Focal length of parabolic dish.

How to make inclinometer.

How to find offset angle of dish

Azimuth and elevation and polarisation angle calculator (satellite finder with magnetic north)

Correcting VSAT dish distortion.

Antenna panel alignment.

Sub reflector adjustment

Use rear side struts

VSAT Installation.

Explanation of antenna feed polarisation angle

Satellite dish pointing angle calculator

VSAT information index

Satellite training

Example VSAT feed assembly with transmit and receive ports.

Ku band feed with OMT and transmit reject filter and transmit bandpass filter

Ku Filter /OMT assembly p/n 718312 Model : 0800-2598 and feed horn Model 0800-1375.

For mounting, the transmit module must be attached at the left and the whole assembly clamped using rings on the 2.5 W transmit module plus the circular tube just behind the feed horn.

A similar unit exists p/n 718310, Model 0800-2712 which has a disk with polarisation scale. The disk together with the circular tube just behind the horn allow the assembly to be held with two clamps. This arrangement is suitable where the transmit arrangement involves a flexible waveguide and the transmit modules are fixed to the feed arm..

See also cross-pol OMT and co-pol diplexer filter / feed assemblies

This assembly is designed to transmit on one polarisation and receive on the other. As shown, transmit polarisation is vertical and receive horizontal. To change this turn the whole unit through 90 degrees. In actual satellite service that the assembly will be tilted to some calculated angle and set to an accuracy of +/- 1 deg.  Start with the feed set to receive nominal horizontal or vertical and then turn the feed clockwise if the polarisation angle is positive number, while facing the satellite.

Attach the Low Noise amplifier/Block down-converter (LNB) at the top sidearm waveguide. Attach the transmitter or transmit waveguide to the left end o of the centreline waveguide.  In both cases take care that the rectangular holes align correctly, as do any gaskets used.

Inside the Ortho Mode Transducer (OMT) assembly, where two rectangular waveguides are merged into a circular waveguide, is a horizontal metal vane across the waveguide that stops horizontally polarised receive signals passing. These signals are forced up through a slot into the upper filter assembly and thence into the LNB via a 90 deg H plane bend. (remember H = hard to bend!)

Vertical polarisation waveguide LNB

Vertical polarisation refers to the tiny vertical half dipole pin that sticks up through the broad face of the rectangular waveguide.

Vertically polarised transmit signals pass through the whole assembly along the centreline.

Filters are incorporated to stop leakage of the transmitter output into the low noise receiver. If this happens the noise floor increases, the gain reduces and in the worst case the LNB is permanently damaged (burned out).  If you have no receive signal and a dead LNB, don't keep replacing LNBs and blowing them all up. Test replacement LNBs with the transmitter off.  There must be a filter in front of the LNB to protect it.

The feed horn shown is Model 0800-1375 39 deg Ku band horn. The outside diameter of the feed is 14.6 cm (5.76 inches). Feed opening diameter 12.75 cm. Length 10.9 cm. It is intended for use with f/d=0.8 ETSI antennas such as 1134, 1194, 1244, 0800-1362(1.2), 0800-1474(1.8) Frequencies: Receive 12.25 - 12.75 GHz, transmit 14 - 14.5 GHz

Note that a smaller feed horn exists called 0800-309. Outside diameter 13.3 cm.(5.23 inches). Feed opening diameter 11.2cm. Length 9.1 cm. This is intended for f/d=0.6 antennas such as 1123, 1124, 1125, 1183, 1184, 1251, 1255, 1381, 1383.

Amended 10 Jan 2015, updated 22 April 2020