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Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
I'm a novice to the satellite game, but I'm picking things up pretty quickly as I go along. That said, I don't pretend to be an expert.

I ordered DirecTV and the installer came out today. Nice guy, seemed to have a pretty good idea what he was doing, but he didn't strike me as a seasoned veteran. He surveyed the property and the best he could find was a single spot that still wouldn't work without trimming some tree branches (which is feasible). But really if I'm going to that much trouble I'd prefer to have the dish in a less conspicuous spot. He called his supervisor and I confirmed that he had explained the issues to me, and the installer left. The order was canceled, so I'm not sure how to go from here.

Through my reading here and elsewhere, it seems that most installation techs are generally pretty conservative when it comes to surveying for a mounting location, and that's understandable. At the same time, I feel like an experienced installer could work with me to find a suitable spot and help me minimize the amount of work that I need to do to make it workable.

I'm looking for advice on how to proceed from here. Should I call D*, explain, and ask them to send a supervisor out? Or should I take it upon myself to contact a local installer? A DIY installation isn't entirely out of the question if it wouldn't require $$$ worth of specialized tools, but given my time constraints it may be better left to the pros.

If it helps, my ZIP is 39759 (Starkville, MS), and you can find a picture of the LoS issues here: picklematrix[dot]org/temp/directv_trees[dot]jpg

That picture was taken from my preferred location (give or take), facing south(ish). The installer said that the first satellite would be blocked by the long, tall limb on the left.

Much thanks for any advice!
9 Replies · 1808 views
jcrandall
I doubt they would pay a 3rd party install cost. Even if the directv tech installs it, they will charge for pole mount, and will charge for burying wire.

Sounds like it will cost something any way you go, given the limited options you have with the trees.

I'd get a quote from the 3rd party guy, and then wait until the D* tech comes out, see whos it more reasonable.
D
I'd get a quote from the 3rd party guy, and then wait until the D* tech comes out, see whos it more reasonable.

That sounds like good advice.

The local guy came out and agreed that it would have to be pretty precise placement, and that he'd come back out early next week with a dish to see if he can get a signal. The bad news: Turns out he's a Dish dealer (although his ad in the Yellow Pages had D* too), and I'd really prefer to go with D*.

I'll get it worked out. I've gone this many years without HD and DVR; I can probably wait another week.
T
dboyles, make sure that when the next guy comes out, you ask for a second opinion if he can't find a line of sight for you. i work the starkville area, and our supervisor is very good at finding any and all possibilities for you. just make sure they don't cancel the job, just put it on hold for a second opinion.
also, borrow the tech's inclonometer for a few seconds and let him tell you the exact angles he needs to have clear. together you may find the perfect location.
D
Time to update my D* quest.

The tech is scheduled to come out tomorrow morning and do the install, but I'm still not sold on putting a pole+dish in the middle of my yard (and still having to trim some branches).

I'd like to investigate doing a multi-dish (two) install, and probably in doing it myself in order to do it right and to avoid spending a fortune on a professional custom installation. The problem is, I have no idea where to start. If someone can point me in the right direction, I'd be immensely appreciative.

The immediate questions I have are:
  1. What do I need to do to get the hardware (dishes, receivers) from D*?
  2. What special tools will I need?
  3. Is this even possible/feasible or am I nuts?
Thanks!
B
What is there on the opposite side of the house? Take some pics and post them. If you're getting HD you need a MINIMUM 20 degree opening, preferably with +-5 degrees on either side. You're elevation setting will be a little higher since you are farther south, that may or may not help your situation. We're told we have to guarantee service for one year or we aren't suppose to install it. Which is probably why the tech was a little hesitant. He did the right thing by calling his supervisor AND if his sup concurred then it's done. Supervisor will find any way possible to get a job in. It affect their bottom line if they don't. So if he agreed with the tech, and if that spot is the best location and it still has issues, then you have some things to think about. And not just "trimming", from those pictures one or both of those two trees needs to be seriously shortened to open a good sustainable line of sight. The over hanging limbs for sure, but possible down to the crowns, I can't tell how high they are. Comes down to how badly do you want direct, and what are you willing to do? I will tell you Dish won't be able to get LOS from that spot as it is right now either. Some things to think about. Can it go on the house anywhere? With that amount of tree coverage, the higher up you go, and the further back from the trees you get, the better off you'll be.
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.


Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp
Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp
2 Replies · 18 views
comfortably_numb
I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...


You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.
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K
I am fortunate that the couple things I take end up being no cost to me. So far!

I get shipped 90 day supply automatically by CVS via my Medicare Advantage plan.
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N
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
My OTA is not working anymore. This started after the latest update. I have the OTA dongle with a OTA antenna that I've been using for years. My hopper does not recognize the dongle anymore and when I go to the OTA setting, it has a screen that says to plug a dongle into the USB. I tried unplugging and plugging back, in the same usb port and other ports. The Hopper does not recognize it. Anyone have same issue?
202 Replies · 5257 views
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B
Anyone heard any updates on this, I'm still having the issue so thought I'd check in.
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Almighty1
Anyone heard any updates on this, I'm still having the issue so thought I'd check in.
No updates but if you can get DISH Technical Operations to roll you back to H710 or earlier even though H708 would be best because it also eliminates another problem like in this comment, you will also no longer have the problem as long as you don't update manually or forced to any new version until the problem is fixed as the problem started in H711 and still exist in H712 and H713.
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dishstaller
Installed an off-air antenna a couple days ago for a customer who had just cancelled his Dish service. He had a dual off-air adapter and gave it to me. Cool. I'll keep it on the truck....might come in handy. Got to admit I don't watch anything as far as live tv goes anymore. Even if we have severe weather, our local channels will have a live feed on Youtube.
navychop
In other news, it was announced that the software fix for the two tin cans and a string will not be forthcoming. A hardware fix is required. However, that fix will let you receive stations from a gazillion miles away.

Truck roll charges may apply. Two year commitment required.
brittanygarden
Hi all. If you were using a single tuner USB OTA adapter that is no longer working, please PM me. Thanks. :)
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dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
9 Replies · 80 views
dfergie
Loose lips sink ships for her...
teachsac
Dang. That had to hurt. I would have not handled it that well. Surprised it wasn't brought up by Heff at the challenge.
dfergie
First rule - if you get a clue follow it immediately, 2nd - keep your stuff with you in a strange place, 3rd - pay attention to your ride... (pre first - don't go if you think you might not want to stay Rob)
teachsac
Loved the tribal🤣
Former member 209992
Last reply · posted in SatelliteGuys Support Center
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
550 Replies · 19059 views
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Scott Greczkowski
Just a heads up... I just patched our PHP to close the major PHP exploit announced this morning.

Now on PHP 8.4.27 (cli) (built: Oct 20 2026 00:00:00)
harshness
More specifically, these:



A more scholarly story is here:

navychop
"WARNING Will Robinson!"
Don in CT
Just a heads up... I just patched our PHP to close the major PHP exploit announced this morning.

Now on PHP 8.4.27 (cli) (built: Oct 20 2026 00:00:00)
When I heard about this exploit I was wondering how quick you would be on it. :D
Scott Greczkowski
When I heard about this exploit I was wondering how quick you would be on it. :D
12 minutes after the patch was release I had it patched. :)
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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....
68572 Replies · 2675895 views
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dishstaller
If You Don't Know Me By Now - Simply Red
Bobby
You'll Always Be Loved By Me - Brooks & Dunn
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sdfntx
You'll Always Be the One - Dinah Shore
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gms49ers
Still the One - Orleans
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long_time_Dish
One Toke Over The Line - Brewer and Shipley
Bruce
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
I was reading this article


That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.


Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.
878 Replies · 71362 views
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Bruce
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.

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navychop
Got a Sony 700 at WM dot commie.

I think.

Ordered, anyway. Amazon let me go thru entire process but then said no inventory.

Hopefully,, WM will come thru.
dishstaller
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.
Hate to hear that. If you don't physically have something in your hand, you don't really own it.
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Bruce
Hate to hear that. If you don't physically have something in your hand, you don't really own it.
Even a physical disc purchase is considered a license, just extremely harder to pull access vs digital.

But once new players are no longer sold and older players quit working, that takes care of the access to your library.

See LaserDiscs for one example of that happening.
ncted
Sony is discontinuing it's last 4K disc player, Panasonic has been rumored to be doing the same, the end of physical media is unfortunately, about to happen.

I am so done with Sony on so many levels. This is just one small piece of it.
M
Last reply · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info
Interesting article about the work being done to develope an ATSC 3 converter box. Yes it does mention affordable.
9 Replies · 296 views
navychop
DEATH TO NEXGEN!
primestar31
DEATH TO NEXGEN!
star trek GIF


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.
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navychop
I truly hope you are right.
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Mister B
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
In this city of 800K I doubt that more than a few hundred even know about ATSC 3.0.

They might notice the hand going into their pocket for their wallet.
navychop
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.
Van
Van
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Who says dinner or lunch has to be the only good meals of the day?

Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
6631 Replies · 379746 views
TRG
TRG
Wound up at the Waffle House this morning. Got the two egg breakfast with coffee.

1622.webp
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dfergie
Speaking of waffles, I'm going to put my mini waffle iron on stove so I'll remember to make waffles in the morning... Had some last week, been awhile.
dfergie
Dos cackleberrys over easy on top of 2 corned beef hash patties fried in skillet... Chocolate milk.
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TRG
TRG
Cold morning today, only 32 degrees. Fired up the oven and made cinnamon rolls (from a tube) and a pot of coffee.
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TRG
TRG
2 egg burrito with bacon and a side of hashbrowns. Coffee.

1645.webp