How to make a custom dish
Here is what you need.....
A: 1-18 inch dish. I used a DirectTV dish because I was told that is the only one that will work. Something else may work, I don't know. You can experiment.
B: 3-LNBs. Using the DirectTV LNBs will work the easiest. I used all dual feeds to get more options, but you can use single feeds.
C: Some good glue. I used JB Weld. I suppose you could use tie-wraps, but that’s up to you! Getting the LNBs straight and keeping them that way is the object.
D: Measuring device. I used a tape measure. A ruler, yardstick or whatever you are comfortable with, as long as you can measure out 1/2 inch.
E: Marker. A sharpie works the best.
Here is what you do......
Take the three (or two) LNBs and lay them on there backs on a flat surface, so the feed horns and the coax connectors are facing up. Set them so the coax connectors are closest to you. If you’re right handed, the right is the first LNB. Now slide the second LNB right up next to the first one. Now move it so it is about 1/2 inch higher than the first. Make marks so you can remember how it goes. Now take the third LNB and slide it up next to the second. Now move it so it is about 1/2 inch higher than the second. Mark this also so you can remember the location. The 1/2-inch does not have to be exact, but fairly close. Hopefully, between reading and looking at the pictures, you'll see what we are trying to do.
Now you need to attach all three (or two) LNBs together in this offset fashion. I used JB Weld. I would suggest whatever you use that it can stand up to all kinds of weather.
When done, the LNB on your right will be looking at Sat. 101, the middle one 110, and the left one will be 119.
(If using two LNB's the one on your right will be looking at Sat. 110, and the left one
will be 119.)
Now you can mount the LNBs back to a dish. Mount the middle one to dish just like normal. As for tuning, I hooked up my DirectTV to the 101 LNB and tuned it till I had a signal. You could also hook up DISH to the 119 LNB and tune it in. Once you have one of them working, the other two LNBs should be lined up with their proper Sat. You will probably have to compromise on signal strength depending on where you are and what you are watching. As of this writing, I have not done any real fine-tuning.
I would think adjusting the offset of the LNBs a little bit one way or the other would help. Right now, on a clear day, my DISH is at 95% to 100%, and DTV is at 75% to 80%. This setup also seems to be a little more susceptible to rain fade.
As far as cabling, treat each LNB as if it were a separate dish. Mark each cable with 101A, 101B, 110A, 110B, 119A, and 119B.
There is some confusion on what channels you get
You don’t get premium or PPV channels Just FTA (Free to Air)
channels
Important
You must have no splitters between dish and receiver
the only thing between dish and receiver is the DiSEqC switch
How to connect wires
The receiver plugs into DiSEqC switch
And the LNB 2 (110) plugs into satellite LNB (110)
And LNB 3 (119) plugs into satellite LNB (119)
If you are using a second receiver, the second receiver will only receive the signal that the first receiver is on.
Example:
If receiver 1 is on satellite 2 (110) then the second receiver will only receive the channels from 110 it will not receive the channels from 3 (119).
If receiver 1 is on satellite 3 (119) then the second receiver will only receive the channels from 119 it will not receive the channels from 2 (110).
The switch is not capable of switching between both satellites for both receivers. They do make a switch for this but it is very expensive. The second receiver will only receive channels off of the satellite that the first receiver is on.
Now you ready to setup your antenna
Turn on receiver
Click on menu
Hit the right arrow one time
Then hit ok (antenna setup)
Scroll down till you come to Echo 6,8 110
Click ok
LNB type Standard click down arrow
LNB local-freq leave as is
22 kHz OFF click down arrow
DiSEqC #2 click on down arrow
LNB power On click on down arrow
TP leave as is
Positioner setting Disabled
Satellite scan click right arrow twice (all)
Click ok twice
Let receiver scan for all the channels until completely done – this will take a little while
So go grab a beer
After that is done do the same thing over for 119
Click on menu
Hit the right arrow one time
Then hit ok (antenna setup)
Scroll down till you come to Echo 7 119
Click ok
LNB type Standard click down arrow
LNB local-freq leave as is
22 kHz OFF click down arrow
DiSEqC #3 click on down arrow
LNB power On click on down arrow
TP leave as is
Positioner setting Disabled
Satellite scan click right arrow twice (all)
Click ok twice
If you are not using DiSEqC switch follow these steps
Click on menu
Hit the right arrow one time
Then hit ok (antenna setup)
Scroll down till you come to Echo 7 119
Click ok
LNB type Standard click down arrow
LNB local-freq leave as is
22 kHz OFF click down arrow
DiSEqC OFF click on down arrow
LNB power On click on down arrow
TP leave as is
Positioner setting Disabled
Satellite scan click right arrow twice (all)
Click ok twice
