Well the questions keep coming in.  So, I decided to write a post for the question.  What is better, a bullet shape LNB or the conventional LNBF. Lets compared the GeoSat pro SL-1 Bullet (the worlds smallest LNBF that I know of) and a conventional linear LNBF. This topic has motivate us to produce a video in the near future, but for now here are the test results. We took the DMX-521 LNBF 70 db gain typical, L.O. Freq 10750, C/N .2 db typical and the GeoSat pro SL-1 LNBF 55db gain typical, L.O. Freq 10750, C/N .4 db typical. Right of the get go, the conventional design proved to have better reception (22% difference) It seems that the extra cone surface in front of the LNB does help? How do I know that? Well, I formed a cup shape with my hands in front of the Geosat lnb and my db gain went up 6 db’s. I took that a step further and made an aluminum funnel (cone shape) that emulated the conventional LNB design (to be fair) and placed it in front of the geosat LNB. This produced a 12 db increase. That would take the Geosats gain from 55 db gain to 68 db. That was a 20% increase.

Test number 2: Using a 36″ KU band dish, I measured quality and db strengths on a clear day. Test location North Idaho, azimuth 138.5 magn, elevation 31.0 degrees, skew -16.7. My Trimax SM-2200 reveled the following data with a pre-aligned satellite dish aimed at G-19 single LNBF. Test results: DMX-521= quality 89-91%, 89-90 db’s
GeoSat LF-1= quality 67-70%, 70-86 db’s the signal tended to jump around more.

Test number 3: Picture quality on both LNBF’s was good! All the transponders looked good (full spectrum results viewed with the Trimax sm-3500), no tiling, etc.

Test number 4: What remains? A good weather storm to run tests on stability for both LNBF’s.

Living in North Idaho I have been using my dual output DMX-522 lnbf, same specs as the DMX-521 and I have yet to loose signal with up to 4 ft of snow, heavy rains, hail, etc. It has proven its reliability beyond our expectations. We have great news, technology keeps getting better & better. We have the new line of LNBF’s the ESX-521 with 75db of gain. As soon as I get the new LNBF’s I will run another test to compare.

Single Output LNBF