Thread: Adventures In Dish Hunting 2010

Well, it's time to start a new thread about our hobby and hunting for dishes in the wild.

In the 3 and a half years that I have been in this hobby, I personally have found and harvested several dishes both for myself and for friends. I have kept a log book of most of the dishes I have found and written down the address for each of them.



I'll share with you some of the "secrets" that I have used over time to aid in the acquirement of dishes.

1. Find an older Dish Network, or DirecTV installer. If they have been in the business over 10 to 15 years, chances are that they used to install BUDS early in their careers. Make friends with them. They can be a valuable asset to you in your search.

2. Ask all your friends, relatives, and work colleagues to be on the look out for the kinds of dishes you want to find. You might be surprised by what they tell you.

3. Be a friend to whomever you meet along the way. Even if you don't get the dish you found, if you part as friends, you never know what that guy might say to one of his friends that will get you a different dish somewhere else.

Nowadays, I don't do much dish hunting. What with health issues etc., I don't get out as much as I used to.

Most of the time now, people call me and ask if I still am looking for a dish, or would I come and take one down for them. I really don't need another dish, as most of you know, I already have a few. But if the right one comes along, I would add it to my farm.

So as 2010 begins for us here at Satelliteguys.us, get out there and see what you can personally find. Post pictures here in this thread and ask any questions you might have about taking dishes apart and transporting them. Someone will read it, and offer advice.

So Happy New Year to all of you, and I wish you all great success in Dish Hunting this year.

Happy New Year to you! This is probably my favorite post to visit. Glad to see the tradition continue!

Here's hoping my 2009 finds will turn into 2010 harvest!

When I had our 12 foot fiberglass dish installed in 1983 a co-worker of mine had a brother who had the same type 3 piece unit as I got installed at his place to upgrade what he had at the time which was a C band 12 foot Heathkit unit that was locked on 1 satellite with no way to move to the dozen or so that were available at the time.

I ran into that guy about 3 months ago and he offered his dish and receiver to me if I helped him take it down which I did , ( he no longer used it , loss interest I guess ) so now I have spare polo-rotor , lnb 4 D receiver AND a spare 12 foot 3 piece fiberglass dish exactly like the one in my back yard. I put the spare dish in a big barn next door at my brother in laws .

Just hope C band has plenty of life left in it.

Originally Posted by putney

Here's hoping my 2009 finds will turn into 2010 harvest!

That is my New Years resolution!

I have several BUDs to pick up that I never had the time to get last year!

I know of five 10 footers in my area that are just sitting there waiting for someone to put them to use.I think i may just grab them this summer before anyone does something stupid to them.

Well it is TV related and discussed on Sat Guys before!

Last week on my way to Wally World I spotted a quite large parabolic antenna on someones garage! I have never seen it before but with 3 feet of snow on the ground and everything else painted with a thick layer of snow it stood out! No one was home but I am trying to meet the owner and perhaps they might not want it anymore? The thing is pointed north towards Canada and I am very curious!!!...

The snow also exposed some more BUDs in the area that I never knew were there!

Just something to look at. This is a very large dish. Dont know what size it is. I cant get close enough to measure it. It is at a radio station. Pictures are from a cell phone and dont do it justice. I was impressed at the size of the concrete base.

Just scored a chaparral corotor II plus with both lnbs on craigslist for $20. Problem is I have a deep dish with low f/d ratio. Unfortunately there was no golden ring.....Anyone looking to part with one please let me know.

@Linuxman
I just read a very long thread about your golden ring adventure. Do you have any left?

I don't think it's rocket science.
Just well-documented technology.
If you could get the specs or measurements, . . . and had a buddy with a lathe, I'm sure ya could make one.