TEST REPORT Satellite Reception

INFOSAT
C/Ku-Band Combifeed
with Integrated
DiSEqC Switch
Thomas Haring and Sylvain Oscul

We have often touched on the C-band subject in TELE-satellite

magazine, sometimes with larger antennas and sometimes with
smaller ones. One thing was always true: a Combifeed for the ▲
Included in the package: the Com-
reception of C-band and Ku-band with integrated DiSEqC switch (to bination LNB with C and Ku-Band
switch between bands) as well as 14/18-volt polarization switching LNB in one housing with feed and
and 22Khz for switching between the low and high bands has not jumper cable for the built-in DiSEqC
been tested by us up to this point. switch.

The Combifeed is offered by fitted on an offset antenna. For

INFOSAT in Bangkok, Thailand. our first test we opted to use
While the C-band is not in all that a 1.2-meter antenna already
much use anymore in Europe, installed on the roof of our
it does offer some significant testing facility. Oddly enough,
advantages in heavy downpours this antenna symbolizes the
or high humidity compared to exact problem that DXer’s face
the Ku-band. Receiving both in Europe: if you don’t have a
bands with a single Combifeed backyard to call your own and
does make quite a bit of sense; have no choice but to install
you save the cost of having to your antennas on a steep roof or
set up a second antenna. This on your balcony, it is often dif-
actually gives us a reason to ficult to consider using a larger
once again play around with the antenna.
C-band here in Europe since all
that is really involved is swap- Thanks to modern C-band and
ping out the LNB. Ku-band satellites that transmit
with more and more power, a
The C/Ku-band feed delivered larger antenna may not neces-
from Thailand was designed pri- sarily be required. A 1.2-meter
marily for use on prime focus antenna already gives you
antennas; although with a little access to thousands of channels ▲
from around the world in the A look inside the feed open-
modification ingenuity, it can be
ing: clearly recognizable is the
dielectric that is necessary for
reception of circularly polarized
signals. Remove it and you have
linear reception.

Ku-band. But as numerous as

the Ku-band availability really
is, long-distance reception is
typically achieved only with C-
band and thanks to this new
Combifeed, it is quite easy to
retrofit your current system for
C-band reception.

Since offset antennas are not

The INFOSAT C/Ku-LNBF can be

▲

seen here installed on a 1.8m para-

bolic antenna.

46 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 08-09/2007 — www.TELE-satellite.com

normally designed to handle C- Combifeed has a Ku-band recep-
band feeds, a cable clip, available tion range of 10.7 to 12.75 GHz
from any electrical installer, was using LOF (local oscillator fre-
used to secure the Combifeed quency) values of 9.75 and 10.6
to the antenna. It’s not exactly GHz as well as a C-band range
a professional solution, but it of 3.4 to 4.2 GHz with an LOF of
is very effective and inexpen- 5.150 GHz. The specifications
sive. The installation required also claim a gain of 65dB with a
some dexterity but after several noise figure of 0.3 dB.
attempts and some fine tuning
adjustments, the feed was in Our first tests were aimed at
the correct position. the C-band so we quickly set up
the correct LOF and then had a
The entire assembly including look at our spectrum analyzer.
antenna motor was previously It indicated a strong signal
aligned using a standard 40mm located at 3675R. We quickly
Ku-band LNB; the less sensitive started a channel scan and found
C-band should therefore be no numerous Russian channels
problem. An Eycos S55.12PVR with plenty of signal strength.
and the Prodig-5 signal analyzer According to the SatcoDX chan-

TELE-satellite editor Thomas Haring aligns the C/

▲

Ku-Band LNBF on a 1.2m offset antenna

were used as receivers. With nel lists, South American chan- Rede Gospel on 4108R and RCN transponders were also receiv-
great expectations, we turned nels with relatively high signal TV on 4016R; unfortunately, able.
the antenna to the especially strength could be found on NSS this channel was encrypted.
strong EXPRESS A1R C-band 806 at 40.5° west. A number of Even the ImpSat Package from We were less successful
satellite at 40° east. MCPC and SCPC transponders Venezuela on 3880R could be when we tried NSS7 at 22°
were receivable in sufficient received but without any bad west where we could only
According to INFOSAT, the quality. Especially strong were weather reserves. A few other receive 3650R without any

www.TELE-satellite.com — 08-09/2007 — TELE-satellite & Broadband 47

 problems. On Atlantic Bird taking a closer look towards circularly polarized signals on antenna that happens to be
3 at 5° west we were able to the east. We stumbled across EUTELSAT W4 at 36° east could located at the SatcoDX station
easily view 4157L but all the a few surprises: the (unfortu- be received in surprisingly good in Lyon, France. The Combifeed
other transponders hovered nately encrypted) AFN pack- quality. is actually designed for this type
around the threshold level of age on INTELSAT 906 at 64.2° of antenna.
the receiver. Even though on east 4080L was identified by If you remove the dielec-
the signal analyzer identified our receiver, the Hope Chan- tric in the feed, then standard And it didn’t take long for us
a number of clearly recogniz- nel on INTELSAT 7 at 68.5° Ku-band H/V signals could be to be surprised by the recep-
able peaks on the display, they east on 3516V was viewable, received effortlessly. tion results. In the C-band the
were still not strong enough Bangla Vision could be seen on Combifeed, fitted with a 17K
for actual reception. TELSTAR 10 at 76.5° east on The reasons for the dimin- LNB, could be compared with
4049H and the Express AM1 at ished performance of the Com- a more expensive 15K LNB. As
Things looked a little better 40° east delivered a number of bifeed in the Ku-band are fairly our signal analyzer measure-
on INTELSAT 907 at 27.5° west Russian channels with plenty of obvious. On the one hand, the ments showed, the Combifeed
where we could receive three bad weather reserve. included feed was not designed actually performed better in
transponders (3715R, 3831R for use on offset antennas so some frequencies than the
and 4048R). On INTELSAT Up until now we were quite you really can’t blame the man- more expensive LNB.
801 at 31.5° west and INTEL- pleased with the results we had ufacturer for this shortfall.
SAT 903 at 34.5° west, only gotten; now it was time to take As already seen in the tests
one transponder on each was a look at Ku-band reception. On the other hand, the home- with an offset antenna, recep-
receivable. made feed holder makes it tion in the Ku-band was some-
The strong DTH positions rather difficult to perfectly align what different because the
For all the others our antenna such as ASTRA at 19.2° east, the LNB in the focal point of the dielectric had to be removed.
was simply too small. The HOTBIRD at 13° east, ASTRA2 antenna. And let’s not forget Then the reception results rep-
normally strong EXPRESS A3 at 28.2° east or ASTRA 3A at that the C-band is much more resented those of a 1.5-meter
satellite at 11° west could not 23.5° east could all be received forgiving compared to the Ku- antenna.
be received with our 120cm without any problems. We band in terms of antenna align-
antenna; the signals that we should mention at this point ment. Overall we can say that it
saw on the spectrum analyzer that the INFOSAT C/Ku-band definitely pays to replace your
were simply too weak. Combifeed is configured for So let’s switch things around current LNB with the INFOSAT
reception of circularly polar- and mount the Combifeed on C/Ku-band Combifeed. Don’t
The next step involved ized signals. With that said, the a real 1.8-meter parabolic expect miracles with signal

Signal Measurements using the C/KU-Band Combifeed

EXPRESS AM1 at 40° east, YAMAL 202 at 49° east, NSS 806 at 319.5° east (40.5° west),
right-hand polarization left-hand polarization right-hand polarization

Measurement with Standard LNB Measurement with Standard LNB Measurement with Standard LNB

Measurement with C/Ku-Band Combifeed Measurement with C/Ku-Band Combifeed Measurement with C/Ku-Band Combifeed

48 TELE-satellite & Broadband — 08-09/2007 — www.TELE-satellite.com

quality in the Ku-band, but for At the same time, it gives you
the reception of the strong C a peek at the wonderful world
and Ku-band positions, the of C-band even with a small
Combifeed would be the perfect antenna without having to elim-
choice. inate the Ku-band.

TECHNIC
DATA
Model CKU Digital LNBF
Function C/Ku-Band Combifeed

Manufacturer Infosat Intertrade Co., Ltd., 46/22 Moo. 5,

Tiwanon Road, Baanmai, Pakkred, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Homepage www.infosats.com
Email niran@infosats.com
Input Frequency Range Ku: 10.7~11.7 GHz/ 11.7~12.75 GHz linear/circular
C: 3.4~4.2 GHz linear/circular
L.O. Frequency Ku: 9.75GHz / 10.6GHz
C: 5.150 GHz
Conversion Gain 65 dB
Band Switching 22 KHz
Polarization Switching 14/18V
C/KU-Band Switching DiSEqC
Noise Figure 0.3 db (Typ.)
Output Connectors 75 Ohm F Type

Some examples
of C-band
channels that
were receivable
with the
C/Ku-Band
Combifeed: RTG1 on 5° west

VOA via 27.5° west TV Centro on 40.5° west

Rede Gospel on TV5 Africa at

NSS806 40.5° west NSS7 22° west

Hope Channel on INTELSAT7 Russian channels

68° east on 40° east