Telesatellite Ka Band 2013

7/29/2019 Telesatellite Ka Band 2013

1/13128 TELE-audiovision International The Worlds Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 05-06/2013 www.TELE-audiovision.com

New in the

Ka-Band How to receive the Ka-band in Europe

Using the US American SL3 LNBs in Europe

DiSEqC commands to control the Downconverter

This is not for your normal TV viewer

Satellite Reception in the Ka-Band


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Concentration is required toavoid silly mistakes. It's too easy toforget to switch to the right outputand spend hours wondering whythe spectrum is not changing as

expected.This is Vitor in his workshop,

doing what he enjoys most: gettingthe most out of technology...


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C Band 4 GHz bis 8 GHz

X Band 8 GHz bis 12 GHz

Ku Band 12 GHz bis 18 GHz

K Band 18 GHz bis 26.5 GHz

Ka Band 26.5 GHz bis 40 GHz

130 TELE-audiovision International The Worlds Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 05-06/2013 www.TELE-audiovision.com

Satellite Reception in the Ka-Band

TELE-audiovision has always

been reporting on the latest de-

velopments in the Ka-band. We

did this, for example, in the 08-

09/2007, 10-11/2009 and 08-

09/2011 issues. And now, once

again, its time for an update. We

want to take a closer look at the

situation in Europe.

Here are a few of the basics regard-ing the Ka-band to refresh your mem-ory. The spectrum for satellite TV re-ception we are interested in is brokendown into the following bands (table1).

Note that Ku stands for K-under,that is, UNDER the K-band, and Ka

stands for K-above, that is, ABOVEthe K-band.

7KH UVW ELJ KXUGOHLQ WKH .DEDQG

is its enormous frequency range.While a standard universal LNB canreceive practically the entire Ku fre-quency range, several different LNBswould have to be used for the K/Ka-band since each LNB typically coversonly about 500 MHz. The LNBs thatare used for the Ka-band are not con-sumer LNBs that are manufactured

and marketed in the millions; instead,they are professional LNBs with corre-spondingly higher prices.

For satellite DXers and TVRO fanswho have limited budgets, there is a

Ka-Band SatelliteReception in EuropeVitor Martins Augusto

way to sneak into the Ka-band world.There are precisely two inexpensiveways to do it:

1) The Irish TV provider Saorsat of-fers an FTA package in the Ka-bandand you can get the necessary con-sumer LNB that operates in the 19.7to 20.2 GHz range from an LNB manu-facturer via the Internet at a cost ofaround 40 Euros.

2) The American TV provider DirecTVcarries some of their programming ontwo satellites in the Ka-band. For thisthere are several LNBs that are mar-keted under the label SL3. Used ver-sions of these LNBs can be purchasedin the USA quite inexpensively.

Keep in mind though that if you havethem shipped to Europe, the customs

The White Ka LNB by Invertois a consumer LNB for Ireland,WKDWWVUHJXODUVDWHOOLWHGLVKHVZLWKRXWDQ\PRGLFDWLRQ,WLVactually a TwinLNB.


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99.0W (Ka-Band) 101.0W (Ku-Band) 103.0W (Ka-Band)

Input/RZ*+]

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high. Note that along with the SL3 youwould also need a B-band converter(often labeled BBC). The DirecTV SL3LNB would cost about US$30 and theB-band converter would run aboutUS$10. Dont forget to factor in theshipping costs and the customs duties.

For this report I experimented withboth LNBs with the following results:

The LNB for the Irish TV providerLVYHU\HDV\WRZRUNZLWKVLQFHLWWV

nicely in a standard universal LNBmount. Simply replace the existinguniversal LNB with this one and justlike that youre working in the Ka-bandalthough itll only be in the 19.7 to 20.2GHz range.

If you install this LNB in an exist-

ing motorized antenna system, youllquickly get a feel for whats out therein the Ka-band. You can drive the an-tenna to every known satellite posi-tion and use a signal analyzer to seeif there are any active Ka-band tran-sponders.

To make a long story short, frommy location here in Portugal with thisWhite Ka LNB I could only identifyone transponder at 13.0E and eighttransponders at 9.0E. The transpond-ers on EUTELSAT 9.0E belong to theTooWay Internet service. The singletransponder on HOTBIRD at 13.0E isalso used for satellite-based InternetVHUYLFH 7R FRQUP WKLV , FRQQHFWHG

an older satellite modem and, sureenough, I was able to achieve a lockon that corresponding frequency.

But that was it! With this LNB andan 80cm antenna there were no othertransponders that could be found from39.0E to 30.0W.

Why couldnt I receive the Irish TV

provider Saorsat? They broadcast sev-en RT channels in DVB-S2 that hap-pen to be unencrypted. The answer isquite simple: EUTELSAT 9.0E utilizesspot beams. With these extremely

Ka-band LNBmounted at a rotary60cm consumer dish

or 8PSK modulation, I couldnt do any-thing with these transponders.

Next was the SL3 LNB from DirecTV.This LNB is actually made up of threeLNBs all built into one metallic form asa multifeed LNB. This multifeed LNBalso has a built-in multiswitch thatfeeds the three satellite signals to fourindependent outputs. As is typical withmultifeeds, these LNBs are mountedin such a way that the three satellites(99.0W, 101.0W and 103.0W) can all bereceived at the same time.

This created problems with DXers,especially with motorized antennas,since the two Ka LNBs are positionedin such a way that a two degree cor-rection is needed. With DiSEqC motorslike the SG2100 you can expect fourimpulses per degree.

The table at top puts it all togetherfor the SL3 LNB (table 2).

The LNBs polarization is left or right

small footprints, this package can bebeamed with great precision to Ire-land; even along the British coast, witha few exceptions, nothing can be re-ceived anymore.

These spot beams provide the fol-lowing advantages for a satellite pro-vider:

Transponders can be broadcast toYHU\ FOHDUO\GHQHGUHJLRQV DQG WKDW

basically eliminates the need for en-cryption like that taking place in Aus-tria for example.

The transponder frequencies canEH XVHG PXFK PRUH HIFLHQWO\ VLQFH

the same frequency can be reused inother spot beams. TooWay essentiallyuses the same frequency across all ofEurope but depending on your loca-tion, different transponders would beused. This technique would allow theXVHRIVLJQLFDQWO\KLJKHUEDQGZLGWKV

than could be used before.

And, with that, thetest of this Ka-bandLNB came toan end. SinceTooWay doesnot use QPSK


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circular and is switched with a 13/18Vcontrol voltage. The output signal fromthe central Ku-band LNB is in the 950 -1450 MHz range while the outputs fromthe two outer Ka-band LNBs (depend-

ing on the 0/22 kHz signal) is 250 MHz- 750 MHz and 1660 MHz - 2150MHz.

Since satellite receivers cant receivethe 250 - 750 MHz frequency band, aB-band converter (BBC) needs to beinstalled between the receiver and theSL3 the upconverts the 250 - 750 MHzrange back up to the 1160 - 2150 MHz

range.The BBC is waiting for a 22 kHz con-

trol signal. But this is not the samecontinuous 22 kHz tone that is usedwith universal LNBs to switch between

the low and high bands. This wouldntmake any sense since this 22 kHz toneis already being used to switch be-tween the left and right LNBs. Becauseof this the BBC is switched on using anon-standard E20300 DiSEqC com-mand and off using a non-standardE20200 command. The second Byte

of a correct DiSEqC command usu-DOO\VSHFLHVWKHUHFHLYHU7KHYDOXHV

considered here are 00 (all connectedreceivers) or 10 (each LNB, matrix orSMATV). Thats why the Ka low bandof both outside LNBs in the SL3 cannot

be received with a standard receiver.There are two ways around this: ei-WKHU WKH %%& LV PRGLHG RU \RX XVH

a programmable DiSEqC generator/monitor. This is something you canQGIRUH[DPSOHLQWKH.DWKUHLQ06.

33 signal analyzer. This somewhat old-er signal analyzer doesnt just simplysupport DiSEqC 1.0/1.2/2.0, it also ex-pects that the user will enter in RAWDiSEqC sequences manually. What ap-pears to be complicated and not veryuser-friendly, is actually an absolute

top feature. Aside from that, the DiS-EqC monitor can also be used to logDiSEqC commands.

At this point wed like to make asuggestion to todays signal analyzermanufacturers: a DiSEqC monitor todisplay and set DiSEqC control com-mands is a very important feature to

1. The DirecTV SL3 LNB is a complexand heavy LNB. It is actually a multi feedcombination of three separate LNBs,connected through an internal multi

switch to provide the output signal on fourindividual connectors. It is no surprisethat the LNB weighs 650 grams, making ittoo heavy for the motor to rotate properly.

2. This is how the inside of the SL3 LNBlooks like. One can clearly recognize thethree different LNBs and the multi switchPCB.

3. The feedhorn is actually composed ofthree feed horns.


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1. The B-Band Converter (BBC). It is used to convert frequencies from 250 MHz 750MHz up to 1660 MHz 2150 MHz. This is a good example on how prices drop, when massproduction occurs, this BBC is now the cheapest available converter of its type. The BBCis to be attached on the HF connector of the satellite receiver.

2. Fortunately it is fairly easy to open the B-Band Converter (BBC). Just slide a sharp toolon the side and open it carefully. There are two brackets holding the plastic together andyou dont even need to remove the sticker on the other side.

7KHPRGLFDWLRQLVIDLUO\VLPSOH-XVWFXWSLQVDQGRIWKHPDLQ,&RUWU\WRPHOWthe solder and lift the pins. Then solder two wires according to the picture to permanentlyactivate the Ka/Low-Band.

have when testing complex and/orexotic DiSEqC installations. Unfortu-nately, though, modern devices dontinclude this feature anymore. Somehomemade solutions to build your ownDiSEqC test equipment can be foundon the Internet but its not always easyWRQG WKH QHFHVVDU\ FRPSRQHQWV LQ

electronics stores.)RUWKLVUHDVRQ,UVWXVHGP\.DWK-

rein MSK 33 to activate the Ka low bandon the SL3 and once again scannedevery satellite position.

$QG RQFHDJDLQ WKHUHZHUHGLIFXO-ties. It didnt take long to realize that

commands are not directly supported.To put together a DiSEqC string eve-ry time I want to move the antennais just too complicated for me. Thatswhy I used a different signal analyzerto move the antenna, the KWS VAROS109, that I tested in the 01-02/2013issue of TELE-audiovision. This ana-lyzer sports a very fast spectrum thatJUHDWO\VLPSOLHVQGLQJVDWHOOLWHVDQG

transponders especially since you candrive the motor to the east and west atthe same time.

And to be able to analyze the Kalow band with the KWS VAROS 109, Iused the TP204 DiSEqC monitor fromSpaun. Its installed in between thereceiver and the LNB and comes with

- 750 MHz to the needed 1660 - 2150MHz range can be found for a mereUS$10. What a steal!

7KHUH DUH WZR GLIIHUHQW PRGLFD-tions that would place the BBC in con-

tinuous operation. Keep in mind thatthe radio amateur is not interested inpassing through the LNB supply volt-DJHDQGWKXVGHDFWLYDWHVWKLVDVDUVW

step. Obviously, when working withLNBs, you dont want to do this; youdont want to interrupt the power sup-ply to the LNB.

Of the two different methods, wesuggest the easier of the two for theconnection of the SL3. Here two pinson the IC would have to be disconnect-ed (with luck you can simply unsolderthem and then bend them up) and twowires would have to be soldered. Thetwo wires would jump out the on/offswitching and force the converter intocontinuous operation.

the SL3 uses much more power thana standard universal LNB. And thentheres its much heftier weight of 650g.Because of this the motor could notproperly turn the way its supposed to.

The solution here was to manuallydisconnect the cable from the motor tothe LNB. A better solution would be touse a DiSEqC switch and, just beforemoving the antenna, switch to an un-occupied DiSEqC 1.0 position thereby

interrupting the power going to theSL3. You could also attach a counter-weight to the antenna.

At the same time, its not exactlythat easy to drive a motor with theKathrein MKS 33 since DiSEqC 1.2

an extra output for an analyzer. I usedthe Kathrein MKS 33 as the receiver inorder to be able to generate the nec-essary DiSEqC control commands andfor analysis I used the KWS VAROS109.

As a side effect I was able to verifywith the TP204 that DiSEqC commandswere actually sent.

Since its still rather uncomfortableto use two different signal analyzers,

I searched the Internet for instruc-tions on how to modify the BBC andfound what I was looking for. This BBChas created quite a bit of interest withradio amateurs. An inexpensive fre-quency converter that can convert 250

But then, just as I was ready to doWKLVPRGLFDWLRQ,IRXQGRXWDERXWD

new Windows program: Easy Blind-scan Pro (EBS). This program uses thesame STREAMREADER.DLL as the be-loved CrazyScan and its functionality

is similar to CrazyScan. In addition tothe comfortable, user-friendly inter-face, this software can also send RAWDiSEqC commands.

The DiSEqC implementation in thissoftware is exemplary in that complexcommand sequences are also sup-ported so that unusual systems, likemy two SG2100A motorized antennas(see TELE-audiovision 11-12/2012)can be handled automatically withoutany tricks. For this reason I havent

\HWPRGLHGP\%%&VR WKDW, FRXOGcontinue to switch between the SL3sKa low band and Ka high band.

And the result of all of this work? Onall of the satellites that I can receivefrom my location in Europe there was


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nothing to be found in the 18.3 to 18.8GHz band. Its not exactly a positiveresult.

But that doesnt mean it will alwaysbe like that; the Ka-band will certainlycontinue to be expanded on.

The transmissions in the Ka-bandtypically are not modulated in DVB-S/S2. Because of the intolerance to rain,an IP-based transmission in this fre-

quency range is preferred, in whichpackets containing errors can be re-quested again.

The Ka-band is immense and itsespecially in the higher frequenciesZKHUH \RXOO QG D ORW RI FRPPXQL-cation signals. The average person,though, doesnt know about this sinceits not advertised anywhere. Thisrange is used, for example, in military

applications. But its precisely thesekinds of communications that are ex-citing to the DXer! Who wouldnt wantto listen in to these professional com-munications?

The main problem, though, is theGLIFXOW\LQQGLQJDPDWFKLQJ/1%DQG

feedhorn for the different frequencyranges in the Ka-band. And even if theywould be available, youd still have a

4. The SL3 is custom-made for DirecTV and is tobe used with DirecTV satellite dishes. The LNBGRHVQRWWWRUHJXODUIHHGKROGHUVVR,KDGWRimprovise a little. Using two screws I attached ametallic plate to the LNB which then was gluedwith tape to the dish. This is only a temporarysolution, but worked well and was easy to do. Thisis really a big and heavy LNB.


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1. The Kathrein MSK 33 shows theKu-Band from 950 MHz to 1450 MHz andthe Ka/High-Band from 1650 MHz to 2150MHz. The BBC is not active.

2. Using the DisEqC-Monitor of the MSK 33one can enter the RAW DiSEqC command

E20300 to activate the BBC.3. The TX key sends the command.

4. On the spectrum the Ku-Band from 950MHz to 1450 MHz remains the same, butthe frequency range from 1650 MHz to 2150MHz now shows the Ka/Low-Band of theSL3 LNB.

5. Using the DiSEqC-Monitor the RAWDiSEqC command E20200 is issued toswitch the BBC off.

6. As expected, the Ku-Band is shown withthe Ka/High-Band again.

7. The KWS VAROS 109 provided excellentaid in handling the motorized dish andrendering a real-time spectrum. Because

both Ka-Band LNBs of the SL3 are 2degrees away from the centre focus Icould not just position the dish with theGOTOn command. I had to manuallysweep the antenna. This is an easyWDVNIRUWKLVPHWHUDVLWFDQDZOHVVO\operate the motor using DiSEqC-1.2 whilesimultaneously rendering the real timespectrum.

8. Using the Spaun TP204 DiSEqC monitorto verify if the MSK 33 is sending theDiSEqC commands and to use the analyzeroutput connector with the KWS VAROS 109.

9. Teamwork of the satellite meters: theKathrein MSK 33 does the switching whilethe KWS VAROS 109 renders the realtime spectrum in search of any Ka-Bandtransponders.


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hard time doing anything withthem since the modulations inuse cannot be received with anormal tuner. And then lets noteven talk about the encryptionthat would be in use.

So what then? All that workfor nothing? Well, no, not really.

For one thing this discoveryexcursion into these new fre-quency territories is interest-ing; you can also learn a lotfrom this. Nevertheless, rightnow only those truly dedicatedDXers would have fun in the Ka-band.

Outside of the USA and Ire-ODQGZKHUH\RXGUHJXODUO\QG

TV broadcasts in the Ka-band,

theres really nothing to receivefor the normal viewer.

This technology is also notreally suitable for DX recep-tion (long-distance reception)because of the spot beams thatare used.

Yet there exist entirely newpossibilities: feeds can be sentvery inexpensively to broad-casting centers as an IP packetand this is exactly what is al-ready being marketed by thecompany NewSpotter in Italy.Small cars such as the SmartDUHWWHGZLWKVHOIDOLJQLQJDQ-tennas and transmit news feedsvia EUTELSAT 9.0E back to theirheadquarters or for events inoutlying areas they can offersatellite Internet access overWiFi.

So, there is actually some-thing going on in the Ka-band!

Comparison

Ku (10.7-12.7GHz) vs

Ka (19.7-20.2GHz)Each pair shows the respectivesatellite in the Ku-Band (10.7 GHz

12.7 GHz) and in the Ka-Band(19.7 GHz to 20.2 GHz). Notice thata valid signal requires an RF levelabove approximately -59 dBm.EUTELSAT 9A at 9.0E contains4 transponders in the Ka-Band,which belong to the TooWaysatellite based internet service.

Using the KWS VAROS 109 itwas possible to see a Ka-Bandtransponder on HOTBIRD at 13.0E.Using an old satellite modem couldget some feedback, but since I hadno valid subscription I could notfurther test it.


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LinksExample 09.0E with SL3 -

Ka (18.3-18.8GHz) vs

Ka (19.7-20.2GHz)1. EBS Pro showing the RF scan of the Ka/High-Band.

2. Using the valuable possibility of sending RAWDiSEqC commands, the E20300 sequence is sent tothe BBC.

3. After a new RF scan, one can see the Ka/Low-Band ofWKH6/1RPRGLFDWLRQWRWKH%%&ZDVUHTXLUHG

http://www.m0dts.co.uk/datv_converter.htm2

'LJLWDO$PDWHXU79ZHEVLWHZLWKLQVWUXFWLRQVRQPRGLI\LQJD%EDQGFRQYHUWHU%%&WRSHUPDQHQWO\DFWLYDWHWKHFRQYHUVLRQIURP0+]WR0+]

http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/282172-SL-3-LNB-KA-Band-FTA-receiver-in-europe

7RSLFLQWKH6DWHOOLWH*X\V)RUXPWRXVHWKH6//1%LQ(XURSH

http://www.newspotter.it

1HZ6SRWWHU'LVWULEXWHVDQGOHDVHVDPRQJRWKHUWKLQJVVPDOOFDUVZLWKDKa-band satellite link.

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Telesatellite Ka Band 2013