[P19] Partial success.

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There was no problem receiving the UK Spot Beam from first switch on but dish pointing was ultra-sensitive. A couple of millimetres of movement on the rim of the dish was enough to throw it off the satellite. Though the Pan-European channels hardly noticed as I pushed the dish about. Reception died early today. Around 1pm I was getting nothing but No Signal notices on all the Spot Beam channels.

I tried moving the LNB nearer the dish but managed to lose all 28E channels. Traced to a poor F-plug on the straight connector between two long lengths of coax. The ground on the screening had lost contact because the poor quality aluminium braid and screen had vanished. 

I moved the feed back to the Salora dish and confirmed the lack of reception. It's odd how reception times vary so much.

What have I learnt today?

That the huge dish needs to be massively supported to avoid the slightest unwanted movement.
My test stand is only just good enough in still conditions.

That fine azimuth adjustment is as absolutely necessary as the fine vertical adjustment already provided.

That the Satfinder meter has very limited use when swamped by the signal but can still be relied on to confirm rough centring.

That correct cable preparation is vital to a good F-plug connection.

Copper screened coax cable is better than aluminium.

I shall now go ahead and make a decision on siting and which form of support to use.

)