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Last week the Orby TV satellite system was professionally installed at my shop. The install was performed by a MasTec subcontractor, who is based in Sacramento, CA. The standard $150 install consisted of an Orby TV 18x27" dish, Aspen diplexer and a 6 element OTA antenna with approximately 75' of RG-6 dual shield copper clad steel coax. The dish was wall mounted and no extra hardware or custom services were requested.
There was a one week delay due to the regional contractor not having received the Orby TV dish/antenna kit from Mastec. Received a reminder text message and a voice message on the day before the scheduled install that my "DirecTV" install was scheduled between 8am - 12 noon. LOL!!! I knew better, but guess the local subcontractor needs to update their automated notification systems!
On scheduled day, I awoke to discover an overnight snowfall, so called the toll free number and told the scheduler that roof access would not be advised that AM, so they rescheduled for the following day between 12 noon and 5pm. Received a text and voicemail later that afternoon reminding me of the scheduled "DirecTV" install scheduled the next day.... LOL, love these notification systems! The installer was not notified of the cancellation, but he called around 12 noon and indicated that he was about an hour out. I told him about the snow on he pitched roof and he was happy to reschedule. He indicated that this was his first Orby TV install and asked if I had received my equipment. No I had not, so suggested that he check with his scheduler.
The next day the Installer called at about 1pm and indicated that he was on the way and had the dish/antenna kit that had been driven-up the night before by a representative of the local company contracted by Mastec, located a few hours away. He arrived as scheduled and did a quick survey of the proposed install location and cable run. He had a Birdog meter, but not programmed for 117w and no OTA meter. I offered for him to use a Dr. HD 1000+ sample and he was happy to use it! Showed him the satellite spectrum analyzer and the automatic satellite ID functions and also that he could aim the OTA antenna with the terrestrial spectrum display. I think that this job made a sale! LOL!!!
He assembled the dish and mount in the parking lot and I helped him rope up the supplies from he ground. Took him about 45 minutes to mount, install, aim the dish / terrestrial antenna and another 1/2 hour to do the coax run. I stayed back and didn't direct the install or interfere in any way. I wanted to see how the install would go without my "snupervision"... Once done outside, he came into the office and did a OTA channel scan, checked the Satellite and terrestrial signal readings. He needed to submit the STB SIM # and the LNBF serial number as proof of install.
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My impression of the install and hardware is mostly favorable. The little install glitches seemed to be due to the local company and installer not providing the customer with a unified and organized Orby TV experience. While this is a new service, I would suggest that Orby TV and Mastec quickly review their processes and workflow to be sure that the booked local company and installers are properly prepared to represent Orby TV. Installers need an overview on the equipment, meter requirements and activation process. Everyone in the flow-down subcontracted process needs to represent the Orby TV service, have the required equipment on hand, the required meters (programmed) to not only complete, but to optimize the installation.
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If not for the use of the sample Dr. HD meter, I don't see how this install would have been completed without numerous trips to the roof or the customer assisting with watching a signal on the TV screen and assisting the technician with signal call-outs to the roof for both the satellite and OTA antenna aiming. Either way, the install would not have come off very timely or done in a professional manner.
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The Orby TV equipment was delivered to the installer in a single carton with protective foam material. The dish and mount are both very good quality hardware. The mount has skew and elevation setting scales. The mount could be improved by adding fine-tuning mechanism. The installer had some issue optimizing the elevation setting using only the lock nuts providing friction to make small movements. No different than the issues that we often deal with on FTA gear, but most subscription mounts have elevation fine-tuning resulting faster installs and happier installers.
The dish mast is standard 2" heavy duty j-pole with a large foot plate. The package did not include masts support arms, but the installer observed that the combo dish and OTA antenna needed more support. He installed a spare mast support arm from an extra DirecTV package in his truck. I would suggest that the support arm(s) be included as standard equipment with all kits. This would likely reduce future tech rolls for dish realignment.
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The dish/antenna kit included a 1" L shaped raw aluminum mast for the OTA antenna. The OTA mast is attached to the dish mast using a single smooth u-bolt and butted against each other with no "toothbite" hardware. I can see the OTA antenna easily spinning out of alignment with little more than a stiff gust of wind. There needs to be a better solution developed for mounting the OTA antenna.
My OTA install location is fringe and in advance I had the expectation of zero OTA channels received with the small antenna and the loss introduced by a diplexer. I purchased the service with this expectation, but realize that I am definitely not their typical customer as I have realistic expectations... LOL!!! To my surprise, 4 OTA channels are reliably received from two frequencies. With that said, I believe the Orby TV service would be best served by advertising, educating and offering an upgrade OTA antenna and install package for fringe reception areas. This could be a great up sell for local installers if promoted as a cord cutting option.
Is the $150 install worth the cost? In my opinion, it is a great deal for not only the hardware, but to also have professional installation with a warranty. The install includes a high quality dish and linear LO 10750 voltage switching polarity LNBF with optimized scalar, a heavy duty AZ/EL mount, adequate 2" mast, OTA antenna (suitable for suburbia), short stand off OTA mast, a diplexer and distribution.
[can somebody show me some pics of everything that is needed to install the Orby satellite and to have it up and running properly. Nobody seems to know anything in my area(memphis). Does it come with a power supply? I was able to get it to 82% and it's not showing anything. I would like to have a how-to-install video because I can find anything. And Orby customers service is no help. I just need to know if I have everything. ]
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You need 1 ku dish with a Standard linear LNB that has a LO of 10750
A good dish would be the 75cm Andrew Channel Master Type 750 Antenna
You can get it from this link DirecTV Dish Network 10" 14" offset ka ku TX/RX L band 16" 18" inch 20" 24 inch 30" 36 inch dish satellite
A good lnb would be the Eagle Aspen 270-KU
You will need a feed horn to fit the c120 fang on the lnb. Google is your friend on these items..
The above items for the dish will likely cost you north of $500 retail!! You can likely order a FTA KU dish kit that has a LNB with the 10750 LO from one of the FTA vendors for cheaper than parting a dish together, I have no idea as far as part numbers on this new stuff as I use old school stuff..
You will need a Satellite Meter and Satellite Inclinometer for pointing the dish.. These items will cost you about $750 shipped do not buy a birdog brand meter as it does not work with DVBS2! You need the Horizon brand.. The birdog is a OEM product for perfect10 and is crippled!
I recommend a horizon meter. Horizon HD-S2 Satellite Meter DVBS2 VSAT HDS2
I recommend this inclinometer. www.amazon.com/Satellite-Inclinometer-Compass-Survey-Tandem/dp/B01H2W1ZPM
Once you have the dish installed and pointed you will need to get the signal into the house you will need the following items.
You need two ground block/surge protectors one for OTA and one for the satellite www.amazon.com/TII-Broadband-Satellite-Lightning-Protector/dp/B0016AIYU6
You need 2 split bolts.. www.amazon.com/CIMPLE-CO-Grounding-Conductors-Manufactured/dp/B07F7WYMTG/
You need some cable with a solid copper center for the indoor runs.. www.amazon.com/QUAD-SHIELD-Coaxial-CERTIFIED-INSTALLTION-Satellite/dp/B072MWFN53/
You will need some direct burial cable with a solid copper center for the underground runs.. www.amazon.com/LOGICO-Shield-Direct-Satellite-COAXIAL/dp/B071PF5V7J/
You will need some ground wire.. www.amazon.com/PHAT-SATELLITE-INTL-Electrical-Protection/dp/B07M8DZW1R/
You need some cable fittings for the cable.. www.amazon.com/Digicon-F-Type-Coaxial-Compression-Connector/dp/B00LFWR2LM/
You need a prep tool. www.amazon.com/CablePrep-Drop-Stripping-Tool-Stop/dp/B009692BJE/
You need a compression tool.. www.amazon.com/Belden-Snap-N-Seal-Coaxial-Compression-RG-59/dp/B00STY1JRW/
If you are running more than one IRD you will need a satellite splitter or multiswitch.. I use a multiswitch because it has a diplexer built in... www.amazon.com/Eagle-Aspen-DTV3X4-DirecTV-Approved-Multiswitch/dp/B0007WWI2O/
You need a OTA antenna.. www.amazon.com/Channel-Master-CM-4228HD-High-Antenna/dp/B000FVVKQM/
You need a mast for the OTA antenna. www.amazon.com/Winegard-DS-3000-Pipe-Mount-Antennas/dp/B001DFS49U/
You need cable screw clips. NEVER STAPLE COAX LINE!!! www.amazon.com/Single-Black-Mounting-Strain-Relief/dp/B077QH8R9G/
You need some 75 ohm terminators www.amazon.com/Type-75-Ohm-Terminator-Pack/dp/B000AAN76Y/
You will need basic hand tools for example a drill and drill bits some nut drivers, cutters, screwdrivers, shovel, post hole digger ect ect..
And you will need your ORBY IRDs.. You get them from best buy or target..
Scroll to the 116.8 satellite in the satellite meter then go to the location option in the meter and put your zip code in it will tell you how to set the dish geometry. Use the Inclinometer to check for a clear LOS to the spacecraft once you know you have a clear LOS from your selected location dig a hole set the pole for the satellite and no less than 80lbs of concrete in the hole.. Use some 3/4 electrical PVC to make a weed eater guard that starts about 6" AGL and extends past the concrete. let the concrete dry set your satellite on the pole and set the geometry and align the dish. Run the direct burial cable along with a ground wire up through the PVC to the LNB and and dish bracket. Ground the bracket and connect the LNB.. Run the other end of the wire to the house near the electrical box run the ground through the lug on the ground block and connect the loose end to the grounding electrode conductor with the split bolt. Run the H and V lines to the H and V input of the multiswitch. Go to www.tvfool.com and enter your information figure out what local channels you want and select a mounting location for your OTA. Mount your OTA antenna mast and the OTA antenna then align OTA antenna with the inclinometer. Connect a coax and a ground wire to the OTA antenna and mast and run the lines down to the same place you ran the satellite lines to, Run the ground wire through the OTA ground block and split bolt the lose end to the grounding electrode conductor run the coax from the OTA ground block to the VHF UHF input of the multiswitch. Run a coax from the multiswitch to each IRD in the house. Remember to only use the direct burial coax for the underground runs and use the standard coax for every thing else. Use the 75 ohm terminators to cap off any ports you are not using on the multiswitch.
Fire up the Orby IRD and follow the onscreen directions, sub the IRDs on www.orbytv.com
In this text I covered how to get both H and V signals into the house.. Orby only uses a single polarity but if your asking how to do this then its best if you just hook up both lines.. In the future if they ever start using both polarities you will be ahead of the game.
Pat your self on the back you just dropped over 1k on what you could have paid MasTec $150 to do!! But I don't blame you for not wanting MasTec in your house I would burn my house down before I let them in it!!!! My hate for MasTec has more to do with the company than the people who work there, MasTec screwed me out of about 30k when we were doing contract work for them. This install is not for the faint of heart most of us have been working in satellite for years! If you need a installer in TN I can likely help you out I worked for a DirecTV group out of TN for quite a few years, I am sure some one up there can do this.. If not I can look for a HAM Radio guy up there this is well within their court.
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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....
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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.
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Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
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7424 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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Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
You're no fun.
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
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Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
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S
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade..
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
You should have looked in the APP STORE instead.
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.
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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.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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17 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE
Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE
Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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13 views
TFLEV
Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyF_RH1m0mc
Direct YouTube Link - Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyF_RH1m0mc
Direct YouTube Link - Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!
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23 views