On Fri, 25 Mar 2016 12:35:51 +0000, N_Cook wrote:
No reception problems , even in heavy rain, but presumably will do some
time.
Most of the 0.6m DBS reception problems I've seen are the result of
bad or unstable dish aiming. However, if you experience fades and
dropouts, the easiest fix is to just buy a bigger dish. Mine is 1.0m
diameter:
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/DBS/slides/101b.html
If the dish completely rusts over , so no longer smooth, but not
actually pitted with holes or distorted, would there bound to be
received signal loss associated with rust rather than paint?
Yes. Ferrite (iron oxide) is an RF absorber. If you want to turn
your dish into a radar invisible stealth aircraft simulation, just let
it rust a little. To be fair, the layer of rust has to be fairly
thick in order to have an effect, so you might be able to get away
with it.
What sort of paint over the front surface , when the rust is cleaned back ?
Paint that contains no carbon, graphite, iron oxide, or any other
additive that might be considered an RF absorber.
Or, you could just let your imagination run wild:
https://www.google.com/search?q=paint+satellite+dish&tbm=isch
If actual rust holes , from thinned metal that does not survive rust
cleaning, then how to deal with that.?
I'm all for repairing things, even if they're not worthy of the
effort. I would use automotive body putty to fill the hole, and a
piece of aluminum foil to replace the missing part of the reflector.
Getting the foil to simulate a parabolic shape will be difficult, but
not impossible. I suggest a wooden form.
Also, note that the color and surface finish of the dish is rather
important. The common gray color is designed to both reflect and
absorb a minimum amount of heat from the sun. If the dish were a
mirror finish, when the sun goes behind the satellite belt twice each
year, the reflected light would burn up the LNB. I've had it happen
on larger dishes. If the dish were painted flat black, it would
absorb enough heat to distort and temporarily loose shape. I don't
know how Dish Networks gets away with black reflectors. The surface
finish is a compromise between smooth for maximum gain, and matt for
minimum light reflection. Whatever you do, don't paint it with glossy
paint or you will cook the LNB.
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558