HARDWARE IN THIS SECTION: SATELLITE RECEIVERS, MODULATORS, LNBs, LNBFs, and FEEDHORNS _____________________________________________________________________ HARDWARE: SATELLITE RECEIVERS _____________________________________________________________________ DRAKE I.R.D. SATELLITE RECEIVERS Feature ESR-1624U ESR-1724 ESR-1824 Full-Featured Remote Control UHF UHF UHF EZ View Basic Remote Control Infrared Infrared UHF On-Screen Graphics B & W B & W Color Favorite Channels 100 Video 100 Video 100 Video 100 Audio LNB inputs 1 2 2 C/Ku Operation External Automatic Automatic Switch I.F. Loop Through NO YES YES for External Filters External A/V Inputs NO YES YES Front Panel Satellite NO Satellite YES-BOTH and Channel Display or Channel Subcarrier Audio Mono Mono Stereo Audio/Video Outputs Single Dual Dual Programmable VCR Timer No 2 Event 4 Event Built-In Narrow Video No No Yes Filter For Video Noise Reduction or T.I. Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 2 Years Standard Features on all units: Videocipher II VCRS Compatible. Compatible with New Internal Acutator Power Supply. Voltage Switched LNBFs. AutoSat Locate System. 3 Audio Bandwidths. Extended Threshold Circuitry. Parental Control Lockout. Bilingual Spanish/English Menu. 50 Satellite Memory. Program Name Memory and Display. Digital Stereo Output Program Category Memory and Display. from Descrambler. Automatic Peaking Antenna Tuning. Accepts VCR Plus Remote Baseband Audio/Video Outputs. Control Codes for Remote Control Direct Channel Access. simplified recording. Remote Control Direct Satellite Access. Audio Subcarrier Tuning. 393 ŠRemote Control Direct Audio Access. Made in the U.S.A. Specifications for DRAKE ESR-1624-U, 1724 and 1824 Receivers: R.F. SECTION I.F. Input Frequency Range is 950 to 1450 MHz. Noise Figure is 12 dB Maximum. Input Level is -60 to -25 dBm. Second IF frequency is 140 MHz on ESR-1724 and 1824, with loop provided on these models for optional insertion of filters. On model ESR-1624-U, this frequency is 479.5 MHz, with no loop available. Second I.F. bandwidth is 27 MHz standard. On model ESR-1824, 16 MHz can be selected through TI/VNR filter. Threshold on all models is less than 7 dB C/N. VIDEO SECTION On all models, two video outputs offered: Composite or Filtered & Clamped. Output Levels are set to 1 volt P-P nominal at 75 ohms. Deemphasis is 525 lines, CCIR 405-1. AUDIO SECTION Audio subcarrier tuning range is between 5.0 and 9.0 MHz. Audio bandwidth selectable in three positions: Narrow is 120 KHz. Medium is 300 KHz. Wide is 600 KHz. Audio response in subcarrier mode is 20 Hz to 15 KHz +/- 1 dB. Audio response in digital mode is 20 Hz to 18 KHz +/- 1 dB. Distortion in subcarrier mode is less than 1.5% THD. Distortion in digital mode is less than 1.0% THD. Actuator power is 36 Volts DC, 3 Amperes maximum. Actuator sensor uses pulse-type interface (reed switch, hall effect or optoisolator device). Polarity control is through servo-type polarizer or Voltage-switched LNBF (13/17 Volts). AC Power is 115 Volts AC +/- 10% (103.5 to 126.5 VAC) _____________________________________________________________________ NEW: DRAKE ESR 1824-C Computer Controlled Satellite TV Receiver The DRAKE ESR 1824-C is a high quality satellite receiver, designed to accept the Videocipher II VCRS decoder module. Engineered for institutional applications such as schools, video conferencing, and hospitals, the ESR 1824-C boasts RS-232 capabilities allowing the operator to control the receiver via computer terminal. 3m3 Š Similar to the standard ESR-1824, with the following differences: Control of receiver is via either the Infrared Remote Control, or by computer through an optional 9600 Baud modem, which connects to the supplied RS-232 computer data port. Sorry, the receiver's layout had to be reengineered to fit the RS-232 hardware, which caused removal of UHF remote control capability. This is a totally new receiver, so existing DRAKE 1824 units CANNOT be upgraded with the features of the 1824-C. DRAKE designed Remote Command Center software, designed for Windows 3.1 or higher. RS-232 compatible. Interface can be direct or through remote 9600 baud telephone modem. Serial RS232 port with DB9 connector. Program codes available for writing application specific control programs. More on the DRAKE ESR 1824-C, from the DRAKE brochure: The DRAKE ESR1824C computer controlled satellite receiver is designed for applications requiring interfacing with a computer. The ESR1824C is a full featured, C and Ku-band, Videocipher compatible satellite receiver that can be interfaced directly or through a telephone modem at 9600 baud. The innovative RS232 interface will allow the user to control all of the receiver functions via computer. The ESR1824C includes software that runs on Windows 3.1 or higher. Operation can also be controlled via the provided full function infrared remote. Setting up the ESR1824C requires no complicated programming. Simply connect the computer serial port to the RS232 input on the back of the ESR1824C. The provided Windows software allows immediate control of the ESR1824C. Operating the ESR1824C is as easy as using a remote control. Through innovative on-screen graphics that look like an actual remote, the operator instructs the ESR1824C to perform all operating functions with a simple "point and click" of the mouse. The software also provides operation via a series of easily recognizable hot keys on the keyboard. DRAKE has been setting industry standards in communicatios products since 1943, and the ESR1824C is no exception. The ESR1824C is a satellite receiver designed for ease of operation, even when connec- ted to a computer. This innovative receiver provides long term satisfaction and American made quality. _____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ THE PANSAT KR-600 SATELLITE RECEIVER - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - An excellent choice for fixed-dish, single satellite reception. Single I.F. input. 13/17 volt LNBF as well as servo motor polarity switching. Baseband output is compatible with several external decoders. Memory contains 24 C-band channels and 32 Ku-band channels, for a total of 56 positions in which to custom store frequencies. Many added functions are accessable with the remote control: Video Scan switch. T.I. Filter. Memory STORE button. MUTE button for audio. Direct entry tuning on C and Ku-band, video or audio frequencies. "RF AND IF SPECIFICATIONS" INPUT FREQUENCY RANGE from 950 to 2050 MHz. INPUT VSWR 3:1 Maximum. INPUT LEVEL -60 dBm to -30 dBm. INPUT IMPEDANCE 75 ohms. NOISE FIGURE 15 dB Maximum. IMAGE REJECTION 40 dB Typical. I.F. FREQUENCY 479.5 MHz I.F. FILTER BANDWIDTH 27 and 18 MHz LNB POWER VERTICAL = 12.5 to 14.5 VDC HORIZONTAL = 17.5 to 19.5 VDC (300 mA maximum short circuit protected) "VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS" OUTPUT LEVEL 1 volt p-p +/- 10% at 75 ohm termination. DE-EMPHASIS CCIR REC 405, 525 Line. D/G, D/P 7%, 7 degrees (Maximum). S/N RATIO 50 dB Minimum. OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 75 ohms. SIGNAL BANDWIDTH 5 MHz (-3 dB). E.D. REJECTION 40 dB (Minimum). OUTPUT CONNECTOR RCA Phono Jack FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz to 5.0 MHz (+/- 3 dB) "AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS" OUTPUT IMPEDANCE < 10 K ohm UNBALANCED. OUTPUT LEVEL 1.3 v p-p +/- 30% 10 K ohm termination. FREQUENCY RESPONSE 40 Hz to 15 KHz +/- 3 dB at nominal level. TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION 3.0% Maximum at 1 KHz. DE-EMPHASIS 75 uSec (J17) SUBCARRIER TUNING 5.0 to 8.8 MHz (Tunable) MONO-BANDWIDTH 280 KHz Wide STEREO-BANDWIDTH 150 KHz Narrow "POWER SPECIFICATIONS" 110/220 VAC Switchable. 110 VAC to 135 VAC or 210 to 245 VAC. _____________________________________________________________________ Please see our latest price sheet for up-to-date information on the cost of these satellite receivers, plus shipping information. GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS Telephone (608) 546-2523 Mike and Laurel Kohl Fax (608) 546-2157 S-9141 State Hwy 23 Email globalcm@mhtc.net Plain, WI 53577 _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ PICO USM-8 Low Cost Single-Channel MODULATOR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A low cost, relatively frequency stable UHF modulator, tunable from UHF Channels 14 to 32, U.S. NTSC frequencies. Front panel screwdriver potentiometer adjust for frequency. Rear panel screwdriver potentiometer adjust for video & audio levels. Output level is +10 dBmV @ 75 ohms Frequency stability is 250 KHz (.05%) VIDEO +/- 3 KHz AUDIO. Power requirements: 115 VAC at 60 Hz, 5 watts. F connector for RF output. Single VIDEO and AUDIO RCA inputs. MINIMUM ADJACENT CHANNEL SEPARATION: 3 channels (18 MHz). Global recommendation: an excellent low cost way to add signals to in-house distribution systems, provided the frequency spectrum from UHF channels 14 to 32 is relatively clear. Should not use any closer than three channels apart with another USM-8 modulator. Close tuning can usually allow use 2 channels above or below existing TV signal. Please be aware that this is a low power unit that almost always needs a boost in signal (try inexpensive TA-25 distribution amp) when sending directly to more than two TV sets, or any time you are mixing with existing in-house system. It CAN drift, if room temperature is not kept stable within 10-15 degrees, but is acceptable for most uses with stable temperatures. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _____________________________________________________________________ PICO CAM-25 U Single-Channel UHF MODULATOR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The next step up from the PICO USM-8. Three immediate advantages come to mind: 1) power output is 10 dB higher than USM-8, so it is seldom necessary to amplify output of this modulator. 2) digital front-panel tuner allows easy-touch tuning of transmit channel from UHF 14 to 69, so you can quickly "search" for a channel that works, without interfering with your existing signals. 3) Phase lock loop controlled by microprocessor means much better frequency stability. Non-volatile memory locks and holds the selected channel in case of loss of input power. Can be used 2 channels apart with other units. SPECIFICATIONS RF: OUTPUT LEVEL: +25 dBmV minimum, +30 dBmV typical @ 75 ohms. AUDIO/VIDEO RATIO: Pre-set -15 dB below video carrier. FREQUENCY STABILITY: +/- 25 KHz. SPURIOUS OUTPUT: > 55 dB below video carrier. VIDEO: INPUT LEVEL: 0.5 V p-p minimum for 87.5% modulation. MODULATION TYPE: AM vestigial sideband. VIDEO C/N: > 55 dB. BANDWIDTH: +/- 2 dB 20 Hz to 5 MHz. HUM AND NOISE: -60 dB @ 87.5% modulation. AUDIO: BASEBAND INPUT IMPEDANCE: 600 ohms, unbalanced. AUDIO CARRIER: FM Modulated INPUT LEVEL: 0.5 V P-P for 50 KHz deviation P-P PREEMPHASIS: 75 microsecon/VF 45: 0 us FLATNESS: 2 dB maximum, from 50 Hz to 15 KHz. GENERAL INFORMATION: POWER INPUT: 105-135 VAC @ 60 Hz. OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -10 to +50 C (+14 to +122 F) DIMENSIONS: 1.5" x 6.75" x 5.25" WEIGHT: 3 pounds CONNECTORS: F type output. RCA video input. Dual RCA audio inputs (not a stereo modulator) _____________________________________________________________________ CABLE TRONIX CTD-3 UHF MODULATOR THREE CHANNEL UNIT Switchable between UHF and Hyperband: Three output modes: 1) UHF Channels 14 through 78 2) Cable Channels 65 to 135 3) Split output: UHF 14-39 -AND- Cable 91-35 EXCELLENT MODERATE COST UNITS THAT PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY MULTIPLE CHANNELS FOR CLOSED CIRCUIT SYSTEMS. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ PICO Model PCFM FM Stereo Modulator _____________________________________________________________________ Here are the specifications from the PICO MACOM catalog on the PCFM FM Modulator. Comments follow. FEATURES: ** Frequency Agile ** Stereo or mono operation ** 19-inch rack mount ** 2 year limited warranty ** Adjustable output level DESCRIPTION: Designed especially for commercial installation, the PCFM provides superior signal-to-noise radio, separation, and enhanced dynamic range. Switchable mono or stereo capability allows for FM trans- mission versatility. SPECIFICATIONS: ** Frequency range: 88.0 to 107.9 MHz ** Frequency resolution: 200 KHz ** Frequency stability: + / - 15 KHz ** Audio bandwidth: 30 Hz to 15 KHz ** Audio S/N: > 60 dB ** Audio Separation: > 30 dB ** RF Output Level: +45 dBmV ** RF Level Adjustment: 10 dB ** AC Power: 110 VAC or 220 VAC (optional) @ 400 mA ** Dimensions: 19" long X 3" deep X 1.75" high ** Weight: 6 pounds / 2.7 kilograms [all specifications subject to change without notice] NOTES: Frequency range is actually 88.0 to 108.0 MHz, with 100 KHz steps, allowing use of "split" even frequency assignment, which may be advisable in some congested signal areas, to minimize interference. Frequency stability and signal quality appear to be at least as good as claimed in the specifications. RF power output is more typically +37 to +38 dBmV, and RF level adjustment goes all the way down to 0 if desired. Power cord connects directly to the unit, avoiding the look of "wall wart" adapters and the excess heat generated by them. SEE OUR TECHNICAL SECTION FOR OPERATION SUGGESTIONS AND GENERAL FM BROADCASTING TIPS, ALONG WITH A MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF POWER OUTPUT LEVELS AND REFERENCES. _____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ HARDWARE: LNBs (Low Noise Block Converter = L.N.B.) _____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ASTROTEL LOW COST GOLD SERIES "DIGITAL" C-BAND LNBs 15 and 17 degrees K. INPUT FREQUENCY: 3.7 to 4.2 GHz OUTPUT FREQUENCY: 950-1450 MHz DRO LOCAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY 5150 MHz GAIN: 65 dB Typical GAIN FLATNESS: Within 0.5 dB across 36 MHz receiving channel. LOCAL OSCILLATOR LEAKAGE TO RF AND IF: -40 dBm LOCAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY STABILITY: Within 1 MHz -5 to +30 C Within 2.5 MHz -30 to +60 C OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -40 to +70 degrees C IMAGE REJECTION: 45 dB Minimum OUTPUT VSWR: 2.0 : 1 DC VOLTAGE: +12 to +24 VOLTS DC PHASE NOISE RATINGS: -60 dBc/Hz @ 1 KHz -85 dBc/Hz @ 10 KHz -110 dBc/Hz @ 100 KHz - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LOW COST GOLD SERIES "DIGITAL" U.S. Ku-BAND LNBs 0.5 and 0.6 dB INPUT FREQUENCY: 11.7 to 12.2 GHz OUTPUT FREQUENCY: 950-1450 MHz LOCAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY 10750 MHz GAIN: 58 dB Typical LOCAL OSCILLATOR LEAKAGE: -60 dBm LOCAL OSCILLATOR STABILITY: Within 2 Mhz -40 to +70 C OPERATING TEMPERATURE: -40 to +70 degrees C IMAGE REJECTION: 45 dB Minimum OUTPUT VSWR: 2.0 : 1 DC VOLTAGE: +12 to +24 VOLTS DC DC CURRENT: 110 mA PHASE NOISE RATINGS: -55 dBc/Hz @ 1 KHz -80 dBc/Hz @ 10 KHz -100 dBc/Hz @ 100 KHz ___________________________________________________________________ L N A s 3Ž3 Š We have a little more than a handful of factory refurbished CAL AMP Low Noise Amplifiers...originally costing over $300, on sale while they last! These are 35-degree Commercial units, with a 90-Day factory warranty. If you have an old system using an LNA and need a cheap spare, or an upgrade to a decent noise figure, this may be your last chance. See our price sheet for latest information! _____________________________________________________________________ LNBFs For the uninitiated, an LNBF is a device that electronically switches between two polarities without the need for extra control wiring as commonly used on servo motors. A single RG-6 cable is recommended, with 13 or 17 volt switching between signals done with control vol- tages from most receivers on the market today. If you have a receiver more than 3 years old, there is a good chance that it does not have this capability. Check with the manufacturer of your satellite receiver to be sure, before ordering any LNBF unit. When able to be used, LNBFs have the advantage of eliminating the insertion losses found in separate feedhorns and LNBs. This is demonstrated in the fact that a 3-foot offset Ku-band antenna that is equipped with an LNBF can often outperform many standard prime- focus mesh antennas of larger diameter. Much of this has to do with the increased efficiency of solid offset antennas, but there is increased signal collecting efficiency when using an LNBF, as compared to separate components. Ku-band LNBFs are now entering the market for Digital Satellite Systems as well as analog small-dish signals. We recommend the appropriate units made by ASTROTEL for the corresponding offset antennas. ASTROTEL has a narrower "neck" on their LNBFs, with a 23 mm outer diameter, which matches the clamp assembly found on some offset Ku-band antennas. Many other antenna manufacturers of this type use the larger 40 mm standard clamping size, for which the GRUNDIG and CAL AMP brands fit most appropriately. Some antennas have a plastic sleeve that can be added or removed, to fit either the 23 or 40 mm sized LNBF. CAL AMP and ASTROTEL make some excellent C-band LNBFs, which we offer in a few inexpensive fixed-dish systems, to allow a single RG-6 cable to be installed and still get all channels on a given satellite. The 20-degree Single output ASTROTEL C-Band LNBF is the most popular, and cost effective unit offered. CAL AMP has excel- lent quality, but is sometimes difficult to obtain, requiring a special order in some circumstances. You may ask, is a C and Ku-band LNBF available? Yes and No. Several manufacturers brought in some units from Asia, and found that they simply did not work very well. CAL AMP tried testing some prototype C/Ku LNBFs, and found that it was nearly impossible to get adequate performance on test units, and out of the question for these to be done on a production line. There simply is not 3Ð3 Š enough isolation between both bands, and optimum settings cannot be achieved. So the answer if you want C and Ku-band is to buy a separate LNB for each band, and a C/Ku feedhorn. ---FEEDHORNS--- There are two major players in the feedhorn business--CHAPARRAL and A.D.L., which also licenses CAL AMP to produce feedhorns under its design. The most common (though not the best) feedhorn sold in North America for dual band reception is the CHAPARRAL Corotor II series. It has an adjustable scalar ring, and can be installed over a wide range of f/d ratios on almost any antenna made. CAL AMP makes a feedhorn under its CENTERLINE series, which features a "pan" with a recessed feedhorn cavity. This is made under license from A.D.L., and GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS stocks the genuine ADL product line, featuring the model RP-1 C/Ku for optimum dual band reception. This feedhorn works best on antennas with f/d ratios between between 0.325 and 0.425, or "normal" range. "Deep" dishes with f/d ratios of less than 0.32 should use a feedhorn with adjustable scalar assembly. The CHAPARRAL Corotor is what most satellite dealers are familiar with. I had one on a dish of semi-deep curve, a Paraclipse HYDRO, with an f/d ratio of 0.315. After four years of accepting whatever performance it offered (it's a great Ku-band dish!), the servo motor failed, and I decided to try the A.D.L. "equivalent" to the Corotor, which is the model RP-3 C/Ku feedhorn. These two feeds may look similar in appearance, but I was astonished by at least a 20% improvement in performance on both C and Ku-band, after switching feeds. No more sidelobes making SATCOM C-1 unwatchable. Weak satellites that are parked next to newer, more powerful ones often suffer on dishes of 8 feet and under, and it takes a little magic with the best feedhorn to make acceptable results. I am sold on the ADL RP-3 for dual band reception on deep dishes. The feed that does not match my antenna, the RP-1 C/Ku, or its CAL AMP Centerline equi- valent, is a much better feedhorn. If you have problems with micro- wave interference or sidelobes on weaker satellites, and a "normal" f/d ratio, you cannot have a better feedhorn than this. Its unique design uses a principle called "dual moding" and this hybrid design results in much more signal being collected, when compared to the other feeds on the market. The RP-1 Feedhorn also comes in a C-band only model, and ADL also offers something for deep (0.275 to 0.325 f/d ratio) dishes in the C-band only market: its model RP-2 C-band feedhorn. Like the RP-1, the RP-2 feedhorn is a non-adjustable cast device. When properly installed, it will outperform anything on the market, but the installer must verify proper placement of the feedhorn by measuring the focal distance and fine tuning in or out for best signal. ADL also specializes in feedhorns for the International market. Please refer to our section on International reception for some discussion of circular versus linear reception, and the need to use the feedhorn that matches the polarity format being received. 33 Š The ADL CP-400 series of feedhorns is available in both normal (-1) and deep (-2) versions for optimum reception of Circular C-band signals, which are found on Russian GORIZONT, French TELECOM, and INTELSAT satellites. A true circular feedhorn is used, which matches the "spiral" or corkscrew waveform of the circular signal. Chaparral also has an "International" feedhorn called the COROTOR II INTERNATIONAL, but it is a linear feedhorn with a piece of teflon placed in the waveguide cavity. This technique does offer some better resolution of Circular polarity signals, but at the expense of distorting standard linear polarity signals. Through proper adjustment of the servomotor, the ADL CP-400 can work acceptably on both linear and circular signals, with almost no loss. The true satellite nut will eventually acquire a CP-400 feedhorn equipped for both circular C-band, and linear Ku-band reception, allowing him to access everything in the sky. This is a great challenge for most installers to perfectly align, because it is often installed on a system with a horizon to horizon motor and vertical tracking system. If you are somebody that wants the best feedhorn available, and a little extra money is not a problem, this is what you need to get! Ku-band only feedhorns are also available for prime focus antennas, and require a mounting ring to adapt to the standard C-band feedhorn bolt pattern. The Ku-band assembly is then attached and fine tuned. Again, we prefer ADL hardware due to its better performance. Please see our price sheet for updated pricing on all feedhorns. GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS (608) 546-2523 globalcm@mhtc.net