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Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
This September 10th SatelliteGuys will be celebrating our 18th Birthday!
When we first started we were hosted on shared servers, then we rented a dedicated server then in 2008 we purchased our first own server. The cost for it was around $5000. That server got us on our feet and in our own! It ran great until 2011 when we ran out of drive space and started having problems with the raid controller.
In addition at that time we decided to move our server from Dallas Texas to Lansing Michigan. The hosting price was less per month, the service was faster and we had a 10 U of rack space to put in as many servers that would fit into that 10 U Space.
We ordered the new server to be shipped to Michigan direct from Dell so that we could transfer the site from Texas to the new much beefier Dell server. Believe it or not with all costs involved we paid almost $10,000 for that server. That server went direct to LiquidWeb I never ever got to see it or touch it.
We would eventually have 3 servers there including one that was given to me that we used backups to. Over time I had someone go and fix our old original server and put new drives in it and a new raid card. I started using that old server for backup and hosting our websites such as my weather station. We also used it to host the Shoutcast servers we use to broadcast SatelliteGuys radio to. It became a nice utility server!
When I had our original server fixed I had a spare server just sitting there unused so I invited Trip and his website RabbitEars.Info over and we hosted their site for many years at no cost as a service to TV lovers everywhere.
The new Dell server we ordered served us well in fact it worked flawlessly for us until we powered it off in February of this year.
In February I started thinking about hosting SatelliteGuys groom my home on my Gigabit fiber connection. I started looking around for a machine we could use for running it from home. Because technology has changed so much over the past ten years I figured we could host it using a powerful i9 machine with fast solid state drives. But then I had another big issue issue as we have been having issues with power due to some major car accidents in the area. Then I also have issues with our dog unplugging things as well. Can you imagine SatelliteGuys going down and I have to leave to leave work because the dogs unplugged the router or server? No thanks I want us online 24/7!
So I decided to look around. First I looked at dedicated servers from our current host and found I could get a dedicated server or cloud server for cheaper then I was paying now and with better specs then we were using. I almost went with them then my wife asked me if I looked at hosting elsewhere.
She's a genius. So I looked around and found hosting at a number of places and found many different offerings. But I a problem I wasn't sure what I needed for us. So I rented a bunch of different servers tried VPS servers, Tried Cloud servers and tried dedicated servers. I went with dedicate servers because they offered me full root access so I was able to setup the server the way I liked. Others offered SSH access but it was a simple jailshell so I could not do much. For example our search on SatelliteGuys uses software called ElasticSearch, well on those servers they would not allow me to install it (or anything)
Once I decided on dedicated then I had to choose what specs would work for us. I rented dedicated servers going from the cheapest and working my way up until I was happy and thing were running faster than our then current site. I was happy with it except for one thing the server only had 16 GB of ram and I wanted at least 32. So I ordered a 32 GB server which was the exact specs except for the memory. And spent forever setting it to match the 16 GB server for setup and had a ton of issues with it. Was getting segmentation errors and other kernel errors. I contacted the ISP who took a look at the server and decided the memory was bad and swapped out the memory. (Too bad they could just put 32 GB of ram in the other server I configured) After the memory swap the errors went away but there was still something strange with it and pages were loading up slower then our old Dell server. So I said the hell with it and canceled the 32 GB server and kept us on the 16 GB server we are on now.
The performance on this server is excellent and we haven't had no issues with it except me trying to see if I can push a little more out of it and then crashing things for a few moments at a time. The monthly costs of hosting are now just over half of what we were paying before and we have a faster server, more hard drive space and have moved to a full gigabit uplink.
Anyways because we consolidated things we unfortunately had to set RabbitEars from our hosting. Tripp was worried as he didn't have the money to host it himself and his site which is all custom written by hand (and the code is not really too optimized) uses a lot of CPU resources. I told him I would help him find another host and was successful with asking Dave Wallace who many of you know here as WallyHTS. Well Dave owns his own ISP in Kentucky and agreed to host RabbitEars at no charge. He even found an old unused server for them to use as Trip is working on building his own. Thanks to Dave RabbitEars is still part of the SatelliteGuys forum.
Once Trip moved everything from the old server to his new home his server admin who lives in Michigan did me a favor and picked up our old servers and shipped them back to me (thanks Russ!)
Well today they arrived. The box was heavily damaged but the contents inside were safely packed in what seemed like two miles of bubble wrap. I just unpacked them and this was the first time ever I have seen or touched the Dell server.
I opened up both servers and was shocked to see these machines which were basically untouched all these years not have a single spec of dust in them at all. So below you see both servers that served us the let 10 years. All of your SatelliteGuys browsing over that time have come from one of those machines. Amazing to think or all the people who accessed those machines over the years!
So that's a look back at our server history and the servers that have delivered SatelliteGuys all these years.
Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys
When we first started we were hosted on shared servers, then we rented a dedicated server then in 2008 we purchased our first own server. The cost for it was around $5000. That server got us on our feet and in our own! It ran great until 2011 when we ran out of drive space and started having problems with the raid controller.
In addition at that time we decided to move our server from Dallas Texas to Lansing Michigan. The hosting price was less per month, the service was faster and we had a 10 U of rack space to put in as many servers that would fit into that 10 U Space.
We ordered the new server to be shipped to Michigan direct from Dell so that we could transfer the site from Texas to the new much beefier Dell server. Believe it or not with all costs involved we paid almost $10,000 for that server. That server went direct to LiquidWeb I never ever got to see it or touch it.
We would eventually have 3 servers there including one that was given to me that we used backups to. Over time I had someone go and fix our old original server and put new drives in it and a new raid card. I started using that old server for backup and hosting our websites such as my weather station. We also used it to host the Shoutcast servers we use to broadcast SatelliteGuys radio to. It became a nice utility server!
When I had our original server fixed I had a spare server just sitting there unused so I invited Trip and his website RabbitEars.Info over and we hosted their site for many years at no cost as a service to TV lovers everywhere.
The new Dell server we ordered served us well in fact it worked flawlessly for us until we powered it off in February of this year.
In February I started thinking about hosting SatelliteGuys groom my home on my Gigabit fiber connection. I started looking around for a machine we could use for running it from home. Because technology has changed so much over the past ten years I figured we could host it using a powerful i9 machine with fast solid state drives. But then I had another big issue issue as we have been having issues with power due to some major car accidents in the area. Then I also have issues with our dog unplugging things as well. Can you imagine SatelliteGuys going down and I have to leave to leave work because the dogs unplugged the router or server? No thanks I want us online 24/7!
So I decided to look around. First I looked at dedicated servers from our current host and found I could get a dedicated server or cloud server for cheaper then I was paying now and with better specs then we were using. I almost went with them then my wife asked me if I looked at hosting elsewhere.
She's a genius. So I looked around and found hosting at a number of places and found many different offerings. But I a problem I wasn't sure what I needed for us. So I rented a bunch of different servers tried VPS servers, Tried Cloud servers and tried dedicated servers. I went with dedicate servers because they offered me full root access so I was able to setup the server the way I liked. Others offered SSH access but it was a simple jailshell so I could not do much. For example our search on SatelliteGuys uses software called ElasticSearch, well on those servers they would not allow me to install it (or anything)
Once I decided on dedicated then I had to choose what specs would work for us. I rented dedicated servers going from the cheapest and working my way up until I was happy and thing were running faster than our then current site. I was happy with it except for one thing the server only had 16 GB of ram and I wanted at least 32. So I ordered a 32 GB server which was the exact specs except for the memory. And spent forever setting it to match the 16 GB server for setup and had a ton of issues with it. Was getting segmentation errors and other kernel errors. I contacted the ISP who took a look at the server and decided the memory was bad and swapped out the memory. (Too bad they could just put 32 GB of ram in the other server I configured) After the memory swap the errors went away but there was still something strange with it and pages were loading up slower then our old Dell server. So I said the hell with it and canceled the 32 GB server and kept us on the 16 GB server we are on now.
The performance on this server is excellent and we haven't had no issues with it except me trying to see if I can push a little more out of it and then crashing things for a few moments at a time. The monthly costs of hosting are now just over half of what we were paying before and we have a faster server, more hard drive space and have moved to a full gigabit uplink.
Anyways because we consolidated things we unfortunately had to set RabbitEars from our hosting. Tripp was worried as he didn't have the money to host it himself and his site which is all custom written by hand (and the code is not really too optimized) uses a lot of CPU resources. I told him I would help him find another host and was successful with asking Dave Wallace who many of you know here as WallyHTS. Well Dave owns his own ISP in Kentucky and agreed to host RabbitEars at no charge. He even found an old unused server for them to use as Trip is working on building his own. Thanks to Dave RabbitEars is still part of the SatelliteGuys forum.
Once Trip moved everything from the old server to his new home his server admin who lives in Michigan did me a favor and picked up our old servers and shipped them back to me (thanks Russ!)
Well today they arrived. The box was heavily damaged but the contents inside were safely packed in what seemed like two miles of bubble wrap. I just unpacked them and this was the first time ever I have seen or touched the Dell server.
I opened up both servers and was shocked to see these machines which were basically untouched all these years not have a single spec of dust in them at all. So below you see both servers that served us the let 10 years. All of your SatelliteGuys browsing over that time have come from one of those machines. Amazing to think or all the people who accessed those machines over the years!
So that's a look back at our server history and the servers that have delivered SatelliteGuys all these years.
Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys
20 Replies
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3088 views
Trip you are part of the Family. And so glad that we can keep on of the best Television Technical References online for everyone. 
Well I found out the motherboard in the old Server Microserver can handle 64 bit CPU's! So I ordered two new (well used) CPU's.
Original price of these CPU's were $1130 each my price for buying today $35 each. >Intel SLASB Xeon X5450 3.0ghz Quad Core Processor at ServerSupply.com
Not bad.
Well I found out the motherboard in the old Server Microserver can handle 64 bit CPU's! So I ordered two new (well used) CPU's.
Original price of these CPU's were $1130 each my price for buying today $35 each. >Intel SLASB Xeon X5450 3.0ghz Quad Core Processor at ServerSupply.com
Not bad.
Put them to use Folding for the Team… 
There seemed to be enough room for a couple of GTX 2060 short cards, too.
There seemed to be enough room for a couple of GTX 2060 short cards, too.
A friend told me that running two of his servers 24/7 adds about $50 a month to his electric bill!Put them to use Folding for the Team…
They've got dual Xeon processors running near their limit processing GOES weather satellite images.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
6 Replies
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347 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
24 Replies
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938 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....
67110 Replies
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2662367 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
2 Replies
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32 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
9 Replies
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351 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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10 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
12 Replies
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300 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
11 Replies
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200 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
6 Replies
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102 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching
www.syfy.com
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics
The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
39 Replies
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5646 views
