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Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
I just spent the last 3 hours out in the 90 degree sun, giving my Dish a tune up.
There have been a number of channels that moved since my last tune up which I did in the fall last year that I could not pick up after they moved.
In addition I couldn't get in a few channels I really wanted (Such as Dr Gene Scott and PBS)
So today I headed outside, with my LCD TV, My Fortec Mercury II receiver and my Super Buddy Satellite Meter.
While I didn't need the TV and receiver out there, I took them with me as it was easy to have the motor move the dish, instead of keep running in the house up the stairs, changing satellites then running back outside again.
What I then did was moved the motor to the Zero position, then did a factory reset on my Fortec Mercury II receiver.
I then setup the LNB and USUALs and went to my "True South" satllite which for me is AMC 6. I lossened up the bolts on the dish so I could move it and then grabbed my Supere Buddy Meter and watched it as I moved the Dish around. Within a few seconds I had a strong locked signal on the SuperBuddy. I tightened the bolts down a little bit on the dish so I no longer needed to hold it.
I then did a quick FTA scan on Galaxy 26 (It was IA6) and got in a bunch of channels, and a nice signal of around 68 on GBN.
I then moved the Dish to a satellite I have always had trouble with Galaxy 26, I could never get Dr Gene Scott's University Network to lock in for me. So since this is one of the channels I wanted to get, I aimed for that channel.
When the Dish moved I did have signal, but it was very weak from this transponder.
I then pushed and pulled on the bottom of the dish while looking at the SuperBuddy Mirror. BOOM the signal shot up into the 70's. I loosened the dish slightly and pushed it down while keeping an eye on the Super Buddy meter. When I found the top signal I could get for this transponder, I again locked it down.
I did a scan for FTA and was soon watching Dr Gene Scott.
To make sure I did not screw anything up I went back to AMC6 to find that my signals on AMC6 were better then before!
Now I wanted to make sure I was on the arc, so time to swing the Dish over to my favorite satellite G10R.
It moved over and BINGO, I was seeing signals in the 70's and even a few in the 80's I was really happy.
I then locked down the dish completely as tight as I could, that puppy isn't going anywhere!
Its amazing how much a difference less then a centimeter makes on your satellite signal!
Before taking in all my equipment in again I wanted to see if I could finally get PBS on AMC, as I have not been able to pick it up since them moved last year... when the dish stopped moving I did a scan and I now have PBS!
I am VERY impressed with this SuperBuddy meter (note Applied Instruments the folks who make the SuperBuddy are sponsors of SatelliteGuys.US) however they did not pay me anything to talk about this meter. By having the meter on the fortec and on the SuperBuddy at the same time I saw on my slight changes on the SuperBuddy meter which helped me obtain a perfect signal that I was unable to get with the on screen Fortec meter.
For my next project now I need to get my fortec hooked up to my Slingbox so I can surf the skies from work or my cell phone.
There have been a number of channels that moved since my last tune up which I did in the fall last year that I could not pick up after they moved.
In addition I couldn't get in a few channels I really wanted (Such as Dr Gene Scott and PBS)
So today I headed outside, with my LCD TV, My Fortec Mercury II receiver and my Super Buddy Satellite Meter.
While I didn't need the TV and receiver out there, I took them with me as it was easy to have the motor move the dish, instead of keep running in the house up the stairs, changing satellites then running back outside again.
What I then did was moved the motor to the Zero position, then did a factory reset on my Fortec Mercury II receiver.
I then setup the LNB and USUALs and went to my "True South" satllite which for me is AMC 6. I lossened up the bolts on the dish so I could move it and then grabbed my Supere Buddy Meter and watched it as I moved the Dish around. Within a few seconds I had a strong locked signal on the SuperBuddy. I tightened the bolts down a little bit on the dish so I no longer needed to hold it.
I then did a quick FTA scan on Galaxy 26 (It was IA6) and got in a bunch of channels, and a nice signal of around 68 on GBN.
I then moved the Dish to a satellite I have always had trouble with Galaxy 26, I could never get Dr Gene Scott's University Network to lock in for me. So since this is one of the channels I wanted to get, I aimed for that channel.
When the Dish moved I did have signal, but it was very weak from this transponder.
I then pushed and pulled on the bottom of the dish while looking at the SuperBuddy Mirror. BOOM the signal shot up into the 70's. I loosened the dish slightly and pushed it down while keeping an eye on the Super Buddy meter. When I found the top signal I could get for this transponder, I again locked it down.
I did a scan for FTA and was soon watching Dr Gene Scott.
To make sure I did not screw anything up I went back to AMC6 to find that my signals on AMC6 were better then before!
Now I wanted to make sure I was on the arc, so time to swing the Dish over to my favorite satellite G10R.
It moved over and BINGO, I was seeing signals in the 70's and even a few in the 80's I was really happy.
I then locked down the dish completely as tight as I could, that puppy isn't going anywhere!
Its amazing how much a difference less then a centimeter makes on your satellite signal!
Before taking in all my equipment in again I wanted to see if I could finally get PBS on AMC, as I have not been able to pick it up since them moved last year... when the dish stopped moving I did a scan and I now have PBS!
I am VERY impressed with this SuperBuddy meter (note Applied Instruments the folks who make the SuperBuddy are sponsors of SatelliteGuys.US) however they did not pay me anything to talk about this meter. By having the meter on the fortec and on the SuperBuddy at the same time I saw on my slight changes on the SuperBuddy meter which helped me obtain a perfect signal that I was unable to get with the on screen Fortec meter.
For my next project now I need to get my fortec hooked up to my Slingbox so I can surf the skies from work or my cell phone.
10 Replies
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3756 views
P
LOL - You would have loved to see me on the roof with my 19" TV!
When I got my setup last month, I spent my entire weekend up and down the ladder, trying to get the perfect signal.
I was pretty upset because I expected to be watching TV for the weekend.
Monday, Fed up, I took my receiver, 19" TV, and powerstrip and extension cord, spent FIVE MINUTES adjusting the dish, and got 97%.
I wish I had lugged that TV on the roof to begin with!
Iceberg said:exactly. I lug my 9" color TV out to tune the dishes
LOL - You would have loved to see me on the roof with my 19" TV!
When I got my setup last month, I spent my entire weekend up and down the ladder, trying to get the perfect signal.
I was pretty upset because I expected to be watching TV for the weekend.
Monday, Fed up, I took my receiver, 19" TV, and powerstrip and extension cord, spent FIVE MINUTES adjusting the dish, and got 97%.
I wish I had lugged that TV on the roof to begin with!
Or reinstallation/upgrade day for me.
I spent all day yesterday taking down my SG2100 motor, Winegard 76cm, and 2 old LNBs (DBS & FSS), and replacing all that with a DG240 motor, Fortec Star 100cm, and QPH-031 LNB (DBS & FSS). I bought the DG240 and 100cm Saturday at Sadoun's sale (and got a good deal on both). The QPH-031 I bought from there a few months ago.Between the bigger dish, better LNB, and reinstallation of everything I have a much needed improvement over signal strengths across the entire arc.
I'm gonna eventually put the Winegard 76cm on a pole (still deciding on whether to include the SG2100 or hold onto it as a backup for the 100cm).
In doing all that I only got a little more sun than I should have, but I lost quite a few pounds in sweat... (I did drink plenty of water all day).
Edit: one thing I'll add regarding mounting the Fortec Star dish on a motor. Its bracket is made to rest on the top of a pole, so it doesn't mount right on a motor unless you put the scale bracket on upside down (and ignore the scale). That might have been mentioned in the past, but it's worth mentioning again...
That's a very good idea!! I will get it . Another good invest is to have a satellite finder, I got one (very cheap $10) and now I can setup a dish in 10 minutes or less.
Best Regards.
P
May i ask what these antennas are called and how much should i look at paying for one?
That's a very good idea!! I will get it . Another good invest is to have a satellite finder, I got one (very cheap $10) and now I can setup a dish in 10 minutes or less.
Best Regards.
May i ask what these antennas are called and how much should i look at paying for one?
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68529 Replies
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2672800 views
The new curated multiview is now live.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
While on many of the sports channels and non sports channels there is a multi view option button. It will pull up a side bar with many different multi view options.
6 Replies
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335 views
Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
2 Replies
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52 views
My year was almost up and we got the new bill for a year of service for $ 360.00 insane sat radio is becoming like cable!!! i logged into my acct and hopped onto chat and told the rep that i wanted to cancel. she understood my concern and went quiet for a few minutes. i figured that she was canceling my service. she comes back and said that she seen that i have been a sub since 07 and then offers me the same package for a year for 120.00 with taxes and fee's!!! i grabbed it. after almost having a stroke 
237 Replies
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11011 views
Mrs. Foxbat reminded me it's that time of the year to do the Cancel Tango
The A.I. agent appears to be better than in the past. It got to the acceptable price quicker than previous years, no human operator involved. $5/mo and I still have over $50 in SiriusXM credit from my FordPartner benefits.
The A.I. agent appears to be better than in the past. It got to the acceptable price quicker than previous years, no human operator involved. $5/mo and I still have over $50 in SiriusXM credit from my FordPartner benefits.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5552 Replies
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460658 views
Here in Indiana, the difference between Regular and Premium is usually a dollar, but some charge even more:
Ok, I'm bored .... actually - to be more precise - I'm bored of eating the same rotation of 9 or 10 meals that are currently my "go-to" meals. My wife works the long hours - I work from home as and when i feel like it ... which means i generally do most of the cooking ... and so by default - i also make out the shopping list ...
We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.
Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)
Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"
So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.
So again - I ask you ...
What's for dinner tonight ?
Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.
What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
We cook at home 5 or even 6 nights a week - but we always seem to fall back on the same old tried and tested "quick and easy but tastes ok" meals. Week in week out.
Pot Roast - mash and Peas.
Spaghetti
Chicken Pasta in cheese sauce.
Curry & rice
(these are some of mine)
Now it's not that I'm not adventurous in the kitchen ... I'll try anything once or twice ... but we all do it. Unless your name is Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray .. we all eventually fall back on our 8-10 favorite "meals"
So i thought - if we shared some of our own go-to meals with each other ... we might be able to add a few "new" ones to our own arsenal of meals.
So again - I ask you ...
What's for dinner tonight ?
Please give me something new to add to my rotation ... its our weekly shop tomorrow - so i want to pull together a few idea's and try and eat a meal each day next week that I've never had before .. or at least something that is not on my current "go-to" meal plan.
What meal do you always seem to fall back on in your house ? Maybe its something that I've never tried or not had in a while. I need inspiration !! I've got a blank shopping list in front of me - and nothing sounds good .. HELP !
4332 Replies
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331189 views
Smoked some salmon on the grill while enjoying some Blue Moon beer. Kinda cool tonight so I fired up the heaters. Here in FL, we fire up heaters once the temps get below 60 
As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
As for the salmon, I seared them first, then flipped them off to the side not over the coals and brushed on some lemon pepper marinade followed by some salmon seasoning. Threw some hickory chips on the coals and then closed the vents to about 10% airflow. Yum.
Pub Member / Supporter
America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot
New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com
The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.
It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
112 Replies
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905 views
tomwellborn3rd (@wellborn.net)
This author has chosen to make their posts visible only to people who are signed in.
bsky.app
Never realized that Tesla is losing to BYD at manufacturing too, which IMO is Tesla's biggest accomplishment and area of innovation. Nice writeup about the state of play and how we got here though. I have no faith that we're moving any productive direction though sadly, most changes and efforts feel reactionary rather than rooted in making use of the time being bought by tariffs, with few exceptions.
So: how are the cars so cheap, and what is being cut to get there? The best public accounting comes from the Rhodium Group, which compared BYD, Geely, and Leapmotor against Tesla's Chinese operation, a fair comparison because it removes labor costs and shipping from the equation entirely. Their estimate is that BYD builds a car for about $4,700 less than Tesla builds a Model 3 in Shanghai, roughly 15 percent of the Model 3's price. The breakdown is the interesting part. Direct government grants account for about $292 per vehicle, which is 5 percent of the gap. The biggest single factor is vertical integration: BYD makes about 80 percent of its top-tier components in-house, against 37 percent for Tesla, and that eliminates roughly $2,369 per vehicle in supplier markups. Lower overhead, meaning cheaper engineering talent and administrative cost spread across enormous volume, accounts for another $1,719. And BYD pays its suppliers on 155-day terms, against Tesla's 60, which is worth about $214 per car in float. When people say the Chinese advantage is subsidies, the per-vehicle number says otherwise. When people say it is slave wages, the Tesla Shanghai comparison says otherwise too. The advantage is mostly that BYD decided, twenty years ago, to make its own batteries, its own motors, its own power electronics, and its own semiconductors, and Western automakers decided the opposite.
US EV sales are rising again. Here’s why the recovery is set to last.
Even though sales tanked last year after the end of federal incentives, the American EV sector is on the mend as drivers face sky-high gasoline prices.
www.canarymedia.com
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_nW-BTlv4
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Defender Arriving on Linux
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_nW-BTlv4
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Defender Arriving on Linux
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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32 views
Ham Radio 2.0
Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDeuQ1SLkQU
Direct YouTube Link - LIVE!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDeuQ1SLkQU
Direct YouTube Link - LIVE!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
0 Replies
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25 views