20" vs 24" dish for DTV HD

[chuck_p]

Just signed up. Looks like a great forum.

I have both an older 24" (but never installed) dish with external multiswitch and Sat-C kit and a new 18x20 triple LNB dish with internal multiswitch. Just got an HD receiver. Which should I install? I'm assuming the larger dish may be less affected by weather etc., but I may be assuming wrong. Any suggestions? Is one easier to align? I have access to a meter (with 22Khz tone). Never aligned a multi LNB dish before so I'm not sure what I'm getting in to.

Thanks!

-Chuck

[larrystotler]

The main advantage of the larger dish is that you can replace all the seperate components, but you have the disadvantage of having all that stuff outside in the weather(tho the switch is waterproof - with good connectors, this is not a problem). This leads to the advantage of the AU2 or Phase III, since it is an integrated unit, but if 1 part fails, you have to replace the whole shebang. If you use the larger dish, make extra sure that the mount is solid since it has more wind load. And the slightly larger size won't make that much difference. I have a D500 setup with 2 different 30" dishes, and still loose signal.

[Mike500]

I've installed over a hundred DTV dishes, both of the 20" and 24" types. There is very little difference in the signal strength for my particular area. I'd install the Phase III dish, unless you are one who likes to modify the dish to receive a combination of DirecTV and Dish Network.

The replacement cost of the components don't really matter. They are both very reliable. The Phase I dish is, however, more vulnerable to damage by water intrusion into the connectors. I'd install the Phase III dish, if I had a choice.

[chuck_p]

Sounds like the 18x20 may be the best way to go. The 24" with SAT-C kit looks like a science fair project with the hokey wiring. Since there appears to be no signal advantage on it, I think that made up my mind. Thanks.

[Lord Vader]

Mike, et. al., based on personal experience, I'd strongly recommend the Phase III dish. I do find it more reliable than the old oval ones. I even have a stronger signal than I had on the 24" oval one.