Solid vs Mesh Dishes

[Kraven]

Thoughs on which one performs better? IE- Would a 6ft solid outperform a 7.5 or 8ft Mesh dish? Point is, am about to mount a 6 foot solid dish, but the opportunity might arise than I can get a 8foot mesh free.

Thoughts?

Cheers, K

[tdti1]

Well the bigger the dish would be better for c-band, for ku-band the solid would be nice, if the mesh dish is brand spanking new then it should also preform well on ku.

[Kraven]

I have C-band in mind when comparing a 6 ft solid to 7.5/8ft mesh as am keeping the 39" for Ku exclusively

Cheers, K

[majortom]

I'd take the larger mesh dish as long as I have the room to install it and assuming it's fairly new, say 90's vintage or later it's likely to have been designed for C/Ku operation (mesh perforation size) and is in good condition, i.e. not warped. The gain in performance from less susceptibilty to adj sat interference should help drive ur decision. (Antenna's Beamwidth fitting within the 2 degree spacing of the satellites).
See below in choosing a dish section.

http://www.geo-orbit.org/sizepgs/tun...l#anchor454578

Edit: On the other side of the coin, if it was warped you'd probably waste an awful lot of time trying to align it
with nothing but less than stellar results. You can do the String Test to check for warpage to be sure it's worth the effort.

[billpaidJr]

yes I would choose the mesh one too. Performs better in high winds too besides looking cooler

[majortom]

attach a couple strings across the face of the dish, in a criss cross fashion, stretch 'em tight. They should cross in the exact center of the dish, and should touch each other. If there's a gap between the strings where they cross, the dish is warped. if warped it will never be able to focus the signal properly at the center of the feedhorn, may as well be scrapped.

While ur strings are still attached, ya may as well measure the depth of the dish too. You'd measure the depth from the center plate, to the string,
and add the thickness of the center plate (typically ~ 1/8" steel plate). Knowing that depth measurement and the diameter of the dish, you could calculate an accurate F/D ratio. Useful info for use later on in aligning the feedhorn's focal distance, etc. if the F/D ratio spec is otherwise unknown

F=D^2 / 16d

F - Focal length
D - dish Diameter
d - dish depth

[Cham]

Solids definitely work better for Ku and maybe a bit better for C-band in my experiences. Price and weight are what determines the purchase though. I am not sure where one would purchase a mesh dish these days (new), seems most products available these days are the solid multi-leaf design unless you want to spend a lot of $$$$. Then there is shipping...
Wouldn't want one smaller then 8', 10' is best for most average use, 12' is getting big for FTA but there are some that come available if you can figure out how to get it home!
Just checked looks like Skyvision in MN still sells mesh dishes? Could be old stock.