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Last couple weeks I have been working on the 80 CM to add two more LNB's to the setup. I wanted to add a lightweight small Universal linear LNB just for Hispasat 1C/1D 30 West and another for testing & improving my subscription porpoises on a smaller dish. I got a small bracket at Lowes and went to town! First, I had to make mods to the old girl since she already has the not so light Invacom. I used the support brackets off of the 3ABN dish, measured and attached them. Now the stock support arm of the Fortec Star can hold some more weight! The LNB on it now is one I am using for subscription on my D* setup at 118.8 W, a small very light universal DBS FSS LNB that is working better than the factory one on my D* 1000 +!
I just wanted to try my own setup on a bigger dish to see if I could get better signals and you bet ya! The only thing is now I have to be pointed at the FSS bird when channel changing on my 522 since it is off the 1000 right now and I do forget to point it there after watching FTA but I think I am going to leave the set up like this for awhile. I just wanted to show you guys my strange looking 80 CM Fortec dish now with support arms. After drilling and the modification the dish held to the arc! No adjustments needed after the mod! Now, I want to find a small universal linear LNB just for Hipasat since the Invacom needs to be switched to universal all the time for that bird. I suspect that a stand alone universal LNB would work better than the Invacom anyway for Hispasat 1C/1D.
Anybody working with a good universal LNB for suggestions just for 30.0 W? I would like to find one that is not as big as the Invacom, about the same size of the one here for FSS. I know someone has to make a small one and not like the old style tube mounts. I would like to find one kind of the same style as the universal circular I have mounted now. I would like to keep the linear LNB about the same size just for tweaking, and it stays away from the Invacom with room to move around to find sweet spots!
When the Orbsat universal DBS FSS LNB came here, I was at the dish for about 3 minutes attaching it and hit the bird dead on, first try with 96% signal and all channels are coming in great! I know the LNB bracket for the extra LNB looks strange but it works. I am going to get some brand new LNB holders soon to fix it up right! This wild mounting is just temporary! The Fortec Star looks weird now but you know how improving things and experimenting in this hobby will do to you! There is no cure for what disease we have!
Picture 1 before modification
Picture 2 after the side LNB support arms attached
Picture 3-4 with the new bracket mounted
Picture 5 with the new FSS LNB
Picture 6 looking down shot
Picture 7 the position
Picture 8 looking down the LNB arm
Picture 9 in front of dish after mount
Picture 10 more of a dish shot for focus look
I just wanted to try my own setup on a bigger dish to see if I could get better signals and you bet ya! The only thing is now I have to be pointed at the FSS bird when channel changing on my 522 since it is off the 1000 right now and I do forget to point it there after watching FTA but I think I am going to leave the set up like this for awhile. I just wanted to show you guys my strange looking 80 CM Fortec dish now with support arms. After drilling and the modification the dish held to the arc! No adjustments needed after the mod! Now, I want to find a small universal linear LNB just for Hipasat since the Invacom needs to be switched to universal all the time for that bird. I suspect that a stand alone universal LNB would work better than the Invacom anyway for Hispasat 1C/1D.
Anybody working with a good universal LNB for suggestions just for 30.0 W? I would like to find one that is not as big as the Invacom, about the same size of the one here for FSS. I know someone has to make a small one and not like the old style tube mounts. I would like to find one kind of the same style as the universal circular I have mounted now. I would like to keep the linear LNB about the same size just for tweaking, and it stays away from the Invacom with room to move around to find sweet spots!
When the Orbsat universal DBS FSS LNB came here, I was at the dish for about 3 minutes attaching it and hit the bird dead on, first try with 96% signal and all channels are coming in great! I know the LNB bracket for the extra LNB looks strange but it works. I am going to get some brand new LNB holders soon to fix it up right! This wild mounting is just temporary! The Fortec Star looks weird now but you know how improving things and experimenting in this hobby will do to you! There is no cure for what disease we have!
Picture 1 before modification
Picture 2 after the side LNB support arms attached
Picture 3-4 with the new bracket mounted
Picture 5 with the new FSS LNB
Picture 6 looking down shot
Picture 7 the position
Picture 8 looking down the LNB arm
Picture 9 in front of dish after mount
Picture 10 more of a dish shot for focus look
7 Replies
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2359 views
Here's a nice little Universal, that's also inexpensive: SatAV Mini.
As for bracketry to hold the LNB, I found a suggestion by another member quite useful.
It's a conduit hanger bracket, or in my pictures, two of them.
Scroll up and down a few posts to get more info.
The way you are rigged, maybe just the one would hold an LNB for you.
I'm far more interested in your LNB support struts.
That is a good way to reinforce my old 90cm Fortec, and is the best part of your post!
I also have a 3ABN, so maybe I'll clone its arms and follow your lead.
As for bracketry to hold the LNB, I found a suggestion by another member quite useful.
It's a conduit hanger bracket, or in my pictures, two of them.
Scroll up and down a few posts to get more info.
The way you are rigged, maybe just the one would hold an LNB for you.
I'm far more interested in your LNB support struts.
That is a good way to reinforce my old 90cm Fortec, and is the best part of your post!
I also have a 3ABN, so maybe I'll clone its arms and follow your lead.
No concord, Mother Nature decided that the 3ABN dish was not for me! I had it up after a couple weeks of problems seeing the arc then we finally got it dialed in! I had a storm come through and take it down for me! I was using new SAE replacement bolts instead of the stock metric BUT, before that wind storm forgot to put a SAE in the motor to hold it and it broke off in the wind that day!
http://www.satelliteguys.us/free-ai...n-dish-back-fortec-star-80cm.html#post1350490
Concord, before you start to put that 3ABN up loose the Metric bolts and go to SAE! There is a list of parts on the threads just for that! I can't remember where but I am sure that Anole or someone will post where to find that! That is a must for that dish. Just put the Metric bolts away from your setup so you don't accidently grab a Metric in assembly!
Needless to say the arms were about the only thing on it that did not get bent! I was surprised that my Invacom survived a drop that high; it broke the LNB holder it was on when it hit the ground. Also, to tell you the truth I really did not see too much difference going to 90 CM from the Fortec 80. On the birds I watch 97, 101,123, Galaxy 27 KU there was not too much difference in signal quality just about 2 or 3 clicks higher. I found that when you get an 80 CM dialed in just right it is a great dish.
I want to add that putting a Fortec Star 80 CM dish up by the book is one thing that hindered me from the get go! Took me along time to figure out that the elevation markings stamped on the thing are not gospel and are off a bit! Guy's here will tell you that. You just got to figure it out for yourself when setting up a Fortec Star Dish!
The 80 had been a good dish though, been through many storms, snow, rain and high winds. She is still performing like a brand new one! The Moteck motor has caught the winds stress so far with no problem and they have been up three years now!
Good luck putting that 3ABN up, shoot some pictures and post em!
Thanks Anole,
I was looking at that little rascal a couple days ago! Looks like that is the one I am going to get. I was thinking like similar ideas of something from Lowes for a holder also to rig in there, your idea was Creative! :up
With the FSS LNB I would venture to think that it would not matter, lower or higher with the focus center like the Invacom, but I think if I use the universal linear for 30 West that I will have to have it the right height as the Invacom near center for focus. I need to measure a stock LNB holder and make one or just get one just for the universal linear.
Now was I right to think that one would work better than the Invacom for Hispasat?
Yeah after the 3ABN died and those were the only thing not bent up afterwards, I thought I would salvage them and use them! I painted them white to match the 80, and stuck them on! If you do it right you will not have to take the dish down for it. Having two bodies helps a lot in holding things in place while you drill holes and line the arms up on the dish. Here, you can see where the measure once, drill once theory comes very handy here! Once you make the hole, there is no going back!I'm far more interested in your LNB support struts.
That is a good way to reinforce my old 90cm Fortec, and is the best part of your post!
I also have a 3ABN, so maybe I'll clone its arms and follow your lead.
You get them on that 90 Anole post the pictures, want to see em!
Kevin
You don't need a universal for Hispasat. Cubavision is there, and you can use a standard. Its confusing because the other satellite where Cubavision is, Intelsat 9, does need a universal.
I prefer standard LNBs wherever possible. This keeps the 22k switching option open
I prefer standard LNBs wherever possible. This keeps the 22k switching option open
Your welcome voom!
When it came by USPS it was in a letter style package and when I got it out of the mail box I swore they got my order wrong! It was no heavier than a sat finder or a compass! I thought, man they got my order wrong and I have to send it back but was really amazed that it was the LNB I ordered! Knowing the FSS D* size and weight, yes I was truly amazed in size and weight. It outperforms the factory D* FSS LNB hands down, I don't know because the dish size is bigger or it is a better LNB but I was impressed in difference in signal on my D* receiver! Just testing the coexisting of both the FTA equipment and the sub! I would bet that a 75 ft piece of coax weighs more than this LNB!
The only drawback is as I stated above, leaving the Fortec pointed at 118 when the D* 522 is on. I forget to move it there sometimes when on the sub, but I am getting used to it. The difference in signals are, the 1000+ FSS picks up 118 at around 80 to 85 % strength all the time due to the low to the ground mounting of the 1000 and small tree growth on the adjacent property, the Fortec is much higher on my outbuilding with open sky clear LOS and signals on the new LNB stay at 95 % in the D* receiver! Huge difference! :up
Here is a picture of the box it came in compared to a DVD case!
Thanks for the kind comment voom!
Kevin
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!
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15 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 
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10991 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!
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....
68527 Replies
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2672624 views
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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460624 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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331166 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.
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904 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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23 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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18 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
148 Replies
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1747 views
Was thinking same thing. It should be a good week for sec shorts and roll callThey ought to have fun with this…