Hotbird. I have a TM1000 Receiver
Question is what are best options to do this ? Also do I need to set up anything in the receiver?

Thanks in advance,

Fred.

A multifeed dish is no problem whatsoever with your receiver. It supports DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.1 so with a 4-way DiSEqC switch you would be able to receive from up to four satellites very easily.

If you are sure you only want up to 4 satellites , then go for it. It will give you instant switching between birds.

A motor, would however, obviously give you a greater choice of satellites, and would work out a little cheaper for 4 satellites.

I am in the process of setting up a dish with a 3 LNBs to add to my motorised dish.

[fredhead]

O.K. Gents, Lets see if I've got it . Hope this makes sense
I keep the dish I have now.
I buy a DiSEqC Switch.
I buy a LNB + holder .
I leave LNB in place ( that I am using now ) add new LBN and search for new bird.
On receiver use DiSEqC to switch between the 2 birds.

If this is correct then I only need to know what LBN is good and what
DiSEqC Switch is good.

Fred.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by fredhead

O.K. Gents, Lets see if I've got it . Hope this makes sense
I keep the dish I have now.
I buy a DiSEqC Switch.
I buy a LNB + holder .
I leave LNB in place ( that I am using now ) add new LBN and search for new bird.
On receiver use DiSEqC to switch between the 2 birds.

If this is correct then I only need to know what LBN is good and what
DiSEqC Switch is good.

Fred.

The first task, would be to find a bracket for your dish, they are not all the same, some manufacturers make them specifically for their own dishes, Triax,Orbital, and Raven for example.

On the Triax, the orignal LNB holder is removed, and the bracket is put in its place, all the LNBs then go on the new bracket.

LNB wise I only have experience of the Inverto Silvertech and the Smart Titanium, both are supposed to be reasonable,the invacoms have a reputation of eing better quality, but are much more expensive.

The Spaun range of switches are the best quality, but again, very expensive, I paid just £6 for my cheapo one, it seems to work OK, if it goes wrong I'll just get another one.

[fredhead]

Nice one Robbo,

I think I know enough to go further , upto a point that is . Once materials are in place is it difficult to set the receiver up to get 2 or more birds ?

once again thanks,

Fred.

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by fredhead

Nice one Robbo,

I think I know enough to go further , upto a point that is . Once materials are in place is it difficult to set the receiver up to get 2 or more birds ?

once again thanks,

Fred.

No, it is very very easy.

The most difficult bit will be getting the other LNBs lined up properly.
But once you understand the principle involved it is straightforward.

I did not buy a bracket myself, but have experimented with various bodge items from the garage, and it is just a matter of getting the offset right, and then changing the height of the second/other LNB/s to change the effective elevation. Also the weakest satellite should ideally be at the focus, as the other LNBs get less signal.

[fredhead]

Thanks for the info , I dare say I will be talking to you again at a later date . But for now many thanks for your time and advice.