Test, Comparison, and Review WS International DMX741 C/Ku LNBF

[linuxman]

The Test:

The test was performed on my 10 foot perforated Unimesh Scanning/Testing Dish mounted on an AJAK H-H 180 mount using my tried and tested Pansat 3500SD. I ran a base set of numbers using my ADL patent infringing CoRotor (special Ku probe), a Chaparral 20K old style (built-in elbow) C-Band LNB, and an NJR .7db PLL Ku LNB. I chose a random set of satellites and transponders from the far West to the far East of my viewable arc. I next installed a Geosat Pro CK-1 (closest real apples to apples competitor of the DMX741) and ran the numbers on the same satellites and transponders across the arc. Finally, I installed the WS International DMX741 and ran the numbers on it.

Please keep in mind that the test was not all run on the same day. I started with the CoRotor and CK-1 on last Saturday, but due to circumstances beyond my control, I couldn't finish the test until today. Also keep in mind that I didn't spend my usual several hours tuning in the two LNBFs. The dish was already set, and I did make some adjustments to center, skew, and focal length. I also took advantage of the Chaparral scaler rather than re-doing the whole dish setup. To get maximum numbers, you need to spend some time with LNBFs. They are different than Co-Rotors and everything must be set perfectly to get best performance. I am sure I could get better numbers on both LNBFs in quesion if I were to spend a bit more time "fine tuning".

The Numbers Comparison:

Numbers on different receivers will yield different results depending on the receiver, but here they are as I recorded them.

Equipment------------------------------CoRotor-----------CK-1----------DMX741
131W - C 3747 H California Channel-------90%----------------75%---------------90%
129W - Ku 11963 H WSTV----------------89%----------------75%---------------90%
123W - Ku 11720 V WNGS----------------75%----------------45%---------------60%
101W - Ku 11856 H - AOC----------------60%-----------------45%---------------45%
95W - C 4041 H - Daystar----------------90%----------------89%---------------80%
91W - Ku 12050 V - test card------------75%----------------45%---------------45%
91W - C 3720 H - The CW---------------99%----------------99%---------------99%
83W - Ku 11735 H - RTN-----------------70%----------------45%---------------30%
72W - Ku 12053 V - NBC-----------------90%----------------90%---------------60%
72W - C 4040 V - NASA-------------------99%----------------90%---------------90%
43W - C 4152 H - Rural-------------------60%---------------45%---------------45%
30W - Ku 11883 V - Cubavision------------75%----------------45%---------------80%

The Review:

The DMX741 is a well designed C/Ku LNBF with a straight barrel shaped feed-horn. It fits very snugly into my Chaparral scaler which I like. The raised numbers were of no use to me because I had to grind them off to get it to fit inside my ancient scaler. It fits into it's oem scaler without having to "make it fit". In my opinion it is a little too loose in it's own scaler. The Co-Rotor II scaler has protrusions in the inside circle which allow it to fit in and can rotate the numbers past the protrusions without having to grind the numbers off. It could cause problems if that were the critical point of the skew.

The numbers above pretty much tell the tale and you can see for yourself. I have had the CK-1 for some time and have always liked it's performance and would have to say the DMX741 is equally as good a performer plus easier to install on the dish with the straight barrel feed-horn.

Pros:
Straight barrel feed-horn design
F/D numbers
Skew adjustment numbers
Great Performance on C-Band and Ku Band

Cons:
F/D numbers would be better recessed
Scaler could be a little snugger (goes with raised numbers)

All in all, it is a great addition to our choices for modern voltage controlled C/Ku LNBFs!!

I would encourage others who own this product to post their findings here as well.

[KRLOS]

......interesting test,thanks.

[daddyzlod]

Good review Linuxman

[RDosetareh]

Great Review Linuxman. Have you tried it with a WS9036 or any other 90cm dish or WS1247 or other 120cm offset dish for C band reception?

[Babadem]

Awesome review.