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Duke Pittsburgh
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Hey gang, FTA newbie here. Bought a camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania with a DN500 hanging outside (think it's 18"). Bought a $40 eBay Pansat 2700(not a clone) and was perfectly happy with having only ION TV & NASA TV. Since they have been removed, I've toyed with pointing to some different birds with all the info I've gathered from these threads, and the sites they have led me to, but have not been successful with any channels. I'd be really satisfied if I could just pick up an ABC News One or Ohio News Network (actually ANY english speaking channel) or even some wild feeds. Any chance of that happening with an 18" dish, or is (min)90cm a must? Also, there's no Diseqc switch on the DN500, coax strait from the 119w side of the dual LNB. Any point in trying to get input from both? Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
13 Replies · 1819 views
Duke Pittsburgh
WOW! I mean WOW!!! First off, I cannot believe that I have learned more in half a day than I have in the last 6 months! Lesson learned, surround yourself with good people (members of Sat Guys) and don't be embarrased to ask questions!
RADAR, that was AWESOME info, I like most, understand best by analagy, and the "gun scope" refference really helped me understand.
I am going to take all of your advice with the bigger dish and linear LNB.
"The_Man_One", may I ask what you meant about checking local garages for the bigger dish? Is that what companies use for their "piped in" corporate TV?
To all, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I've only been a member for a day and already had people reaching out to help, it is very much appreciated.
osu1991
You will see the Andrews / Channelmaster / Primestar / Muzak dishes on gas stations, restaurants, banks, anyone that uses satellite for their credit cards etc, will usually have one on the roof somewhere. Usually I see the round .75 and .90 cm or the oval .84cm dishes in my part of the country. Rarely see the 1.0m or 1.2m around here.
AcWxRadar
WOW! I mean WOW!!! First off, I cannot believe that I have learned more in half a day than I have in the last 6 months! Lesson learned, surround yourself with good people (members of Sat Guys) and don't be embarrased to ask questions!
RADAR, that was AWESOME info, I like most, understand best by analagy, and the "gun scope" refference really helped me understand.
I am going to take all of your advice with the bigger dish and linear LNB.
"The_Man_One", may I ask what you meant about checking local garages for the bigger dish? Is that what companies use for their "piped in" corporate TV?
To all, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. I've only been a member for a day and already had people reaching out to help, it is very much appreciated.

Duke,

You are most welcome, from all of us. We enjoy the fact that you joined our group and you won't regret it!

Next step (tip) for you is to understand that the mast that you set your dish upon, whether you use a motor or just a fixed point dish like DN normally uses, must be precisely plumb. Use a good level and check your mast all around to be sure that it is perfectly vertical. All the other angles that you set with your dish or motor depend highly on the mast being absolutely straight up. This mast is the foundation for your dish. Ensure that it is a good foundation. Just a minor error here will cause you great trouble down the road in your dish alignment. So, take great care to ensure that you install your mast perfectly. You will find yourself cursing if you do not follow this major item of advice. This step is critical.

Your mast also must be sturdy. Wherever you install your mast, it must be extremely secure so that wind and even elephants wont' change it! Your mast should be so sturdy that if an elephant needs to scratch his butt on it, that it won't move. OK, that is a little extreme, but you get the idea.

RADAR
AcWxRadar
Our next tip for you is this. When you go out to your installation of the dish. Take your receiver and a small TV set with you. You want to set up the sam situation as you have in your living room or TV room. Having this equipment directly at your dish site will allow you to get immediate feedback from any adjustments you make to the dish or motor. Trying to have a friend or your wife yell out to you and try to align the dish that way is futile. It is too difficult and you may even get yourself in trouble with your wife over this. Your best friend might even run out of patience here, so beware and try hard to follow our recommendations. We do want to make this easier for you and we do know how to do that, so please take heed in what we tell you. Some of what we tell you is general information, but you want to pay closest attention to the tips and tricks. These are the things that make your life and your endeavor so much simpler.

As always, good luck! :)

RADAR
Tron
Hey gang, FTA newbie here. Bought a camp in the mountains of Pennsylvania with a DN500 hanging outside (think it's 18"). Bought a $40 eBay Pansat 2700(not a clone) and was perfectly happy with having only ION TV & NASA TV. Since they have been removed, I've toyed with pointing to some different birds with all the info I've gathered from these threads, and the sites they have led me to, but have not been successful with any channels. I'd be really satisfied if I could just pick up an ABC News One or Ohio News Network (actually ANY english speaking channel) or even some wild feeds. Any chance of that happening with an 18" dish, or is (min)90cm a must? Also, there's no Diseqc switch on the DN500, coax strait from the 119w side of the dual LNB. Any point in trying to get input from both? Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to SatelliteGuys!

On the pages of this forum, you will find all the information you'll ever need for the FTA hobby. The members who responded above have given perfect advice. I just wanted to add that there are a couple of dishes that you might find people throwing away that would work without modification. One is the Dish Network Superdish, and the other is the DirecTV International dish. Both are larger than standard Dish Network or DirecTV dishes, measuring more than 30" wide. Both of these dishes already have linear LNBs that will work for Ku-Band FTA, so if you can find one, you'll be set without much equipment expense.

Please let us know when you're up and running!
T
local garages have sat dishes on top of them... some are great for ku reception & even have the lnb u need to go "as is".... lots of the dishes up there have been "upgraded" to newer services which makes the older dish dead weight so to speak.... ive seen a lot of primestar dishes like the 85e & the big round ones 40" x 43" on tops with different names... most of the time u can find the owner & give a bull crap story about getting the "eyesore" off the roof for free... bam free dish... also decide wheather u want to run multiple dishes & switches or a motor... most of the guys here have a combination of both... i personally like the switch option if im using it for tv viewing (keeps the wife happier with instant channel changes) motor has a delay while driving to the position... motor is the best option for searching feeds & such
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....
68624 Replies · 2678530 views
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dishstaller
Owner Of a Lonely Heart - Yes
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long_time_Dish
Lonely Street - Kansas
dishstaller
Lonely is the Night - Billy Squier
long_time_Dish
Lonely People - America
H
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
171 Replies · 4765 views
MikeD-C05
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH and then if you can't see the western arc you go with streaming versions and then they could keep customers if they had good internet speeds. I mean Sling TV could be changed to Streaming DISH TV if they wanted since both companies are under Echostar. Then you would still be able to use your ota antenna with Air TV devices like I do with Air TV Anywhere with 4 ota tuners.
Scott Greczkowski
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH
I have the same wish.
S
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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Mister B
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
S
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
can't forget the little blue m&m's
charlesrshell
can't forget the little blue m&m's
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
B
I have the same wish.
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
NYDutch
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
DISH will happily sell them a Starlink system and service.
T
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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Foxbat
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.
T
But how is it reusable if it's disposable
S
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
RIP dude. Always liked his music. He was 83


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ
1 Replies · 22 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
This video was put up shortly after I was able to take my family out to Yosemite in 2011. No AI.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6-2fVsFV8E
0 Replies · 13 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.

I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
18 Replies · 199 views
harshness
When you need a battery, you need a battery.

If you can wait, new technologies are on the not-too-distant horizon.

You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
dishstaller
You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
Jimbo
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.

My last AGM (using now) I got from O Rielly's, its the Super Start ... I got the Platnium, they had several to choose from.
T
He sounds like he's trying to sell me a pocket hose.

I just had to replace a car battery this week and thought I'd look into LiFePo4. Amazon has plenty of them, but all have top posts and only one 'also' has side connections (Group 75).Then I read that they're really lousy in the cold. So, an AGM, but again, almost nothing with side terminals instead of top. In researching that, I read that most mfrs in recent years have dropped side terminals and gone back to the old top posts, which is surprising to me since those are more corrosion-prone, cause the battery to need more space and are generally more hazardous. Finally I just threw up my hands and bought a regular lead-acid at Sam's Club. They had a Group 75 "Duracell" with side terminals only. It was virtually the only such battery with side posts on their shelves
arlo
Had a Die Hard in my folks cellar for over 6 years. Pulled it out, slapped it on a charger for a day. Put it in my 'Cuda and drove it around for a week of my vacation. Next year, the same. But my dad kept it topped off for me.It was a mid 80's battery in early 1990.

Flooded acid batteries like a float voltage of around 13.5-13.8 voltage.
AGM needs a float of 14.2 volts. So if you slap an AGM in where a flooded was. It never gets a full charge.
"Why do they die so fast?" Question answered. There are folks who sell voltage regulators for alternators that are designed to boost float voltage for AGM batteries.
The other way around? Flooded will gas-off a little at 14.2 volts. But seems to tolerate it pretty good.

Lithium car/bike/atv batteries. After 3 batteries in my Harley. The OEM flooded and two AGM's (before the 14.2 volt float requirement to let them live was learned). I bought a lithium for it. 4 year, no gripe warranty after having it tested by an approved store.
The thing started like Thor himself sent a bolt from the sky. Except......try to start it around freezing? Nope. Needed a heating pad.
And I usually like to park it around events in the evening with the parking light on. Looks cool like that.
We could traipse around for a few hours no worries. Hop on, fire it up, and go putt around.
Lithium? A Dakota Lithium at least. The BMS shuts it right down if it discharges below <something>.
Come back. Parking lights off. Won't start. And you know the rest. But it lasted 6 years. A lot better than 'new every two'. And the fact that powersports batteries are warranted for six, maybe nine months. Ludicrous.

I called Noco. Asked all of the right questions. Great warranty. Save some bucks ordering directly, faster service that the wally world alternative.
They addressed (or claimed over the phone) that the shut down was addressed. Sure. The BMS keeps it form being damaged. But if it is shut down because it does become low. Shut down any load (key on, parking or headlights left on) for 10-15 minutes and you get a second try to start your rig. Not a bad thing if it really works. Right?!

Exide, Interstate? Be very afraid. They ain't what they used to be. In Florida my '70 Cutlass had an Interstate (early 90') that lasted 6 years until it dropped its plates at an intersection and boiled over. In Florida, mind you. The last Interstate.....done in 2. Guys down there would suck out the acid and put water in shortly before the warranty ran out. Make it to the auto parts, get them tested. And get a new one pro rated. No more pro rating.
You can't beat an Odyssey. Napa, AC Deco (the better ones). Yup.
The mom and pop Car Quest only sells Die Hard. For a reason, the old man says. So they convinced that a Die HArd Platinum was the hot ticket for me. l will see. Stand by!

You can't cut Mr. Project Farm down. He does great tests of all sorts of things. Not sponsored and pressured to slap a little sugar on his comparisons and reviews. Compared to the Brits and Aussies with their constant overzealous and same sounding (Dave from EEVblog) rant. I like P-Farm a lot. Of course I like AvE (Boltr) too.
Reminds me to beware when wearing shorts around the garage vice.


Opinions may vary.
harshness
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.
The days of the 84-month warranty appear long gone, regardless of brand or where you acquired it. Warranties tend to be shorter, with much greater dependence on quick prorating.

The big problem for lead-acid batteries (whether flooded or AGM) is that the US no longer produces lead (the last smelter closed in 2013) and must import it.

Recycling covers a good chunk of the need (~70%), but it isn't free.
EarDemon
I've always got regular OEM Ford Motorcraft batteries from the dealership and have never really had an issue. On my old Lincoln Aviator (the SUV from the early 00s, not the CUV of today), I had some phantom drain and went though a few batteries, but that was an anomaly and with the standard warranty I got free replacements. Taking the Aviator out of the picture, I've bought two batteries in my 24 years of driving. One battery replacement in my Mountaineer, one in my Navigator. But I probably would have had another one had I kept it around longer. Didn't have the Bronco long enough, and so far still on the factory battery for my Expedition.

I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner. I'm in Buffalo, 90 degree summers and 0 degree winters. Once in a while in the dead of winter I'll get an alert from the Ford app saying remote features have been disabled to conserve battery, but it starts right up.
dishstaller
I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner.
warrior.webp
Ramy
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
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.
168 Replies · 2395 views
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Jimbo
AI Overview


College Football Playoff bracket, schedule, scores, rankings ...

The 2025–26 College Football Playoff concluded with the Indiana Hoosiers winning the national championship by defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27–21. [1, 2, 3]

Playoff Results Summary
The 12-team playoff bracket featured the following key results across each round: [1]
    • First Round: Alabama defeated Oklahoma (34–24), Miami (Fla.) beat Texas A&M (10–3), Ole Miss topped Tulane (41–10), and Oregon defeated James Madison (51–34) at higher-seeded campus sites.
    • Quarterfinals: Miami (Fla.) upset Ohio State (24–14), Oregon shut out Texas Tech (23–0), top-ranked Indiana rolled past Alabama (38–3), and Ole Miss edged Georgia (39–34) across the New Year's Six bowls.
    • Semifinals: Miami (Fla.) advanced past Ole Miss (31–27) in the Peach Bowl, while Indiana dominant-defeated Oregon (56–22) in the Fiesta Bowl.
    • National Championship: Indiana secured the title with a 27–21 victory over Miami (Fla.) at Hard Rock Stadium. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Unfortunately, there was not rankings listed in this summary
AZ.
AZ.
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
Jimbo
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
I think they are actually discussing the Top 8 get a Bye this time, if they go to 24.
Then again, I heard something about Play in games for the 16-24 teams ...

Nothing is official yet, so lots of moving parts ...

Can't wait, lets do 24, 3 years later they will want 32 :sick
Y
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Jimbo
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Once the 24 gets here, there won't be anymore Conference Championships .... or so they say.

Oh what the hell, we really don't need Conferences anymore either ...:coco:(
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dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
0 Replies · 30 views
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
4 Replies · 69 views
Bobby
Rest in peace. Together again with Spock, Doc, Uhura, and Scotty...
long_time_Dish
Rest in peace, Checkov, and Bester too...
FTA4PA
Rest In Peace 😢
Foxbat
Rest in Peace…