Any Old C-Band Folks Here?

[bobvick]

I was wondering how many of you here are old C-Band folks? I was a C-Band dish owner since 1983 to 2002.
It seems that the Dish Network forum here is much more active than DirecTV forum and the the DirecTV forum at dbstalk. I know that back in the day C-Band folks used to be quite active on the BBS and Usenet in the late 80's and early 90's before the internet became "cool." So I thought that perhaps some of you here used to be into C-Band.
I went through scrambling with VCII starting in 1986 and then with the VCII-RS in the early 90's and finally 4DTV with the GI 922.
In 1993 I moved and got a new mesh SAMI dish, I kept it until 2002 when the actuator arm finally went out, and I did not have as much time to keep the dish up due to work and other factors, so I switched to DirecTV.
I was with them until June of 2006 when I got an HDTV and switched to Dish for VOOM. Then in January of 2008, DirecTV called and made me a real good offer to switch back and since I found out that Voom had an excellent picture and programming but limited content, I switched back to DirecTV.
I had previoulsy had a DirecTV Tivo when I was with them before, then I got introduced to the HR series, HR21 to be exact, it was S L O W, and a pain to live with.
Finally I had had enough of the HR series and the lack of HBO in HD along with other premiums in HD and as of May 31 I moved back to Dish again. I am VERY pleased with the 722K receivers that I have and I am looking forward to the 922.

[Kb Cool]

Do you still have that "big useful dish"?

[bobvick]

Unfortunately I do not, I wish that I did but my wife made me disassemble it and take it down, and I gave it to a guy that was roofing my house about three years ago to get it out of the way.
I wish that I had kept that old SAMI now, I keep thinking that I will get a new one some day, but with my job I commute 75 miles each way, so I never seem to have the time.

[Kb Cool]

Thats okay,
You're only missing out on some true High Quality 1080I HD content that Directv and Dishnet can't seem to deliver due to bandwitdth constraints.
Personally i have 4DTV, FTA and Dishnet. I guess more is better for me.

[Kb Cool]

Oh yeah,
Forgot to mention that my wife would kill me if i got rid of the big dish as she loves having all those HBO's that 4dtv offers. Seems like you were missing them too?

[bruin95]

Oh yeah,
Forgot to mention that my wife would kill me if i got rid of the big dish as she loves having all those HBO's that 4dtv offers. Seems like you were missing them too?

WOW! Most wives wouldn't even allow a BUD anywhere near their property and yours won't let you get rid of it. You're a lucky man.

[tempVAdish]

I was one until about 2002 also when a power outtage caused my 4DTV to loose its address... it's a shame it didn't have an indicator that the battery was going bad Anywho, jumped on to Dish back then because of some of the multi channels I used to get on the 4dtv that direct didn't carry, then about 6mos after that, Dish picked up my locals & I was happy... never looked back, started w/ 3 311's, still have all 3, but only using 2 now. Had a 921, then went with the 622 & a wing dish... The old Wineguard 10' is still in the yard, but in 4 petals & not on the pole... as for the pole... I fear it will outlast me 'cause along w/ the concrete base, I filled the pole to the top w/ concrete as well

[whatchel1]

I had C-band before there was even all the premium up and running. I had it before there was a Sci-Fi net and watched the kaleidoscope test pattern they ran for a month or two. I installed C-band for many years and even installed a very few of the Directv when it 1st came out. I miss the home C-bands somewhat but really understand why it has fallen by the wayside. I still work w/ the C/Ku dishes at work. But have had Dish HD ever since The demise of Voom when it was it's own service. I'm a legacy of the company and still have the receivers and use them for OTA. I will be taking 1 of mine in today to hook up to the TV at work to convert from analog to DTV.

[dfergie]

I've had mine since 83 or so... haven't fired up in a year or so on analog or hooked to FTA...

[AKGolf]

From 1988 - 2002. Had 4DTV and a 12 foot Paraclipse when I switched to DISH.