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jsattv

Last reply Mar 26, 2008 · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

Any Alternatives to Satellite Ribbon Cable?

I'm setting up a C Band Dish and now the Local Distributor is quoting me $1.50 per foot for Satellite Ribbon Cable. (I need about 110 ft). The Dealer says the Sat Ribbon Cable gets cheaper ONLY if I order 500 feet or more!!

I already have spare runs of RG - 6 Cable. Are there any alternatives I could use for the 36 V Actuator and +6V, Pulse and GND wires? I am thinking I could run all the wires in a small flexible conduit from the back yard to the House? Besides the RG - 6 Cable(s) how many runs of #14 or #12 Wire would I need? Any replies would be appreciated.

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linuxman

Oct 11, 2007

Hi Jsattv.

Here is an item similar to what I have used.

Lowes also sells a two strand direct burial cable I think it is #16 stranded wire. I use that for the 2 motor wires. They also have a 5 wire like the link above which is what I have used for the other 2 motor wires, and the 3 that go to the servo motor. The colors may not match, but it works fine. Sometimes Lowes doesn't have the exact thing I want, so I go to Home Depot.

You need a total of 7 wires besides the 2 coax wires.

Hope that helps,

Fred

jsattv

Oct 12, 2007

linuxman said:
Hi Jsattv.

Here is an item similar to what I have used.

Lowes also sells a two strand direct burial cable I think it is #16 stranded wire. I use that for the 2 motor wires. They also have a 5 wire like the link above which is what I have used for the other 2 motor wires, and the 3 that go to the servo motor. The colors may not match, but it works fine. Sometimes Lowes doesn't have the exact thing I want, so I go to Home Depot.

You need a total of 7 wires besides the 2 coax wires.

Hope that helps,

Fred

Thanks guys for the great comments.

Fred (Linuxman) re the number of wires I need: If I use the Uniden 9900 Power Supply to power the Actuator the terminals are: +, -, for 36 VDC, and B, SEN, GND, for a total of 5 wires. On the back of the Uniden 9900 Receiver it says to use: +6V, Pulse, and GND to provide "Control Signals for a Servo Type Polarization Device". Do I need these 3 connections to the back of the 9900 Uniden Receiver if I am planning to update my LNB from the existing T Com 5000 - to a new C / KU - BSC 621 - 2 LNB? Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

lumpkin666

Oct 12, 2007

jsattv said:
... Do I need these 3 connections to the back of the 9900 Uniden Receiver if I am planning to update my LNB from the existing T Com 5000 - to a new C / KU - BSC 621 - 2 LNB? Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

Just a comment on this. If it were me, I'd run the wires for the skew adjustment rotor eventhough the bsc621 doesn't use one. If you're going to pull/bury wire anyhow, why not have it there? If I were using a receiver that controlled the rotor natively, I'd definitely chose a corotor setup over a bsc621 setup any day (given my experience with the quality of signal that you get from both). Pull the extra 3 little wires and give yourself the option of switching if you are dissatisfied with the bsc621 later.

jsattv

Oct 12, 2007

lumpkin666 said:
Just a comment on this. If it were me, I'd run the wires for the skew adjustment rotor eventhough the bsc621 doesn't use one. If you're going to pull/bury wire anyhow, why not have it there? If I were using a receiver that controlled the rotor natively, I'd definitely chose a corotor setup over a bsc621 setup any day (given my experience with the quality of signal that you get from both). Pull the extra 3 little wires and give yourself the option of switching if you are dissatisfied with the bsc621 later.

Thanks lumpkin, does the Corotor work for BOTH C and KU ? Did it outperform the bsc 621-2 in your tests?

lumpkin666

Oct 12, 2007

jsattv said:
Thanks lumpkin, does the Corotor work for BOTH C and KU ? Did it outperform the bsc 621-2 in your tests?

Yes, you can use a corotor built for C/KU and it works very well.

I have been less than impressed with the BSC621 (have not used the 621-2, but assume they are basically the same in quality). In all cases of using the BSC621, both C-Band and KU band reception was less than I could achieve using a decent quality lnb on a standard corotor setup. Don't get me wrong though, the bsc621 is a decent product, and works GREAT when working with receivers that don't have the ability to control the skew mechanism on a corotor.

stogie5150

Oct 12, 2007

I used a cable that looks similar to cat 5e networking cable, except it has four 16ga stranded wires in it, covered in a nice blue sheath. An electrician buddy of mine gave me about 350 feet of it awhile back. The feedhorn servo wire, well, my Dad had one left over from our dish that we had when I was a lad, that was 26 years old, so I used that. I don't use a servo-controlled feed right now, but I agree with the others, put it in there, you never know. I use the dual c-band lnb that Sat AV sells, so I don't need the servo wires. But you never know.

I had the coax from D* installs that I have uninstalled in the past for parts, so that was no cost. So, luckily, it didn't cost me anything for my whole cband setup other than concrete to set the pole.

Oh, and a splitter that I no longer use.

I've found in this hobby you ALWAYS have to be on the lookout for anything that may be of use, that is if you intend on being lowbuck with it, as I do. Makes it more fun and rewarding when you do it yourself with what you have. I saw the thread on making an UHF antenna homebrew...THAT got the juices flowing and in an hour I was in the shed gathering material....

truckracer

Mar 25, 2008

I used 8 conductor 18 awg thermostat heatpump wire. The 18 gauge powers the 36" venture motor fine. It moves pretty quick running 130 or so feet.

Extra wires in there for my servo when I get rid of the bsc-621.

boomer_106

Mar 25, 2008

stogie5150 said:
I've found in this hobby you ALWAYS have to be on the lookout for anything that may be of use, that is if you intend on being lowbuck with it, as I do. Makes it more fun and rewarding when you do it yourself with what you have. I saw the thread on making an UHF antenna homebrew...THAT got the juices flowing and in an hour I was in the shed gathering material....

haha, I was thinking about building one of those antennas myself

Larry1

Mar 26, 2008

boomer_106 said:
haha, I was thinking about building one of those antennas myself

Here is another design to try...

The Gray-Hoverman Antenna For UHF Television Reception - Digital Home Canada

I have not built one yet, but it sure to be on my list for spring projects.

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MartyDe

Last reply 15 minutes ago · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.

Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York

Group has secured lower pricing from key tech players to make less costly boxes available

www.tvtechnology.com

13 Replies · 733 views

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navychop

Oct 20, 2026

DEATH TO NEXGEN!

Reactions: Redbullsnation, primestar31, RaVo68 and 2 others

primestar31

Oct 21, 2026

navychop said:
DEATH TO NEXGEN!

It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.

Reactions: RaVo68, Redbullsnation, slow_poke_pete and 2 others

Mister B

Oct 22, 2026

What bothers me is the total waste of broadcasting spectrum in this very crowded market. It has been almost three years now since KFOX converted their broadcast tower to ATSC 3.0 and moved all of their channels to other towers causing noticeable degradation of the picture quality.
I have a Sony TV with 3.0 capabilities but still use the 1.0 version of locals due to the fact that one or all of the 3.0 channels are often missing or unwatchable. In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.
The only thing that could motivate me to be interested in 3.0 would be if all of the minor networks (diginets) could be in at least 720P rather than blurry ultra-compressed 480i.
Three years is long enough to waste one of the few available RF frequencies in the area for this trial.
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

navychop

Oct 22, 2026

Mister B said:
It is time to either move on with this experiment or call it quits.

QFT. Of course, my preference involves a curb and some kicking.

Reactions: FTA4PA

slow_poke_pete

Tuesday at 5:37 PM

primestar31 said:
It's dead, they just don't know it yet. They killed it by forcing DRM on it, and that TOTALLY botched implementing it.

There is absolutely NO compelling reason for anybody to switch to ATSC3.0. They only want it as a total and complete money grab.

WHAT ABOUT THE INTERNET PART OF IT. NO ONE WANTS A BOX CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET EITHER.

navychop

Tuesday at 9:47 PM

Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

:oldlaugh

Reactions: HIFI

Foxbat

Yesterday at 6:39 PM

navychop said:
Cough, cough. COVID vaccine implants.

That would be handy. Download the latest RNA snippets that can be updated over 5G and no more shots! You're a Genius!

Reactions: navychop

Redbullsnation

15 minutes ago

I want it and I have to have it.

I can neuter the phoning home with adguard home so it won't be doing that in my castle but I prefer without Internet so that my TVs in the house don't turn into e-waste

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mheisen

Last reply 45 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Hopper 3 with Hopper plus internet connection problems

Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?

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Almighty1

45 minutes ago

mheisen said:
Over the past few weeks, I have had problems connecting to streaming services (Netflix, HBO et al). When I go to the TV's native Channels, I have no problem. The Dish internet troubleshooter shows I have a good internet connection. I'm wondering whether it's an issue with my internet provider or a problem with the Dish software on the Hopper Plus. Anyone else seeing this?

I have a DISH Hopper 3 (Software H713) with Hopper Plus (Software P15403). I have not tried streaming services but I primarily watch TVB Jadeworld international package which is only available by streaming and when I have an issue, I usually have to go to a non-streaming satellite channel first before the streaming channels will work again. What software versions do you have and what is the error message if any are showing on your screen? or is that Dish downloading logo just stuck and never finishes?

Reactions: charlesrshell

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

52 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

It states the average amount they are under water is OVER $7,000. :eek

Personally, I tend to be the type that drives a vehicle for a lot of years....do my own oil changes and other fluid changes. Just replaced the spark plugs and a couple coils. Youtube is great for things like this.

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

www.zerohedge.com

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 53 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

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Bobby

Today at 10:51 AM

98.6 - Keith

harshness

Today at 11:25 AM

I'm Easy - Keith Carridine

Reactions: Bobby and RaiderPower

gms49ers

Today at 11:41 AM

It's Easy - Boston

Reactions: long_time_Dish

RaiderPower

Today at 12:33 PM

Take It Easy On Me - Little River Band

Reactions: long_time_Dish and dishstaller

long_time_Dish

53 minutes ago

Take It Easy - The Eagles

Reactions: gms49ers

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jamieh1

Last reply Today at 2:32 PM · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum

FAST Channels added to DIRECTV Stream/Internet

DIRECTV Stream/Internet added Ch 4105 SportsGrid

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KyL416

Sep 9, 2026

Now live:
4101 Yahoo! Sports Network
4121 DP World Tour
4195 F1 Channel
4196 MotoGP Channel

Reactions: Mr Tony, RaiderPower, mario315 and 1 other person

KyL416

Sep 22, 2026

Now live:
4275 Law & Crime
4364 Military Makeover Channel

Reactions: Mr Tony, mario315 and RaiderPower

KyL416

Oct 6, 2026

Game Show Central is now live on channel 4342

Reactions: Mr Tony, mario315 and RaiderPower

KyL416

Oct 20, 2026

KyL416 said:
Now live:
4101 Yahoo! Sports Network
4121 DP World Tour
4195 F1 Channel
4196 MotoGP Channel

It only took them 41 days to announce it

Reactions: Mr Tony

KyL416

Today at 2:32 PM

Now testing:
AyM Sports 3 USA
Best Bets TV powered by VSiN
CBS Sports Golazo Network
CBS Sports HQ
Judge Judy

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:22 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tech News Weekly 461

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E4fkSffYKA

Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 461
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 1:50 PM · posted in What's Cooking?

What's For Lunch?

We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so...

Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...

5449 Replies · 336094 views

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TRG

Oct 19, 2026

Club sandwich and corn chowder. Iced tea.

Reactions: Bobby, Mr Tony and dfergie

dfergie

Oct 19, 2026

Chili dog bowl, water… (homemade chili)

Reactions: TRG, Bobby and Mr Tony

TRG

Monday at 2:53 PM

Leftover wanton soup and pork fried rice. Water.

dfergie

Today at 1:26 PM

Sweet tea…

Reactions: Bobby and TRG

TRG

Today at 1:50 PM

Tuna salad sandwich on toasted honey whole wheat bread with a handful of kettle chips. Water.

Reactions: Bobby

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iJustine

Today at 1:22 PM · posted in iJustine

iPhone Duo's First Concert! Revis!

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yj3f7ab5pBI

Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo's First Concert! Revis!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

0 Replies · 6 views

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:22 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

New iPad mini Announced... at $699?

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7NJXMnbT1Mk

Direct YouTube Link - New iPad mini Announced... at $699?
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 7 views

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reubenray

Last reply Today at 10:36 AM · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Laptop Shutting Off When On Battery?

Lately my eight year old Dell laptop has been shutting off even when I have a full battery. I have had to keep it plugged up all the time to keep this from happening. Any idea what is causing this? I replaced the battery about three years ago.

2 Replies · 52 views

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arlo

Today at 10:09 AM

A recalibration might be needed. Even if it shows full, the individual cells may have become unbalaced. And the BMS chip in the battery reports false information to the pc.
Try this. Start it up in the bios/uefi and leave it there until the battery dies and it shuts off.
It might just keep running longer than in Windows. Or run for a short while and shut off.
If it's the first case. Probably just needs a balancing. If the latter, the pack might just be dead.
Not throwing stones but perhaps just a cheaply constructed battery with substandard cells. Could be.

Patience. Keep restarting it in bios/uefi until it won't fire up anymore.
Then plug the charger in and let it complete a full charge. And see what happens. If it's better.
Do the same thing one more time. Run it until it dies dead-dead. Then just let it charge, pc shut off.
When charged, it might be better. It might not be.

There are bench jigs that read the actual BMS and override it to let a tech manually monitor and charge the separate packs. They can also reset any "time bombs" in it that cause an otherwise good pack to show bad.
Maybe Santa will be good to me some year.

You might just need a new battery. Maybe the PC power management chip is going. A Dell common thing.
Leaving a laptop plugged in with a full battery is known to reduce the life. Asus for one recommends that you don't leave the charger plugged in all of the time even when shut down. And setting Windows to charge the battery to 85% instead of 100% increases life.
That's all I got.

dishstaller

Today at 10:36 AM

arlo said:
That's all I got.

That was quite enough....I definitely learned something from your post. Thanks

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Any Alternatives to Satellite Ribbon Cable?

ATSC 3 converter boxes

Pearl TV Issues Progress Report on Low-Cost 3.0 Converters in Advance of NAB Show New York

Hopper 3 with Hopper plus internet connection problems

New report states 29% of vehicles being traded in are under water

Nearly 3 In 10 New-Car Trade-Ins Are Underwater, Edmunds Finds | ZeroHedge

Song Name Game Part 3!

FAST Channels added to DIRECTV Stream/Internet

Tech News Weekly 461

What's For Lunch?

iPhone Duo's First Concert! Revis!

New iPad mini Announced... at $699?

Laptop Shutting Off When On Battery?