STAR CHOICE
supplies a 60 cm Elliptical Antenna (Model 60-E) to their residential
customers in most parts of Canada. This is equivalent to a 24-inch
size, and works acceptably under most conditions in southern parts of
Canada and the northern third of the U.S. Lower 48. Model
75-E, a 30-inch version, is available by special order at select
Canadian STAR CHOICE dealers, and is useful in weaker signal areas such
as northern parts of Canada, and in locations with steady rainfall such
as the Maritimes and coastal B.C.
Those Canadians wanting to take STAR CHOICE
with them to their vacation homes in the United States and Mexico will
often find that a larger antenna than the one they use at their Canadian
location is necessary for reliable reception. We would recommend
at least the 75-E in all but the northern parts of the Lower 48 U.S.
states, where a 60-E might be satisfactory, and it might be acceptable
in northern Mexico. Rather than take up valuable space on the trip
southward, why not consider taking your receiver from home, and have Global
Communications provide a suitable antenna
and LNBF for use on your holiday.
Some advice about the Star Choice-supplied
60-E and 75-E antennas. Recent installations have included a
unique LNBF device with four coax connectors called a "Quad"
LNBF, which is capable of reception of both the Anik F1R and F2
satellites, when properly aligned. The Quad LNBF is designed to
work only on the model of antenna that it was shipped with. This
means that you cannot successfully interchange a Quad LNBF supplied with
the 60-E antenna on a 75-E model, or vice versa. This is a very
unique LNBF device made for Star Choice, and is not available for sale
as a spare part. If your Quad LNBF fails, the only remedy to
replace it is to go through the Warranty Exchange process with an
authorized Star Choice dealer in Canada. Those planning an
extended vacation in the United States, and especially Mexico, might
want to consider the possibility that they could be without their
satellite service during the unfortunate event of a Quad LNBF failure,
and that alternative antenna and LNBF configurations might be advisable.
The Quad LNBF is an incredible piece of
technology when it works, and allows reception of 2 satellites from one
satellite dish, through the magic of integrated switching and compact
pickup probes. Conventional LNBFs meant for one satellite have
been standardized to a certain physical size that means that 2 separate
units cannot fit in the same space that is occupied by a Quad LNBF.
The satellites are only 4 degrees apart, and the outer housings of the
LNBFs get in the way of each other at that close distance. What to
do?
If you are using a standard definition
receiver such as those in the model 200, 300 or 400 series, you will not
be needing access to High Definition signals, which are found on the
111.1 Anik F2 satellite. With the small exception of the NFL
Sunday Ticket PPV package and a few other channels, the majority of
English language television signals are found on the 107.3 Anik F1R
satellite. If you need none of the previously mentioned signals or
French and foreign language services, a simple single satellite system
will work.
Global Communications can supply an
American-sourced antenna and LNBF, which will be considerably easier to
align for those requiring only Anik F1R reception, and you have the
assurance that if this LNBF should ever require replacement, it is
easily obtained in the United States. We have an economical 90 cm
(36 inch) round offset dish called the HOT DISH 90, which is available
with either a single output Ku LNBF, or a dual output model LNBF for
those that need reception on two satellite receivers.
 |
 |
| DMS
JSC-321S single output Ku Band LNBF |
DMS
JSC-322 dual output Ku Band LNBF |
 |
 |
SINGLE OUTPUT
PANSAT PF-7600 Ku-Band LNBF
Suitable for a One-Receiver System
|
DUAL OUTPUT PANSAT
PT-5600 Ku-Band LNBF
Suitable for a Two-Receiver System
|
22 KHz Switch
|
|
33 to 36-inch Offset dishes should perform acceptably
for reception of standard definition signals on strong Ku-band satellites such as ANIK F1R or ANIK F2
throughout most of Canada and the United States Lower 48 States.
The recent upgrading of the High Definition transmission system to 8PSK
format has reduced the receive signal strength, in comparison with
standard definition signals on the same satellite.
Those with marginally sized antennas may have unsatisfactory results
with HDTV signals. When encountering an abundance of rainy conditions, or weaker signals
such as those found in the Sun Belt or northern Mexico, should consider
the HOT DISH 90, a round offset antenna measuring 36 inches across.
LINK
to HOT DISH 90 ANTENNA
Access to both ANIK
F1R and F2 absolutely required?
1) Take your chances with the STAR CHOICE 75-E antenna with Quad
LNBF.
-OR-
2) Install TWO separate antennas, and use either a 22 KHz switch
or other Multiswitch for automatic access.
If you choose the
latter, please be aware that signal strength from ANIK F1R and F2 is not
equal in the southern United States and Mexico. Anik F2 is
actually stronger, and standard definition signals will work with a 75 cm antenna in all but
southern Mexico, and its reach can be into Belize and beyond with the
HOT DISH 90. Those south of Mexico please be advised to check
with us on estimated antenna sizes required in specific locations.
Those customers with
the DSR-505 or 530 HDTV receivers would be advised to install TWO of the
HOT DISH 90 antennas to reduce problems.
Anik F1R shares space
with another spacecraft serving Latin America, and has a reduced signal
strength once you get into Mexico. We can recommend the HOT DISH
90 for reception past Guadalajara, and all of Baja California down
past La Paz. Those venturing to Mexico City and southward on the
mainland may find that larger diameter antennas are necessary,
especially during rainy conditions. You might consider finding a
1.0 or 1.2 meter locally-made offset dish that might normally be used
for SKY MEXICO, and install one of the above-recommended DMS or PANSAT
brand Ku-band
LNBFs. SKY MEXICO uses a Universal LNBF, which is not compatible
with STAR CHOICE satellite receivers.
STILL one more avenue
to explore in Mexico, especially for those located in southern regions,
is to acquire a locally made SKY MEXICO antenna with appropriate 40 mm
LNBF neck clamp. The freight differential might make it worth
considering, but be very careful in choosing or accepting lightweight
and often flimsy antennas of unknown origin. They may not be
accurate in their shape, and could possibly not be suitable for
reception of these weak signals.
Finally, there are
people that used to use 4, 6 and 8-foot offset dishes of various
configurations previously to receive signals from DBS services DirecTV
or DISH Network. Please note that the LNBF holder on most of these
DBS antennas is designed so that the F-connectors for the coax
connection slide into a rectangular shaped tube that hides the
wires. Conventional Ku-band LNBFs attach in a different manner,
with a "neck clamp" around the LNBF, between the body of the
device and the round section facing the antenna. We can build an
adjustable LNBF holder to allow you to use your previous large DBS
antenna with a conventional Ku-band LNBF. It may need a hole or
two drilled into the antenna, but we can help with a proven solution and
some instructions on how to do it.
 |
Adjustable Ku-Band
LNBF Holder
Attaches to 1/2 inch EMT Electrical Tubing as pictured
Remove the conduit clamp, and it can be installed on a
previous DBS LNBF rectangular bracket, after drilling a
pair of 1/4 inch holes near the end of the bracket.
Optional 3/4 inch EMT versions also available. |
American Sourced
Antennas, LNBFs and distribution components
for STAR CHOICE reception by SNOWBIRDS
|
Global
Communications
Mike and
Laurel Kohl
S-9141 State
Road 23
Plain, Wisconsin 53577
|
Telephone
Hours 9
am to 6 pm Monday-Friday
608-546-2523
Phone
608-546-2157 Fax
globalcm@mhtc.net E-Mail |
Pricing Effective
February 1, 2010
Please contact us for
delivered price, including shipping
Custom Quotations for
Other Antennas and Hardware
|
|