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Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
I have a friend whose son owns a roofing company in Texas. He is having trouble getting a Dish/Direct TV installer to come out on the side and refasten DBS dishes after they replace a roof. He wants to get a meter himself that would allow his guys to quickly reaim a dish without going into the house.

I presume it would have to be something that would not only show the signal/quality but also indicate which Satellite they were aiming at. They would probably have to use it before taking the dish down and make a note about which Satellite the LNB was aimed at. I would think if they get close enough to the old spot Skew would probably not change on Dual & Triple LNB's. Any ideas about equipment out there for this. Thanks.
24 Replies · 4178 views
C
To those suggesting a particular manufacturer or model, many thanks - it will save some time with research.

For those with rambling platitudes on the proper operation of a contracting business, I wonder if you realize how clueless you appear.

Why would an intelligent business person seek policy and procedure advice on a techie board? Don't you imagine that the issues discussed in most of these posts were decided long before the decision to purchase was made? The smugness that somehow a roofing contractor wouldn't possess the technical skills to align a dish is bigoted, and silly.

Again, thanks to those with the skills to understood the original post.
SatelliteAV
Why would an intelligent business person seek policy and procedure advice on a techie board? Don't you imagine that the issues discussed in most of these posts were decided long before the decision to purchase was made? The smugness that somehow a roofing contractor wouldn't possess the technical skills to align a dish is bigoted, and silly.

Again, thanks to those with the skills to understood the original post.

I believe that a request on roofing materials suggestions by a satellite technician on a roofing contrators site would receive similar ADVICE. Please note that several of us who responded with ADVICE have BEEN or currenty are professional installers.

There is a reason that there are trade professionals who are experts in there field. If one of the roofing team has prior satellite technian experience, then go for it, but I believe that it is foolish to think that a satellite meter in the hands of an inexperienced professional of any other trade will provide a positive experience for the customer.

This is only my ADVICE as a former technian with approximately 30 years of satellite experience...
C
I stand by my call that most of this thread is simply wasted bandwidth.

Using your analogy, any "professional" should chime in with random advice no matter the topic. As a safety consultant, I shouldn't pass the opportunity on this thread to lecture about ladder safety ETC.

Since topic has no meaning here anyway, maybe some additional background will help explain why no "professional installers" were harmed in the production of this request.

The company in question does in fact use a local sat shop when possible. For the most part, it's limited to a nearby radius of the city. Not covered by this arrangement are remote areas of between 50 and 100 miles rural. The contracted shops simply won't travel that far for an affordable fee.

The customers, in this instance, are farmers who tend to be wealthy, live in big houses and have a keen interest in watching TV news and weather. The sooner the TV works again, the better. The company maintains a meter currently plus a key employee for the task. (quality assurance and problem solving etc) The meter is a few years old so the question was really "is there something better available?"

I was excited to see such an active board and thought I might learn something about a new subject but I'm disappointed that there is so little information on the original topic.
ZandarKoad
I stand by my call that most of this thread is simply wasted bandwidth.

Using your analogy, any "professional" should chime in with random advice no matter the topic. As a safety consultant, I shouldn't pass the opportunity on this thread to lecture about ladder safety ETC.

Since topic has no meaning here anyway, maybe some additional background will help explain why no "professional installers" were harmed in the production of this request.

The company in question does in fact use a local sat shop when possible. For the most part, it's limited to a nearby radius of the city. Not covered by this arrangement are remote areas of between 50 and 100 miles rural. The contracted shops simply won't travel that far for an affordable fee.

The customers, in this instance, are farmers who tend to be wealthy, live in big houses and have a keen interest in watching TV news and weather. The sooner the TV works again, the better. The company maintains a meter currently plus a key employee for the task. (quality assurance and problem solving etc) The meter is a few years old so the question was really "is there something better available?"

I was excited to see such an active board and thought I might learn something about a new subject but I'm disappointed that there is so little information on the original topic.

I wouldn't let it get to ya man. Most threads on the internet go that way, no matter how much you try to specify exactly what the topic is, people will pull it in any direction they want.

I don't understand why everyone thinks only a professional can re-install a dish, ESPECIALLY in a FTA forum. Isn't FTA like 80% do-it-your-selfers? I might expect these responses from the Installer Forum... I don't know if anyone remembers how they started out installing, but it was always with no experience by definition. I know I was given a mere two weeks of on the job training before I was on my own, with not a single soul to help me onsite EVER. I can totally see a roofing company giving a few of their guys some training and tools... But to each his own.

Back to your OP, I'd suggest a used Super Buddy 29. If you're doing tons of DirecTV stuff then maybe the AIM meter as well (not instead of).
D
If your company is going to have one of the guys trained in satellite dish placement and alignment with a quality meter you might be ok. Some of the worst realignments I have run across is because the roofers or siders dont know what they are doing. A plumb mast seems to be the hardest thing for the inexperienced untrained person.Just did one today and "its in exactly the same spot". The mast out of plumb by 1/2 bubble. It would be a + for your business if you promise to get the dish working,but you cannot just by the meter and wing it.
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
10 Replies · 514 views
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cpdretired
Two bugs out and three new bugs in.🐞
Almighty1
Updated to H713 on a Hopper 3 from H712 with Hopper Plus a few hours earlier.

It brought a old problem back:

One of the problems I am seeing is that the Available Joey Software section no longer is showing the Android TV versions even after a manual software reset twice and the nightly reboot. Until it does, nether Technician Android TV download and Hopper Plus is able to check, download and update the Android TV software.

This was a major problem with H703.

H710 removed that dependency but it's broken again.

Rick Durham and brittanygarden
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dishstaller
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.
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S
Updated to H713 on a Hopper 3 from H712 with Hopper Plus a few hours earlier.

It brought a old problem back:

One of the problems I am seeing is that the Available Joey Software section no longer is showing the Android TV versions even after a manual software reset twice and the nightly reboot. Until it does, nether Technician Android TV download and Hopper Plus is able to check, download and update the Android TV software.

This was a major problem with H703.

H710 removed that dependency but it's broken again.

Rick Durham and brittanygarden
i can still see my joey software version with H713.. i am starting to think it's time to get rid of the hopper plus. i just have 2 joey 4's and the hopper 3 with no issues. it seem like the people that have the hopper plus have issues!!!
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Almighty1
i can still see my joey software version with H713.. i am starting to think it's time to get rid of the hopper plus. i just have 2 joey 4's and the hopper 3 with no issues. it seem like the people that have the hopper plus have issues!!!
Are you talking about the Available Joey Software section which goes something like this:
Available Joey W153 W209 J613 J713 J813 K113 J913
Software
in H713 in diagnostics which is directly below the "Switch" section which is what I am referring to that should have a number starting with P which is needed for the
Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4
or the top area where it shows what the current version of the software is for the Hopper 3?

Seeing what your Joey 4/Wireless Joey 4 software version just tells you what is the current software version already installed, until the P version(s) shows up in "Available Joey Software" section which is different for the Hopper Plus, Joey 4, Wireless Joey 4 and it will only list one for the device(s) that exist in one's own configuration which lists what's the latest available, those devices will not be able to check or update their software as it will say "Failed: No Tgt" while "Download ATV Files" in TECHNICIAN SETTINGS under tools will respond with:
"Download ATV Files 3000
This device is not currently targeted for
Android software"
as both are dependent on the P version being listed in the "Available Joey Software" section. It usually takes a few minutes before it shows up. I know with H710-H712, it was not shown and the Download ATV Files worked except since H710, even if you selected everything shown which for me would be the Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 versions, the first download will as a end result only download the Hopper Plus's versions even though it shows all three as downloaded based on what Available Joey Software shows which is always two P numbers P153 and P15317. After the first successful download, the next download will actually download all three and Available Joey Software will reflect that. In H708 (H709 was skipped as no one mentioned it on the forums) and earlier, it always downloaded everything selected and would show 6 P versions in the Available Joey Software area. The Available Joey Software section is how I tell if there is a newer software available for the Hopper Plus and when I see that, I do the Download ATV files first which is where I get my information to post in my other thread, "Latest available software version for Android TV devices - Hopper Plus, Joey 4, Wireless Joey 4". The Download ATV files does not do any install or update the Hopper Plus as I still need to manually hit Menu, Settings, Device Preferences, About, Software Update to update the software.

So with any new Hopper 3 software update, the first things I will check is the Notifications in Settings to see if any of the settings were reset. For the "Remote Control Mode Reminder" setting, I would try it with off, exit notifications then hit TV on the side of the remote to make sure it does not show the reminder before going to notifications andputting it back to on, exit to see if it works correctly before going back to notifications for the other settings. Then I would look at Available Joey Software and regardless if the 2 P versions, one appears to be the 3 digit major version number and the other is the full 5 digit number which is the 3 digit major version number with 2 more digits, exists or not. Attempt to do the Download ATV Software for all 3 Android TV devices Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4 until all of them is downloaded and shown in Available Joey Software which should be a total of 6 things added. If Download ATV Software has the no target like since H713, I will wait until I see a P version before I do it.

For reference, it's in the following threads:
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bookworm370
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.
Reboot just fixes it for a short time and then it's back to messed up

Try going exclusively to an IR remote and you will see the pain
Almighty1
Updated to H713 on a Hopper 3 from H712 with Hopper Plus a few hours earlier.

It brought a old problem back:

One of the problems I am seeing is that the Available Joey Software section no longer is showing the Android TV versions even after a manual software reset twice and the nightly reboot. Until it does, nether Technician Android TV download and Hopper Plus is able to check, download and update the Android TV software.

This was a major problem with H703.

H710 removed that dependency but it's broken again.

Rick Durham and brittanygarden

Within the last few hours as I did check earlier today when it was still missing, the Available Joey Software line now has added "P154 P15403" which is for the Hopper Plus that I have but my Hopper Plus software is still on P15317, I will do a Download Android TV (ATV) Software for the Hopper Plus, Joey 4 and Wireless Joey which are all Android TV devices and then manually do a check update on the Hopper Plus to update the software shortly.
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BatStang2000
This happened to me. I was outside mowing and my wife came out and said that our nieces and nephews were going to be on the Noon News. She had it on in the bedroom on our Joey3. Since they weren't on yet, I decided to turn it on in the Living Room on our Hopper3. When I selected the channel (through Dish, not OTA) the Joey3 turned itself off. When I went back to the bedroom to turn it back on, the Hopper3 did a reboot. Luckily it all finished before their story came on, but I just found it strange.
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Van
Van
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
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.
6630 Replies · 379373 views
TRG
TRG
Bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. Coffee.
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TRG
TRG
Wound up at the Waffle House this morning. Got the two egg breakfast with coffee.

1622.webp
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dfergie
Speaking of waffles, I'm going to put my mini waffle iron on stove so I'll remember to make waffles in the morning... Had some last week, been awhile.
dfergie
Dos cackleberrys over easy on top of 2 corned beef hash patties fried in skillet... Chocolate milk.
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TRG
TRG
Cold morning today, only 32 degrees. Fired up the oven and made cinnamon rolls (from a tube) and a pot of coffee.
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....
68511 Replies · 2671593 views
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ClarkGable
Five O'Clock World - The Vogues
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FTA4PA
Six O'Clock News - John Prine
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Bobby
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson
harshness
Somewhere - Barbra Streisand
sdfntx
Somewhere in Time - John Barry
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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.



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
119 Replies · 3231 views
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Foxbat
​
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Foxbat
​
Foxbat
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.


IMG_1534.webp

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.
Foxbat
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:
IMG_1535.webp
The lava flows have covered a good portion of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor.
BlackHitachi
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Since the Reds have there thread we should too!

Last watched Nine inch Nails
Next 3:10 to Yuma
5390 Replies · 510348 views
osu1991

View: https://youtu.be/9j3vxhzM8MY?is=Rs1cY1FQAiRWi87i


Come September (1961)
Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida with Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin
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Y
1791758462355.webp


Simple, charming. Entire premise is quite silly but Cary Grant carries it across the line in good fashion.
T
Last: The Social Reckoning. Spoiler alert, they make Zuck look like a...
Foxbat
Since it was already "paid" for, I spent the two hours of my time watching the John Cena action movie on Apple TV, "Matchbox The Movie" even though the reviews were brutal. It was better than I expected, so I didn't feel like I had wasted an afternoon watching it. But it felt like another "Reacher"/"Neghley"/"Mission: Impossible"/"Fast & Furious" crash and blow stuff up with lots of automatic gunfire mixed in movie featuring covert CIA operatives.

I don't think we'll get a follow-up movie from this. I expect Mattel will have other toy lines to exploit.
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dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in What's Cooking?
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
38 Replies · 3563 views
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navychop
Bob Evans Sage.
R
Bob Evans Sage.
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
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dfergie
Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)
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S
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
amazon maybe :what
S
I will look, but I don't think I have seen it. Owen's breakfast sausage use to be favorite, but I can't find it anymore. Jimmy Dean's country mild is OK also when I can find it.
owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!
S
Swaggerty's isn't too bad, sausage prices are lower per lb than making my own from pork butts right now so I've been buying JC Potter or Owen lately.
(Swaggerty's at Sam's is pre cut, I usually partially freeze the rolls and cut with my slicer and vacuum seal on parchment paper)
id'e rather make my own vs store bought.
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R
owens on amazon is 54.99 for a 4 pk 16 oz a sausage. i feel that's kind of steep!!!
Especially when I can get a two pound roll of Jimmy Dean from Sam's Club for $7.38.
dfergie
They run Owens at $3.99 for lb and $7.99 a couple times a month at some grocery stores here, I actually was wrong, just checked a pork sirloin roast it was $1.99 a lb. (cooked it yesterday so pack was in trash)
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