I use a home made helical feed on my dish. I have mounted it just to the side of the LNB and found that it doesn't have any effect on the received signal. Comparing the strength of my transmission on QO-100 I find it just 1dB down compared to mounting the helix at the focal point of the dish. Another advantage of a single dish setup is, once you've optimised the position of the dish for reception, the transmit alignment is already done.
I saw roughly the same results and I finally scrapped the DX Patrol Helix for mainly SWR fluctuations under hot and cold temperatures conditions (nights and days) and pity results… My Ice Cone Feed is doing a nice job and has a flat SWR (even with temperatures fluctuations).
The Ice Cone Feed is a great design. Looks good too! I have the v2.1 model. There is still some shadowing over the LNB but only a negligible loss of dB on RX 👍
Hello, I use approximately 1.5W input - I think the quoted max RF input is 5W. I use a very short run of M&P Ultraflex 13 to minimise feeder loss. 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ
Hello Jonathan, Thanks for sharing this video. Made me overthinking my planned setup and forced me to order the new ice cone feed. Setting up my QO-100 Groundstation in the next few days. Hope to catch up with you over the satellite. What type of power connector do you use ? Mostly this power connectors can be used up to 3 Amps max … 73 DL1WTW
Hello Daniel, great to hear that you got some use out of the video. The Ice Cone Feed is definitely superior to the DX Patrol helix in terms of signal strength. I use PowerPole connectors on all my equipment - I have been using either a LifePo4 battery pack or connect directly up to my shack power supply. I am currently planning a station update video as I have been experimenting with longer feeder and with dual dishes, one for TX and one for RX. I'll watch out for you on QO-100! Best 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your answer. Much appreciated. I‘m using the PowerPole connectors too. Sorry for my imprecise description, i meant the power connector on the DXPatrol Ground Station. Seems to me you are using a hollow connector which is soldered. I do not know which type of… 5,5mm x 2,1mm ? Hope you can help me with this. Thanks again Daniel
@TheFiresnake82 Ahh, sorry, yes, I had a plug supplied with my Groundstation 2. According to my caliper, the hollow connector measures approximately 5mm x 2.7mm. I can't find any detailed spec sheets for the DX Patrol Groundstation 2 online but the connector is a standard size and the supply is 5W @ 13.8V 73, Jonathan M0XXJ
@@JonathanCreaser Many thanks Jonathan. Looking forward to get my Ground Station 2 delivered until the end of this week. Hoping to catch up with you on the QO-100. 73 es tnx Daniel DL1WTW
I use a home made helical feed on my dish. I have mounted it just to the side of the LNB and found that it doesn't have any effect on the received signal. Comparing the strength of my transmission on QO-100 I find it just 1dB down compared to mounting the helix at the focal point of the dish. Another advantage of a single dish setup is, once you've optimised the position of the dish for reception, the transmit alignment is already done.
Sounds very sensible... what sort of mount do you use?
@@JonathanCreaserI've sent you an email with a picture of it.
Thank you!
Thanks, Jonathan, for great comparison video. Very helpful. 73 Paulo
Lovely Video, thank you
I saw roughly the same results and I finally scrapped the DX Patrol Helix for mainly SWR fluctuations under hot and cold temperatures conditions (nights and days) and pity results… My Ice Cone Feed is doing a nice job and has a flat SWR (even with temperatures fluctuations).
The Ice Cone Feed is a great design. Looks good too! I have the v2.1 model. There is still some shadowing over the LNB but only a negligible loss of dB on RX 👍
Hello John, what is the power for tx Icom.. in doc I see max 3watts on the dxpatrol kit. Thanks in advance.. 73’s from ON5LBV
Hello, I use approximately 1.5W input - I think the quoted max RF input is 5W. I use a very short run of M&P Ultraflex 13 to minimise feeder loss. 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ
Hello Jonathan,
Thanks for sharing this video.
Made me overthinking my planned setup and forced me to order the new ice cone feed. Setting up my QO-100 Groundstation in the next few days. Hope to catch up with you over the satellite. What type of power connector do you use ? Mostly this power connectors can be used up to 3 Amps max …
73 DL1WTW
Hello Daniel, great to hear that you got some use out of the video. The Ice Cone Feed is definitely superior to the DX Patrol helix in terms of signal strength. I use PowerPole connectors on all my equipment - I have been using either a LifePo4 battery pack or connect directly up to my shack power supply. I am currently planning a station update video as I have been experimenting with longer feeder and with dual dishes, one for TX and one for RX. I'll watch out for you on QO-100! Best 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your answer. Much appreciated. I‘m using the PowerPole connectors too. Sorry for my imprecise description, i meant the power connector on the DXPatrol Ground Station. Seems to me you are using a hollow connector which is soldered. I do not know which type of… 5,5mm x 2,1mm ? Hope you can help me with this. Thanks again Daniel
@TheFiresnake82 Ahh, sorry, yes, I had a plug supplied with my Groundstation 2. According to my caliper, the hollow connector measures approximately 5mm x 2.7mm. I can't find any detailed spec sheets for the DX Patrol Groundstation 2 online but the connector is a standard size and the supply is 5W @ 13.8V 73, Jonathan M0XXJ
@@JonathanCreaser Many thanks Jonathan. Looking forward to get my Ground Station 2 delivered until the end of this week. Hoping to catch up with you on the QO-100. 73 es tnx Daniel DL1WTW
dxpatrol is like 2 turns , while ice cone is like 3 and half , so yes normally icecone has more gain , scientific
Less shadow effect with the DX Patrol coil though.
With 8w dx patrol pa, poty kit and 60cm dish i always have to take care not to activate the LAILA. Qo-100 is at 15 deg elevation at my qth.