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I have built and modified some L-Band antennas over the past couple of weeks and thought it might be good to start a thread for sharing various L-Band antenna design projects and their performance.
Currently, L-Band is used for Outernet, Aviation, Maritime, FAX, paging, vessel tracking and miscellaneous other services. The frequency range is around 1.5 GHz for receiving and 1.6 GHz for transmitting. It uses RHCP (right hand circular polarity). But when an RHCP signal reflects off a surface it becomes LHCP.
Below are two of the antennas I made and my modified patch antenna:
3 Turn LHCP coil on Birdview
8 turn RHCP coil
Modified patch antenna showing LHCP feed added (left side of photo). Stock RHCP feed on right .
The patch at the Birdview's focal point and the coax connected to the LHCP feed point.
First I made an 8-turn RHCP helical coil. I used bare 14 gauge copper wire wound around a 2" ABS pipe with a round ground plane made out of sheet metal. I just used clear tape to hold the pipe in place and the wire on the tube. (If I had planned on using it long term I would have done it differently). I mounted an F-Connector on the sheet metal for easy connection to a coax cable. I got an SNR of 10.8 dB on the Outernet frequency using my SDRPlay.
Next, I made a 3-turn LHCP helical coil for use with a satellite dish. I got an SNR of 20.7 dB for Outernet!
After that, I replaced the coil with an Outernet Air Gap Patch antenna that I purchased on Amazon. As purchased, it is RHCP and I figured there would be some loss since it was the wrong polarity for use with a dish. The SNR was 11.8 dB.
So then I modified the Patch antenna to receive LHCP by drilling a small hole and soldering a new pigtail on the other side of the corner -- see above photo. I kept the existing RHCP pigtail on because it wouldn't hurt performance. The SNR tuned to the Outernet frequency was 20.7 dB -- a gain of nearly 9 dB by changing the feed point for the correct polarity. It equalled the performance of the 3-turn LHCP helical coil on the dish.
For comparison, I also tried the stock components sold by Outernet -- an E4000 SDR, LNA, and Patch antenna (before modification). Got a very low SNR of only 5.4 dB, which made the signal a bit difficult to spot in SDRSharp.
I don't have the Outernet CHIP computer so I did not actually try the Outernet Librarian software, but I am confident that if I did it would work very well with a 20.7 dB signal.
I have included SDRSharp screen captures showing the SNR's with the various configurations.
Next I plan to try the LHCP coil and patch antennas on a smaller offset satellite dish.
Currently, L-Band is used for Outernet, Aviation, Maritime, FAX, paging, vessel tracking and miscellaneous other services. The frequency range is around 1.5 GHz for receiving and 1.6 GHz for transmitting. It uses RHCP (right hand circular polarity). But when an RHCP signal reflects off a surface it becomes LHCP.
Below are two of the antennas I made and my modified patch antenna:
3 Turn LHCP coil on Birdview
8 turn RHCP coil
Modified patch antenna showing LHCP feed added (left side of photo). Stock RHCP feed on right .
The patch at the Birdview's focal point and the coax connected to the LHCP feed point.
First I made an 8-turn RHCP helical coil. I used bare 14 gauge copper wire wound around a 2" ABS pipe with a round ground plane made out of sheet metal. I just used clear tape to hold the pipe in place and the wire on the tube. (If I had planned on using it long term I would have done it differently). I mounted an F-Connector on the sheet metal for easy connection to a coax cable. I got an SNR of 10.8 dB on the Outernet frequency using my SDRPlay.
Next, I made a 3-turn LHCP helical coil for use with a satellite dish. I got an SNR of 20.7 dB for Outernet!
After that, I replaced the coil with an Outernet Air Gap Patch antenna that I purchased on Amazon. As purchased, it is RHCP and I figured there would be some loss since it was the wrong polarity for use with a dish. The SNR was 11.8 dB.
So then I modified the Patch antenna to receive LHCP by drilling a small hole and soldering a new pigtail on the other side of the corner -- see above photo. I kept the existing RHCP pigtail on because it wouldn't hurt performance. The SNR tuned to the Outernet frequency was 20.7 dB -- a gain of nearly 9 dB by changing the feed point for the correct polarity. It equalled the performance of the 3-turn LHCP helical coil on the dish.
For comparison, I also tried the stock components sold by Outernet -- an E4000 SDR, LNA, and Patch antenna (before modification). Got a very low SNR of only 5.4 dB, which made the signal a bit difficult to spot in SDRSharp.
I don't have the Outernet CHIP computer so I did not actually try the Outernet Librarian software, but I am confident that if I did it would work very well with a 20.7 dB signal.
I have included SDRSharp screen captures showing the SNR's with the various configurations.
Next I plan to try the LHCP coil and patch antennas on a smaller offset satellite dish.
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15767 views
No. Yes. Yes. Any size over 18". Don't know. Not using it for transmitting.
^^^ That was the short version....... Actually, I'm not downloading the files from Outernet (don't have the Linux setup for it). I'm just using it as a weak reference signal for testing various receive antennas.
There is much more on Inmarsat including the AERO channels where airports send various messages to airplanes about runway conditions, closures, airport hazards, equipment malfunctions, weather, etc. "JAERO" is a great program for reading the messages -- discussed here: http://www.rtl-sdr.com/jaero-a-new-rtl-sdr-compatible-decoder-for-inmarsat-aero-signals/
Also on each Inmarsat (except 97.6W) there is a channel dedicated to "STD-C EGC" which is where various agencies (mostly coast guard stations) broadcast informational messages to vessels. They warn them about navigation hazards, missing vessels and searches in progress, weather and other useful information for ships at sea. Ships are required to have the ability to receive these messages. Here is a link for more information: http://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-decoding-inmarsat-std-c-egc-messages/
The above mentioned radio channels are not encrypted. There are other channels for private messages which probably are encrypted.
As for what I hope comes out of this -- better L-Band reception antennas, and maybe getting others interested in SDR (software radio), and sharing discoveries.
Regarding Outernet: from reading over at their discussion site I can see that the patch antenna + LNA + E4000 combo they are using is barely adequate at best, and not usable at all for some people. In my opinion, they either need to bump up the signal strength or provide a better antenna.
I just finished building a dual polarized 'septum' feed for receiving circular polarized L-Band. It's optimized for the NOAA's GOES-16 satellite to receive the GOES rebroadcast service (GRB) at 1686 MHz. The septum design has excellent cross-polarization isolation between RHCP and LHCP. The GOES-16 satellite transmits both RHCP and LHCP at the same time on the same frequency. So thats why it needs high isolation.
Tomorrow I will build a dish mount for it and test it.
If it works, I will use a similar design for Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) at 1296 MHz. EME communication has been on my bucket list for a long time!
A cross view diagram of the design and a photo looking down the feed are below.
Tomorrow I will build a dish mount for it and test it.
If it works, I will use a similar design for Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) at 1296 MHz. EME communication has been on my bucket list for a long time!
A cross view diagram of the design and a photo looking down the feed are below.
Updated GRB septum measurements and construction details
Since the only square tubing I could find has an inside width / height of 4.5" (114 mm), I made some adjustments to the septum. The actual septum measurements are in the diagram below.
I ordered the square tube, septum plate, and back plate from onlinemetals.com A list of what I ordered is below. For a small fee they will cut their metal to the requested size, rounded to the nearest 1/4". When I received my order, I was pleased to see that the 4.5" x 11.5" plate fit perfectly inside the square tube.
I used a hand held circular saw with a Oshlun SBNF-070054 blade to cut the septum to the correct shape. After cutting I used a metal file to remove the burrs. The septum was mounted inside the square tube using MG Chemicals Silver Epoxy Adhesive, which is electrically conductive (and very expensive!).
The probes are made of 1/4" aluminum rod, which has a bevel I made by using a drill and file. Before beveling I drilled a small hole in the center of each rod for the copper wire, which was removed from some RG6 cable. After the beveling was done, I used "Aluminum Solder Wire 96.5 Sn/3.5 AG .062 Flux Core" to solder the copper wire into the holes I drilled in the aluminum rods.
For probe mounts I used female 'F' connectors. I drilled holes in the square tubing about 34.6 mm from the back which were slightly larger than the connectors. Drilling through the square tube was not easy! Its an extremely strong alloy, probably intended to be a structural support beam. Two nuts on each 'F' connector hold them in place.
Finally I inserted the probes into the 'F' connectors and taped the back plate onto the septum. So after all this, you may be asking why I used tape for the back plate? Because I wanted to be able to easily access the probes in case I needed to adjust them.
The final septum weighs in at 12.5 pounds! I wish I could have used a thinner / lighter square tube, but it was the only tube I could find.
Now, how to mount the big heavy thing to my dish struts? I made a 5 inch (inside dimension) square out of 2x4 wood. To get the mount to fit tightly I nailed the 2x4's together using the metal tube as a 'form'. Then I drilled holes in the corners of the wood square and bolted it to the struts using big wood screws. The septum slides into place, and the distance from the center of the dish is adjustable. My best results were obtained with the dish focal point slightly inside the mouth of the tube.
I built this last December. Initially I thought it didn't work very well. But recently I decided to give it another try. I attached a new Nooelec SawBird+ directly to the 'F' mounts using an 'F' to SMA adapter. Its powered using a home made bias tee / DC blocker that I made by gutting the insides of a TV splitter box. A 47 picofarad capacitor serves to block any DC from the DVB card on one side, and the other side has 5 volts from the computer's USB port to power the Sawbird+.
This septum performs very well for GRB. It's performance is on par or slightly better than the RF HamDesigns septum, and provides a strong enough signal to pickup GOES-EAST (75W) from California at 9.7 to 10.4 dB. (It varies).
I have no idea if this design is optimal. I may try variations on the probe length. Comments and questions are welcome!
Since the only square tubing I could find has an inside width / height of 4.5" (114 mm), I made some adjustments to the septum. The actual septum measurements are in the diagram below.
I ordered the square tube, septum plate, and back plate from onlinemetals.com A list of what I ordered is below. For a small fee they will cut their metal to the requested size, rounded to the nearest 1/4". When I received my order, I was pleased to see that the 4.5" x 11.5" plate fit perfectly inside the square tube.
I used a hand held circular saw with a Oshlun SBNF-070054 blade to cut the septum to the correct shape. After cutting I used a metal file to remove the burrs. The septum was mounted inside the square tube using MG Chemicals Silver Epoxy Adhesive, which is electrically conductive (and very expensive!).
The probes are made of 1/4" aluminum rod, which has a bevel I made by using a drill and file. Before beveling I drilled a small hole in the center of each rod for the copper wire, which was removed from some RG6 cable. After the beveling was done, I used "Aluminum Solder Wire 96.5 Sn/3.5 AG .062 Flux Core" to solder the copper wire into the holes I drilled in the aluminum rods.
For probe mounts I used female 'F' connectors. I drilled holes in the square tubing about 34.6 mm from the back which were slightly larger than the connectors. Drilling through the square tube was not easy! Its an extremely strong alloy, probably intended to be a structural support beam. Two nuts on each 'F' connector hold them in place.
Finally I inserted the probes into the 'F' connectors and taped the back plate onto the septum. So after all this, you may be asking why I used tape for the back plate? Because I wanted to be able to easily access the probes in case I needed to adjust them.
The final septum weighs in at 12.5 pounds! I wish I could have used a thinner / lighter square tube, but it was the only tube I could find.
Now, how to mount the big heavy thing to my dish struts? I made a 5 inch (inside dimension) square out of 2x4 wood. To get the mount to fit tightly I nailed the 2x4's together using the metal tube as a 'form'. Then I drilled holes in the corners of the wood square and bolted it to the struts using big wood screws. The septum slides into place, and the distance from the center of the dish is adjustable. My best results were obtained with the dish focal point slightly inside the mouth of the tube.
I built this last December. Initially I thought it didn't work very well. But recently I decided to give it another try. I attached a new Nooelec SawBird+ directly to the 'F' mounts using an 'F' to SMA adapter. Its powered using a home made bias tee / DC blocker that I made by gutting the insides of a TV splitter box. A 47 picofarad capacitor serves to block any DC from the DVB card on one side, and the other side has 5 volts from the computer's USB port to power the Sawbird+.
This septum performs very well for GRB. It's performance is on par or slightly better than the RF HamDesigns septum, and provides a strong enough signal to pickup GOES-EAST (75W) from California at 9.7 to 10.4 dB. (It varies).
I have no idea if this design is optimal. I may try variations on the probe length. Comments and questions are welcome!
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Is ESPN News changing packages? I see on the lineup card that ESPN News is only available in Top 200 and above now. Is this accurate? Did anyone with Top 120 or 120+ lose ESPN News?
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Curious if you still have ESPN News on 142 right now with AT120 or AT120+. As of today, the Dish website no longer lists it on the public website for that package.
MyDISH
Manage your DISH account online. Pay your bill, view programming, upgrade services, and access customer support at MyDISH.
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MnsOZ7pZhas
Direct YouTube Link - Apple going all in on AI?? #WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MnsOZ7pZhas
Direct YouTube Link - Apple going all in on AI?? #WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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0 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKdaydpIlJc
Direct YouTube Link - Windows Weekly 987
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKdaydpIlJc
Direct YouTube Link - Windows Weekly 987
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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5 views
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQFgWdiudo
Direct YouTube Link - Who is Staying on Linux, Who is Going Back to Windows? - Linux Challenge Pt 4
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KQFgWdiudo
Direct YouTube Link - Who is Staying on Linux, Who is Going Back to Windows? - Linux Challenge Pt 4
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
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7 views
So I have recently setup Indoor OTA due to drop to Local from Dish, and found out reason why I have such bad signal is my Monitor now none of cable for my monitor near OTA or it cable going to TV, but the TV right above my Monitor maybe not even a foot.
If i have 3 to 2 bars with monitor off said channel for most part of perfectly watchable, but as soon my monitor is ON (show image of desktop or what ever) OTA going to TV halved that 3 to 2 bars become 1 and 2 if I lucky and channels start scrambling alot, and depending on what is being shown on monitor it might out right give no signal, and I can easily restore singal to being bad if change what show on monitor or bring back 3 to 2 bars if I turn monitor off or let it to to standby mode.
I have already disconnect every cable on TV except the OTA cable leaving just that so it not those cable. the Power cable for monitor and DP to DVI cable the monitor is using no where near that OTA cable either.
Any idea on how to fix this? moving my monitor isnt exactly an option neither is moving the tv and moving the OTA to other side room even with long cable dont fix this issue.
I have one those Leaf MoHu antennas 11x3 ones, I had same issue with one gateway mohu antennas the older one too
If i have 3 to 2 bars with monitor off said channel for most part of perfectly watchable, but as soon my monitor is ON (show image of desktop or what ever) OTA going to TV halved that 3 to 2 bars become 1 and 2 if I lucky and channels start scrambling alot, and depending on what is being shown on monitor it might out right give no signal, and I can easily restore singal to being bad if change what show on monitor or bring back 3 to 2 bars if I turn monitor off or let it to to standby mode.
I have already disconnect every cable on TV except the OTA cable leaving just that so it not those cable. the Power cable for monitor and DP to DVI cable the monitor is using no where near that OTA cable either.
Any idea on how to fix this? moving my monitor isnt exactly an option neither is moving the tv and moving the OTA to other side room even with long cable dont fix this issue.
I have one those Leaf MoHu antennas 11x3 ones, I had same issue with one gateway mohu antennas the older one too
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345 views
Do you have any splitters or combiners in between the antenna and TV? That can cause issues, especially indoors.
I would get that antenna into the attic or outside if at all possible.
And we need your Rabbitears reception report to really be able to provide answers specific to your location-
www.rabbitears.info
I would get that antenna into the attic or outside if at all possible.
And we need your Rabbitears reception report to really be able to provide answers specific to your location-
RabbitEars.Info
RabbitEars, where you can learn all about local, over-the-air TV channels.
www.rabbitears.info
T
I get I just need to short out the monitor from kill the signal to the tv cause the monitor being on and show image basically castrates signal
I just moved wires around moved power cord away data cord and what not, and some made this issue worse just have my monitor on and show image was enough to just kill signal, I went and moved monitors data cable DP to DVI cable and it came back even if was still spotty at best, now I think it DP to DVI cable I using considering moving seem maninpulate how bad the signal that cable is still no where near OTA cable or any cables going to the tv, the tv and monitor are on the same surge protector though
no spilter is just for my tvDo you have any splitters or combiners in between the antenna and TV? That can cause issues, especially indoors.
I would get that antenna into the attic or outside if at all possible.
And we need your Rabbitears reception report to really be able to provide answers specific to your location-
RabbitEars.Info
RabbitEars, where you can learn all about local, over-the-air TV channels.
I get I just need to short out the monitor from kill the signal to the tv cause the monitor being on and show image basically castrates signal
I just moved wires around moved power cord away data cord and what not, and some made this issue worse just have my monitor on and show image was enough to just kill signal, I went and moved monitors data cable DP to DVI cable and it came back even if was still spotty at best, now I think it DP to DVI cable I using considering moving seem maninpulate how bad the signal that cable is still no where near OTA cable or any cables going to the tv, the tv and monitor are on the same surge protector though
Well, it's grounded up to the Surge Protector anyways ... but if not 3rd prong, it's not grounded ... I don't recall if my TV's have a ground, guess I never thought about it ...
Now ya got me curious, I got to check.
Well, thats interesting, I thought all TV's were grounded ... guess not, maybe they figure if the voltage gets that far, its not going to save the TV ...
get rid of the monitor and plug the computer into the tv and use it as the monitor 
New low power station has been granted by the FCC and the new call leter is K33OB-D on RF ch. 33.
Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.
It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.
This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.
Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.
It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.
This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.
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39 views
M
The 'get after it media' stations
www.getafteritmedia.com
Like Heartland, Retro, rev'n, Action etc
probably the same programming they have been putting on their other owned stations.
The 'get after it media' stations
Get After It Media
www.getafteritmedia.com
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Can't wait!
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13723 views
I was pretty satisfied by the Finale as well. So many multi-season shows come up short, but this one was well done. The whole season has had a pretty high body count (including some of the executive producers
) so the tombstone seemed quite appropriate.
Hopefully the Gen V show sticks around a few more seasons.
) so the tombstone seemed quite appropriate.Hopefully the Gen V show sticks around a few more seasons.
I was pretty satisfied by the Finale as well. So many multi-season shows come up short, but this one was well done. The whole season has had a pretty high body count (including some of the executive producers
Hopefully the Gen V show sticks around a few more seasons.
Gen V was cancelled already. The story of The Boys is over, it's on to the prequel now.
All that buildup in their series and they were called useless, retconned and sidelined in the finale.
iJustine
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6 views
Staff member
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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....
67095 Replies
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2662003 views
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Over the past year I have been tracking the changes on Western Arc. The past 3 months have had a lot of changes that I posted in the other MPEG2 Western Arc shutdown thread. Now that 129 is (basically) out of commission, here is where Western Arc stands. This is just a national channel list, (no local channels) based off what I can see and what others have contributed. Thanks to everyone who has helped me come up with the locations of some of the channels – I would try and list all of you out, but I know I would forget someone! As has been suggested in other parts of the forum, it would be great to collect the spotbeam data for those who could contribute!
A couple of pieces of info:
When I talk about number of channels on a transponder, all my numbers are unique channels – for example, channel 101 and 199 are the same channel mapped to two different numbers, but in terms of space, only takes up 1 channel worth of bandwidth on the transponder.
Finally, I have to give Dish a ton of credit. When it was 110/119/129, Dish had 82 transponders they were using – it took a lot to get it down to 50 transponders and figure out where all the pieces were going to go. What are the things they did to get there? Here are the things I saw:
A couple of pieces of info:
- Out of the 64 transponders between 110/119, there are currently 50 transponders that Dish is licensed to use. 22 are Spotbeams, 28 are ConUS transponders (14 transponders are licensed to DirecTV and Dish doesn't have access to them)
- Those 28 ConUS transponders are divided as follows:
- 10 are dedicated to National HD channels (ESPN, CNN, Disney Channel, etc). Dish is maxing out at 16 HD channels per transponder (note – in an earlier post I said there was one transponder with 17 HD channels, that was an error on my part. When I double checked my listings, one channel changed transponders). Before the transition, there was a maximum of 14 HD channels per transponder.
- 1 transponder is dedicated to adult content
- 2 are a mixture HD PPV Movies/4k channels
- 3 are set aside for HD Sports channels that are only on for live games (NBA League Pass, the PAC 12 alternate channels, some PPV events, etc); 3 SD PPV Sports Channels are there as well.
- 7 are for SD and/or music channels. Dish is maxing out at 26 SD channels per transponder thus far on the SD transponders.
- 5 transponders on 110 I have no channels listed but Dish operates. (they are labeled as ConUS on my chart below) There are other things that could be on those transponders, like RV Distant Networks, internal testing channels, etc, that I can't see. They might be able to be used for additional content, but I am not sure exactly what is on those transponders.
When I talk about number of channels on a transponder, all my numbers are unique channels – for example, channel 101 and 199 are the same channel mapped to two different numbers, but in terms of space, only takes up 1 channel worth of bandwidth on the transponder.
Finally, I have to give Dish a ton of credit. When it was 110/119/129, Dish had 82 transponders they were using – it took a lot to get it down to 50 transponders and figure out where all the pieces were going to go. What are the things they did to get there? Here are the things I saw:
- During this migration from 129, Dish converted 7 ConUS transponders on 119 into Spotbeams – that is how they ended up fitting on all the HD locals that used to be on 129. (for those interested, TP 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 are the ones that used to be ConUS on 119 that are now Spotbeam)
- Removed almost all SD duplicate channels that are offered in HD
- Converted remaining SD channels from MPEG2 to MPEG4
- There are also 2 subtle things that changed from the HD channel perspective
- At the beginning of the transition, Dish decreased the number of PPV Movie channels – prior to this transition the PPV channels HD PPV movies were 502-522; now they are 502-517.
- At the beginning of April when MLB, NBA, and NHL regular seasons were all going on at the same time and this transition began, there were a ton of games "joined in progress" for the HD feeds. That wasn't common since the days before the full time HD RSN's. The reason for that was prior to the transition, Dish had 4 transponders set aside for HD Sports – 2 transponders was the bandwidth set aside from the HD RSN's before Dish dropped the RSN's, then 2 transponders were for alternate channels. Now we are down to 3 transponders for HD sports.
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62589 views
