SHAW DIRECT 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 SHAW DIRECT 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 SHAW DIRECT
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 easily 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 tend to get in the way of each other at that close
distance. What to do?
If you are using a older standard
definition receiver such as those in the model 200, 300 or 400 series,
you will not be needing or getting access to High Definition signals.
With the small exception of the NFL Network 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.
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| Hot Dish 90 Antenna
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DMS
JSC-321S single output
Ku Band LNBF |
22 KHz Switch |
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| Multifeed Bracket
Kit |
DMS
JSC-322 dual output
Ku Band LNBF |
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36-inch (90 cm) 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. You will get the
best performance with two separate 90 cm antennas, if space and finances
permit. While there will be a small sacrifice of signal on one
satellite, many folks have used the Multifeed Bracket Kit to allow
reception of both satellites on one 90 cm dish. This can be a
tricky alignment, but when done properly, it works the majority of the
time. Should signal strength be a problem, you can always add a
2nd 90 cm antenna later, if it becomes necessary.
The recent upgrading of the High Definition transmission system to
MPEG-4 / 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 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 brand
Ku-band LNBFs. SKY MEXICO uses a Universal LNBF, which is not
compatible with SHAW DIRECT 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 put it together.
Please note the two
satellite "footprint" maps below, for 107.3 West ANIK F1R and
111.1 West ANIK F2, respectively.
111.1 generally has a stronger signal as you get south of the U.S. Lower
48. This means that signals are usable on this satellite further
into Central America, such as portions of Honduras and Costa Rica, given
a large enough antenna.
The larger the number in dB, the stronger the signal, and thus smaller
antenna can be used in those areas such as central Canada.
LINK to 107.3 Anik F1R
EIRP Footprint Map
LINK to 111.1 Anik F2
EIRP Footprint Map
American Sourced Antennas, LNBFs and distribution components
for SHAW DIRECT reception by SNOWBIRDS
|
Global
Communications
Mike and
Laurel Kohl
S-9141 State
Road 23
Plain, Wisconsin 53577 |
608-546-2523
Phone
globalcm@mhtc.net E-Mail |
Pricing Effective
August 25, 2011
Please contact us for
delivered price, including shipping
Custom Quotations for
Other Antennas and Hardware
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