Mesh and Solid dish - Any difference?

[Matty_Black]

This question seems to prop up in the forums every now and again, but the response seems to be more based on opinion rather than actual knowledge.

So has anyone actually tried setting up a similar sized Solid and Mesh dish to see if there is any difference in signal strength/quality.

Would be useful to put this issue to bed once and for all.

Please do not respond with an OPINION.

[southernsatellite]

Matty_Black, opinions can be useful, but as for your question, yes we have done a test between a 85cm Metronic dish and Orbital 80cm dish and found that the Metronic lost 18% signal compared to the Orbital, this is due to the fine mesh used in the Metronic and the plastic combination that caused the loss in signal as part of the signal passed through the dish. Hope this helps?

[Matty_Black]

Sorry Southernsatellite but I don't think you can draw a valid conclusion about the difference between mesh and solid dishes from your trial. The metronic dish is a transparent dish which is a introducing a 2nd variable. The signal 18% loss could have been caused by the plastic nature of the reflecting surface.

Although, I agree with you that opinions are useful, in this particular case I don't think they are since no one appears to have carried out an objective test comparing a similar sized normal(steel) mesh dish with a solid steel dish and report findings.

[southernsatellite]

Sorry I miss read your question! Why would you want a mesh dish? apart from possible decrease in wind damage if exposed to high winds, again personally we install solid dishes as they do seem to be more available in larger sizes. ISS used to do a mesh dish but the UK distributor does not stock them anymore as there is no demand. Oh sorry this is an opinion!

[Robbo]

Originally Posted by Matty_Black

Although, I agree with you that opinions are useful, in this particular case I don't think they are since no one appears to have carried out an objective test comparing a similar sized normal(steel) mesh dish with a solid steel dish and report findings.

I think you are going to have to do your own tests

Let us know the results

[Matty_Black]

Just for info, this is a reply I got from "what satellite" magazine regarding this issue:

I'm not aware of any research, although I'm sure it exists. Mesh dishes are designed so the mesh is smaller than the wavelength of the microwave satellite signal, so it's effectively the same as a solid dish, but lighter and less obtrusive. Larger dishes tend to be solid because they're cheaper to make in the smaller quantities produced, and stronger.

In domestic systems, any performance difference is marginal, and is likely to be balanced out by correct alignment and use of a high quality LNB, cables and ensuring all connections are sound.

kind regards, Wotsat