RTE Announce FTA Saorsat service

channnels

You're a techie and for you 80cm is not big. I have an 80 cm motorised dish and my neighbours, wife and children refer to my dish as "Channnels big dish".

Size is relative. Sounds like the simple combo is more of a game changer than a multi dish/LNB solution.

watty

The Soarsat is primarily for DTT backup and the people that can't get an Aerial signal. A combo is no use to them. There are other threads to discuss Combo boxes which are nothing to do with Saorsat.

80cm was standard size in Sky Analogue days.

channnels

I agree that Saorsat is a DTT backup and a fill in for the remaining parts of Ireland out of Saorview's reach - but it's not a game changer. That's not its purpose.

galtee boy

watty wrote: »

1.1m to 1.4m is big
80cm isn't big

1.8m is "large"
3.6m is "giant" (A friend has one!)

My "multifeed" is 90 x 95 dish, but that's what I had for free.

Of course it's technically possible to make a Quad Tuner PVR. But the market isn't big enough for the cost.

You will get your simple Saorview combo soon though with at least Freesat EPG. But that's irrelevant to Saorsat thread.

Watty, you've caught my attention with this statement, are you saying that we will soon have a combo set top box available, which will have a Saorview tuner with 7 day epg and a satellite tuner with the Freesat 7 day epg on it ? Currently all combo boxes have 7 day for Saorview, but only now and next for satellite, so this is good news if I'm understanding you correctly ?

The Cush

galtee boy wrote: »

Watty, you've caught my attention with this statement, are you saying that we will soon have a combo set top box available, which will have a Saorview tuner with 7 day epg and a satellite tuner with the Freesat 7 day epg on it ? Currently all combo boxes have 7 day for Saorview, but only now and next for satellite, so this is good news if I'm understanding you correctly ?

Combi Saorview/Saorsat boxes with now and next info for FTA satellite from Triax and Walker it appears - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76495022&postcount=44

galtee boy

The Cush wrote: »

Combi Saorview/Saorsat boxes with now and next info for FTA satellite from Triax and Walker it appears - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76495022&postcount=44

Thanks The Cush, so no hope of a Saorview/Saorsat combi with 7 day epg for fta satellite, aka Freesat epg ?

Apogee

galtee boy wrote: »

Thanks The Cush, so no hope of a Saorview/Saorsat combi with 7 day epg for fta satellite, aka Freesat epg ?

On the same thread, Ciaran999 claimed that the Walker box displayed both the Saorsat and Freesat EPGs. See here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76461857#post76461857

However, in the absence of photos or further information, it's hard to know how well this works.

You still have the option of Linux based boxes or the Technomate triple tuner.

galtee boy

galtee boy wrote: »

Thanks The Cush, so no hope of a Saorview/Saorsat combi with 7 day epg for fta satellite, aka Freesat epg ?

I pulled it off with a Windows Media Center PC. It uses the DVB EPG for Saorview and pulls the Sky "OpenTV" EPG for satellite. Not without its flaws though - MHEG-5 works for Saorview only.

galtee boy

Karsini wrote: »

I pulled it off with a Windows Media Center PC. It uses the DVB EPG for Saorview and pulls the Sky "OpenTV" EPG for satellite. Not without its flaws though - MHEG-5 works for Saorview only.

Thanks, but I just want a plug and play job. If it involves pc, USB, or any other "roundabout" ways, I'm out ! Maybe one day in the future, somebody will come up with a Saorview/Freeview HD / Freesat HD pvr, which is what we all really want, but I won't hold my breath.

galtee boy

galtee boy wrote: »

Thanks, but I just want a plug and play job. If it involves pc, USB, or any other "roundabout" ways, I'm out ! Maybe one day in the future, somebody will come up with a Saorview/Freeview HD / Freesat HD pvr, which is what we all really want, but I won't hold my breath.

I understand completely. It was an absolute pain to get going!

watty

galtee boy wrote: »

[/B]


Watty, you've caught my attention with this statement, are you saying that we will soon have a combo set top box available, which will have a Saorview tuner with 7 day epg and a satellite tuner with the Freesat 7 day epg on it ? Currently all combo boxes have 7 day for Saorview, but only now and next for satellite, so this is good news if I'm understanding you correctly ?

There may be Combo box or two to make you happy soon. They will be Saorview approved, but not "Freesat" approved, so the makers will not be able to advertise how good (or not) the boxes are with Freesat and Freesat HD channels. Watch the OTHER threads. It's not relevant to Saorsat. They may or may not record, but even if they can record they will not be certified as PVRs.

There are NO Saorview PVRs yet. A Saorview single tuner recording box with USB to external storage isn't a PVR. A PVR must have dual tuners for each system supported and internal recording to be certified as a PVR.

warlikedave

MarkK wrote: »

Which boxes are fully compatible combos but have not been approved?

Triax do a good combo box model is: ST-HD 537 - it is dvb-s2 and dvb-t mpeg4 with mheg-5....it isnt a true freesat box (AKA a FTA HD box combo with a DDT mpeg4/mpeg5) id say tho due to the fact that it doesnt have the full freesat epg - only now and next but it supports red button and rtes current dtt version of aertel

It has:

- Full DTT EPG
- Now and Next EPG for 28.2
- HD - dvb-s2 and dvb-t
- PVR capibility as well if you attach a usb stick or external hard drive - ive to test this out as of yet
- digital mheg5 version for bbc and saorview - saorview digital loads alot faster than the bc red button verion (something i noted)

Only 3 flaws with this box though:

- It sometimes struggles to load page 3001 on the bbc red button
- It can freeze up occasionaly but all ye do is disconnect the power and reconnect it
- Now and next EPG only shows up when you select a sat channel - say you select bbc1 then it shows up for bbc1 and all the channels on that transponder and will remain until you reboot the box. As you go through different tp's they load up too and the epg comes together but still a pain in the ass overall thus limiting its pvr capibility unless you are recording from a saorview channel which has a full epg

This combo box looks like it is fully saorview compatible however im not sure if it is compatible with saorsat (EDIT - documentation stats C and Ku band - no Ka band mentioned) - my parents have only gotten this in the last month so ive to fully put it through its paces :P

Quick question by the way - is the following true and how will it effect saorsat's performance? "Unlike the Ku and the C bands, however, it (Ka) is far more susceptible to signal attenuation under rainy conditions"

Apogee

Ka-band signals are more susceptible to attenuation than C or Ku.



But you can compensate for this with higher signal transmit power or higher error correction (e.g. FEC 1/2 as currently used on Saorsat).

watty

Also the same size dish at satellite and home on Ka rather than Ku is each about twice the gain. We don't exactly know what size the dishes on the Satellite are, but there are four and they are likely larger than on older satellites.

So although the rain attenuation is very much higher, RTENL did provisionally mention a 65cm dish.

I've always explained to people that a clear sky is no indication of performance. On ka this is more of a change. The Ka-Sat is also adaptive. Each spot (and even data on VSAT connections) varies in power for the worst case link performance.

Because of higher dish gain and highish per spot power my estimate was that 44cm was possible. But it seems RTENL will run at lower than maximum carrier power (this save money and decreases "overspill" too).

watty

warlikedave wrote: »

Triax do a good combo box model is: ST-HD 537 - it is dvb-s2 and dvb-t mpeg4 with mheg-5....it isnt a true freesat box

It was supposed to be Saorview certified. It is alleged to have failed. By all accounts a terrible box and many people refunded. Triax will have a new Combo probably certified, if all goes well, soon.

[edit: see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056168690 ]

zg3409

Onwave now have an online shop selling KA LNBs and the option of an 80cm steel dish.

Postage is only stated for "anywhere in Ireland" next day if ordered early the day before.

Per Item
LNB 35 Each inc free delivery

80cm Steel dish WITH LNB 65 Each inc free delivery/ or 30 Euro extra for dish if it could be bought on it's own inc free delivery.)

These can only be ordered online so I don't think they want people to call in (for small orders)

No credit card charge. Laser, Mastercard and Visa accepted

Warning:

This product is for enthusiats NOT to be installed to watch actual TV yet.
Service is on test, may be discontinued, turned off, changed at any moment

Compatable equipment (especially receivers Saorview/Sat/Freeview certified) not available, may never be available.

The dish DOES NOT COME WITH ANY WALL BRACKET. This needs to be purchased seperately.
The dish DOES NOT COME WITH COAX
The dish DOES NOT COME WITH a bracket for a second LNB
The dish may not be able to mount a bracket for a second LNB
The dish may be the wrong size (unless RTENL says otherwise)

Sales pitch:
"This 80cm satellite dish is perfect for receiving the Ka Satellite signal and if a Ku Satellite LNB is added can also receive Freesat channels from Astra28 degrees"

But note:
"A larger dish may be required to receive the satellite signal in some parts of Ireland"

Should the KA LNB be in prime focus or offset -We don't know yet. The dish in the picture is not a photo and the logo on it is "onwave" -not a dish manufacturer. Setting up a dual LNB dish is not for beginners at this stage - Kits may emerge in the future.

I would not recommend buying the dish, particularly as no-one knows what size will be recommended. Also the dish quality/make is unknown (probably cheap rubbish?)

An 80cm dish with KA LNB might be quite hard to point as dishes are more directional on KA than they are for normal Satellite work.

Steel dishes are probably not suitable for seaside/very exposed areas.

If purchasing anything don't buy more than one LNB, strictly for testing only. They mention basically no refunds if RTENL don't supply a signal. There is no discount or saving on shipping if you buy more than one.

A receiver is not included. You need a minimum Satellite HD (DVB-S2 receiver) The best receiver to buy is not known so I recommend not buying a receiver if you don't have one already. They do mention one make in the faq but are not selling it online.

Do not start wiring up your house for Saorsat with cables/multiswitches etc. Clear guides will be provided on the best setup in the future by RTENL and boards members.

The suppliers are attempting to be "ahead of the game" but there are risks for that. By giving them your details (address, email, phone number etc) they may try to sell you other products (called upselling) such as broadband by Satellite which should only be used as a last resort (expensive, hourly caps, loads of catches, long minimum contract etc)

They may offer to install it for you at a high cost and who knows if they know what they are doing? Buyer BEWARE

The dish can/will be possibly installed by any good aerial installer. Some may not know now how to do it but there should be training by RTENL in the coming weeks/months.

If you have never installed a dish youself then wait until boards.ie members have tested everything and can recommend what is the best way to do it.

Below is a copy of the frequently asked questions from their site
Note this is biased sales speak

---

FAQ

What are the benefits of this system?
This equipment is the first on the Irish market to allow users to view Irish Saorview TV channels (RTE 1, RTE 2 etc.) anywhere in Ireland regardless of aerial signal quality and without a monthly TV subscription. This system can be connected to a single set top box and does not require the installation of an aerial.

I have a Free to air dish, can I use the Saorview Ka Sat LNB with this dish to receive the Saorview channels?
No. A different satellite dish is required which also needs to be pointed to Eutelsat KASat 9E degree. A different set top box is also required to decode the signal.

Where can I get this system installed?
Onwave can install this system as part of a satellite broadband installation. Click here for more details.

I have a Saorview approved set top box, can I connect this to the Saorview satellite service?
That depends on the type of set top box. Only the Walker WP75SAT-HD set top box is currently recommended by Onwave for this satellite service. Other set top boxes and MPEG4 TVs may be compatible with this system.

What other satellites can be received on this Satellite dish?
Astra 28 Degrees East which broadcasts Freesat channels can also be received with a multifeed arm with a Ku Sat LNB.

What direction in the sky does this satellite dish need to be pointed to?
This dish should be pointed to 9 degrees east.

What cable is required for this installation?
Standard RG6 cable. We do not provide cable with any online purchases. Please consult your local TV installer for a quote on cable required.

What type of bracket is required for this satellite dish?
A standard universal wall mount can be used. Please contact your local TV installer for more information.

What channels are available with this system?
RTE is currently testing this system and as such, the complete Saorview channel list is not available.

Currently RTE1, RTE2, RTE News Now, RTE +1 & RTEjr. For more information about Saorview by satellite please consult the official Saorview website.

How do I install the satellite dish?
If you are unfamiliar with satellite dish installations, we recommend getting a local satellite installer to install this system for you. The main receiver is the Ka Sat LNB which can be connected to an approved

Saorview satellite set top box. It may also function if connected to an MPEG4 TV.

What comes with the satellite dish?
The dish comes with an easy mount arm and an LNB holder. No wall mount is included with this dish.

Delivery FAQ
Onwave can deliver to anywhere in Ireland. Delivery is next day depending on what time of day the order is received.

Refunds FAQ
Refunds are not available unless equipment has been demonstrated not to function correctly. Onwave has no control over the transmission of the signal and as such cannot be responsible for signal quality or channels received. For full details please consult the Terms & Conditions.

T&Cs
Full terms and conditions are available here.

Is it possible to record from this system?
This system uses an MPEG4 signal and if connected to the correct set top box, recording may be possible.

Onwave accepts no liability should this not be possible

Should you have any further queries that have not been covered on this page please email us with your

question etc

---

The "Terms and conditions" links to a PDF with more legalese.

---

At the bottom of the page under TV there is logos of channels with NO TV3 nor 3E -very worrying
On the FAQ it says
"RTE is currently testing this system and as such, the complete Saorview channel list is not available"
then it lists the same set of channels again.

---

Here is the link you have been waiting for:
http://www.onwave.ie/saorview_parts

This page may go down for maintenance, it was all day Tuesday and most of today
There is a contact email address at the bottom of the FAQ page
There is no link to this page from the main onwave site.
There was also an apology about the delay...

---

Note the absence of the "Saorsat" wording on the site. I will test it asap and see what the second F connector does!

The Cush

zg3409 wrote: »

A receiver is not included. You need a minimum Satellite HD (DVB-S2 receiver) The best receiver to buy is not known so I recommend not buying a receiver if you don't have one already. They do mention one make in the faq but are not selling it online.

Ciaran999 (Onwave???) posted this about the Walker WP75SAT-HD previously - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76461857&postcount=31

He also posted that TV3/3e were unlikely to be carried because of programme rights issues.

Model : WP75SAT-HD
Specifications

Walker Free To Air Satellite Box
Hd Digital Satellite Receiver
No Subscription Or Monthly Bills
Perfect For Ex-sky Subscribers
Bbc1 -bbc2- Bbc3- Bbc4
Itv1 -itv2 -itv3 -itv4
5- Bbc Hd- Itv Hd- Ch4 Hd
Hdmi Digital Tv Connection
7 Day On Screen Program Guide
Usb Recorder And Player
Hi-fi Stereo Sound
On Screen Display
Signal Level & Quality Indicator
Infra Red Remote Control
Ready For Rte Satellite
Broadcasting Due Feb 2012
Installation Service Available

watty

TV3 is about penny pinching, not rights. They will be available to over 55% in N.I. Terrestrially.

galtee boy

watty wrote: »

There may be Combo box or two to make you happy soon. They will be Saorview approved, but not "Freesat" approved, so the makers will not be able to advertise how good (or not) the boxes are with Freesat and Freesat HD channels. Watch the OTHER threads. It's not relevant to Saorsat. They may or may not record, but even if they can record they will not be certified as PVRs.

Thanks Watty, I don't mind if they are approved or not and if they can be advertised or not, as long as they have 7 day epg for both Saorview and satellite, pvr would be nice, but that can come later. I await in anticipation !

mickyperry

The dish size will have to be a standard size for all of Ireland. 80cm maybe to big.

Also if the service is not going to be available to Northern Ireland, then the footprint is going to be fun as the footprint will need to cover county Donegal.

TV3 are most likely not going to offer due to UTV rights.

Why are BBC not offering free, if RTE is going on 4 transmitters in Northern Ireland.

The Cush

mickyperry wrote: »

Why are BBC not offering free, if RTE is going on 4 transmitters in Northern Ireland.

Maybe because they aren't willing to pay the transmission and distribution costs.

Stinicker

I ordered one of these this evening, I plan to go experimenting this weekend if I receive the LNB by Friday! I'll keep the board updated with my findings!

watty

The service only meant for those that can't get Saorview. Not enough LNBs for 1/2 the country to go installing it. So ...
65cm is old info.

To reduce coverage and costs, and discourage take up as a mass service an 80cm will be needed for a single feed

It's only meant for people that can't get Saorview Terrestrial.

My Multifeed is an offset 90 x95cm aligned on 16E, with 28, 19, 13 & 9e, We will see when service is official what the Quality is on it.

Announcements will be low key but soon because it's just a fill in service. It should be fine in Donegal but might need a larger dish (90cm +) near Ballycastle

The Cush

watty wrote: »

The service only meant for those that can't get Saorview. Not enough LNBs for 1/2 the country to go installing it. So ...
65cm is old info.

To reduce coverage and costs, and discourage take up as a mass service an 80cm will be needed for a single feed

You appear to have received updated info since you posted over in DS an hour ago, inside info?

Is the low-key announcement expected this week? Is this upcoming launch similar to the soft launch of Saorview in Oct 2010 before the full launch in May 2011? Public testing phase before ASO? Maybe higher power after testing/ASO based on viewer feedback?

I understand how coverage would be reduced but how would this relate to reduction in costs?

Sam Russell

The Cush wrote: »

I understand how coverage would be reduced but how would this relate to reduction in costs?

I presume they are charged for power transmitted.


Could they up the power transmitted during rain or fog? It could give a more even s/n within the catchment area and reduce overspill, if they are that worried about it.

watty

Is the low-key announcement expected this week? Is this upcoming launch similar to the soft launch of Saorview in Oct 2010 before the full launch in May 2011? Public testing phase before ASO? Maybe higher power after testing/ASO based on viewer feedback?

No idea. Sorry. I doubt they will change the power much. It's possible to get that pretty much correct after tests.


The spots are auto-adaptive. It's more a case that they reduce the power if the whole of Ireland is a clear sky. Only the Internet connections are totally adaptive.

You do pay less for less carrier power. I used to have all the prices of power and bandwidth for Intelsat 907.

warlikedave

watty wrote: »

It was supposed to be Saorview certified. It is alleged to have failed. By all accounts a terrible box and many people refunded. Triax will have a new Combo probably certified, if all goes well, soon.

[edit: see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056168690 ]

Have read through that - it seems a shame since that box had a lot of potential. It seems to work ok here anyways. So not all accounts be bad :P :P

zg3409

If the carrier power for the entire spot automatically varies up and down with the weather/link conditions then RTE's power from space may vary all over the place. This would be especially noticeable if weather was bad everywhere else but good where you were.

We should try to keep an eye on the quality received and the relative power of Saorsat carrier vs Internet carrier. I know the internet carrier can vary power and change bit rate to suit conditions but it would be interesting to see the RTENL carrier.

It would be an interesting qn to pose an RTENL engineer after it is oficially launched. I will try get one to give a talk when they are not gagged.

Also can someone buy a couple of these LNBs, calculate international postage and put them on eBay? I know there are a couple of people in Wales and Germany that are looking to get them. I will start a thread on the Foreign Satellite section for what the Germans are hoping to pick up. There may also be demand from the USA.

I am very busy/away for a week or two. Can someone order an extra one and put it on eBay?

Also I think it was nice for Onwave to give them to enthusiats. I don't think they really wanted to sell them on 1's and 2's or even yet but all the anoraks calling convinced them!

watty

5% of people without Saorview is potentially 20,000 homes approx.

I doubt there are many more LNBs than that, though I could be wrong. This is why the launch will be low key and as large a dish as is practicable (Sky Analogue used 80cm) and the limit without planning permission is less than 1m.

Let the Americans and Germans source their own

Apogee

watty wrote: »

To reduce coverage and costs, and discourage take up as a mass service an 80cm will be needed for a single feed

What's the source for this statement?

channnels

It makes more sense for Saorsat to be a low key FTA option for those who can't get Saorview. That an 80cm dish MAY be required will undoubtedly put a fair few people off putting up a dish when a small UHF aerial would work as well if not better is a factor too.

I have no doubt TV3/3e will be on Saorsat and at RTEs expense.

The real demand for RTE by satellite really would be for expats in GB and Europe. Wonder what they think.

Macy0161

channnels wrote: »

I have no doubt TV3/3e will be on Saorsat and at RTEs expense.

I'd agree with this, unless TV3 actually go out of their way to block it. If one of the proposed aims is backing up the transmitter network, and TV3 are paying from DTT (whether they are already, but surely by ASO), then couldn't they argue it should already be covered? If the costs are as low as we've heard, not having the full channel line up would appear to me to be cutting off their nose to spite their face...

watty

RTENL will never give anyone a free ride. They can't. The people paying would sue. TV3 is / was content to break licence terms and be missing for 15% to 17% of Analogue viewers. They won't care to pay for Backup feed or the 2% to 5% that can't get Saorview (officially only 2% vs 20%+ that don't get Analogue TV3).

RTENL certainly won't and can't give Oireachtas TV a free ride on DTT, but I'd imagine that when the Government get round to allowing FTA Broadcast access (instead of just the online streams there for years and recent UPC PayTV) they will pay the small amount extra for Satellite.

RTENL is legally obliged to do everything on a Commercial Basis (That's what the comment about Saorsat meant in July 2012, not that there would be pay TV). Every service they offer has to be separately charged for.

What's the source for this statement? [80cm dish]

Someone that knows. It will no doubt be in the official low key statement soon. A 44cm dish is technically possible. But since it's not a service for the bulk of population it makes sense to limit costs and coverage.

channnels

So you have access to a deep throat at RTE Transmission? Or you work for RTE NL? Is it fair to say you are their unofficial spokesman since I take it you seem to take the official RTE line on all things digital?

channelsurfer2

does that mean an 80cm dish will still pick up 28.2(astra for itv and bbc) or do rtenl intend to make this a non-runner as well as a 1 metre dish would now be needed? surely as a public service broadcaster rte should not be allowed to limit or indeed specify such retrograde solutions without any public comment or actually having to ask the Minister for permission to do this?

Peter Rhea

channelsurfer2 wrote: »

does that mean an 80cm dish will still pick up 28.2(astra for itv and bbc)

Not while it's pointed at 9E . . .

channnels

Irish planning regulations state that no more than one dish with a diameter of 1 metre can be installed. That dish cannot be installed either on the front of the house, the front roof slope or higher than the highest part of the roof of the house.

If as now seems likely Saorsat requires a 80cm dish then there might well be issues with adding another dish for UK channels unless that 80cm dish can support an extra LNB pointed at 28 east.

With those restrictions in place Saorsat sounds like RTE intend it to be the last resort option for reception, to be used only if a Saorview signal cannot be obtained under any circumstances.

watty

my 90 x 95 cm dish is pointed at 16E

But it's multi-feed.
Left 28

---

19E -|- 13 - 9 right

An 80cm pointed at 10E may work for 28, 19, 13 & 9E, especially in Southeast.

In Donegal or SW Cork you might need 90cm to 110cm for 9E and 28E. Probably the Triax in the picture (which is 90cm wide and 95cm tall, but I don't know which model it is).

A new hole needs drilled about 3cm to 4cm off centre on the Triax bar to allow 9E to be close to Arm of dish and 28E more offset.

watty

channnels wrote: »

RTE intend it to be the last resort option for reception, to be used only if a Saorview signal cannot be obtained under any circumstances.

That's what they have been saying since the day (in July 2010 I think) they first presented the solution to the Oireachtas Communications Committee.

In the S.E. of Ireland a 50cm Dish is big enough for Sky/Freesat. as you go to extremes of North or South of the West Sky/Freesat (esp. the Eurobird beam) need a larger dish. So you make the 9E LNB close to dish arm and 28E LNB weaker by further from Arm on dish size according to location (for Sky/Eurobird/Freesat variation more than Ka-Sat)

Apogee

watty wrote: »

Someone that knows. It will no doubt be in the official low key statement soon.

It this the same "someone who knows" who previously led you to believe a 65cm dish would suffice?

channnels

Hmm. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have avoided Metalwork classes in school. Looks like Saorsat will be a great opportunity for blacksmiths to fashion locality-specific dish brackets to allow 9e and 28e on one 1m dish.

channnels

Apogee wrote: »

It this the same "someone who knows" who previously led you to believe a 65cm dish would suffice?

Either Watty has a RTE NL deep throat or Watty is part of RTE NL. Party line and all that.

Ronnie Raygun

Are you one of our "closed account" friends signed up again?

Astro7

Just got a Ka-Sat LNB from Onwave....testing on a 36x42 cm dish
here in Bray....84% on Level and 65% on Quality with a Technomate 6900 HD

watty

See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76871867&postcount=435

84% on Level and 65% on Quality

FORGET level, irrelevant.

Quality without knowing sky /weather is meaningless.

Reports of quality vs No cloud, overcast, heavy dark cloud, mist, drizzle, light rain, heavy rain and downpour. A screen clip of the radar on met.ie at the time too.

(Alt Prt Scrn, paste into edit program, crop, save and upload).

Ka-Band changes greatly with weather.

martin12

Astro7 wrote: »

Just got a Ka-Sat LNB from Onwave....testing on a 36x42 cm dish
here in Bray....84% on Level and 65% on Quality with a Technomate 6900 HD

What size dish Zone 1 or 2

Peter Rhea

36 x 42cm isn't a Sky dish zone anything.

Deep diver

Are sky zone dishes designed for 10-12ghz, as Soarsat is 20 ghz approx, so saorsat antenna should be more precise ? And would the holes in the sky dishes not cause problems in rain, as it could alter the surface accuracy of the antenna, so signal level tests should be done in poor weather conditions! And with a professional metre.

watty

Sky dishes are no use:
1) Not accurate enough for 20GHz
2) Apparently too small.
3) Definitely two small for reliable dual feeds of anything in Ireland.

Rain isn't the problem for a perforated dish (or a mesh dish in fibreglass), but the size of holes and the distortion of the dish. They are not even very good 11GHz dishes, built down to a price.


No. you don't need poor weather. You do need to know what the BER should be for clear sky, drizzle and heavy rain so you have the required margin if doing a non-standard multiple feed. But if you use the Approved size of dish you just align properly with the meter as the dish size takes account of margin needed for heavy rain.

A Wavefrontier T90 may be suitable for multifeed as the LNBF for Ka-Sat can be set to opposite polarity. The smaller Wavefrontier is too small.

watty

Peter Rhea wrote: »

36 x 42cm isn't a Sky dish zone anything.

Sounds like a Camper van or Caravan dish for mainland Europe. Too small for reliable ANYTHING in Ireland in the rain.