Radome for your dual band patch

Latest News and Discussion about the use of the DATV transponder on Es'hail-2
radiogareth
Posts: 1215
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Radome for your dual band patch

Post by radiogareth » Wed May 15, 2019 7:43 pm

I've been inspired to see the various re-purposing going on to keep the WX out of the dual band feed. Inevitably I have been thinking about a simple design for a radome that traps a sheet of polythene (or cereal packet polypropylene) as the low loss 'window. I quite liked the idea of having the outer disc of the dual band feed 'snap in' but its proving tricky to get the dimensions right. It's also putting force into the weakest plane of the 3-D print. Vile colour as this is the only PETG (fizzy drinks bottle plastic) I have ATM. PLA isn't long term WX proof but PETG is both UV and WX stable.

The radome cover retention works well but I think I'll re-design the back side to just slot in and then secure with some suitable glue (UHU etc) or maybe a couple of lugs/tabs/screws.

Technical observations and comments welcome....

Gareth
2019-05-15 20.11.01.jpg
2019-05-15 20.11.01.jpg (53.96 KiB) Viewed 7655 times
2019-05-15 20.11.15.jpg
2019-05-15 20.11.15.jpg (62.06 KiB) Viewed 7655 times

radiogareth
Posts: 1215
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by radiogareth » Thu May 16, 2019 8:16 pm

Well I swapped over my 1.1x1.05 TRIAX dish for my 1.2x1.15. Same LNB but a lower MER on the beacon? This new dish is easier to adjust but heavier so I still have to raise it up to the original height (+2')before I can try 'direct comparison'. I may just be squinting over the roof of the house opposite but had 8.5 early this morning but 7.7 now on the bigger dish.
Worked on a /P dish support instead to make use of a mesh dish I was given last year. It has suffered bottom arm corrosion so I braced across the weakened part. Sundry bits from my 'handy-pile', angle-grinder and MIG and its good to go. Also mounts a 65cm dish for yet to be decided use.
Surveyors tripod has been waiting for this day since 1986! A really nice bit of kit, extends to 6' plus and levelable in all axis. Both dishes can rotate 360 degrees should the need arise.
Gareth
You can just see the edge of the 1.2 dish to the right of 'Maspro'. I can raise it above that but need local assistance (wife Jayne :-))
2019-05-16 17.58.08.jpg
2019-05-16 17.58.08.jpg (170.03 KiB) Viewed 7573 times
2019-05-16 18.01.55.jpg
2019-05-16 18.01.55.jpg (128.38 KiB) Viewed 7573 times

G7JTT
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by G7JTT » Wed May 22, 2019 6:17 pm

Thanks for the idea this is my take on it using a clip a seal pot I had. All I done was cut the front of the lid out and then clamp a sheet of plastic between the lid the pot.

Cheers John G7JTT
D7L8YXAWkAE3pp8.jpg
D7L8YXAWkAE3pp8.jpg (182.21 KiB) Viewed 7447 times
D7L8aVeXsAIYrL8.jpg
D7L8aVeXsAIYrL8.jpg (235.53 KiB) Viewed 7447 times
D7L8ZacXkAArRko.jpg
D7L8ZacXkAArRko.jpg (148.58 KiB) Viewed 7447 times

radiogareth
Posts: 1215
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by radiogareth » Wed May 22, 2019 7:42 pm

Happy to share :-)
What brand of plastic box? Did the MER improve with just the thin polythene?
Gareth

G7JTT
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by G7JTT » Wed May 22, 2019 7:58 pm

Just a generic one from "The Range" about £3, with the original lid I lost 2db on 3cm but was ok on 13cm. Once the lid was cut out I tried the LNB and was back to the normal around 8db, with the plastic stretch out and clamped in place I saw no difference in the received MER level. It looks a lot better than it did with the hi-tech bag waterproofing technique LOL.
Hi-Tech.jpg
Hi-Tech.jpg (147.29 KiB) Viewed 7435 times

g8lce
Posts: 340
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 10:26 am

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by g8lce » Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:53 am

How about a small hole at the bottom for pressure relief ( hot and cold weather ) and drainage should any water get in? I have had a 5.665GHz rx on the roof in a plastic icecream container for years but it has an opening at the bottom just incase rain got in. I am still using the second method with a plastic bag on my dish but now will save the cereal wrappers and get a plastic container!
A few days later....
Having bought a plastic container and fitted it I have found a problem! The plastic lid with the centre cut out - so it is just the rim - reduces the received signal!!! Even though it is well away from the centre and does not alter the position of the LNB so I am surprised. I have just rested it in position for the measurement and photo.
DSC08203-1.png
DSC08203-1.png (525.04 KiB) Viewed 7201 times
DSC08202-1.png
DSC08202-1.png (567.97 KiB) Viewed 7201 times
with polythene.JPG
with polythene.JPG (241.7 KiB) Viewed 7201 times

And now with the lid surround resting in place
Lid added.JPG
Lid added.JPG (240.2 KiB) Viewed 7201 times
DSC08204-1.png
DSC08204-1.png (575.51 KiB) Viewed 7201 times
You can see the drop in signal and these conditions were not the best. The maximum signal difference was 1dB !!
So I will keep this for now but buying a container with a clip on lid may be a waste of time and just a plastic base with a piece of polythene over the opening my be best.

G7JTT
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by G7JTT » Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:21 am

Odd I thought I'd already replied to this post but seems it's no longer here ? Anyway I did find that before I cut the front out of the lid I lost a couple of dB on the beacon, but after cutting it out and replacing with thin film I saw no difference in signal from the beacon with the lid on, off or no box at all. Wonder if the use of a square box as apposed to round make any difference ? Maybe different plastic used or maybe thicker plastic ? Plus it looks like you have a different lense to me. At the end of the day it's always trial and error to see what works for each individual scenario, and more importantly your method works for you. Oh and as for the small hole good shout will add one at the weekend 👍

All best John

DL4FBN
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 6:27 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by DL4FBN » Wed Jul 31, 2019 3:28 pm

I found an interesting cover which can easily modified to become a waterproof rain protection for the dual feed. It is a Telesin GoPro cover.

Reinhard
Attachments
Radom_S.jpg
Radom_S.jpg (261.49 KiB) Viewed 6864 times
Telesin.jpg
Telesin.jpg (205.26 KiB) Viewed 6864 times

G7JTT
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by G7JTT » Wed Jul 31, 2019 5:49 pm

Excellent job Reinhard 👍

DL4FBN
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 6:27 pm

Re: Radome for your dual band patch

Post by DL4FBN » Wed Jul 31, 2019 6:33 pm

Thanks, if someone is interested please lookout for the dome without the handle which is about Euro 23,00
Reinhard DL4FBN

Post Reply

Return to “Es’hail-2 - DATV Transponder”