Fracarro Satellite Dish

What is a Fracarro satellite dish, and why is its diameter important?

A satellite dish is designed to receive signals transmitted by a satellite. The documented models operate within a frequency range of 10700-12750 MHz. Different diameters are associated with different dimensions, gain values, offset angles, elevation ranges and mounting specifications. We recommend checking the coverage map of the required satellite first, then selecting the corresponding Fracarro dish size.

Satellite dish size and the coverage map

The nominal diameter and the overall external dimensions may differ, so the exact product dimensions must also be considered when planning the installation location. The external dimensions of the 60 cm models are 63 x 59 cm or 63.2 x 58.3 cm, while the RO150 measures 161.4 x 148.8 cm.

Fracarro offset satellite dishes in sizes from 60 to 150 cm

The circular offset range includes models with diameters of 60, 80, 85, 100, 125 and 150 cm. The PENTA product family is available with equivalent diameters of 68 and 85 cm. The documented versions include steel and aluminium reflectors, white, light grey, grey and brick red finishes, and composite or steel brackets.

Documented dimensions of the offset satellite dishes

• DIGIT: 68 cm equivalent diameter and dimensions of 62.4 x 62.4 cm.
• PENTA85: 85 cm equivalent diameter and dimensions of 77.5 x 77.5 cm.
• 80 cm models: dimensions of 76.8 x 84.6 cm or 81 x 75 cm.
• 85 cm RO85AP: dimensions of 91 x 83.7 cm.
• 100 cm models: dimensions of 97 x 104 cm or 103.2 x 95.2 cm.
• 125 cm models: dimensions of 134.5 x 124 cm or 124.5 x 133.5 cm.

The overall dimensions and mast clamp range of the selected model must always be checked against the available installation space.

DIGIT 68 and PENTA85 satellite dishes

The DIGIT has an offset angle of 22.3 degrees, an efficiency of at least 70 percent and a gain of 36.5 dB at 10.95 GHz. Its cross-polarisation value is greater than 37 dB, its side-load value is lower than -32 dB, and its 3 dB beamwidth is 3 degrees. The PENTA85 has an offset angle of 22.1 degrees, an efficiency of at least 70 percent and a gain of 39 dB. Its cross-polarisation value is greater than 38 dB, its side-load value is lower than -34 dB, and its beamwidth is 2.2 degrees.

LNB clamp and antenna mounting bracket

The DIGIT and PENTA85 are specified with LNB clamp sizes of 23-28, 40 and 60 mm and a mast clamp range of 35-80 mm. The maximum elevation angle is 60 degrees, while the PENTA85 can also be used at an elevation angle of 80 degrees with the separate ZNC85E80X10 kit. The noise temperature at an elevation of 30 degrees is 40 K, and the front-to-back ratio is 0.7 dB. The bracket is made of steel with aluminium and zinc treatment.

How does antenna gain vary according to frequency and diameter?

The gain of the 60 cm circular models ranges from 34.3 to 36.4 dB between 10.7 and 12.7 GHz. The 80 cm versions are specified between 37.0 and 38.6 dB, while the RO85AP provides values from 37.4 to 38.9 dB. The 100 cm models range from 39.4 to 40.6 dB, and the 125 cm models from 41.0 to 42.6 dB. The RO150 provides 42.6 dB at 10.7 GHz, 43.4 dB at 11.7 GHz and 44.2 dB at 12.7 GHz.

Efficiency across the Fracarro satellite dish ranges

The efficiency of the 60 cm models is at least 69 or 70 percent. The 80 cm RO80AP and RO80SC models are specified at a minimum of 75 percent, while the RO85AP is specified at a minimum of 70 percent. The 100 cm models provide at least 70 or 72 percent efficiency, the RO125AP at least 74 percent, and the RO120N and RO150 at least 70 percent.

Steel and aluminium satellite dish versions

The DIGIT and PENTA85 are available with steel or aluminium reflectors. The 60 and 80 cm ranges use steel reflectors, while the RO85AP uses aluminium. The 100 cm range includes both steel and aluminium versions. The RO120N and RO150 use aluminium reflectors. The bracket material is either composite or steel.

Which offset and elevation angles apply to Fracarro dishes?

The offset angle varies between 21 and 23 degrees depending on the model. The elevation range of the 60 cm versions is 20-55 degrees or 0-90 degrees. The 80 cm models provide ranges of 0-80 degrees or 0-50 degrees, while the RO85AP is adjustable from 1 to 60 degrees. The RO100AP and RO125AP are adjustable from 0 to 90 degrees, and the RO120N from 20 to 50 degrees.

Elevation range with pole-head and through-pole mounting

The RO100C and RO100AC provide an elevation range of 5-96 degrees with pole-head mounting and 5-38 degrees with through-pole mounting. The RO150 is adjustable from 8 to 78 degrees with pole-head mounting and from 8 to 38 degrees with through-pole mounting. The adjustment range must always be interpreted together with the mounting method of the specific model.

LNB clamp, mast clamp and antenna mounting bracket

The mast clamp range is 20-50 or 25-50 mm for the 60 cm models and 30-60 mm for the circular 80 and 85 cm models. The 100 cm models use ranges of 30-90 or 35-60 mm, the 125 cm dishes use 40-60 or 55-100 mm, and the RO150 is specified with a range of 55-100 mm.

How can the documented wind-load values be compared?

The DIGIT and PENTA85 are specified at 53 kg and 81 kg respectively at a wind speed of 150 km/h and a pressure of 1139 N/m2. The values for the circular models are specified at 120 km/h and 720 N/m2: 34 kg for the 60 cm models, 55.2 kg for the 80 cm models, 70 kg for the RO85AP and 91 kg for the 100 cm models.

Wind load of the 125 and 150 cm models

The RO125AP is specified at 160 kg, the RO120N at 162 kg and the RO150 at 235 kg at a wind speed of 120 km/h and a pressure of 720 N/m2. The mounting point, mast and bracket must be selected according to the documented specifications of the chosen dish.

Dual-feed accessories and mounting kits

The DFPDIGIT dual-feed accessory is specified for the DIGIT models, while the DFP85 is specified for the PENTA85 models. The DF80SC is listed for the RO80SC, the DFAN for the RO80AP, RO85AP and RO100AP, the DFO100C for the RO100C and RO100AC, and the DFO120N for the RO120N and RO150. The mounting-kit code varies by model, and some individually packaged products include the mounting kit.

Advantages and limitations of Fracarro satellite dishes

• Advantage: documented diameter range from 60 to 150 cm.
• Advantage: steel and aluminium reflector versions.
• Advantage: documented dual-feed accessories for several models.
• Limitation: the required diameter must be determined from the coverage data for the reception location.
• Limitation: elevation and mast clamp ranges vary by model.

We recommend checking the overall external dimensions, mounting range and wind-load specification in addition to the nominal diameter.

Frequently asked questions about Fracarro satellite dishes

• How should the satellite dish diameter be selected?
  According to the coverage map provided for the satellite to be received.
• Which diameters are included in the range?
  Nominal or equivalent diameters of 60, 68, 80, 85, 100, 125 and 150 cm.
• What is the documented frequency range?
  10700-12750 MHz.
• Which materials are used for the reflector?
  The documented versions include both steel and aluminium reflectors.
• Which mast clamp sizes are available?
  Depending on the model, the documented ranges extend from 20-50 mm to 55-100 mm.

Summary: selecting a Fracarro satellite dish by diameter, gain and mounting

The selection of a Fracarro satellite dish should begin with the antenna diameter specified by the satellite coverage map. The 10700-12750 MHz frequency range, gain, efficiency, offset angle, elevation range, mast clamp range, bracket material and wind-load value can then be checked. The DIGIT, PENTA85 and circular offset models from 60 to 150 cm provide different dimensions, materials, mounting arrangements and dual-feed options.