Finding C-band installer

reybern

Active SatelliteGuys Member
Original poster
Oct 24, 2017
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I am looking for someone to install a c-band dish. Out of the 10 satellite installers I called only 2 got back to me but ultimately said no due to no experience. Does anyone on here know of a good c-band installer in the belleville il (close to st louis mo)area?
 
I am looking for someone to install a c-band dish. Out of the 10 satellite installers I called only 2 got back to me but ultimately said no due to no experience. Does anyone on here know of a good c-band installer in the belleville il (close to st louis mo)area?

Finding a C-band installer these days is pretty tough. The whipper-snappers out there today don't have the foggiest about big dishes. The big dishes were pretty much gone before they got started selling Dish and DirecTV. The guys in here will talk you through it. It takes patients to get your first one going, but if you can stick it out, they'll help you get it up and running, or explain why it's not working.

Always post pictures, even from behind the dish so they can see if you have something obstructing the view of the satellites. (trees, buildings or the top of a hill) Good luck.
 
reybern,

Unless you have a physical disability preventing you from installing a dish yourself, this could be an expensive hobby for you if you leave this work to an installer. As stated above by wvman, there are many here that can walk you through this. They helped me immensely during my dish re-install. They are a patient and knowledgeable group and are always willing to help.

John
 
Guys this thread is a little over a year old. :)
Am curious though myself if he got a C-Band dish up and running.
 
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Michael,

I didn't even realize how old this post was...morning coffee hadn't kicked in yet.
I'm hoping he was able to get a dish up and running.

John
 
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I have not made any attempt at C-band yet. Moved into this house about a year ago and just got my ku dish installed. Still struggling to get a signal with that one.
Rainier satellite offered to do a full install. Their system has some basic cable channels along with fta for a subscription fee. They wanted over $4,000 to install it.

My biggest concern is getting the post in the ground level and strong enough to support the dish with the constant winds around my house.
 
Hmm... I'm about 5 hours away from your location. I installed pic related in my profile. Although I did pay someone to dig the hole for me. You should be able to find someone who can do that part anywhere. Also, actually lifting that heavy ass Ajak motor up onto the pole and then assembling the reflector on the pole required a second person for assistance. Way too heavy and cumbersome for one person to try to do all that by themselves ;)

Do you already have all of the necessary equipment to get started, or does all of that still need to be acquired? Are you expecting someone to help you gather all this stuff or do you have it and just want it all put together? Because actually finding all the necessary components is a big part of the battle. I got lucky a few years ago when PixL did most of the legwork for me. He hooked me up with a dish and an Ajak H180 he'd already found.

That Rainier offer for $4,000 might not be bad if they're bringing you all the necessary components as well and that's included in that price -- reflector, LNBs, motor/actuator, wiring, concrete, pole, receiver, etc.

On the other hand, if that price is *just* for someone to come out there and put all the pieces together for you, then yeah, that's too much imo.

I will tell you one thing: there is way more stuff up there than what Rainier sells... I definitely consider $4,000 to be worth it for what you can get your hands on up there (but very few people know about all that ;)).

Another problem is that it's already winter so you're looking at least six months before this project could get started. Trying to install a C-band dish in the snow with frozen ground would be hell.

The last thing to consider is that it's really up in the air what is going to happen to the C-band right now too. The FCC is trying pretty hard to steal away the spectrum and let the terrestrial wireless companies hoard it. Their pockets are even bigger than the broadcasters' so I worry they may win this battle and manage to steal all the C-band. Perhaps we will have a better picture of what the situation is going to be next summer but it would suck to drop $4,000 on an installation just for 5G to ruin it the following year. If you got a solid dish the pain wouldn't be as bad since you could repurpose it into a killer Ku band dish.

Finding a C-band installer these days is pretty tough. The whipper-snappers out there today don't have the foggiest about big dishes. The big dishes were pretty much gone before they got started selling Dish and DirecTV.

Hey, I'm still in my 20's and I'd never touch one of those hideous pizza pans! Am I the youngest person on the forum? :party
 
Hmm... I'm about 5 hours away from your location. I installed pic related in my profile. Although I did pay someone to dig the hole for me. You should be able to find someone who can do that part anywhere. Also, actually lifting that heavy ass Ajak motor up onto the pole and then assembling the reflector on the pole required a second person for assistance. Way too heavy and cumbersome for one person to try to do all that by themselves ;)

Do you already have all of the necessary equipment to get started, or does all of that still need to be acquired? Are you expecting someone to help you gather all this stuff or do you have it and just want it all put together? Because actually finding all the necessary components is a big part of the battle. I got lucky a few years ago when PixL did most of the legwork for me. He hooked me up with a dish and an Ajak H180 he'd already found.

That Rainier offer for $4,000 might not be bad if they're bringing you all the necessary components as well and that's included in that price -- reflector, LNBs, motor/actuator, wiring, concrete, pole, receiver, etc.

On the other hand, if that price is *just* for someone to come out there and put all the pieces together for you, then yeah, that's too much imo.

I will tell you one thing: there is way more stuff up there than what Rainier sells... I definitely consider $4,000 to be worth it for what you can get your hands on up there (but very few people know about all that ;)).

Another problem is that it's already winter so you're looking at least six months before this project could get started. Trying to install a C-band dish in the snow with frozen ground would be hell.

The last thing to consider is that it's really up in the air what is going to happen to the C-band right now too. The FCC is trying pretty hard to steal away the spectrum and let the terrestrial wireless companies hoard it. Their pockets are even bigger than the broadcasters' so I worry they may win this battle and manage to steal all the C-band. Perhaps we will have a better picture of what the situation is going to be next summer but it would suck to drop $4,000 on an installation just for 5G to ruin it the following year. If you got a solid dish the pain wouldn't be as bad since you could repurpose it into a killer Ku band dish.



Hey, I'm still in my 20's and I'd never touch one of those hideous pizza pans! Am I the youngest person on the forum? :party

As you can see by my profile picture, I'm a big fan of the BUDs. Cut my teeth on them. :)
 
Reybern here's an idea...contact the Chief Engineer at your local radio and TV stations. I used to be a Chief Engineer in a past life for commercial radio stations and would always look for odd jobs for extra money. You may find a chief who would help you out. Just about all radio and all TV stations have satellite feeds these days and these guy's are well versed with satellite.

Good luck!
 
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