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Hi,
I'm a newbie on this forum although I've been reading it for years. I have run into a big snag and decided its finally time to just ask the experts. I have a REALLY old dish, I mean REALLY old that I maintain. We pull in one channel, classic arts showcase with this dish. While we used to just use the analog we now use the digital they have added but that doesnt always work so well.
I got up on the roof and re-tigtened and replaced a lot of hardware and got up to 70% signal on some sats (mainly SatMex5) but on the extremes my signal is almost nothing so I know the dish isn't tracking properly, however there is only an elevation adjustment, no declination adjustment. Also a new DMX741U has been retrofitted onto this dish, there was no way to mount the scalar ring properly so we clamped the original clamps around the LNB right behind the ring, messing with this focus doesnt appear to help.
So anyway on Galaxy 15 (now 12 since 15 is falling) we are only seeing a 30% signal quality, I finally got it locked with elevation to about 46% but now I can't move to any other birds and that still seems low. If i push on the bottom of the dish it jumps to about 59% but it is not just tilting the dish down it's actually warping it and making the sides push inward...
I'm thinking time for a new FS08 dish or something because this old aluminum 9ft dish is not working as I think it should. If anyone has any tips to get this old dish to work properly I'd love to hear it, even if we just lock it to Galaxy 12 permanently as this is the only channel we use. I've done all of the obvious things, new LNB, new run of Quad Shield cable, made sure the entire dish was grounded well with 6AWG Stranded wire and made all physical adjustments I can think of. What kind of signal do you guys get from that channel?
Classic Arts Showcase 3816 H 3000SR
Here are pictures of my pain:
I'm a newbie on this forum although I've been reading it for years. I have run into a big snag and decided its finally time to just ask the experts. I have a REALLY old dish, I mean REALLY old that I maintain. We pull in one channel, classic arts showcase with this dish. While we used to just use the analog we now use the digital they have added but that doesnt always work so well.
I got up on the roof and re-tigtened and replaced a lot of hardware and got up to 70% signal on some sats (mainly SatMex5) but on the extremes my signal is almost nothing so I know the dish isn't tracking properly, however there is only an elevation adjustment, no declination adjustment. Also a new DMX741U has been retrofitted onto this dish, there was no way to mount the scalar ring properly so we clamped the original clamps around the LNB right behind the ring, messing with this focus doesnt appear to help.
So anyway on Galaxy 15 (now 12 since 15 is falling) we are only seeing a 30% signal quality, I finally got it locked with elevation to about 46% but now I can't move to any other birds and that still seems low. If i push on the bottom of the dish it jumps to about 59% but it is not just tilting the dish down it's actually warping it and making the sides push inward...
I'm thinking time for a new FS08 dish or something because this old aluminum 9ft dish is not working as I think it should. If anyone has any tips to get this old dish to work properly I'd love to hear it, even if we just lock it to Galaxy 12 permanently as this is the only channel we use. I've done all of the obvious things, new LNB, new run of Quad Shield cable, made sure the entire dish was grounded well with 6AWG Stranded wire and made all physical adjustments I can think of. What kind of signal do you guys get from that channel?
Classic Arts Showcase 3816 H 3000SR
Here are pictures of my pain:
7 Replies
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2422 views
Hi again whitehawk82,
Now that you mention the spacer arrangement, and looking closer at
the polar mount, your rig looks like a well intentioned home-made job.
Perhaps the pan was saved from death, then retrofitted to what the
builder thought was proper, without knowing about the fine adjustments,
or maybe the motor drive was an afterthought.
My first pic below, shows the spacing needed for this particular dish at my
latitude of 48N (there's my StarTrak in the background). About 1.75" on the
top two, and none on the bottom, which works out to around 7.11 degrees
of inclination offset.
The bolts are quite rusty, but I need not touch them, this dish was plucked
just 12 miles East of here.
This "tilt", away from the Polar Axis, aims the pan downwards a bit, in order to hit
the spot where the sats are actually orbitting. Yours will be different, but not a whole lot.
Keep in mind, the mounts may differ somewhat, but the geometric theory is the same.
With the way yours is spaced, you can only "see" a small part of the sat belt, 133W
happens to be in that small part of the belt.
I think you might have to start by proving the polar alignment, then resetting the
inclination angle correctly. A point to remember is; aim the dish due-south when
setting the inclination offset angle with an inclinometer.
Once the mounts are set, then you get to play with
the scalar ring, support struts and focal distance!
Your LNB mount looks rather flimsy, Unless the bolts get cinched really tight, they
will likely move out of alignment on you, leaving the LNB nearly impossible to adjust.
My 3rd pic shows how the scalar ring is used as part of the support structure,
leaving the LNB free to adjust easily. Modifying yours to be like this will remove
a big headache for you. You mainly need to get the focal point right.
Here again is the link to the "dish-bible": Footprints by Dish Size - Adjusting the Polar Mount for Prime Focus Antenna - C/Ku-Band Satellite Systems - Tuning, Tracking, Azimuth, Elevation, Declination Angles, F/D Ratio, Focal Distance, Inclinometer, LNB/Feedhorn Assembly, Actuator Assembly, C
Browse thru the pages, you'll find how to make your dish work right!
Another good trick, for working on the LNB/scalar assy, is to move the dish all
the way to the east or west, you won't need such a tall ladder that way.
Gotta run for now, keep us posted!
Now that you mention the spacer arrangement, and looking closer at
the polar mount, your rig looks like a well intentioned home-made job.
Perhaps the pan was saved from death, then retrofitted to what the
builder thought was proper, without knowing about the fine adjustments,
or maybe the motor drive was an afterthought.
My first pic below, shows the spacing needed for this particular dish at my
latitude of 48N (there's my StarTrak in the background). About 1.75" on the
top two, and none on the bottom, which works out to around 7.11 degrees
of inclination offset.
The bolts are quite rusty, but I need not touch them, this dish was plucked
just 12 miles East of here.
This "tilt", away from the Polar Axis, aims the pan downwards a bit, in order to hit
the spot where the sats are actually orbitting. Yours will be different, but not a whole lot.
Keep in mind, the mounts may differ somewhat, but the geometric theory is the same.
With the way yours is spaced, you can only "see" a small part of the sat belt, 133W
happens to be in that small part of the belt.
I think you might have to start by proving the polar alignment, then resetting the
inclination angle correctly. A point to remember is; aim the dish due-south when
setting the inclination offset angle with an inclinometer.
Once the mounts are set, then you get to play with
the scalar ring, support struts and focal distance!
Your LNB mount looks rather flimsy, Unless the bolts get cinched really tight, they
will likely move out of alignment on you, leaving the LNB nearly impossible to adjust.
My 3rd pic shows how the scalar ring is used as part of the support structure,
leaving the LNB free to adjust easily. Modifying yours to be like this will remove
a big headache for you. You mainly need to get the focal point right.
Here again is the link to the "dish-bible": Footprints by Dish Size - Adjusting the Polar Mount for Prime Focus Antenna - C/Ku-Band Satellite Systems - Tuning, Tracking, Azimuth, Elevation, Declination Angles, F/D Ratio, Focal Distance, Inclinometer, LNB/Feedhorn Assembly, Actuator Assembly, C
Browse thru the pages, you'll find how to make your dish work right!
Another good trick, for working on the LNB/scalar assy, is to move the dish all
the way to the east or west, you won't need such a tall ladder that way.
Gotta run for now, keep us posted!
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....
68766 Replies
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2686391 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
7 Replies
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199 views
Fox Closes $22 Billion Roku Takeover, Says Streaming Platform Will Remain ‘Open Ecosystem’
Surprise! Fox Corp. has closed its acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
variety.com
Surprise! Fox Corp. said Friday it has closed the acquisition of streaming platform Roku, a deal valued at $22 billion, well ahead of the expected 2027 date.
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
According to this article on The Verge, Videostrong Technologies based in Shenzen, China, placed a backdoor into 1.3 million of their devices and used this to deploy a botnet:
www.theverge.com
One of Google’s Android partners turned 1.3 million set-top boxes into a botnet
A manufacturer intentionally hijacked its Android TV devices.
www.theverge.com
10 Replies
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254 views
Someone's, need to neuter the red China's junk they keeps spewing out... 
How about they just neuter China ...Someone's, need to neuter the red China's junk they keeps spewing out...
Only, If they can make a coup on the Chinese government! 
Looks like this was just the latest in Android TV-based botnets. From last year on The Register:
www.theregister.com
Google sues 25 alleged BadBox 2.0 botnet operators
: Ads giant complains of damage to its reputation and finances ... and crime, too
Looks like this was just the latest in Android TV-based botnets. From last year on The Register:
Google sues 25 alleged BadBox 2.0 botnet operators
: Ads giant complains of damage to its reputation and finances ... and crime, too
"It's unlikely the suit will see any of the accused held to account, as they're in China and the Middle Kingdom seldom allows extraditions to the USA."
Just like all the other scams happening, they're overseas and beyond our juris-my-diction.
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)
Additional tabs provide:
OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders
Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
2181 Replies
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954035 views
D
All 3 Circle City broadcasting local channels 6-ABC, 8-CW & 23-MNTV in Indianapolis, IN are being added to both sat & stream, if not already there:
thedesk.net
Circle City Broadcasting stations return to DIRECTV | TheDesk.net
The deal restores WRTV, the Indianapolis ABC affiliate, and two other stations that have been unavailable on DIRECTV's platform since 2019.
thedesk.net
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.
The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
11 Replies
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254 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I bought the fixed color version of these bulbs for my store several years ago...work great and no more replacing ballast. Finally had one go out and when I went back to Amazon I saw that now they come in selectable versions so no more guess work as to what color light would do best in a certain area. They are now double OR single ended...used to be strictly one way or the other. If any of you are looking at replacing the old style 4 or 8 ft bulbs, you might want to give these a try. The 8 footers are BRIGHT. I put 5 in my shooting/target shed and you can get a decent tan if you are in there long enough.
4 Replies
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94 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x58r9TBois
Direct YouTube Link - Meta VR Glasses: What Vision Pro 2 COULD Have Been!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x58r9TBois
Direct YouTube Link - Meta VR Glasses: What Vision Pro 2 COULD Have Been!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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19 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
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.
140 Replies
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2344 views
S
when was the last time they innovated something
I'd probably say when they came up with their M-series of processors with integrated memory. That allowed Apple to get away from the inefficient Intel CPUs that were limiting their notebook computers.when was the last time they innovated something
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6UJXAJfomcE
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Q4 2026 Earnings Report
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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15 views
Supporting Founder
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
4 Replies
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38 views