Picotuner versus Minitiouner question.

[Basil]

I have a friend who fancies receiving DATV off the QO100 satellite. I use a Minitiouner with two modules whose number I forget to allow simultaneous reception of two transmissions when paired with Open Tuner software.

I seem to recall, perhaps wrongly, that the PicoTuner has some limitations compared with the earlier Minitiouner. Was it an inability to decode some symbol rates? He wants to know which type of receiver is best to build and I am not au fait enough with PicoTuners to advise him. Thanks.

[radiogareth]

PicoTuner all the way...
Cheaper route (no FTDI module needed) for dual channels.
Includes the LNB PSU (current limited with warning so the tiny inductors don't get popped).
Gareth

[g0mjw]

The difference picotuner can't handle the very high symbol rates used by satellite TV. Nor can the minitiouner but it can handle higher rates than the picotuner. Both are adequate for DATV though, at least for all sensible transmissions. If your friend wants to receive satellite TV, they should buy a satellite TV receiver. That's not what the minitiouner or picotuner are for.

Mike

[Basil]

Thanks Gareth and Mike. He just wants it for receiving QO100. So what's the symbol rate limitation of the PicoTuner then please?

[g4eml]

It has never been fully tested but 2 Msps is probably getting close to the limit for the USB firmware. I think the Ethernet firmware can do higher.

Colin G4EML

[Basil]

Thank you Colin, I'll pass that on, appreciated.

[Pa3fbx]

The main reason why some prefer minitiouner V2 over Pico tuner is the use of the " good old" minitiouner software witch is for obvious reasons not compatible with Pico tuner.
Especially Terrestial contacts more easy (better signal feedback display) with minitiouner software.

For QO100 i would advise allways Pico tuner.

Benno, PA3FBX

[Basil]

Ahh, right, thanks for added information Benno.