Social Feed

8valve

Last reply Oct 25, 2010 · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

FTA Dish vs Trees

I have just finished installing my FTA System with motor drive dish. I am very pleased with the amount of satellites I can hit due to the heavy forest around my home. Presently Galaxy 18 at 123W is as far west as I can hit. I would like to receive AMC14 at 125W. I have a signal of 60, but quality of only 5. Here's the problem. Back in 1980's in my C Band days with prime feed dishes, I would mount a spot light on the LNA nose cone, square it up and then at night swing the dish to different Sat's and find the offending trees. I dont know how to do anything like that with the OffSet feed dishes we use now. I only need a little tree pruning to get AMC 14, but have no idea what tree or trees is the offender. My question, where on a offset feed dish can I sight to determine the offending trees. I dont believe I can use the strut the LNBF is mounted on as the dish is looking higher than the strut points. Any suggestions ? Thanks 8Valve

6 Replies · 1901 views

Load Replies (6) Reply Legacy View

hd fan

Oct 24, 2010

you could also use dishpointer.com and it will tell you the maximun height for an obstacle to obstruct the signal for a particular distance away from the dish. it also shows you with a green line the exact direction where the sat signal is coming from therefore you know which tree is the ofender.

8valve

Oct 24, 2010

Thanks Guys, both great info, I will try both. 8Valve

Anole

Oct 24, 2010

another memory:

I think it was back when Dee Ann was poking around in her back yard, she or someone came up with this more simple idea:

Print out a simple chart of satellites, with azimuth and elevation.
Go to your yard at night, and using a hand-held laser pointer, aim it with a compass and an inclinometer.
You want it to be about the same height and location as your dish, but it doesn't need to be attached.
For instance, ya might make up something simple, using a block of wood and a camera tripod...
Wherever the dot shows up on the trees, you've got a problem.
Sometimes, relocating your dish a few feet, may let you miss a neighbors house, street sign, power pole, or other obstacle.
A green laser may show up better, however since you can get red ones at the 99¢ store for.. a buck.. start with one of those first! - :up

WARNING: most of the cheapo lasers do NOT put out a beam coaxial¹ with their housing!
edit: or... concentric

8valve

Oct 24, 2010

That would work also. I have a high power rifle laser I could take off to use. It will project 1000' . Way more than I need to find the offender. Moving the dish is not a option as its side mounted on my tower. 8Valve

B.J.

Oct 25, 2010

Well if you had asked this 3 or 4 weeks ago, the best answer would have been to use the sun, at the time when AMC21 was undergoing a solar outage. Now, however, the sun will be considerably lower than where the sats are, but you can still use the sun for the azimuth, and use a digital level or inclinometer for the elevation. This is what I did a couple years ago when I was deciding upon where to put my fixed Primestar, which BTW I have aimed at AMC21. First, find Azim/Elev of AMC21 for your lat/lon, then go to the USNO site, and find out what time of day the sun has the same azimuth as the sat. Put a digital level on a tripod, and put it in front of your dish, such as: http://www.eskerridge.com/bj/Sat/Levelsetup_1385.jpg and aim it in the direction of the sun, and then raise the elevation until the angle on the level or inclinometer is the same as the sat's elevation. THEN, you can sight over the top of the level or inclinometer to see where the sat is in the sky, such as: http://www.eskerridge.com/bj/Sat/level-view_1387.jpg Worked well for me, and my Primestar has been fixed on AMC21 since. Ie done this way, you don't have to worry about the offset angles that can really be confusing, or about magnetic deviation. I have also used digital levels which have pretty strong laser pointers to locate offending trees for other purposes (clearing views of distant mountains), and that can work if the trees are close enough, but I really think using the sun is more accurate. I have spent years here cutting down a dozen or so good sized trees, and using rope saws thrown over limbs that are 60' up in trees clearing holes to get views of sats, only to find that when you remove a limb, the trees generally go into hyper-drive growing back even thicker foilage in a couple years. I finally gave up and moved my dishes to a better place.

View all replies (6)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

10 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ErY6s7b8WI

Direct YouTube Link - Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 0 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

41 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tech News Weekly 441

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL5XFOpX4_A

Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 441
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 3 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

41 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CRhynF2RE20

Direct YouTube Link - Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 2 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

teachtom

42 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Problem when I switch from Bonus View channels back to regular Dish channels

Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

0 Replies · 8 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply 53 minutes ago · 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...

5389 Replies · 334596 views

Load Replies (5389) Reply Legacy View

TRG

Monday at 3:34 PM

Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.

Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.

Reactions: Bobby and dfergie

dfergie

Monday at 4:27 PM

TRG said:
Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.

Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.

View attachment 191651

Congrats! I love retirement, no wake ups, no e-mails...
Leftovers for lunch, bacon wrapped salmon fillet from Saturday and a KFC thigh from Friday, Tea.

Reactions: TRG

TRG

Monday at 4:50 PM

dfergie said:
Congrats! I love retirement, no wake ups, no e-mails...
Leftovers for lunch, bacon wrapped salmon fillet from Saturday and a KFC thigh from Friday, Tea.

I've been retired since October. It was very strange at first. But I'm loving it now.

Reactions: dfergie

TRG

Yesterday at 4:11 PM

Creamy flat chicken enchiladas with green chile, beans and rice.

Reactions: dfergie

dfergie

Today at 2:05 PM

Layered Spicy Dorito / chili cheese Frito pie casserole…real sugar Pepsi

Reactions: TRG and Bobby

TRG

53 minutes ago

I had a very unusual but delicious 1/4lb hotdog with cream cheese, raspberry preserves and chopped Hatch green chile. It is an unlikely combination but it works.

Reactions: dfergie

View all replies (5389)

N5XZS

Last reply Today at 2:08 PM · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

New low power station with CP has been granted. "Albuquerque "

New low power station has been granted by the FCC and the new call leter is K33OB-D on RF ch. 33.

Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.

It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.

This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.

10 Replies · 152 views

Load Replies (10) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: comfortably_numb and dfergie

N5XZS

Yesterday at 4:51 PM

Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets on like the Rev'n, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station. :hatsoff2

Reactions: comfortably_numb

comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 4:54 PM

N5XZS said:
Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets like Revn, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station.

I watch MovieSphere Gold channel a lot. Many recent movies on that digitnet

N5XZS

Yesterday at 4:59 PM

Yes that's a good channel MovieSphere, only thing is the missing CC on it.

Reactions: comfortably_numb

comfortably_numb

Today at 1:35 AM

According to the FCC listing, the tower is near I-40 and Juan Tabo:

FCCInfo Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

www.fccinfo.com

primestar31

Today at 2:08 PM

comfortably_numb said:
According to the FCC listing, the tower is near I-40 and Juan Tabo:

FCCInfo Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

www.fccinfo.com

Many of these in my DMA are on cell towers, so don't always reach very far because the towers aren't very high.

View all replies (10)

Linus Tech Tips

Today at 2:02 PM · posted in Linus Tech Tips

I Found Free Money in the Tech House

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FoAOhbeo5Y

Direct YouTube Link - I Found Free Money in the Tech House
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store

0 Replies · 4 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgBoy9ScCY

Direct YouTube Link - Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 2 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:28 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Price Increase on Owned Equipment?

Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

6 Replies · 90 views

Load Replies (6) Reply Legacy View

zippyfrog

Today at 11:29 AM

However, when I make a change (tried to add the Columbian pack for $2 so I could generate my bill) and there is a new line - it says "Access for TV" - whereas previously that line item was not there. I hope they aren't charging $5.00 for the initial TV now...

Reactions: charlesrshell

telstar_1

Today at 11:45 AM

Apparently it's not an "owned receiver" fee but rather an extension fee that's applied to 2nd and subsequent viewing. Maybe that played into their decision to force a box at every TV- garnering those fees

Reactions: zippyfrog and charlesrshell

zippyfrog

Today at 12:34 PM

telstar_1 said:
Apparently it's not an "owned receiver" fee but rather an extension fee that's applied to 2nd and subsequent viewing. Maybe that played into their decision to force a box at every TV- garnering those fees

Possibly. In theory, $9 of the base pack has a rental fee built in. But now is this $5 a chance to get a little more? I don't know for sure. According to chat, it is a glitch and will be resolved in a timely manner, but we shall see. Part of my thinks there is a going to be a new charge, whether it is now or this fall. Here in Illinois, the law requires we are given 30 days notice of any fee changes, but I have not been given anything.

Reactions: charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Today at 1:11 PM

These fees are why streaming has caught on so well across the country and DISH is losing subs each quarter. Soon won't be enough subs to be profitable.

Reactions: dishdude, Mr Tony, zippyfrog and 1 other person

telstar_1

Today at 1:28 PM

Does cable charge box rent?

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (6)

Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:16 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Satellite now under 5 Million subscribers/Sling under 2 Million.

With the 1st Quarter Report just released, Dish lost another 180,000, now at 4.84 Million.

Sling now at 1.79 million subscribers, down approximately 190,000.

For comparison, YouTube TV now has about double the subscribers of Dish and Sling combined.

DISH & Sling TV Lost Over 366,000 TV Subscribers In Just 3 Months | Cord Cutters News

EchoStar Corporation, the owner of the DISH Network satellite television service and the Sling TV streaming platform, continued to experience steep declines in its pay-television customer base during the first three months of 2026. The company reported a net loss of approximately 366,000 pay-TV...

cordcuttersnews.com

71 Replies · 3427 views

Load Replies (71) Reply Legacy View

fmj77

May 11, 2026

I'm surprised Dish still has that many subscribers. I don't know a single person in my area that is still with them after getting either Starlink or fiber at their home. They all cancelled Dish and went with streaming. I used to get offers pretty regularly in the mail to come back to Dish, but no more. Haven't seen one in a couple of years now.

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bruce

May 11, 2026

fmj77 said:
I'm surprised Dish still has that many subscribers. I don't know a single person in my area that is still with them after getting either Starlink or fiber at their home. They all cancelled Dish and went with streaming. I used to get offers pretty regularly in the mail to come back to Dish, but no more. Haven't seen one in a couple of years now.

Only about 3.6% of Households in the United States, still have Dish Network.

For comparison, YouTube TV has about 10%.

Reactions: fmj77, telstar_1 and charlesrshell

Yespage

May 18, 2026

$25 a month for 1 gig, for two years with Spectrum. I'd be darned that their router was MUCH better than AT&T's. I didn't realize that what I thought was something else was the bloody router. Those buffering issues stopped when I swapped... after AT&T refused to lower my bill, after 25 years of high speed internet service. They wanted $80 or so a month for 1 gig, with no drop to a lower speed.

Reactions: charlesrshell

telstar_1

Jun 2, 2026

I despise that most of all. I'm going to talk to a remote?

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

tsunami2311

Friday at 11:03 PM

Yespage said:
$25 a month for 1 gig, for two years with Spectrum. I'd be darned that their router was MUCH better than AT&T's. I didn't realize that what I thought was something else was the bloody router. Those buffering issues stopped when I swapped... after AT&T refused to lower my bill, after 25 years of high speed internet service. They wanted $80 or so a month for 1 gig, with no drop to a lower speed.

1gbit up and down here from att start out great was suppose to be $60 for life of service, with years time it went back up to $80 I complained about they gave us $49 for year which about to end, I Wonder what prices will be when it "up" I in no way like ATT fiber service there DNS that are hardcode and unchange able in the router are some WORSE DNS I ever used. you know how much of pain it is to change DNS setting on EVERY single wireless device...

Reactions: charlesrshell

mwdxer1

Saturday at 3:08 AM

Bruce said:
Only about 3.6% of Households in the United States, still have Dish Network.

For comparison, YouTube TV has about 10%.

I dropped Dish a couple years back after having them for 25 years. The pricing got higher and after we got high speed internet, I watched it less and less. It got to the point all I watched was TCM for classic movies. Many of them are on You Tube now and a Premium subscription is $14 a month. A far cry of the $100 a month was paying with AT180, Supers, and locals. I get locals OTA anyway. I took down the dish several months ago and tossed it. I owned all my my equipment, so nothing to return. Do I miss a traditional cable type service? No way. If I want one I have all of the free live streaming with Roku, the Fire Stick, as well as Google TV. Right now as I type this, I am watching episodes of "The Midnight Special" from 1976 on You Tube, ad free. Dish was fine for many years. I do not regret buying the equipment and installing it myself (No installers in 1999). I enjoyed Dish for many years. My thoughts, Dish & Direct will be forced to merge in time, or they both will be gone. Even cable companies are getting out of TV. Some are only selling the internet and phone packages.

Reactions: charlesrshell and MikeD-C05

tanman

Sunday at 12:01 PM

telstar_1 said:
I despise that most of all. I'm going to talk to a remote?

Hello Computer On Phone GIF - Hello Computer Hello On Phone - Discover & Share GIFs

Click to view the GIF

tenor.com

Reactions: charlesrshell

nelson61

Monday at 8:20 PM

A lot of it flows back to the 4 big networks.
Cable and satellite are their money tree.

But, in reality, each market need 1 or perhaps 2 news feeds - not 4 or more

Reactions: charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Today at 1:16 PM

nelson61 said:
A lot of it flows back to the 4 big networks.
Cable and satellite are their money tree.

But, in reality, each market need 1 or perhaps 2 news feeds - not 4 or more

In my area we get 2 news feeds spread over 4 local stations.
ABC/NBC (TEGNA)
Same news cast simulcast over both channels.

CBS/Fox (Sinclair)
Same news casters at 5pm, 6pm, 10pm.
Fox shows an hour at 9pm but same news casters.

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (71)

Top

Back