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C-Band Satellite Information

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== Smallest Possible C-Band Dish ==== C Band Equipment ==Depending on the satellite footprint, the power of the satellite, and your location you can go as low as 5ft for receiving a signal from a few select satellites. The 8ft dish is very common for C-Band reception. One problem with having a small dish for C-Band reception is that of adjacent satellite interference. The minimum size to work with the 2 degree satellite spacing we have now is about 8 1/2 ft.As mentioned in our [[Television Satellite Dish Reference]] page, you should consider buying used equipment. Due to the popularity of digital satellite systems, people are selling or sometimes giving away their old C band equipment. Two excellent, used receiver brands to look for are General Instrument, Drake, and Uniden. Avoid systems made prior to around 1992, off brand equipment, and broken systems. Popular brands will usually mean that a large stockpile of repair parts are available. Offset dishes are typically more efficient than prime focus primarily because with a prime focus dish the struts that hold the feedhorn assembly block some of the signal.  An offset dish will pick up less thermal earth noise lowering the noise floor level.  You can get away with a smaller dish if it is an offset dish.Make sure the receiver is capable of receiving C band and Ku band.  You should be able to get around 1000 channels if you have a receiver capable of both, and most receivers are. 8.5 ft is about the smallest size for proper C-band reception in most of parts of North America. An 8.5 ft reflector should eliminate adjacent satellite interference issues.  10 ft was the standard back in the 80's when satellite transmission power was, on average, less.== C Band Equipment ==== Smallest Possible C-Band Dish ==As mentioned in our [[Television Satellite Dish Reference]] page, you should consider buying used equipment. Due to the popularity of digital satellite systems, people are selling or sometimes giving away their old C band equipment. Two excellent, used receiver brands to look for are General Instrument, Drake, and Uniden. Avoid systems made prior to around 1992, off brand equipment, and broken systems. Popular brands will usually mean that a large stockpile of repair parts are available. Depending on the satellite footprint, the power of the satellite, and your location you can go as low as 5ft for receiving a signal from a few select satellites. The 8ft dish is very common for C-Band reception. One problem with having a small dish for C-Band reception is that of adjacent satellite interference. The minimum size to work with the 2 degree satellite spacing we have now is about 8 1/2 ft.Make sure the receiver is capable of receiving C band and Ku band.  You should be able to get around 1000 channels if you have a receiver capable of both, and most receivers are.Offset dishes are typically more efficient than prime focus primarily because with a prime focus dish the struts that hold the feedhorn assembly block some of the signal.  An offset dish will pick up less thermal earth noise lowering the noise floor level.  You can get away with a smaller dish if it is an offset dish. 8.5 ft is about the smallest size for proper C-band reception in most of parts of North America. An 8.5 ft reflector should eliminate adjacent satellite interference issues.  10 ft was the standard back in the 80's when satellite transmission power was, on average, less.
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