Social Feed

H
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
When I had HD Directv installed at my old apartment complex, the tech had to (after I signed a waiver) drill holes in the stucco/drywall in order to get the cables from the dish to inside the apartment. He had to do this because the cables were apparently too thick to run under the patio/balcony door.

I've recently moved and am awaiting installation at my new apartment. I'd really prefer not to have holes drilled into the walls again if at all possible. When walking around the complex, I've noticed that HD Dish Network dishes don't use such thick cables. They seem to be normal size and many neighbors are able to run them under their front doors (with some padding placed on top).

The installation at my last place was done in May 2008, so I'm wondering if there isn't thinner cables being used with Directv HD dishes these days. Can someone else me out by sharing their knowledge?

Btw, the thick cables I'm referring to are almost like two cables bound together. It is a "Directv RG-6 OHM High Performance 3.0 GHZ Digital Cable." They connect to my HD receiver (model HR21-200) via Sup-2400 B Band Converter (BBC) Modules.
12 Replies · 1986 views
kjlued
Cable thickness has changed but there are different sizes.
However, the cables used for D* and E* of the last several years has not changed.

Like said, flat cables are available but I usually try not use them as I feel they can offer problems, plus my cost on 3ghz flat cables is almost $20 ($16.??) a piece which I will pass on to the customer @ $20 ea.
So, if you have a legacy dish you could be looking in $80 in flat cables that could cause you problems or I could drill a couple holes for free and have the install be rock solid.
I can usually get holes in fairly inconspicuous and where they would be cheap and easy for the renter to patch when they move out.

In all honesty the worst thing you can do is run cables under doors or in other places they will get pinched, bent, or kinked.
J
Sometimes this can be done.

Cut a 2 x 4 to the width of a window near where the cable has to run. Drill 3 /8"(tight) or 1/2" (loose) holes for the cables you need to run. Run the cable in the window through the holes in the lumber you have placed across the bottom of the window. While this will eliminate drilling holes in your wall you will not be able to lock the window.

Also.....sometimes there is an air conditioner in a window near where you have to run cable. Drill out the sheet metal big enough for a cable push-through bushing (3/8" for single & 3/4" for double). There is a lot of space inside air conditioner boxes.

Also, sometimes you can even mount an 18" dish & mast on a real strong AC unit.

There is a reason why apartment installations are often impossible and / or costly to complete. Nothing in an apartment installation is part of the FREE basic installation.

Joe
H
Cable thickness has changed but there are different sizes.
However, the cables used for D* and E* of the last several years has not changed.

Like said, flat cables are available but I usually try not use them as I feel they can offer problems, plus my cost on 3ghz flat cables is almost $20 ($16.??) a piece which I will pass on to the customer @ $20 ea.
So, if you have a legacy dish you could be looking in $80 in flat cables that could cause you problems or I could drill a couple holes for free and have the install be rock solid.
I can usually get holes in fairly inconspicuous and where they would be cheap and easy for the renter to patch when they move out.

In all honesty the worst thing you can do is run cables under doors or in other places they will get pinched, bent, or kinked.

Are the problems with flat cables performance related (as in potentially compromising HD quality) or something else (you mentioned security issues in your subsequent post)? Also, do you do many apartment installations? If you do, do you have any issues drilling holes for the cables?
H
There is a reason why apartment installations are often impossible and / or costly to complete. Nothing in an apartment installation is part of the FREE basic installation.

Joe

It sure sounds like the tech who did my previous apartment installation (back in 2008) really hooked me up then. He provided a tripod, weighted down with two cinder blocks, and used a good length of cable to run it to from the balcony to the living room and bedroom tv areas. He didn't charge me anything whatsoever. He wasn't the most friendly guy by any means, but I guess looking back now it sure sounds like he went out of his way for the install. I didn't realize that the free installation was so basic and that anything special was chargeable (makes sense though). Ha, I probably should have tipped that guy (is that appropriate?).

In any case, the statement "apartment installations are often impossible and / or costly to complete" only further solidifies my conclusion that the tech who came out the other day just didn't want to even bother (see my other thread "horrible installation tech?"). I mean, the first words out of his mouth were "I didn't realize this was an apartment" (which is silly because the address says the apartment number on it!) and then "I can't do apartment installations." He then proceeded to act like he would need supervisor permission and that he "didn't want to lose his job."
J
It sure sounds like the tech who did my previous apartment installation (back in 2008) really hooked me up then. He provided a tripod, weighted down with two cinder blocks, and used a good length of cable to run it to from the balcony to the living room and bedroom tv areas. He didn't charge me anything whatsoever. He wasn't the most friendly guy by any means, but I guess looking back now it sure sounds like he went out of his way for the install. I didn't realize that the free installation was so basic and that anything special was chargeable (makes sense though). Ha, I probably should have tipped that guy (is that appropriate?).

In any case, the statement "apartment installations are often impossible and / or costly to complete" only further solidifies my conclusion that the tech who came out the other day just didn't want to even bother (see my other thread "horrible installation tech?"). I mean, the first words out of his mouth were "I didn't realize this was an apartment" (which is silly because the address says the apartment number on it!) and then "I can't do apartment installations." He then proceeded to act like he would need supervisor permission and that he "didn't want to lose his job."

Apartments (MDU = Multiple dwelling units) are not what the small dish systems were designed to serve!

Apartments are wired for cable (CATV) feeds from a single source that enters the building where the cable feed can be grounded / bonded according to electreical code requirements. While it is possible to establish a signal by bolting a dish to a railing or some similar technique....almost every apartment installation violates the electric code, UNLESS the interior cable system is used and the dish is located near the main ground bond for the building. Only in that case can the system be bonded per code.

So the installer is placed in the middle. It is the installer who violates the code and may be sought for damages if the system he installed injures someone.
Directv and or the Home Service Providers do not usually fire tech unless something they did causes a problem. So techs tend to not take chances with the real obvious violations....they do use the obvious need to violate electrical codes or Line of Sight (LOS) requirements to decline time consuming jobs..like apartment installations.

They are penalized for being late for appointments on overbooked schedules so ....something has to go...and it is the questionable jobs that get dumped. There is a long list of reasons not to do an installation and no benefit for the tech to attempt to do every job on the list.

It goes like that,

Joe
kjlued
Are the problems with flat cables performance related (as in potentially compromising HD quality) or something else (you mentioned security issues in your subsequent post)? Also, do you do many apartment installations? If you do, do you have any issues drilling holes for the cables?

I think it has more to do with the fact that often they go through places that are opened and closed which causes bending and eventually breakage when they go through doors.
In same cases, certain types of windows and doors will not close properly.

I also don't like having to charge for things like that but can not afford to not.
Many installs don't pay $80 so giving $80 away is not in my best interest.
kjlued
It sure sounds like the tech who did my previous apartment installation (back in 2008) really hooked me up then. He provided a tripod, weighted down with two cinder blocks, and used a good length of cable to run it to from the balcony to the living room and bedroom tv areas. He didn't charge me anything whatsoever. He wasn't the most friendly guy by any means, but I guess looking back now it sure sounds like he went out of his way for the install. I didn't realize that the free installation was so basic and that anything special was chargeable (makes sense though). Ha, I probably should have tipped that guy (is that appropriate?).

Different HSP's are different.
All that stuff may have been provided for that tech if he was in house which meant he didn't pay for it and can't charge for it.
You got lucky but that is just a roll of the dice.

We are allowed to charge $75 for tripods (I don't know why as they are a fraction of that price and there is not much to them.
However, if I charge that much, I usually throw in 2 flat cables with it for free myself (something I do not every tech will).

In any case, the statement "apartment installations are often impossible and / or costly to complete" only further solidifies my conclusion that the tech who came out the other day just didn't want to even bother (see my other thread "horrible installation tech?"). I mean, the first words out of his mouth were "I didn't realize this was an apartment" (which is silly because the address says the apartment number on it!) and then "I can't do apartment installations." He then proceeded to act like he would need supervisor permission and that he "didn't want to lose his job."

I actually find most apartments easier especially those that involve a tripod.
I could do a 4 room apartment HD on a tripod in under 2 hours and clear about $100 after materials.
J
I think it has more to do with the fact that often they go through places that are opened and closed which causes bending and eventually breakage when they go through doors.
In same cases, certain types of windows and doors will not close properly.

I also don't like having to charge for things like that but can not afford to not.
Many installs don't pay $80 so giving $80 away is not in my best interest.

Kjlued,

We come from different worlds.

The ads I responded to for fulfillment work all said..."All custom charges go to the installer." This was the only way that work could be done when the offered money was 55/15.

It did make installation customers crazy to be told that even though they were entitled to a FREE installation nothing on their property would allow the installation to proceed without "custom" work. Steel pole, concrete, cable dig in, long cable runs, amplifiers, cavity work (wall fishes) and the occasional hang the flat screen or run a phone line.....all that stuff had a price. FREE installations just ain't FREE.

Things are changing...and many otherwise competent techs will not work for the money offered. But the installations are getting more FREE.

Joe
kjlued
Oh, I agree, all that stuff used to be custom for me too.

I used to be able to charge for all pole mounts.
Then Mastec started supplying 2" poles for high def installs and we could no longer charge for that since they supplied the pole but we could still charge for standard pole mounts.
Then everything for D* went to 2" poles and guess what, no pole mount charges anymore.
Forget the fact that the majority of the money made was in the labor of digging a 3 ft bell shaped hole big enough to put 120lbs of concrete in it and trenching 20ft of cable.
Of course, for free, I am not going to put $15 of concrete in a hole (sorry if that makes me a bad tech, but I do still need to make a living).
When I started with Wilblue years ago, every pole mount was 100% to spec. even if I cut the customer a deal.
Now, sometimes I cut the customer a deal and did it for cost of materials, but I made them dig the hole and trench the cable. lol

We still get to charge for a few things like wall fishes but it is getting to be less and less.
Of course, when I got in this industry it was a far cry different.
Made about $25k more a year, busted my ass half as much, and the cost of doing the job was also less.
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
2 Replies · 49 views
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
dishstaller
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
3 Replies · 32 views
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2132 Replies · 214672 views
Jimbo

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Tony as the director.🙄
Jimbo
Tony as the director.🙄
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo
Howard Simmons
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Jimbo
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
1 Replies · 4 views
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
If you're going try to read / listen to the book (can't recommend the audio book enough) before this comes out, I'd avoid trailers.

Trailer below, spoiling it to make sure you read the above bold message first. The book / audio book are fantastic. Go into this blind if you can IMO!




Kind of disappointed at how much they show. A lot still to see, but man, some good reveals in the book that are just served up here.
21 Replies · 710 views
  • Like
Reactions: dfergie
meStevo
I've seen it twice. Can't recommend the audio book enough, Ray Porter's performance is amazing and there's so much more in the book than the movie.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
Foxbat
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
  • Like
Reactions: Howard Simmons
K
Forgot to comment. I did watch when it first came out on MGM. I enjoyed it a lot. I think reading the book made it easier to watch. Several friends commented it was a little hard to follow.
TRG
TRG
"astrophage". I read the book but didn't see the film yet.
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
Howard Simmons
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
That's what I will be watching this weekend.🤗
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
K
Kindle book on sale for $2.99 today at Amazon.
dishstaller
.........there's so much more in the book than the movie.
I agree. That can go for pretty much any book vs movie. Back when I was single I would read any Stephen King or John Grisham book I could get my hands on. When you read a book you make up the scenes and characters in your mind.....the movie version always disappoints.
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
110 Replies · 1608 views
  • Like
Reactions: Jimbo and dfergie
Y
Selfish Drake Maye holds back on giving the ball to Bills unlike Jags game, gets the win on the road.
Y
Selfish Drake Maye holds back on giving the ball to Bills unlike Jags game, gets the win on the road.
A big win for the Patriots, and they are now 3-2.

Browns lose a close one with... The Jets. That is a classic Browns loss (granted, any loss is a classic one it seems). 49'ers, Vikings, and Chiefs remain undefeated. The AFC north have a three way tie at 3-2 for second place. :eek:
osu1991
  • Like
Reactions: Mike0616
M
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.
Y
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.
After having experienced Gus Ferguson trying to call soccer games, I'm uncertain why NFL football analysts get hate. Even the "worst" of them are pretty good.
meStevo
Jalen Hurts out indefinitely as they treat and monitor a superficial blood clot in his leg.


View: https://x.com/RapSheet/status/2111074303185989663?s=20
  • Sad
Reactions: Foxbat
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in TV Shows
I had quit watching this show years ago because I ended up more annoyed than entertained. Well......I'm STILL more annoyed than entertained. I DO find it interesting to see how things work behind the scenes at many businesses. What annoys me is how utterly out of touch CEOs are with the companies they run. At the end of almost every episode the head of the company is amazed at how hard the employees have to work and many times have to work around impossible guidelines set forth from headquarters.

I found this one interesting because the new CEO had big plans for this company, Muscle Maker Grill, and it looked like the stores were all pretty busy. Recent history hasn't been good to this company however. I bet the covid lockdowns were the real killer.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIhZm0qkz0o
0 Replies · 2 views
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....
68500 Replies · 2670790 views
  • Like
Reactions: c-spand
ClarkGable
White Wedding - Billy Idol
  • Like
Reactions: dishstaller
M
White Christmas - Elvis Presley
dishstaller
Dirty White Boy - Foreigner
Bobby
Tickle Me (Dirty, Dirty Feeling) - Elvis Presley
dishstaller
Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson
Anony55
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.

They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.

Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.

On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.

It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.

I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
165 Replies · 7367 views
Nebugeater
Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally
Former member 208119
Class action.
a hopper 3 with 6 firesticks and or if you wanna spend even more money apple tv's
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
T
Got a 211k that works fine, and I no longer need it if someone wants to throw me a few bucks and pay shipping. Not tied to my account as of last week. Used with a tailgater and got a wally
Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Nebugeater
Is the 211k still available? If so, I'm interested.


Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion
Anony55
Well, after nine months of being on pause, I finally figured out that I was wasting $5 a month. So I cancelled. For the first time since 2010, I no longer have a Dish account.

I do have to say that I did appreciate the account pause option. That just gives a person some time to see what the fallout of cancelling will be... without having to go all the way over the cliff first.

Since I never once had an "oh shoot, I need Dish Network for..." moment, the decision was a lot easier.

Funny enough, when I called to cancel (for real, not playing the pricing game), all of a sudden, they were offering me deals that I was told before that I couldn't get without changing out my VIP211k. Now, I could have had those specials with them just sending me a new card for the receiver. LOL!

Of course, my mind was already made up because of having not missed the service while on pause. That, and the fact that I bet the 211k still kills recordings.

All in all, I'm glad that I had Dish for all those years. I just outgrew the need, and they pressed the issue by deleting recordings. I would have eventually went this route without the deleted recordings issue. But, for sure, that did hasten the outcome.

I'll still pop in at this site from time to time. Believe it or not, I still have a C/Ku BUD that I intend on playing with again if life ever slows down.
dishstaller
Actually, it is. A couple of people PMed me when I posted this, and when I asked for an address, they never responded. Then I just sort of let it go. Send me a PM to continue the discussion
Unless things have changed at Dish, which is entirely possible, they won't activate the 211, even as a replacement. I gave one to a customer a while back....which when I turned it off I made sure to tell the CSR I wanted it freed up so another customer could use it, I was assured it was.....and when they called to swap out there's they were told it couldn't be done. Now like I said, things MIGHT HAVE CHANGED.
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Former member 209992
Last reply · posted in SatelliteGuys Support Center
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
529 Replies · 18021 views
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Scott Greczkowski
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. :D
Foxbat
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. :D
WTF… …What the Foxbat!😱
S
zipping right along here
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
S
WTF… …What the Foxbat!😱
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you :biggrin
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
Foxbat
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you :biggrin
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:
IMG_1990.webp
IMG_1989.webp
S
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:
OMG to freaking funny :biggrin
  • Like
Reactions: charlesrshell
comfortably_numb
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:

Not likely since that place closed down.