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It took me quite a long time to complete this project, partially due to my health issues. As I got rid of original brackets, initially I made adjustment of two 1/4" rods and plastic semi-circles. But it was cumbersome to adjust. A few months ago I decided to try to build something better. I used...

During last few months I received telephone calls from friends and other people who used to have old sat receivers and presently can not watch their TV since their programs are now broadcasted only in HD. Typically, my advice was to buy newer receiver and program it. For some people, programming...

Some time ago I tried to get programs using undersized (for FTA) dishes like Bell 18" and Bell 20" just to learn if small dish can still be utilized. Programs from Hispasat 30 W typically showed "Q" just above 40% and slightly turning the dish sideways allowed watchable program when "Q" was...

Some of my friends asked me to buy for them newer satellite receivers as their favourite broadcasters moved to HD and they were unable to scan and watch their programs on their older receivers. I tried to help them and searched e-bay for inexpensive SATELLITE receivers. I ordered one of them...

Some time ago I was able to receive FTA satellite programs after reflection from mirror and with setting up a dish inside a room. However, the particular window in this room was older than the other windows. I was curious if newer windows have different glass, namely very thin, invisible layer...

Just noticed that 10 years ago I described receiving program from Hispasat after double reflection. But then - it was just one reflector (mirror) and second reflection was, of course, from the dish... Now, I tried TWO mirrors, so, technically, it could be called “triple” reflection ? This...

Going through my saved photos I noticed some pictures showing experimental satellite dishes made from stepped-up rings. I am curious why anybody would attempt to build such devices. The electromagnetic waves, reflected from different rings, most likely would interfere and cause possible...

The idea is to use slightly concave surface for preliminary increase of signal strength and sending it as a converging beam through the window and finally receive program using miniature secondary dish. I spent many months trying reception with small, 8" secondary dish, but was not successful...

A few months ago I found interesting article by John Legon, mostly known as a mathematician researching Egyptian Pyramids. John also is involved in satellite reception and devised some equations for finding parameters of unknown dishes. I took a screenshot of part of his article. What is...

Some dry items when put in front of LNBF do not impede reception of satellite signal. Of course, metals, even as thinniest foil, will cut off the signal completely. I was curious about water in its different forms : now I see that thick block of ice does not impede reception. But water in its...

This web site is so useful for quick finding, among other things, positions of Sun and Moon in any day, hour and minute. Easy finding of Sun fade, also easy directing of a dish to proper azimuth (with a string from LNBF to top of a dish) at right time. The Moon "visits" the Clarke belt 2 times a...

We received programs from 97 W for quite a few years - without any problems. Last spring we noticed occasional pixellations and audio problems. I checked the Info on my receiver - signal Q was close to 40% only. It used to be much better, around 60. What happened? I went out to see the dish - it...

I was curious if I could check in easy way if a dish was still pointed correctly, (and its LNBF might be damaged), WITHOUT REMOVING (UNSCREWING) THE EXISTING LNBF. Assuming that I have another, tested LNBF and any small receiver. Reflector (made of metallized paper) was glued to a piece of...

It is more than 5 years ago that I tried receiving TV from window antenna.... Recently I got curious if the antenna's elements need to be electrically connected? I mean, metal-to metal contact, by squeezing with bolts or soldered. After all, the frequency of signal is pretty high... Therefore...

A few years ago I installed some receivers for my friends for 97 W. Recently, 2 of them stopped working. In July, I repaired Richard's receiver, after finding faulty (a little swollen) electrolytic capacitor. And yesterday, Stan asked for checking his receiver. Sure enough, it was the same...

Some time ago I wondered what happened to Sun outage, since I did not notice major interruption in watching programs, except reduced "Q" (quality) percentage, which lasted a few minutes( I was using 39" dishes) Today I tried to document the Sun outage, by setting up smaller dish and using 3...

Today I assembled, after many delays, a structure made of 3/4" aluminum square tubing, which contains 19 small lasers. There are 5 horizontal bars connected to vertical longer bar. I assumed that the front surfaces of 5 bars can be treated as a straight flat plane. The 19 lasers, set in plastic...

A few years ago I milled a dish from plywood, later covered with aluminum foil. Its focal length is approximately 32" (or, 80 cm). The idea was to use it on a balcony, with the LNBF attached to the balcony railing, thus WITHOUT LNBF holding bar. Preferable balcony position would be facing...

Just wanted to know, what is available on 97 W. It took me a few days, but, finally, got the programs to watch. I took 28 pictures and annotated most of them. Now, will try to upload them.

A few weeks ago I noticed occasional (intermittent) malfunction of one of 2-outlet LNBF. To confirm that it was LNBF, I swapped the cables on it. After some time, the malfunction showed up on the other receiver (and its TV). Decided to give chance to older LNBF, which I modified 2 years ago...

This might be useful for newbies to this hobby. Turning the dish on its mast, sweeping the horizon by 15 - 20 degree or more, is time consuming. The dish pointing could be done faster if the direction could be pre-determined, by using a good compass. If there is no compass, then usage of...

Hello, I feel a little uneasy by being awarded by this Forum authorities the title "SatelliteGuys God". The truth is, I have no experience with dishes bigger than 4', no experience with dish motors, no experience with USALS ... a far cry from being "god". Now, comes to my memory my high school...

A few months ago, there were some Polish programs available on Galaxy 19, like TV TRWAM, TV Polonia, and Tele 5. About 2 months ago, TV Polonia and Tele5 became scrambled (similarly like Al Jazeera). I tried to contact TV Polonia asking, what should I do to receive their program, but they did...

Some time ago I described similar, 170 V DC power bank, but it did not work well. The battery holders, made in Far East, had lousy, unreliable contacts. Their wires were very thin (however, I could use it with 120 V AC hammer drill for a few minutes...). For re-charging, I had to remove all...

Hi, everybody, Due to health issues (planned surgery and un-planned heart problems) I was forced to suspend my FTA activity for a few months. Now, things seem going better, so, we accepted our friends' invitation to their cottage, where I installed - on a tree - small Express - Vu dish...