Smart Titanium TMS43 4.3 degree Monoblock LNB review

Receive signals from two 'birds' at once with this handy gadget

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mart Titanium TMS43 4.3 degree Monoblock LNB
This little gadget allows you to recieve signals from two different satellites without the cost of motorisation

TechRadar Verdict

A very handy gadget if you're looking to expand your satellite horizons on a budget

Pros

  • +

    Easy to install

  • +

    Works well

  • +

    Inexpensive

Cons

  • -

    Spacing between satellites 'fixed'

  • -

    Not for dishes with extended side support struts

  • -

    Not as flexible as DiSEqC motorised mount

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A monoblock – basically, a single LNB designed to receive two satellites with one dish – is obviously not as flexible as motorisation.

Switching between satellites – it has built-in DiSEqC 1.0 switchboxes for this purpose – is, however, much faster and reliable because the dish doesn't have to move. Installation is easier too.

The Smart Titanium TMS43 has a 4.3° spacing. It's designed to meet the needs of those wanting channels on both the Hot Bird 1x cluster (13°E) and the new Eurobird 9A (9.0°E), a popular source of adult channels.

The universal LNB of the TMS43 is said to have a 0.1dB noise figure – a specification that can be taken with a pinch of salt. The unit is white (to reflect radiation and keep as cool as possible) and is supplied with a weather-resistant 'boot' for its F-socket. No wonder the TMS43 can carry a five-year guarantee.

Also included is an LNB bracket adapter. It proved simple to install the device on an off set dish of 80cm average diameter – the recommended size.

But you can't use dishes with side-mounted supporting struts for the LNB boom; these include some Channel Master and Andrews models. Such struts can foul the large body of the TMS43 and limit its adjustment range. They could, says Satellite Superstore, also cast a 'shadow', reducing the available signal.

The LNB is positioned in the bracket (the left Hot Bird feed – if looking at the rear of the LNB – is the one that's inserted) and the dish 'peaked' for Hot Bird.

Then switch over to Eurobird, rotating the assembly within the bracket slightly until best reception is achieved (use a signal meter).

The TMS43 worked surprisingly well; little further adjustment was needed for good results from the secondary satellite. DiSEqC position 2 selects Hot Bird, while DiSEqC position 1 selects Eurobird 9A.

All of the key transponders of both satellites were easily received. It's a great proposition if you want reception of these two birds at minimal cost.

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