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Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
I'm new to FTA but fairly an old hat with electronics and so forth.

Recently I purcahsed a FTA receiver (which is supposed the #1 selling brand right now). I had successfully set it the stb and dish and began to really, really enjoy this new experience of good, free programming. Really, it was awesome and better than cable or dish.

Anyhow, within the first week of my new hobby, I accidently triped on my RG6 line, because I hadn't fully finished the installation yet. The cable came out of the connector and shorted out, center core to outer jacket. Direct short.

To my surprise, my brand new Korean made receiver, which shall remain nameless, was damaged. Apparently the manufactured hadn't bothered to put in $2 worth of circuitry to isolate the power regulator in the event of a short.

In my opinion this is crap. Is this a common problem with set top boxes?
Does any manufacturer have good isolation, or is the best, simply not good enough for me?

Also, how can you make the best quality cable fittings that won't come apart in the even of a something like this?
9 Replies · 1792 views
Tron
Just finished compressing two PPC EX6 fittings onto a new dual cable run into the house for dish farm expansion. I used the Zenith ZDS-5061 tool, which has never failed me yet in the 4 years I've owned it. This is a very inexpensive tool, available for around $10 online and around $15 at Lowe's.
Anole
I was quite interested in the inexpensive Zenith crimper, and did a Google search.
What did I find?
A four-year old discussion of it right here on SatGuy's.
... and maybe not so favorable... hard to tell if the tool failed or the tool-holder... - :rolleyes:

Based on Tron's kind words, I may pick one up locally and give it a try.
At least I won't pay shipping, and can always return it if a problem arises.

edit: found the DataShark for $15 without much shopping effort.
E
Snap and seal & PPC EX6 . I have to check those out. I'm never going with a screw-on connector again. Guess thats the real meaning of being royally screwed.

Well it wasn't a momentary short, it was about a minute or two before I figured out what was happening.

I'm going to withhold comments on the manufacture until I get it back from them. But so far I'm not impressed. There two year warranty really amounts to, charging a $25 'shipping' fee just to return the item. The seller states it is not a clone and forced me to send it to the manufacture.

I'm thinking a simple fuse would fix this situation, I should think it would be standard equipment of FTA receivers? I mean there are other scenarios where the receiver, and people, would need protection.

Of, if anyone knows of a receiver that has clamping or crossbar circuit, I might be tempted prod the seller into a switch.
Tron
I was quite interested in the inexpensive Zenith crimper, and did a Google search.
What did I find?
A four-year old discussion of it right here on SatGuy's.
... and maybe not so favorable... hard to tell if the tool failed or the tool-holder... - :rolleyes:

Based on Tron's kind words, I may pick one up locally and give it a try.
At least I won't pay shipping, and can always return it if a problem arises.

edit: found the DataShark for $15 without much shopping effort.

The Zenith 5041 was a complete failure, serious problems with workmanship. The 5061 replaced it, and seems to have garnered a favorable opinion. The poor track record of the 5041 worried me when I bought the 5061, but I've never had any trouble with this newer model. It even survived being submerged in Katrina floodwater :eek:
updatelee
In my opinion this is crap. Is this a common problem with set top boxes?
Does any manufacturer have good isolation, or is the best, simply not good enough for me?

yes thats very common, no hotswap'n. allways unplug the receiver before conecting or unconnecting, even during accidents, hehe.

Ive replaced a few Q72 transistors on dreambox's in my day.
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....
68631 Replies · 2678978 views
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H
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors
harshness
Still Loving You - Scorpions
Bobby
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors

You're Still A Young Man - Tower Of Power
No Match, back to:
People Are Strange - The Doors




Isn't Life Strange - The Moody Blues
FTA4PA
Strange Days - Nazareth
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gms49ers
Dancing Days - Led Zeppelin
dishstaller
Dancing in the Street - Van Halen
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 5 views
TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Local Radio Discussion
20 Replies · 583 views
dishdude
It's probably been 2 decades since I've listened to an AM radio station. Very rarely listen to FM any more.
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Jimbo
I am 1 that wants the AM to Stay ....
That said, since '08 I have had Sat radio available to me ... I think I have turned on AM 3 or 4 times, just to see if its still there.

Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.
Even FM, I haven't really had on since '13ish, I may turn it on from time to time, just to see if its still there.
harshness
Fwiw, if theres a Major disaster or bad weather or whatever, the chances of me finding out about it by going to the AM side of the radio is SLIM and None.
Automation has seen to that. You can't get evening drive traffic reports where I live, much less disaster reports.
dishstaller
Very rarely listen to FM any more
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.
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Jimbo
That goes for a lot of people. I've been advertising on radio for more than a decade now and am very familiar with this subject. While it is still a valuable tool, it has far less impact than it did just a few years ago. The best reaction I get is from a local Country music station....they play a mix of older and newer music and have a very big footprint.
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?
dishstaller
Do you do any Ad's on Satellite ?

If Not, why not, because it's not Local ?
No, just regular FM stations. One is the country station I mentioned and the other is a Talk Radio station which used to get fantastic results but honestly, since the death of Rush Limbaugh, talk radio just doesn't do as well. There were two guys who had an early morning show which was hugely popular here in the southeast but one of them retired a couple years ago and the show just doesn't garner the same numbers as it used to.
TheForce
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Phone & Tablet Zone
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
135 Replies · 1640 views
comfortably_numb
Can't remember if I've posted this yet..


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfL5seXJyWU
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Foxbat
IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.
​

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.
S

most carriers do. that's why they send updates that slow phones down!! i buy unlocked phones no effect to me
S
IFixIt has published their Teardown and they had some positive things to say about the iPhone Duo. It still showed some dust ingress into the hinge assembly but seemed otherwise well-sealed.
​

But with a considerable number of reports of the main screen dying with similar failures, AppleCare+ should be a no-brainer for this phone.

hope you have apple care a screen job is 1000.00 :oops:. can we say over priced garbage!!!
harshness
Gone are the days when Apple "perfects" what debuted years earlier on an Android phone.
comfortably_numb
Gone are the days when Apple "perfects" what debuted years earlier on an Android phone.

Or better yet, innovate something "completely revolutionary!"
SkyWatcher57
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
47 Replies · 1293 views
(((Garyd)))
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary
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S
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
a good surge protector will help to.
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SkyWatcher57
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary
Hi Gary, still working on getting you those
Hi Gary, just saw this, ok, I'll grab some pics tomorrow and post them. thx
Still working getting you those pictures, nice weekends means yard work and fall prep, thanks
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k4otl
Anybody know how to add "hidden" audio channels like for 101 W Ku or 105W C band on these recvr's? I've exported the database file but don't have anything that will read or edit it.
cyberham
For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.
k4otl
For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.
Seems like I remember that now, with my V9 I manually entered anyway on 105, easier for me to pick the channel later :)
T
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.
10 Replies · 270 views
T
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN
primestar31
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN
That's great!

Many people have all sorts of power bricks laying around. Provided the plug fits, and it's the right polarity and same voltage and the same OR higher amps, why not try another one IF the device you want to try it on doesn't seem to work right.
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JFOK
That's great!

Many people have all sorts of power bricks laying around. Provided the plug fits, and it's the right polarity and same voltage and the same OR higher amps, why not try another one IF the device you want to try it on doesn't seem to work right.
primestar31,

Could you explain to me what a power brick is ?
Thanks,

John
primestar31
primestar31,

Could you explain to me what a power brick is ?
Thanks,

John
Some people just call them power supplies (which really isn't a good fit in this case), some call them "wall adapters" but it's an external power supply or AC adapter that converts (AC) from a wall outlet into low-voltage (DC) that an electronic device needs to run.
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T
[Give us a summary of what you receive with a 6-footer. I'm very curious.]

Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality and I am near Detroit! I'm recording a TECHNO MUSIC FESTIVAL today from Mexico ..if you can believe it.....and yes that SHED is partly in the path so I'm puzzled. There are also christian channels on 105w.
cyberham
...Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality...
105W has some very strong transponders. I received more than four transponders using a 41-inch dish recently. See here.
k4otl
[Give us a summary of what you receive with a 6-footer. I'm very curious.]

Right now on C band getting 105w, a Mexican channel with 95% quality and I am near Detroit! I'm recording a TECHNO MUSIC FESTIVAL today from Mexico ..if you can believe it.....and yes that SHED is partly in the path so I'm puzzled. There are also christian channels on 105w.
The Westwood One Mux on 105W would likely be receivable, has some good music channels on there. It does scan in, but it's more convenient to manually enter the PIDs, check out Lyngsat for the channels: EchoStar 105/SES 11 at 105.0°W - LyngSat

I use a 10 footer (only C-band dish I have), but it's very strong.