[NLRS] Converting DirecTV Feed Horn to 10 GHz

Tue Jul 21 23:16:56 EDT 2026

Before tweaking return loss was closer to 10db.

There are a few reasons I like better return loss within reason:
Noise figure expected might be different than achieved if the preamp was tuned on a 50 ohm system.
Depending on the PA output impedance, an amplifier might not put out its maximum power.
Excess insertion loss of the coax + relay

I don’t suppose the preamp is likely to oscillate with 10db return loss, but without specifics, who knows

Whether the excess insertion loss is a fraction of a db or much more would depend on how much loss the coax has to begin with. I used to have 0.5m jumper because the transverter was behind the offset dish until I moved it.

________________________________
From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Greg Putrich via NLRS <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, 21 July 2026 18:06:26
To: NRLS Reflector <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [NLRS] Converting DirecTV Feed Horn to 10 GHz

Thanks Bill, Ed, & Jon,

As I was reading the replies, I was wondering if it would just be better to make a new one instead of converting this one. I'll try the conversion just to see, but making a new one is probably the better answer. Ed said he saw around a 16 dB return loss, which is far too high. But I also don't have anything to measure the return loss.

In the picture you have, it appears to be the same dish that I have.

  Greg

> On Jul 21, 2026, at 17:54, Bill Davis <cqbilld at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>  Greg I have done a bunch of these for my use. What follows is a link to an old web page of mine from over 20yrs ago. It describes the best I can of how I modified mine. I did not optimize with tuning screws since I have nothing to measure return loss at 10GHz. Some people have had good luck with this mod and at least one didn't do as well. I is a place to start and with the addition of tuning screws (some one else will have to help there) you should do ok.
>
>   Others have built entirely new feeds -- Chris VA3ECO went that route.
>
> KØAWU 10Ghz Gear <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.qsl.net_k0awu_10GhzGear.html&d=DwIGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=JsDsKeR7cZC8wbZhIlxxBQ&m=t-wbUQUcEHGPlMdWqyRG0M8PYNT5jCFoUxJ5mAYMVxTdG--0Hd8Chunp1DUPkYKc&s=SKjEiKTdjJ66Qfdb2nwg0jCRveyUebThNtVhn1KNKlE&e=>
>
> KØAWU 10Ghz Gear
>  <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.qsl.net_k0awu_10GhzGear.html&d=DwIGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=JsDsKeR7cZC8wbZhIlxxBQ&m=t-wbUQUcEHGPlMdWqyRG0M8PYNT5jCFoUxJ5mAYMVxTdG--0Hd8Chunp1DUPkYKc&s=SKjEiKTdjJ66Qfdb2nwg0jCRveyUebThNtVhn1KNKlE&e=>
>
>
> 73 Bill  K0AWU
>
>
> On Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 11:33:36 AM CDT, Greg Putrich via NLRS <nlrs at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I have an old DirecTV dish and I'd like to convert its feed horn to be used on 10 GHz. It was working fine when I last used it ~15 years ago and it was removed from the roof a few years ago (thanks to a storm).
>
> I've tried to look up how to convert its feed horn to 10 GHz, but haven't found anything online. Can the original DirecTV feed horn be converted for use on 10 GHz and if so, does anyone know how? I have a DEMI 10 GHz transverter and will use a FT-817 to drive it.  The dish is the oval one with a single LNB, its slightly oval vertically. I got it back in 2001.
>
>
>   Thanks,
>   Greg
>   N0QDS
>
>
>
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