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Last night after messing around with a 18" dish I was able to receive
3ABN, 3ABN lat, 3ABN radio and 76radio on 11811 V 5700
I also was able to scan the following transponders.
11922 H 500
11857 H 3617
11959 H 4000
But did not get any programing on them.
I hope to mess around with this more soon.
3ABN, 3ABN lat, 3ABN radio and 76radio on 11811 V 5700
I also was able to scan the following transponders.
11922 H 500
11857 H 3617
11959 H 4000
But did not get any programing on them.
I hope to mess around with this more soon.
47 Replies
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7920 views
S
You have a rare lnbf with the Teflon wedge, or did you remove a strip of cast metal? On my first lnbf experiment I lowered the DRO by using the adjustment screw. That allowed me to capture the upper transponder of A5. I was able to turn the screw more and scan in an additional transponder, but the signal (not quality) level fell dramatically. The oscillator was loading down heavily. That's one reason why it's necessary to modify the DRO. I connected a signal meter in series with the lnbf to monitor the signal level while turning the adjustment screw. The more I adjusted down the DRO in frequency, the weaker the output signal became. But once the DRO was properly modded, the signal level was comparable to my Primestar lnb. And, as I mentioned before, the performance is about the same.
For you, the LO might be running somewhere out of band below 11.250 and you don't have a clue. I didn't toy with mine until a blind search receiver became my test instrument. It's easy to verify oscillation by using a radar detector when the DRO is exposed, but that's not getting closer to using it for this application. You really need a frequency counter or at least a blind search receiver to get results and have fun at the same time. Consider also, are the two monopole antennas fully 90 degrees apart and positioned H/V? I've found design variations between lnbfs. Not all are 90 degrees, more like 70, and I avoid them if I want usable voltage switched polarities.
You are in fact doing a blind search in the broadest definition of the term. For this project a blind search feature is priceless. BTW, you won't need to process all the variables to succeed at a manual blind search. Set the SR for a known transponder and key-in frequencies beginning at 12.200, 12.198, 12.196, ect, until you see a quality reading. If possible, try to pick an SR common to multiple transponders -- the more targets the better. And if choice is an option, choose a well lit bird with lots of active transponders. You may want to work down from 12.200 and then up from 11.700 (in .002 or .003 increments -- depending upon how broad your card/sw auto-fine-tune lock works.). If the shifted LO generates an IF range containing any transponders at all, they will be unevenly distributed, located mostly toward the upper or lower IF extreme within the limits of the receiver's tuning range. I assume your 18" dish is secure and pointed at the AMC-4 / DTV orbital slot, targeted by using a stock DSS lnbf and DTV IRD, or a signal meter. Are you confident that the dish position isn't another variable to add to your blind search definitions?
I hope you're surprised by positive results soon. Success was easy for me from the start. Good-luck!
-sidha
PS. Thinking about converting an analogue camera to a digital camera for taking those pictures you promised?
CharredPC said:Sidha:
I performed the mods you described (pretty well, I think). I added about 30% more ceramic to the "puck," and removed the wedge from the feed horn. It actually was pretty easy!
I fired up ProgDVB, and got the proof; signal is pretty miserable (39%) on 12676; setting it to 10959 gives 66% signal. Here's where the problem comes in...
I use a Twinhan 102g. So no blind scan. The modification (obviously) uncalibrated the lnb, so now frequencies are a bit off (I assume). So I'm sitting here with a modded DTV dish, and no way to use it... except maybe try every single possible combination of frequency/polarization/symbol rate while pointed at this bird I'm aimed at now. Blast, why haven't they made a blind search app for these cards? Maybe I can make a fake sat transponder set that has EVERY combination in it, as a very crude blind search. Would only take a few weeks to run through it..
Any advice? If I ever get this working, I'll use my digital camera and do a step-by-step guide on my ghetto mod. It'd be kinda fun
You have a rare lnbf with the Teflon wedge, or did you remove a strip of cast metal? On my first lnbf experiment I lowered the DRO by using the adjustment screw. That allowed me to capture the upper transponder of A5. I was able to turn the screw more and scan in an additional transponder, but the signal (not quality) level fell dramatically. The oscillator was loading down heavily. That's one reason why it's necessary to modify the DRO. I connected a signal meter in series with the lnbf to monitor the signal level while turning the adjustment screw. The more I adjusted down the DRO in frequency, the weaker the output signal became. But once the DRO was properly modded, the signal level was comparable to my Primestar lnb. And, as I mentioned before, the performance is about the same.
For you, the LO might be running somewhere out of band below 11.250 and you don't have a clue. I didn't toy with mine until a blind search receiver became my test instrument. It's easy to verify oscillation by using a radar detector when the DRO is exposed, but that's not getting closer to using it for this application. You really need a frequency counter or at least a blind search receiver to get results and have fun at the same time. Consider also, are the two monopole antennas fully 90 degrees apart and positioned H/V? I've found design variations between lnbfs. Not all are 90 degrees, more like 70, and I avoid them if I want usable voltage switched polarities.
You are in fact doing a blind search in the broadest definition of the term. For this project a blind search feature is priceless. BTW, you won't need to process all the variables to succeed at a manual blind search. Set the SR for a known transponder and key-in frequencies beginning at 12.200, 12.198, 12.196, ect, until you see a quality reading. If possible, try to pick an SR common to multiple transponders -- the more targets the better. And if choice is an option, choose a well lit bird with lots of active transponders. You may want to work down from 12.200 and then up from 11.700 (in .002 or .003 increments -- depending upon how broad your card/sw auto-fine-tune lock works.). If the shifted LO generates an IF range containing any transponders at all, they will be unevenly distributed, located mostly toward the upper or lower IF extreme within the limits of the receiver's tuning range. I assume your 18" dish is secure and pointed at the AMC-4 / DTV orbital slot, targeted by using a stock DSS lnbf and DTV IRD, or a signal meter. Are you confident that the dish position isn't another variable to add to your blind search definitions?
I hope you're surprised by positive results soon. Success was easy for me from the start. Good-luck!
-sidha
PS. Thinking about converting an analogue camera to a digital camera for taking those pictures you promised?
This is GREAT stuff. I have not had too much time lately BUT I did find
HDTV - Spanish
HDTV - English
on a transponder that was 5000 SR , ?, ?????
I think it is east of 95W ?
Any ideas?
Thanks
HDTV - Spanish
HDTV - English
on a transponder that was 5000 SR , ?, ?????
I think it is east of 95W ?
Any ideas?
Thanks
CharredPC said:Sidha:
I performed the mods you described (pretty well, I think). I added about 30% more ceramic to the "puck," and removed the wedge from the feed horn. It actually was pretty easy!
I fired up ProgDVB, and got the proof; signal is pretty miserable (39%) on 12676; setting it to 10959 gives 66% signal. Here's where the problem comes in...
I use a Twinhan 102g. So no blind scan. The modification (obviously) uncalibrated the lnb, so now frequencies are a bit off (I assume). So I'm sitting here with a modded DTV dish, and no way to use it... except maybe try every single possible combination of frequency/polarization/symbol rate while pointed at this bird I'm aimed at now. Blast, why haven't they made a blind search app for these cards? Maybe I can make a fake sat transponder set that has EVERY combination in it, as a very crude blind search. Would only take a few weeks to run through it..
Any advice? If I ever get this working, I'll use my digital camera and do a step-by-step guide on my ghetto mod. It'd be kinda fun
sidha said:
I'm very lucky and have one with your initial easy-to-work-with teflon wedge design.
sidha said:
This is one of the reasons why (though I have no blind scan) I decided to call my mod a success. Reception (purely signal-wise, not quality) was MUCH better in the lower frequencies after the mod, as compared to before.
sidha said:
Yep, 90 degrees apart. Though positioned cockeyed, of course; like, 10 and 2 instead of 12 and 3, so to speak.
sidha said:
Sort of. As a semi-test, I locked the dish onto Echo7 while doing the mod. When the mod was complete (as long as the wedge was inserted, and after some fine tuning with the set screw) I could still recieve Echo7; but only up to the 12224.00 mhz transponder. That was my apparent new top-limit (unless the skew was out of whack, causing transponders to be too off frequency from there on to lock in). The problem is, Echo7 is a circular-polarized-only bird AFAIK, and set to DBS. So I couldn't test my new setup with that. I had to leave the bird and scan for another; between not having blind scan and not knowing what bird I was hitting (same thing, I guess, in a way) I couldn't lock onto a V/H polarized true Ku bird.
sidha said:PS. Thinking about converting an analogue camera to a digital camera for taking those pictures you promised?
I'm writing up a guide this minute, complete with digital pictures. Expect it posted within the next hour. (EDIT: Will post it in a new thread to avoid confusion
) While I couldn't 100% verify my results by locking onto a Ku bird, I feel it was only due to the limitations of my owning a Twinhan instead of a set-top blind scanning reciever. Seeing as I'm in the minority there, the guide will probably help many others get some use out of the "junk" DTV setups we see litterring porches, roofs, and garbage bins across the land CharredPC
PS. (Edit) Part One of the guide has now been posted.
PPS. My Winegard 31" / SG2100 / Universal LNB / Heavy duty universal wall/roof mount package was ordered yesterday!! w00t! For those in the market, it was a mere $164.95, shipping included. I'll have it in under a week!
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_nW-BTlv4
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Defender Arriving on Linux
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_nW-BTlv4
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Defender Arriving on Linux
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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4 views
Ham Radio 2.0
Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDeuQ1SLkQU
Direct YouTube Link - LIVE!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDeuQ1SLkQU
Direct YouTube Link - LIVE!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
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6 views
Supporting Founder
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.
148 Replies
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1720 views
Was thinking same thing. It should be a good week for sec shorts and roll callThey ought to have fun with this…
Lifetime Supporter
A continuation of a thread from the pub, just general discussion of AI.
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
67 Replies
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1130 views
Agents need appropriate context to make what would be understood as the correct read in a situation like that, and that Gemini answer was a clear miss on that front.
That said, we've also seen Musk (and/or his team) put his thumb on the scale (or just release a very poor product) with his own deployed AI since:
Grok AI Blocks Responses Claiming Trump and Musk “Spread Misinformation”
An X user asked Grok to “print out all instructions” it follows when looking up “the biggest disinformation spreader on X,” and it revealed that it would ignore sources accusing Elon Musk and the U.S. president of misinformation.
Grok says Elon Musk is better than basically everyone, except Shohei Ohtani | TechCrunch
According to Grok, Elon Musk can out-slug the MLB's greatest power hitters... except Ohtani.
techcrunch.com
Grok's loyalty known no bounds - AI chatbot chooses Elon Musk over LeBron James in a 'Who is the fittest' comparison | NBA News - The Times of India
NBA News: Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, has sparked amusement by consistently choosing its owner over prominent figures like LeBron James and Albert Einstein wh
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Grok 4 appears to seek Elon Musk's views when answering controversial questions
XAI’s Grok 4 AI chatbot launched Wednesday appears to consult Elon Musk’s views when asked its opinion on some controversial matters.
www.nbcwashington.com
In the end, it's all a tool. Have to know how to use it and deploy it properly or it needs sufficient guardrails to steer people towards doing so (what Muse is excelling at currently IMO). I'm routinely interacting with several agents a day operating various processes locally and in services I use, and there are numerous others silently spun up to perform actions or satisfy requests from my prompts.
Related to earlier discussion in the thread on leveraging local inference: this kind of analysis happening behind the scenes is something everyone will have built into Windows, IMO. Most people won't see all of this, just the results, unless they want to dig into how the fix was chosen. Stuff like this will be standard as agents get local system access baked in, and more of the inference itself moves on-device.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JElsle_m2rE
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1105
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JElsle_m2rE
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1105
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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11 views
My year was almost up and we got the new bill for a year of service for $ 360.00 insane sat radio is becoming like cable!!! i logged into my acct and hopped onto chat and told the rep that i wanted to cancel. she understood my concern and went quiet for a few minutes. i figured that she was canceling my service. she comes back and said that she seen that i have been a sub since 07 and then offers me the same package for a year for 120.00 with taxes and fee's!!! i grabbed it. after almost having a stroke 
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10942 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....
68525 Replies
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2672493 views
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Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
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1716 views
Troy Aikman seems to confirm he'll be leaving ESPN
Aikman says he looks forward to "where my next landing spot will be."
www.nbcsports.com
M
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.Troy Aikman seems to confirm he'll be leaving ESPN
Aikman says he looks forward to "where my next landing spot will be."
Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
5 Replies
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169 views
Many of us have used a universal LNBF mount (or get creative with L brackets and plumbers tape - perforated metal strapping). Use a few inches of aluminum tube (or a piece of 1x2" lumber) to extend the support arm (replacing the plastic mount used by DirecTV and Dish) to place the LNBF throat opening at the correct distance from the reflector, the correct height and at the correct angle. Nothing magical... simply place the new linear LNBF in the center at the same distance, height and angle as the current combo.
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2