DIY satellite dish at home. Satellite dish: installing and configuring the antenna yourself

Despite the title, the article below will not talk about how to make a satellite dish or solder a receiver yourself. Just a note about what you need to purchase and how to install and configure everything yourself in order to watch TV channels on your plate.

Suppose you live in a country house, in a village, or simply “far from civilization.” But I want to watch TV, and not a couple of channels broadcast on the air.

(A small digression: digital terrestrial broadcasting is actively developing at the moment. Find out if the number of channels you need is available in your area via terrestrial digital television? In this case, you will only need a set-top box for receiving a digital signal (if the TV does not support it), and you can use an antenna do not change.)

And so you decided to acquire satellite equipment to watch many TV shows. First you need to decide: what channels do you want to watch? If your goal is various Discovery, Viasat and/or purely sports channels, then we immediately inform you: it is better to conclude an agreement with one of the companies providing satellite television services for a subscription fee. Such channels are transmitted in encrypted form and only some of them can be viewed “on the ball”. Fortunately, nowadays there are enough companies involved in installing satellite equipment and providing paid services. You can order installation even in the middle of nowhere, the only question is the cost.

If you decide to go this route, we will give you some advice here:
1) if there are several offers, carefully study the list of channels provided in a particular package, the need to pay extra separately for sports, educational channels, etc.;
2) the possibility of free installation of equipment by company specialists;
3) is there a separate charge for “kilometers to the client” upon departure?
4) it’s a good idea to pay attention to the company’s reputation: read it on the Internet, ask clients;
5) find out whether the signal quality of the equipment installed by the company is good in your area;
6) it is often possible to connect profitably (for example, equipment or installation at cheap prices, half the monthly fee for some time for a more expensive package, or even a couple of months of “freebies”) for various types of promotions; As a rule, to attract customers, large companies hold them regularly: on New Year’s, on company anniversaries, etc.;
7) well, and advice that is suitable for any transaction: carefully read the signed agreement BEFORE signing, and not after, coming home and relaxing in front of your favorite TV channel; It may well be that a promotion that is profitable at first glance obliges you to use the services for at least a couple of years after concluding the contract, otherwise a penalty will be written off, etc.; in general: always be on your guard! and enjoy watching!

For those who decided to do everything himself, material below.

Again, to begin with, let’s make a reservation: this information is most suitable for those who live in the European part of the former USSR.
So what is needed?
To begin with: desire! The desire to do everything yourself (or with someone’s help). Without this, you may not reach a successful ending. Then patience, a steady hand, a minimum of tools and some cash. Regarding the last one. A lot depends on where, what and from whom you will purchase. But even if you buy everything new, you can easily invest in the equivalent of 100 UDS, unless, of course, you are chasing branded equipment. And it doesn’t always make sense to purchase everything new, for example, if there is a profitable used offer on the market. The same dish or receiver is not a flash drive: it can work for a very long time and efficiently (although some flash drives are reliable :)).

And again a small digression: introduction to the world of satellite television. What is this anyway? First, let's take a look at Wikipedia.

Geostationary orbit (GSO) is a circular orbit located above the Earth’s equator (0° latitude), while in which an artificial satellite orbits the planet with an angular velocity equal to the angular velocity of the Earth’s rotation around its axis. In a horizontal coordinate system, the direction to the satellite does not change either in azimuth or height above the horizon; the satellite “hangs” motionless in the sky.

Those. somewhere high in space, at an altitude of approximately 36 km from the surface of the Earth, an artificial satellite of the Earth rotates synchronously with it, which is a powerful receiver and transmitter of a television signal. It receives the signal from high-power ground transmitting antenna(s) and transmits it to a large area below it. In fact, there are many satellites. Each of them broadcasts to a specific area according to the direction of its transmitting antennas. Several conclusions follow from this: the satellite is very far away, it is limited in mass, volume, power supply capabilities, it is impossible to repair it if something happens, hence the complexity, duplication of systems, etc. From all this the conclusion is: the power of the transmitting signal is limited, the signal from the satellite is very weak.
Then, a satellite is expensive, which means it needs to be used to the maximum: transmit through it as many channels as possible to a large area of ​​the Earth. The second conclusion: the usual technologies that we still use for transmitting on-air television and radio broadcasts are not suitable - the number of transmitted channels is too small. Therefore, satellite television uses modern digital data transmission methods. The third conclusion: all channels cannot be “stuffed” into one satellite for technical and organizational reasons.

Now let's see: what do these conclusions mean for us?
Weak signal reception technology is required. A parabolic antenna is used for this. Here, the larger the area of ​​the parabolic mirror, the better. Better for a signal that is collected and focused to a point. But the larger the antenna, the more expensive and heavier it is. It is more difficult to install, and securing it securely to counteract strong vert is generally a problem at home, as a rule. Therefore, in practice, they choose a size sufficient for high-quality reception, and for most of Eastern Europe this is a diameter of 0.8 meters. One of the most common diameters is 0.95 m.
There are two main types of satellite antennas: direct focus and offset. The first ones have a signal receiver (irradiator) installed at the focus of the parabolic mirror, which coincides with the geometric one. In the second, the signal collected at a point from a parabolic mirror is reflected to a point below the geometric center of the antenna. This eliminates the shading of the useful area of ​​the antenna by the feed and its supports, which increases its efficiency with the same mirror area as the direct-focus antenna. In addition, the feed is installed below the center of gravity of the antenna, thereby increasing its stability under wind loads. The offset antenna mirror is mounted almost vertically. Depending on the geographic latitude, the angle of its inclination varies slightly. This position prevents precipitation from collecting in the antenna bowl, which greatly affects the quality of reception. When viewed through the light, the antenna does not appear as a circle, but as an ellipse, elongated vertically. The dimensions of an offset antenna are usually given in terms of gain equivalent to the direct focus ones. If this size is the same horizontally, then vertically it will be approximately 10% larger.
In the future, by satellite antenna we will only mean offset antenna, as it is the most common one.

Direct focus antenna.

Offset antenna.

There is also a distinction between fixed and mobile antenna mounting. In the first case, the antenna is fixedly attached to the base, in the second - to a special positioner. The latter’s task is to rotate the antenna in an arc to position it on the desired satellite. The signal to turn is usually given by a satellite receiver. It takes some time to accurately position the satellite when selecting a program from a different satellite than the current one. Technically implemented using a motor-actuator. Expensive and, therefore, not a common solution. The practical part will not be considered.

As mentioned above, the signal from the antenna is focused to one point, where a device called a converter (LNB head or low-noise block converter or low-noise monoblock converter) is installed. Based on the name “satellite converter,” it immediately becomes clear that this device converts (converts) something. An electromagnetic signal comes from the satellite, which is focused by the satellite dish onto the converter and converted by the LNB head into an intermediate frequency. This is necessary so that the signal can be efficiently transmitted further along the cable. In addition, the LNB head amplifies the received signal. Next, the signal via a coaxial cable from the LNB head goes to the satellite receiver, which, as a rule, is a separate device (the so-called satellite set-top box), but can also be built into the TV.
Due to the fact that the satellite is very far away relative to the receiving antenna, you have to point this same antenna very precisely at the satellite itself.
Let's summarize: to receive satellite television, you must, in addition to the TV itself, have the following equipment.
1) Parabolic antenna with a diameter of 0.8 m.
2) LNB head.
3) If you want to watch TV programs from more than one satellite, then you need a switch (switch) of DiSEqC heads.
4) Coaxial cable.
5) Satellite receiver.

This is where the theoretical part ends. Let's move on to the practical.

First, determine where to mount the parabolic antenna. The height above the ground does not play a special role. It is important that there are no obstacles on the satellite-antenna line. Even tree crowns. For residents of Eastern Europe, the direction to the satellite will be south with a shift to the west or east, depending on the coordinates of the antenna and satellite. After all, we remember that geostationary satellites are launched into equatorial orbit.
The mounting location must be strong and securely fastened: even the slightest vibrations of the antenna will lead to signal loss. The best option is the main wall of the building or reinforced concrete roof slab. But other options are also suitable, for example, a rigidly reinforced vertically installed iron pipe of such a diameter that it does not sway during gusts of wind. Depending on the chosen mounting option, select the appropriate fastener, which is fixed on one side to a fixed surface, and the antenna itself is attached to the other. As a rule, the antennas themselves are not equipped with such a part. It can also be a home-made product, the main thing to remember is that the antenna has a large windage and it will need to be accurately aimed at the satellite, i.e. Reliability and ease of installation and configuration of the antenna itself are important.
Then choose the antenna itself. Here it is better to ask the owners of satellite equipment in your area what diameter of the “dish” they use and whether the reception is good during thick clouds and/or rain. If, for example, it turns out that when receiving on an antenna with a diameter of 0.8 m, there is a loss of signal during heavy rain, then you should think about purchasing an antenna with a diameter of 0.95 m. At the same time, overpay for a 1.5 m “dish” diameter makes no sense. In addition, it may turn out that the one who provided you with the above information simply does not have the antenna pointed at the satellite accurately enough. In general, the advice of knowledgeable people and the experience of neighbors with “plates” will help here.
Afterwards, you need to decide how many satellites you want to watch TV programs from? In theory, you can “overgrow” antennas like mushrooms after rain, but in practice the most common option is one “dish”, a mount for three receiving heads, three LNB heads, a DiSEqC switch for 4 heads, then a cable from DiSEqC to the receiver, the receiver itself, and from it to the TV. This is the so-called multi-feed scheme. Let's look again at Wikipedia.
Multifeed is a set of devices (in particular, converters) designed to receive signals from several satellites onto one parabolic antenna. A multifeed is often called a bracket on which additional converters are mounted.

This scheme has been worked out for years; it allows you to watch a maximum of Slavic-language programs with minimal financial investment. With three LNB heads manually, without resorting to special equipment, it is possible to configure acceptable signal quality for the three most popular satellites in Eastern Europe: Amos 4W, Astra 4.9E, Hot Bird 13E.
The beauty here is that you can use one antenna for these satellites. First, the antenna with the central head is configured, usually on the Hot Bird 13E, although it can be used on any other one. In this case, both the position of the plate itself and the head change to achieve the maximum signal level. The signal from this satellite with high-quality tuning will be the strongest. Then the other two are adjusted, but only through the heads themselves.
The most common type of LNB head is for one output, as it is the most popular and cheapest. From it the signal goes via cable to the DiSEqC switch or receiver. With this scheme, it is possible to serve only one TV with a signal. But there are heads with a larger number of pins, which allows one antenna and LNB head to supply more than one receiver with a signal, thereby saving on equipment. This is very convenient if, for example, there is more than one TV in the house.

LNB heads: with one output and four.

In the second case, all 4 outputs can be connected to different receivers or DiSEqC. The receiver can simultaneously work with only one LNB head, this is where the DiSEqC switch is needed if you want to watch several satellites on one “dish”. Depending on the program selected by the user, he connects one or another LNB head to the receiver and supplies it with the supply voltage necessary for the head to operate. In the vast majority of cases, there is only one DiSEqC between the LNB head and the receiver, but there are intricate schemes with cascaded DiSEqC, but these are such rarely used cases that we will not consider them.

Next, you need a coaxial cable to connect DiSEqC and the receiver. It must be taken with a margin of a couple of meters relative to the distance that you are measuring. But remember that the longer the cable, the greater the loss.

It's time to talk about the receiver. This is a very broad topic.
Most TV channel lovers will be satisfied with a simple receiver, such as the Orton 4100C. But general information on choosing a satellite set-top box will not harm anyone.

First of all, if you have a modern TV, then look at its instructions or read it on the Internet - it may happen that this TV already has the necessary digital signal receiver built into it. If not, here's something to look out for.
1) The number and type of signal outputs, as a rule, there should be at least three of them: a regular antenna output, a SCART, a regular Video-out. In this case, it is easier to avoid connection conflicts if there is other video equipment also connected to the TV, such as a DVD or BLUE-RAY drive, game console, terrestrial digital television receiver, etc.
2) Does the receiver support HDTV (high definition television) signal reception? In our area, this is still a curiosity - the presence of clearly broadcasting (in the native language) HDTV channels, and even those that you can watch for free, but time does not stand still.
3) Availability of instructions in understandable language.
4) Number and type of service connectors. They are necessary to flash the receiver. Flashing is necessary to correct errors in the current firmware or to update the channel list. (Yes, yes, a receiver is a specialized computer like a telephone or a router, and from time to time it also needs to “upload” something). Ideally, there should be two such connectors: RS-232 (pins in two rows) and USB. If there is no USB, then it is not a fact that your computer has RS-232 (aka COM port), but if you wish, you can buy an RS-232-to-USB adapter. You will also need a so-called null modem cable. If there is no RS-232 on the receiver, but only UBS, then this is not so scary, because any (well, almost) personal computer older than 1996 has at least one USB port.
5) As a consequence of the previous point, it is very desirable for the receiver to easily find the firmware, for example, the program code from the manufacturer, and the list of channels on a specialized website, or both in a second place. There are many options for popular models, but for exotic ones you will have to search. But you have to be careful, it’s not so difficult to screw up the receiver.
6) If it is not possible to flash the receiver, then it must support adding satellites and channels, entering keys, manually from the remote control. This is a tedious task and requires care, but there is less chance of completely damaging the equipment. Although... in capable hands... ;)
7) If you want to watch paid channels now or in the future, the receiver must support special security cards with keys. This means a special connector and firmware support.

We did a lot of things in our apartment - drywall, suspended ceilings, and even a shower! It's time to expand the boundaries of our capabilities and

• TV. A little unexpected, but you can’t install the antenna without it. If you do everything alone and the antenna is placed on the roof, then you will need a portable TV to work with it directly at the installation site. If there is an assistant at the TV in the room, then it is necessary to maintain constant contact with him by telephone or walkie-talkie.

  Everything is much simpler if it is a balcony.

• The converter is fixed in the holder and aimed at the antenna focus.

  How to install a satellite dish yourself?

  This position is determined by the fastening design itself, however, a small tolerance of a couple of centimeters is also possible. The exact positioning and tilt angle are determined experimentally by rotating the converter in the holder while simultaneously assessing the signal quality. But for now, just place it in the center of the mirror.

People who are faced with choosing a satellite dish for the first time, first of all, pay attention to its size. And this is correct, but there are still many factors that need to be correctly assessed. This is the shape, the material of manufacture, there are also perforated plates, mirror plates and many other different designs, the variety of which can make your head spin. In addition, when choosing a plate, you need to decide on the following properties:

— satellite reception territory;

— what channels are you interested in;

— is it possible to tune in to the satellite: are nearby buildings and other objects interfering?

— a dish is selected for one satellite or for several;

- economic component.

Direct focus

The task of a satellite dish is to collect and focus the signal to one point. With a direct focus, the beam is focused directly in the center, it is immediately tuned exactly to the satellite. The focus is where the converter is mounted on metal rods. Both the converter and the holders cast a shadow on the mirror, reducing the useful coefficient of the reflective surface. Therefore, plates of this type are more effective with large diameters - from 130 cm.

In addition, when setting a direct focus dish, the degree from the horizon can be up to 20%, so snow ice, water, leaves, and dirt may remain in the bowl, which settle on the reflector and also significantly impair the reception of codes. Direct focus is preferred if you plan to receive signals from distant satellites.

Offset

With the offset one, the focusing center is slightly shifted downwards and it is installed almost vertically. It cannot boast the same signal quality as a direct focus, but it picks up well with a small diameter of up to 150 cm, is easier to install and does not need to be cleaned. Therefore, it is better suited for household use.

Satellite, 2-mirror, toroidal multifocal dish

Satellite, 2-mirror, toroidal multifocal dish allows you to simultaneously receive signals from 16 satellites. This is a great alternative to a motorcycle suspension. In addition to the elevation angle and azimuth, this antenna also adjusts the tilt of the mirror, depending on the geolocation of the reception and the satellites you are going to target. The antenna catches the signal in the sector of 40-60 degrees.

The most important thing when buying such a plate is to distinguish the original from the fake. This can be done indirectly by the weight and quality of the metal. Counterfeits are made from thinner metal, which does not hold the plate geometry as well.

You can also pay attention to the prefabricated petal plate. It is more convenient for transportation and is suitable if you install the plate in the garden for the summer, and when the season ends, you take it to the city. Its only drawback is its fragility, so it must be handled very carefully.

Solid or perforated

Antennas are perforated only to reduce windage and weight. This is important if the equipment is installed on a mast. A gust of wind can give a load of up to 200 kg and the perforated mirror is guaranteed to withstand it. Perforation does not in any way affect the quality of the signal, which is reflected exactly the same from both the perforated and solid surfaces. Such devices are imported from abroad, so they are more expensive than usual.

Selecting a suspension type

This is another important parameter when choosing an antenna. A simple and cheap azimuth suspension allows you to rigidly tune the equipment to a specific satellite. To catch a signal from another, you will have to completely reconfigure it.

Setting up a satellite dish - a modern option for TV broadcasting

The more complex and expensive polar harness is customizable. It allows you to set up a dish for several satellites in different orbits.

Material of manufacture

Satellite dishes can be found in aluminum, steel and plastic. Aluminum plates are quite expensive and, of course, superior to others in many respects, including corrosion resistance. However, they are more susceptible to deformation due to the softness of the metal. Deformation of the plate can greatly impair the quality of its reception. Most often, aluminum dishes are used for mounting on a motorized suspension with quick switching between channels from different satellites. Thanks to its light weight, it places less stress on the gears.

If you increase the size of a steel dish, it will receive a signal at the same level as an aluminum one, cost 3 times less and will last at least 10 years. However, such a plate is heavier and is susceptible to corrosion if there are coating defects.

Plastic plates are more fragile, especially in winter, and are susceptible to deformation under the influence of sunlight and temperature changes. Although, the more stiffening ribs on the plate, the more durable it is. Snow also sticks to them. Therefore they are not particularly popular.

Thus, inexpensive and functional steel plates are in greater demand. However, there is no argument against buying aluminum plates, if financial resources allow.

Size is the main thing!!!

Size is the determining parameter. It is for this situation that the definition is suitable: the more, the better. The difference in signal reception between a 55 cm and a 90 cm dish will be very noticeable. There are no clear recommendations for what size antenna to buy. When choosing, the principle of practical rationality should work. It is only necessary to take into account additional tolerance if there is a desire to reconfigure the equipment for another satellite. The tolerance should not be large so as not to overpay for extra centimeters.

The choice of diameter depends on the signal strength level in your region. It is determined by the coverage map of each specific satellite. In other words, the choice of satellite dish diameter directly depends on the location of the buyer. Don't forget to allow for weather conditions. Large satellite television operators supply their dealer centers with sets of equipment with already calculated mirror diameters for a specific area.

It is believed that to set up for more than one satellite, the optimal diameter of the dish should be 120 cm; for one satellite, 90 cm is enough.

We did a lot of things in our apartment - drywall, suspended ceilings, and even a shower!

Satellite Paradise

It's time to expand the boundaries of our capabilities and DIY satellite dish installation. Do you think this is impossible? No, it's quite possible. There would be an antenna.

Tools and materials for DIY antenna installation

• The set of satellite equipment and fastening elements itself.
• TV. A little unexpected, but you can’t install the antenna without it. If you do everything alone and the antenna is placed on the roof, then you will need a portable TV to work with it directly at the installation site. If there is an assistant at the TV in the room, then it is necessary to maintain constant contact with him by telephone or walkie-talkie. Everything is much simpler if it is a balcony.
• Carrying for connecting tools and equipment.
• A hammer drill for attaching the bracket to the wall/base.
• Pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches - in place.
• Coaxial (television) cable with a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms and two “F” type connectors.

Selecting a location and installing a satellite dish

We can't just point our finger at the sky and catch any satellite. You need to know exactly its parameters and name. You can't do without some theory here. Omitting a lot of details, we can briefly say: all satellites “hang” above the equator at a latitude equal to zero and for us this is always the direction to the south. They differ in longitude, which is indicated in the name of the satellite itself. Let's take a certain fictional satellite "Luna 15E" - here 15E means 15 degrees East longitude. We must point the antenna strictly in this direction so that there are no obstacles in the signal path. In most cases, the roof of the house or balcony meets these conditions. If you are the only lucky owner of a satellite dish in your home (or area), then you will have to tinker with calculating the offset using the coordinates of your city and fortune telling using the compass needle. But I hasten to reassure you - you can do without this astronomy if you simply point the antenna in the same place where all the other antennas in your house are looking. This method always works.

• It is extremely important not to damage the surface of the antenna mirror. Even small wrinkles and scratches can greatly affect signal reception.
• The converter is fixed in the holder and aimed at the antenna focus. This position is determined by the fastening design itself, however, a small tolerance of a couple of centimeters is also possible. The exact positioning and tilt angle are determined experimentally by rotating the converter in the holder while simultaneously assessing the signal quality. But for now, just place it in the center of the mirror.
• We attach the bracket to the base using anchor bolts. Dowels and screws are not suitable in this case - strong gusts of wind will easily pull them out of place.
• The antenna is mounted on the bracket, but do not tighten the fixing bolts yet so that it can be rotated.
• We cut the antenna cable and screw the connectors onto it. Make sure that the central core does not short-circuit anywhere with the braided wires.
• We connect the converter to the receiver, the receiver to the TV, and only after that we supply power to them.

Setting up a satellite dish yourself

This is the most difficult stage. It is impossible to describe it in detail, since there are many models of receivers and corresponding configuration options. The general scheme is:

1. In the menu we select the satellite we need.
2. Enter the converter data, its type and frequency.
3. Go to the channel search menu.
4. Adjustment of horizontal polarization. We begin to slowly rotate the antenna horizontally, while simultaneously monitoring the signal quality scale. If the signal is not detected, then slightly change the vertical angle and continue the search.
5. When we can reach the maximum, we move on to vertical polarization. Its adjustment is carried out by rotating the converter counterclockwise. We also monitor the signal scale.
6. When the maximum is found, we finally tighten all the bolts. But be careful - even a couple of millimeters to the side can throw off all the settings.
7. Direct descent of the antenna cable from the roof is done on a supporting steel cable, but it is better to bring it into the entrance and lower it down the cable shaft.
8. Cable fractures should be avoided, and excess cables should not be wound into coils.

As you can see, installing a satellite dish with your own hands is quite possible. At first, of course, you will have to twist the antenna for a long time in search of a stable signal, but this is no more difficult than pouring a screed or creating a backlit ceiling. At least here you can always correct your mistakes and do everything right.

External antenna for WiFi/3G/LTE from an offset satellite dish

If your 4G (LTE) modem does not work well in the country, and the low speed of Internet access and low signal level are not satisfactory, then by installing the appropriate feed on the satellite dish you will receive reliable reception of the 4G (LTE) signal at a distance of up to 8 km from the operator’s base station communications. A further increase in the reception range is limited by the operator, but the antenna itself is capable of providing a sufficient signal level at a distance of up to 20 km.

In this case, instead of a conventional converter, a special feed is used, which is mounted on a satellite dish. Depending on the antenna diameter, the gain can reach 32 dB

Dependence of gain on plate diameter (approximate data)

A high-frequency cable up to 15 meters long is stretched from the modem to the antenna. This cable is 7-10 mm thick and cannot be inserted into the modem, so you will have to additionally purchase a cable adapter to connect the modem to a high-frequency cable.

When installing the irradiator, it is clamped in the dish holder. Most 4G Internet operators use X-polarization of the radio signal. To find out what signal polarization your 4G operator has, you need to try rotating the irradiator in the holder by 90° and look at the signal level readings in the program on your computer. If the polarization is chosen incorrectly, the signal level will drop by 30 dB or even more. We point the plate at the tower. To do this, the arc from the dish to the feed must be directed exactly at the operator’s 4G tower.

How to make a satellite dish at home?

It may seem that the plate is “looking” at the ground. In fact, it receives the signal from the direction in which the arc that holds the feed is directed. If the tower is far away, then the arc will be approximately parallel to the ground, as shown in the figure.

Please note that any obstructions between the operator tower and your feed will result in a weakened signal. These could be trees, houses, structures, or uneven terrain. Therefore, choose a place to install the dish so that there is, if possible, direct visibility of the tower.

With a lower location of the irradiator, these petals are directed upward and, accordingly, the probability of receiving a signal from neighboring devices decreases. Receiving signals from other devices will inevitably affect the performance of your system. This is especially true if the special mode is enabled eXtended Range, in devices based on the "Atheros" chipset.

Mode eXtended Range increases the sensitivity of the device by 10-13dB when detecting a very weak signal. The problem lies in the collision detection algorithm used in Wi-Fi devices, which prevents multiple devices from transmitting data at the same time. CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Acsses Collision Avoidance). Your wireless access device will not transmit data, assuming that the channel is always busy.

On mirrors up to 90 cm, problems with support do not arise for any location of the irradiator and any type of support. The fastening elements have a margin of adjustment, allowing you to even press the lobe of the radiation pattern to the ground. To obtain the 0th radiation angle, parallel to the horizon, the mirror must have an inclination from the vertical of 26.5-28 degrees.

It's easy to set by eye. Make the plate tilt so that the irradiator holder takes a position parallel to the horizon.

Step into space from the steps of the university

Astronautics can be different - private, student, amateur. All these are different facets of the same phenomenon, namely, the ability to penetrate into orbit not only for state corporations of the largest space powers, but also for almost an ordinary person. Yes, the launch vehicle industry, space stations and space tourism will require trillions of dollars in investments for a long time and will remain the preserve of a select few, but today anyone can experience space on a certain level!

Photo from personal archive.

My interlocutor is Alexander Shaenko, an engineer who has been working in the space industry for more than ten years, a candidate of technical sciences, a teacher at Moscow State Technical University. Bauman. He took part in the development of Angara launch vehicles and the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft, and worked as a leading engineer at one of the first private Russian space companies. Today, Shaenko, together with the students he teaches, is creating a satellite almost in a garage and preparing it for launch:

“We want to launch the satellite with the help of students, which has never been done before,” Alexander begins.

- How? It is known that many satellites have already been launched by students - both at Moscow State University, and at the Moscow Aviation Institute, and at your place in Baumanka, and at the Siberian State Aerospace University...

— In fact, almost all of these student satellites are very, very conditional. They are launched according to the university’s scientific work plan, which is prepared mainly by professors and researchers of the university, and are manufactured mostly at state-owned enterprises in the space industry - that is, the students there, in fact, just stand nearby and observe.

— What do you plan to change in the current approach to student cosmonautics?

“I once worked for a young private aerospace company, and to demonstrate the seriousness of our plans, we manufactured a satellite. Literally - we came to the office, where there were only tables and chairs, and a year and a half later our satellite went into orbit! It carried equipment for monitoring radio broadcasts and collecting data on sea vessels. This satellite, although not scientific, was built by the hands of recent students, and not ordered from aerospace state corporations, and quickly! I believe that within the framework of university cosmonautics there should be not only serious satellites with a scientific program, in which students are involved insofar as possible, but also simpler satellites, even if without the goal of obtaining new scientific data, but designed, calculated and made directly by the hands of students.

— What kind of satellite are you going to launch?

“This is a visual observation satellite called Mayak, which we started working on last summer. The whole task of a satellite is to be visible from Earth, but very clearly! Anyone can see it with the naked eye, and you won’t be able to confuse it with anything else - the glow will be so bright! After being launched into orbit, the gas reactor on the satellite will start operating and inflate the polymer metallized shell in the shape of a huge pyramid with gas. Its edges will reflect the sun's rays and glow brighter than the most visible stars.

— At what stage is the work today?

— We are testing equipment - an inflatable shell, a gas reactor, electronics. The work is close to completion - we recently tested the inflation of the shell and the operation of the gas reactor in the stratosphere, at an altitude of 10 kilometers - under extremely low temperature conditions (down to minus 70 degrees). To do this, the satellite components were raised on a balloon filled with helium. This summer, the final “run” is planned - raising the entire satellite assembly to a height of about 40 kilometers, practically into near space - there is already very rarefied air there. This ascent can also be done on a helium balloon.

— A balloon capable of lifting 4 kg must be quite big... Are such experiments safe for aviation?

- Not even 4, but 6 kilograms - in addition to the satellite, equipment for monitoring its parameters will fly up on the balloon. The ball is really huge - on the ground it has a diameter of 4 meters, and at altitude due to the difference in pressure it will inflate to 20 meters in diameter! Such launches are really dangerous for aviation, but in our team there is one enthusiast who is the only one in Russia who is engaged in lifting balloons into the stratosphere on an official basis - he has permission from the military, aviation services, etc. Each launch requires individual approval and is strictly supervised. This person has sufficient experience in lifting high-altitude balloons.

— How is the project financed?

— We used crowdfunding - collecting voluntary donations on an online platform where techies and IT specialists gather. We managed to collect about 250 thousand rubles, with which we purchase materials to build the satellite. With us, everything is extremely open and we use the “Tom Sawyer principle” - remember how he accepted money and toys from his friends in exchange for permission to paint the fence a little? I mean, a donation allows anyone to join the student team.

— After manufacturing the satellite, you will be faced with the task of putting it into orbit, which you will no longer be able to accomplish on your own. How do you plan to do this and how much does it cost?

— Today, many companies in the world offer “transport services” - they put any satellites into orbit, including private ones. A satellite made in Russia can be easily launched by an American rocket and vice versa - no adaptation to the rocket is required. Now about the prices. Launching a small satellite is quite affordable - delivering 1 kilogram of payload into orbit will cost about 2 million in rubles. Our satellite weighs 4 kilograms - that is, its launch costs 7-8 million rubles.

— Where should this considerable money for students come from?

— This, of course, is the most pressing issue of any student or amateur project. We are looking for sponsors... There is a prospect.

— A couple of years ago, leading scientific and technical universities signed an agreement with Roscosmos on the creation of a certain “Space Scientific and Educational Consortium.” Do opportunities for a free launch without reference to the scientific value of the satellite still exist?

— To be honest, I know nothing about the activities of that consortium. But there are known cases when universities were told: yes, we will launch your satellite for free, but you must prove that it is safe for the rocket itself and for other satellites that it puts into orbit. To do this, you need to undergo a series of examinations... for several tens of millions of rubles! One way or another, today Roscosmos is run by a different person. Today we are cooperating with the new head of Roscosmos and the United Rocket and Space Corporation and hope for his help in our project. “Space of small forms” is on the rise today all over the world, it needs to be popularized and promoted, and this should be done more simply by accessible projects in which everyone can take part, and not just “adult scientists”!

Basically, today we’ll talk about how to organize watching satellite television at home with your own hands. Let's talk about what is needed and give some tips.

First, let's go over the sequence of actions when installing satellite TV.

1. The first and quite important thing is to assess the possibility of installing satellite television in your specific location. The fact is that it is not possible to install a satellite dish everywhere; reception is interfered with by buildings, trees, and even in some cases the landscape (when receiving “low” satellites). An Android application can help you decide; we will add a review of it here a little later. I also advise you to pay attention to how your neighbors’ antennas are located.
2. Buying a kit is also not worth saving much, since the small size of the antenna can give you a low signal level in bad weather. The optimal size of the antenna mirror is 85 - 90 cm (depending on the manufacturer).
3. Securely attach the bracket to the wall. In the chosen place you need to use anchors or similar (reliable!!!) fasteners, since the satellite dish poses a danger to people, and if the antenna falls off from a gust of wind, anything can happen and falling on the roof of a Bentley would not be the worst option... Also We recommend that you use a safety rope that will hold the antenna in addition to the bracket. Also, immediately think about how to lay the cable to the receiver; you also need to comply with the requirement of proximity to the power line, etc.
4. Install the antenna, point it (tune it), secure the cable, etc.
5. Watch :)

The steps may not seem complicated, but don’t forget that installing a satellite dish is subject to risks (height, electricity) and you should never let down your guard and clearly understand what you’re doing.

What should a satellite TV package contain?

The satellite TV set must contain (meaning the most common set in Ukraine, Belarus, and the European part of Russia for receiving free and shareware channels - Astra, Amos, Hotbird):

• A satellite dish measuring 90 cm (very desirable), the manufacturer is not so important, but the more expensive the antenna, the higher its quality. Although not always.
• Converters (popularly known as heads), to receive three satellites you need 3 pieces, the heads come in linear and circular polarization. To receive Astra, Amos, Hotbird, linear polarization converters are required.
• A multifeed is a metal or plastic tube with fasteners; it allows you to mount the heads on the sides and accept three satellites from one mirror. You need 2 of them.
• A Diseq switch is a switching device that allows you to connect to the receiver, based on a signal, the head that is needed at the moment. For our configuration, a regular Disek 4x1 will do.
• . This is a separate topic, depending on taste and color, as they say, but it is advisable not to take the cheapest one made in China, but to take a little more expensive, but of better quality, since processors and power supplies are often shipped from China. We will talk about how to choose a receiver in future articles.
• It is also better to take a cable with a normal amount of braiding and filling percentage, although a satellite dish will work with your favorite cable.
• F-connectors, 8 pieces are needed, needed to connect to the heads and drive.
• A bracket for mounting on a wall, here it is necessary to take into account the length required to be able to adjust the antenna, since a short bracket may not allow you to rotate the antenna in the desired direction.

If you want to use satellite television, but you can’t afford to buy a large-diameter antenna, then this article will help you. It describes several options for how to do it yourself, and perhaps this will lead you to the optimal solution to the problem.

When starting to design a parabolic antenna for satellite television, it is necessary to take into account the feed element included in the converter and its parameters. There are two manufacturing options: using gluing on a matrix or soldering a mesh, and the first allows for ease of control over the shape during its manufacture, the second has less weight and windage.

The parameters that characterize the antenna are its diameter, the shortest distance from the focus to the antenna reflector (the so-called mirror depth and the aperture angle at which the mirror plane is visible.

Using these values, the antenna parameters are calculated, then transferred to graph paper, and a parabola is constructed. It must be glued to a sheet of steel, the thickness of which should be five millimeters, and cut out. This is how you get a knife, after which you need to select a bearing and a rod. In this case, it is necessary to shorten the knife to a distance equal to half the diameter of the rod and weld it to it. To make a satellite dish with your own hands, you need to make a frame from a steel rod (with a diameter of eight to ten millimeters) by welding. The ribs must be bent along the knife, the bearing must be welded into the top of the frame.

The antenna frame must be installed on a level surface. In its center, a pipe is installed vertically under the bearing. After attaching a washer to the bearing, which is slightly larger than its diameter and equal in thickness to the future parabolic antenna, a knife is inserted onto it. Thick concrete mortar is applied to the frame. The resulting matrix is ​​dried for three to five days.

When starting the gluing process, you can create a satellite dish with your own hands in several ways. To simplify your task, the product should be divided into sectors (from six to eight). For strength, the thickness of the reflector must be increased and reinforced with radial ribs made of steel wire. To glue the parabolic antenna, use fiberglass cut into strips and first apply automotive oil to the matrix. A pipe is inserted into the washer. A washer is placed on it, equal in height to the thickness of the reflector. Then a layer of resin and pieces of fiberglass are applied, which must be smoothed to remove air bubbles. Cover the reflector with aluminum foil.

When creating a satellite dish with your own hands, you can use another option when forming a conductive surface. Why are paints containing metal powder bases applied to the reflective surface of a parabolic antenna? For example, silver. Having formed the thickness of the reflector of the required dimensions, it is secured with nuts.

There is an option to create an antenna from papier-mâché, when newspapers passed through a meat grinder are used as filler. Glue is added to them and the composition is applied to the matrix.

Before you start implementing a project - a satellite dish with your own hands, you should consider several factors influencing its operation. After all, the lower floors of the building and the reinforced concrete with which the windows are equipped can interfere with the functioning of the product.

There are different possibilities for making an antenna with your own hands: from beer cans, from a room antenna, from a copper cable. Or you can use an existing factory satellite dish and add a self-made satellite dish to it.

Glue sheets of A4 paper to the product with tape and place along the concave edge. Cut 5 pieces of coarse fabric for the antenna in the shape of its mirror. Place them on a plate one at a time and coat with glue. A day later, place cooking foil on the resulting frame, treated with glue. Glue the back side with fabric again. A plastic water pipe is suitable for the converter. The antenna mirror must be coated with a thin layer of paint from a can.