Skip to bottom if you know the transponder frequency of the channel you want.
Satellites in North America have 3 transmission frequencies, so there are 3 separate LNBs required.
C-band = 3700mhz to 4200mhz (same as 3.7ghz-4.2ghz), these frequencies are limited in their broadcast power so they don't interfere with ground based transmissions, maximum power allowed is 25watts, most C-band sats have 15watts, dish size would be a minimum of 5ft for a specific sat., 10ft is recommended for general use.
Ku-Band(also called FSS band) = 11700mhz to 12200mhz(same as 11.7ghz-12.2ghz), these satellites are limited to 80watts broadcast power, average is 65watts, so dish size would be a minimum of 24inch for a specific sat, but a 33inch is recommended for general use.
C and Ku(FSS)-band use Linear Polarity this requires less power output but does require more detail in the setup, i.e. you must SKEW the LNB to the satellite's signal.
DN, BEV and DTV
High Ku-band (also called DSS band) = 12200mhz to 12700mhz (same as 12.2ghz-12.7ghz) these satellite frequencies have no power restrictions, so they are 120+watts of broadcast power, minimum dish size would be 15inch, recommended is 18inch.
DSS band uses Circular polarity which requires more power but makes the setup much easier, this was used with the do-it-yourselfer in mind.
DSS satellites available in North America are at 61.5w, 72.5w, 82w, 91w, 101w, 110w, 119w, 148w, 157w, EVERYTHING else is Linear Polarity, C or Ku band.
List of satellites available from most locations in North America
Code:
http://www.lyngsat.com/america.html
ALL TV satellites are listed by their Longitude(up and down lines on a map), and ALL TV satellites are above the equator, so ALL TV satellites will be South of our North American location.
If you know YOUR Longitude then you will know where each satellite is from your location.
Google "longitude (name of your town)" you will get a W number(if your in North America), like 91.56w or 109.62w.
Longitude numbers get bigger as they move to the West.
East coast of the US is approx. longitude 74w, West coast is approx. 120w
If YOU are at 91w longitude then you KNOW sat91 is directly south of you because it is at the same longitude as you, you would also KNOW sat82 would be slightly South-East of you because it is a LOWER number than YOUR longitude, and you would KNOW sat110 would be South-West of you because it is a HIGHER number.
Satellites that are more than 60 away from your longitude can be hard to get because of trees, mountains and buildings. Example: if you live at 80w longitude and you want to get sat157, 80 + 60 = 140 so it may not be possible if you don't have a clear view to the West(higher number, remember)
If you wanted to get sat11, 80 - 60 = 20 so again it may not be possible unless you had a clear view to the East(lower number).
What size dish do I need to get............
What LNB do I need to get............
Go to the above web page and click on the satellite you want to check, then look at the transponder frequency(first column) for a Channel you want, then fit it into the ranges below.
3700-4199 = 10ft dish and Linear C-band LNB
11700-12199 = 33" dish and Linear Ku band LNB
12200-12699 = 18" dish and Circular DSS LNB
Edit/Delete Message
What size Dish do I need and what LNB to get
Linear Mode
