Anik F3, Ecoxstar 6, 118.7, bye bye 121.....

[homeofc]

There is understandably a lot of confusion about this satellite. So I'm going to try to summarize my experiences so far with it.

1. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away Ecxostar commisioned a company to launch a satellite that would be located at 118W and would replace the leased satellite at 121W. This satellite was named "Ecxostar 6." But it broke, and is not usable.

2. Now, Dixnet has acquired access to a new satellite named "Anik F3." It works good. They have moved it into location at 118.75W where it is sharing virtually the same orbital space with good old 119W.

3. Since those two satellites share the same orbital space (they're within 2 degrees of each other) it is possible to receive both of them with one lnb, if you have the right lnb.

4. 119W uses a Circular transmitting lnb and operates in the frequency 11250. 118.75 uses a Circular transmitting lnb and operates in 10750 frequency that formerly was only used for Linear lnbs. That's why everybody thinks this is a linear satellite. It isn't. It's going round and round like it's roommate, 119W.

5. You can buy an lnb from eba or from a number of other on-line sources now that is capable of receiving both 119 and 118.75 at the same time. Here's a link to one such source so you can see what it looks like:
hxxp://transatelectronics.com/store/118%C2%B0-circular-10750-dual-lnb_P272?gclid=CPHA78eqrY8CFQpJYQodVX-sPQ

6. You can also use one of the strange myoptic looking things from disxnet to get both of the satellites. Here's a link showing a D1000+ lnb to show you what it looks like:
hxxp://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Dishnetwork/Dishes/Dish-1000-Plus-Dish1000Plus.htm


7. Disxnet is actively replacing all their customer 121 superdish equipment with an lnb that'll get both satellites. Once they're done, they'll shut down 121W for good. Lots of the International channels are already gone from that satellite, so my guess is they'll achieve their goal earlier than the March 1, 2008 deadline.

8. Most of our receivers do not have a sat info for the 118.75 yet. I have put one in the file sections that works for Viewsats, but for the most part you'll need to create your own sat file entry until the mfg's get caught up. In some cases (such as the Conaxsat) you will find an entry for Anik F3's older brother, Anik F1R, and you can use that entry to scan Anik F3.

This satellite is a work in process both for us and for disxnet. Currently there are about 132 channels available on it. You may or may not be able to get an epg for now (depending on your receiver brand) but I suspect the mfg's will upgrade the bins to work better for this satellite soon.

If you have specific questions as to what you can do to scan it in on your particular receiver, let me know & I'll try to help.

[carl066]

The comments above are right on. To get 118.75, the LNB of choice is Model CB2008A. It accepts signals from both ANIK F3 and EchoStar 7, and downconverts them to the 950-2150 MHz FTA receiver band. Its local oscillator frequency is 10750 MHz, and it is a circular polarization unit.

Dish size is important. Like 121, 118.75 has lower power than most DSS satellites. With an 18" dish, you'll only get about half of the channels. I recommend a 33" or larger dish.

Also as stated above, there is no EPG support, at least on my CaptiveWorks, but I'm sure that will change with later bins.

[stanleyarsog]

Thanks for clarification of this issue. I was planning to use my BUD with a linear LNB. You saved me time and frustration. Now I know what direction to take if I want to receive Anik F3.

[homeofc]

Originally Posted by carl066

Dish size is important. Like 121, 118.75 has lower power than most DSS satellites. With an 18" dish, you'll only get about half of the channels. I recommend a 33" or larger dish.

Also as stated above, there is no EPG support, at least on my CaptiveWorks, but I'm sure that will change with later bins.

As you say Carl, size matters.

I do get a full epg with my CaptiveWorks 800S, and with my Conaxsats. But not with my Vsat 7000 pvr. The CW800S even had the satellite defined in the satinfo table.

It is an artform, not a science.

[rmahbub]

Hey man, Would that sat file you are talking about would work for Viewsat Pro also?
Can you please direct me to that sat file? and also let me know hot to install it in my Viewsat pro?

Thanks in advance,
Riad

[homeofc]

Sorry. But it doesn't appear we can use a sat file (as we know it) on the Pro. I'm awaiting further information on adding this satellite to the Pro. Maybe Viewsat will take the hint and do it themselves.

[jbourikos]

i am having tons of trouble aiming the 118.7 on an ariza 33inch dish using vs-ultra

help!!! what am i doing wrong...i got one signal at one point at 50(Q) but it does not show the name of the dish

is someone else having similar problems aiming and using other fta units??

[MapleBoy]

Can I use my Echo* 121 Dish to get 118.7? I have a bigger dish, it's not 18 inch... Don't know the exact size.

Thanks Guys

[treman]

once again another very useful post, thanks for the clarification.

[treman]

once again another very useful post, thanks for the clarification.