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View Full Version : 5 LNB Too Big For Apartment... Options for more HD?

dankones
05-30-09, 01:15 AM
Is it possible to convert/hack my current 3 lnb dish so it can receive all of the HD channels Directv has to offer? I currently only receive the few HD channels from 70-88. My landlord won't let me drill into the brick so I can't use the 5lnb slimline dish because it is way too big. Can I do anything to receive the HD channels on the new satellites? Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
evan_s
05-30-09, 01:27 AM
Some people have had luck getting a Slimline 3 LNB to work with an older dish like yours but it almost always results in lower signal levels and needing to very carefully fine tune the aiming to even have a chance at picking up all the HD. Obviously its also going to be something that is totally do it yourself and unsupported by directv.
Mertzen
05-30-09, 06:04 AM
Use evan_s' method or Try using a dish500+ or eastern arc dish with D* slimline3 LNB. Reflector is bigger then yours but not as big as slimline and uses the same pipe.
PM me if you need help with any of this.
BattleZone
05-30-09, 02:35 PM
Use evan_s' method or Try using a dish500+ or eastern arc dish with D* slimline3 LNB. Reflector is bigger then yours but not as big as slimline and uses the same pipe.
PM me if you need help with any of this.

Given the way the LNBs attach, and the fact that he already has a Phase III dish, I'd go that route first. All he needs is an SL3 LNB and some patience aiming.

Keep in mind that this setup will not give you the resistance to rain fade that the larger Slimline will, but that's one of the tradeoffs to being able to use the smaller dish. Aiming difficulties without the fine-tuning mechanism are another.
Tom Robertson
05-30-09, 02:45 PM
Welcome to the forums, dankones! :welcome_s

I gather you don't have any patio space pointing south so you could use a non-penetrating mount? (Or big bucket with concrete.)

Good luck,
Tom
samrs
05-30-09, 02:47 PM
How is your current 3 LNB dish mounted?
dankones
05-30-09, 06:43 PM
Hi everyone. Thanks for your advice. Mertzen is going to help me out in person. I'll let you know how we resolve this.
Matt9876
05-30-09, 11:18 PM
A Slimline3 LNB works great on a phase III dish with very little signal degradation. :)
Mertzen
05-31-09, 06:51 AM
A Slimline3 LNB works great on a phase III dish with very little signal degradation. :)

WE'll see this afternoon. Did you ever try anything with bigger reflectors?
JJJBBB
05-31-09, 06:57 AM
Got me curiosity now, kinda like a wee drama... how did it work out? Did you bribe the landlord in the end or get a bucket of concrete? I see today is Sunday so I'll have to wait.
Mertzen
05-31-09, 01:34 PM
Done and done. 3LNB ka.ku LNB on multisat dish.
Signal low 90s to mid 80s on 101. 99 and 103. All HD coming in fine.
Also cleaned up wires at the WB68.
roadrunner1782
05-31-09, 02:51 PM
Sweet deal! Did the LNB just fit in the arm or did it take some finesse?
Mertzen
05-31-09, 02:54 PM
Sweet deal! Did the LNB just fit in the arm or did it take some finesse?

It takes a little wiggling. It will only take one of the two LNB screws though.
dankones
05-31-09, 07:08 PM
Mertzen is the man! He did great work. Now I get all the HD that DirecTV offers and I didn't need a bigger dish. Thanks!
Nick
05-31-09, 07:15 PM
Nicely done, Mertzen -- and dankones! Congrats.
avmaster
06-01-09, 02:00 PM
sad thing is any directv tech that works as a sub for them would have been given a lot of flack if not fired for doing that.
Mertzen
06-01-09, 05:40 PM
sad thing is any directv tech that works as a sub for them would have been given a lot of flack if not fired for doing that.

They would; but I would never attempt this without full consent of a customer and multiple warnings about what the customer is getting in to.
The OP in question here knows the risks, knows not to involve D* in this dish setup nor to blame me for any issues in relation to signal strength.
AVLCD
06-02-09, 08:13 AM
If I need international channels(Jade), will the 5lnb work?
Mertzen
06-02-09, 08:21 AM
If I need international channels(Jade), will the 5lnb work?

No, the PhaseIII reflector isn't wide enough to according to the big 'experimental' thread.

I haven't tried it myself though so I can't give you 100% up or down.

READ: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=139735
juancholopez
06-03-09, 09:27 AM
Dankones / Mertzen,

Newbie here. Thanks for the info. This is exactly what I want to do. I currently have an old 18inch dish pointed at 101. It is strapped to the chimney and I do not want to use a large slimline dish.

But one of the older multisat dishes may work for me. I live in the tri-state area and I am only interested in viewing the NY networks and the NFL ticket in HD, so satellite 99 is really what I would like to get.

Can you please tell me exactly what size/brand of dish can work?
Mertzen
06-03-09, 11:37 AM
Dankones / Mertzen,

But one of the older multisat dishes may work for me. I live in the tri-state area and I am only interested in viewing the NY networks and the NFL ticket in HD, so satellite 99 is really what I would like to get.

Can you please tell me exactly what size/brand of dish can work?

You'll also need 103.

You can use a multisat in combination with the ka.ku 3LNB. If you want to experiment with slightly larger dishes you can look into dish network 1000.2 or 1000.4; but that will require more modding.

As stated multiple times it is not approved by D*, you can't call them for issues with it and you have to know the possible isses re: rain fade.

If you need my help setting it all up for you, PM me.
Matt9876
07-06-09, 08:10 PM
Cool +1 :)
RonH
08-13-09, 05:50 PM
I just found this Post about using a Slimline 3 LNB on an Old Oval Dish. I use a Old Dish on a Tripod for Football Tailgating and I use a HR21-200 from my Home as the Tailgate receiver. I have an Extra Slimline 3 LNB so I should be able to place this LNB on the Old Dish and get my HD's at my Tailgate?

Thanks