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I am looking to get some TV channels regardless of where I go camping with my RV. I'm not looking for free paid TV, but that would be nice too 
I actually interested in FTA satellites like AMC 3 and AMC 9 for the RTN channel and whatever else is entertaining for the family. I am an experienced electronics enthusiast and a ham radio operator so I kinda know what I'm doing...
What I know so far, correct me if I'm wrong: I am looking for the ku band for dish size... Unless I can get c band off of a 30 cm dish... What I'm not clear about is: what size dish for the AMC3 and AMC9 sats? and more importantly which LNB... I am assuming that a linear LNB is what I want, but I read that circular/linear gives more options... I am also looking for a receiver brand that will allow me to watch TV in both HD and regular TV without breaking bank. Also I'm not clear on vertical and horizontal polarization, other than a notable db drop between them... Do I need more than one LNB and if so does the receiver need more than one tuner?
So... What would you recommend?
It's so confusing and I get side tracked with all of the pirate FTA stuff out there... TIA
I actually interested in FTA satellites like AMC 3 and AMC 9 for the RTN channel and whatever else is entertaining for the family. I am an experienced electronics enthusiast and a ham radio operator so I kinda know what I'm doing...What I know so far, correct me if I'm wrong: I am looking for the ku band for dish size... Unless I can get c band off of a 30 cm dish... What I'm not clear about is: what size dish for the AMC3 and AMC9 sats? and more importantly which LNB... I am assuming that a linear LNB is what I want, but I read that circular/linear gives more options... I am also looking for a receiver brand that will allow me to watch TV in both HD and regular TV without breaking bank. Also I'm not clear on vertical and horizontal polarization, other than a notable db drop between them... Do I need more than one LNB and if so does the receiver need more than one tuner?
So... What would you recommend?
It's so confusing and I get side tracked with all of the pirate FTA stuff out there... TIA
12 Replies
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2108 views
I didn't look up your LNB, but it could be single polarity, or more likely dual polarity (V & H).
There have been applications where they were shipped one way or the other.
If it has two connectors on it, see if there is an "H" by one and a "V" by the other.
No sense complicating this discussion needlessly, unless that's so.
edit: okay, sorry, I just looked at your LNB link.
That's the soup-can, with single output.
Should be just fine as is.
I was thinking about a square one which is single polarity.
Also, what is the width and the height of the dish.
Just throw a tape measure across it on the front, and measure edge to edge.
They made/sold a lot of different sizes, and you will get more feedback once we know that info.
Oh, and by the way, if you are willing to go with standard def programming (most of it is, anyway), then that list of HD-capable receivers above might be a bit misleading.
We could give you a laundry list of (mostly discontinued) SD receivers well worth picking up at a yard sale or on Craig's list.
Many for $20, 30, 40 or so ...and some to avoid at any price...
There have been applications where they were shipped one way or the other.
If it has two connectors on it, see if there is an "H" by one and a "V" by the other.
No sense complicating this discussion needlessly, unless that's so.
edit: okay, sorry, I just looked at your LNB link.
That's the soup-can, with single output.
Should be just fine as is.
I was thinking about a square one which is single polarity.
Also, what is the width and the height of the dish.
Just throw a tape measure across it on the front, and measure edge to edge.
They made/sold a lot of different sizes, and you will get more feedback once we know that info.
Oh, and by the way, if you are willing to go with standard def programming (most of it is, anyway), then that list of HD-capable receivers above might be a bit misleading.
We could give you a laundry list of (mostly discontinued) SD receivers well worth picking up at a yard sale or on Craig's list.
Many for $20, 30, 40 or so ...and some to avoid at any price...
I wish I was doing motorhome trips with the technology of today versus what I was using back in the 80s when we traveled. We had a 1977 Allegro motorhome, and I ran all of our video gear from the engine battery via the cigarette lighter
... We had deep cycle batteries, and in hindsight, those should have been used for our primary video power. I wanted to keep them charged for the lights and water pump, since we rarely camped where there were utility hook-ups available. Usually, our resting places were 24-hour supermarkets. Running from the engine battery meant that every time we got into stop-and-go traffic, I had to yank the plug on the video camera (which was tripod mounted facing the road in the front window) to keep it from drawing too much power. Basically, I was running off of the alternator. VHS recorders and tube-based video cameras take up loads of power compared to what is out there now! 
are you ready for more?
I think all those points are met by the receivers listed earlier in the thread.
Some of the receivers don't record really high bit-rate signals very well.
Some have timers that will only record one show, then reset (won't record another).
Some have timers which won't maintain proper time, and will miss your show.
Some receivers won't play 4:2:2 video, but will record it.
You could play it back on your computer, but not the receiver.
(probably not your biggest worry; depends on what programming you watch; mostly applies to certain live sports feeds)
Yes, USB storage is the name of the game.
I think that's an unreasonable demand to put on your FTA receiver.
There are too many trade offs to support this request.
What I have to do this job, is a little media player box.
It's from Western Digital, and called the WD Live Plus.
I got a refurb from Meritline.com for around... $85 (?) last year, and it'll do the deal!
... and a whole lot more... !
In fact, if your FTA receiver records high bit rate, or 4:2:2 video that it can't play well (or at all), the WD will play it!
I've tested on some 4:2:2 Indy Car races at outrageous bit rate, and it looked beautiful!
There are two USB connectors, and I use 'em for solid state thumb drives and small hard drives.
Actually, my hard drives are the portable units, with a 2½ inch laptop drive inside, and the only power comes in over the USB cable from my receiver or WD live plus.
(less cables to contend with!) - :up
And if it wasn't obvious, I use multiple little rotating hard drives and solid state thumb drives to move between computer, FTA receiver, and WD media player, as required.
As an example, you can make a direct rip of a DVD (nothing special but decrypting), and the WD plays it.
You can use downloaded .AVI or even 720p .MKV movies or TV shows, and the WD plays it.
DivX, XviD, Avi, Mkv, MPG, all the usual suspects all the way up to 1080p works fine.
Not a feature I'd rely on in an FTA receiver (even if one or two might do it).
Also, when you're at home or a campsite with internet (do they have those?), youtube , Netflix, and many other on-line media choices are available.
So, moral of the story:
- pick an FTA receiver that receives well.
- pick a media player that plays media well.
- :up
Reasonable request.
I think all those points are met by the receivers listed earlier in the thread.
This is getting into a sticky area...
Some of the receivers don't record really high bit-rate signals very well.
Some have timers that will only record one show, then reset (won't record another).
Some have timers which won't maintain proper time, and will miss your show.
Some receivers won't play 4:2:2 video, but will record it.
You could play it back on your computer, but not the receiver.
(probably not your biggest worry; depends on what programming you watch; mostly applies to certain live sports feeds)
Yes, USB storage is the name of the game.
Technically, this requirement might restrict your inquiry to one or two receivers.
I think that's an unreasonable demand to put on your FTA receiver.
There are too many trade offs to support this request.
What I have to do this job, is a little media player box.
It's from Western Digital, and called the WD Live Plus.
I got a refurb from Meritline.com for around... $85 (?) last year, and it'll do the deal!
... and a whole lot more... !
In fact, if your FTA receiver records high bit rate, or 4:2:2 video that it can't play well (or at all), the WD will play it!
I've tested on some 4:2:2 Indy Car races at outrageous bit rate, and it looked beautiful!
There are two USB connectors, and I use 'em for solid state thumb drives and small hard drives.
Actually, my hard drives are the portable units, with a 2½ inch laptop drive inside, and the only power comes in over the USB cable from my receiver or WD live plus.
(less cables to contend with!) - :up
And if it wasn't obvious, I use multiple little rotating hard drives and solid state thumb drives to move between computer, FTA receiver, and WD media player, as required.
As an example, you can make a direct rip of a DVD (nothing special but decrypting), and the WD plays it.
You can use downloaded .AVI or even 720p .MKV movies or TV shows, and the WD plays it.
DivX, XviD, Avi, Mkv, MPG, all the usual suspects all the way up to 1080p works fine.
Not a feature I'd rely on in an FTA receiver (even if one or two might do it).
Also, when you're at home or a campsite with internet (do they have those?), youtube , Netflix, and many other on-line media choices are available.
So, moral of the story:
- pick an FTA receiver that receives well.
- pick a media player that plays media well.
- :up
This started a couple months ago. I have 2 H3s on one network, both with 2 EHD identical 3 TB seperately powered so all recordings are accessible by all 4k & J4s (8 of them).
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
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199 views
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.
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.
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18224 views
Supporting Founder
Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.
37 Replies
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1764 views
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.
You have a different offer that is free for a shorter timeframe which is different than the one that I and bnewt saw without defining the promotion period as I sent the question to DISH Care via Facebook Messenger and this is the response I got back 20 minutes ago.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
No idea what improvements might be involved.
11 Replies
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535 views
Two bugs out and three new bugs in.
Yep. Just got a call from a customer who said her DVR buttons stopped working. Told her about the new software and had her reboot her H3, problem solved.Two bugs out and three new bugs in.
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Please post your remote make/model here and any details of your issue. We are looking to collect as many examples as possible. I may reach out to you for your receiver number, but please do not post it here.
If you've already reported this to me, please repost it here so I can track all instances in one thread.
Thanks!
Brittany
If you've already reported this to me, please repost it here so I can track all instances in one thread.
Thanks!
Brittany
22 Replies
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669 views
I was having similar issues last night while watching and recording the NLCS game on 148. When I tried resuming the game at one point the screen went blank and I couldn't get my H3 to respond to any remote commands. Eventually the Hopper went to a HD channel but still no remote response. After a while the Hopper went into a re-boot cycle. This happened at least 3 times. I was using an IR universal remote only.
A little frustrating to have the game broken up like that but at least the Brewers won
Yea, I've only been a CIO for the last 30 years!
Trust me, when something important breaks, they get to own it!
Lifetime Supporter
Continuing the Kilauea thread in the Pub here. Perhaps the Iceland one too next time there's remarkable activity.
Currently there is precursory lava flowing into the crater, leading to the next episode that'll probably start within the next day.
You can see the pace of inflation / deflation here. It serves as the primary predictor for when the expect the eruptions, which coincide w/ inflation turning into significant deflation and last for several hours on average with significant fountaining.
www.usgs.gov
View: https://youtu.be/Uecu2seh4b4
Wife and I like the AfarTV feeds, for the discussion along w/ them, though they're otherwise just mirrors of the official USGS feeds.
View: https://youtu.be/iws3rh5vLAQ
Currently there is precursory lava flowing into the crater, leading to the next episode that'll probably start within the next day.
You can see the pace of inflation / deflation here. It serves as the primary predictor for when the expect the eruptions, which coincide w/ inflation turning into significant deflation and last for several hours on average with significant fountaining.
Monitoring Data for Kīlauea
For more information on how electronic tiltmeters and GPS receivers help monitor the deformation of Kīlauea volcano, see the HVO Deformation page.
View: https://youtu.be/Uecu2seh4b4
Wife and I like the AfarTV feeds, for the discussion along w/ them, though they're otherwise just mirrors of the official USGS feeds.
View: https://youtu.be/iws3rh5vLAQ
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3249 views
Oooo, quite the show now. All three vents have doming and overflows. The cone that built up around the North vent lost its upper quarter at 02:50 Oct 17 and is now spewing lava at a healthy rate. Don't know if I would say it's a fountain, but it's close.
edit: The USGS has called the official start of Episode 55 as starting at 03:19 HST Oct 17, 2026:
Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE 2026-10-17 13:43:56 UTC
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Issued: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 3:43 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H488
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii
Summary: Episode 55 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.
Volcanic Activity:
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.
Fountain heights are relatively low at about 100-150 feet (30-45 m), and it is not clear whether this episode will evolve to the same heights as previous episodes. Continuous overflows from the vents began yesterday, October 16, just before 6 a.m. HST and transitioned into episode 55 fountains at 3:19 a.m. HST this morning. The current forecast is for winds are blowing from the north-northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the south-southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu.
edit: The USGS has called the official start of Episode 55 as starting at 03:19 HST Oct 17, 2026:
Alert Level: WATCH, Color Code: ORANGE 2026-10-17 13:43:56 UTC
HVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
Volcano: Kilauea (VNUM #332010)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Issued: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 3:43 AM HST
Source: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/H488
Location: N 19 deg 25 min W 155 deg 17 min
Elevation: 4091 ft (1247 m)
Area: Hawaii
Summary: Episode 55 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.
Volcanic Activity:
Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 AM HST on October 17, 2026.
Fountain heights are relatively low at about 100-150 feet (30-45 m), and it is not clear whether this episode will evolve to the same heights as previous episodes. Continuous overflows from the vents began yesterday, October 16, just before 6 a.m. HST and transitioned into episode 55 fountains at 3:19 a.m. HST this morning. The current forecast is for winds are blowing from the north-northeast direction, which suggests that volcanic gas emissions and volcanic material may be distributed to the south-southwest direction from Halemaʻumaʻu.
- All eruptive vents and lava flows are confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Tephra fall from volcanic ash clouds is greatest within 3 miles (5 km) of the vents, lighter ash and Pele's Hair may stay suspended for large distances from the vents.
Kīlauea seems to be returning to the "normal" eruption script, impressive fountaining from the North Vent. For once, the V2 Cam has the best overall shot:
The lava flows have covered a good portion of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AGvjJoT67F0
Direct YouTube Link - The Multi-User Functionality of the Apple HomeView
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AGvjJoT67F0
Direct YouTube Link - The Multi-User Functionality of the Apple HomeView
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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6 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mhc5dZ09m3U
Direct YouTube Link - Perseverance Mars Rover Sets New Interplanetary Driving Record
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mhc5dZ09m3U
Direct YouTube Link - Perseverance Mars Rover Sets New Interplanetary Driving Record
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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12 views
Who says dinner or lunch has to be the only good meals of the day?
Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
Honey butter grits with scrambled eggs and grilled boneless pork ribs on flakey biscuits washed down with cranberry juice.
6630 Replies
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379378 views
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....
68511 Replies
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2671631 views
