Aim of this project is quite simple: Existing portable DVB-S installation/adjustment products, featured with usals, diseqc, colour lcd screen and other necessary tools cost quite much, generally above $1000 and are hard to buy. I decided to create a portable device, with almost same features, but considerably lower price (initially I planned self cost less than $300. Now device is about 90% ready, and price can be cut down even more).
To fit various auidences, with various knowledge of basic electronic skills and soldering, I’ve splitted project into 3 categories. Each will give same featured device, just sizes/power efficiency will be different.
1st category requires only basic knowledge of electronics (just soldering of wires) and some handwork (I assume everyone can take a saw and cut out desired shape from thin plastic)
2nd category will require some advanced knowledge of electronics (you’ll need to make an PCB and assemble circuitry on it), also handwork will be more advanced, you may need access to bench drill, milling machine and so on. Advantage of this category against the 1st one will be: Weight reduced by about 50-60%, while maintaining same runtime from batteries, as in 1st category.
3rd category is most expensive one, but also will give you better result. Soldering and electronics skills will be almost same as in 2nd category, but you will need much, much better machinery and hardware resources, including clean room. Advantages will be: Even more reduced weight, ruggerised, drop protected, all weather device, with considerably better screen (it includes guides how to make own transflective LCD screen, a $700 value).
Currently, I don’t have any plans to produce this device for manufacture or sell any DIY kits for it. If I’ll decide that, I’ll post about it.
Below I’ll write a list of needed parts (for all 3 categories), and possible ways of getting them.
1. DVB-S receiver
You may choose any model you liked, just take care of main PCB size, smaller one will be better. I picked StarTrack SR55X, because it has smallest PCB (about 12×9cm), has RS232 port, supports both DISEQC 1.1 and 1.2, and has quite fast and sensitive scale. You are free to choose your own. I paid for this receiver about $25, got it on local market, you may freely get it over internet or local sat-shop (it is a clone of Globo 4000C receiver).
2. LCD TV
Choose portable models, according to your eyesight and preferences 
just remember, bigger one consumes much energy. In various beta revisions I used screens from 2.5′ to 8′. From my personal favour, model with 5′ screen is the best one, but you may choose other. There is one vital key factor, which should be considered at 1st place – Visibility under direct sunlight. This is quite hard to check, as various suppliers and manufacturers claim their screen to be best. I’ll give you very simple and effective clues how to distinguish such screen, even without turning it on. Just when it’s off, look at it. The better unit is visible under direct sunlight, more greenish it’s screen will look, tilt unit in various directions under direct sunlight and look for color changes – as more it stays greenish under various angles, better it will be.
More to come soon…
