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Technojunky

Last reply Sep 25, 2005 · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

what are the better quality 30 to 36" dishes?

I bought my dish from sadoun, and for the money I paid, it is probably OK. One thing I don't like about the Fortec dish is the design of the adjustments. I saw a design that had screws to make fine adjustments. So one you get your dish in the ball park, you fine tune it with the screws, then lock it down. The problem with the Fotec dish is in the fact that when to tighten the screws, you can change the focus of the dish enough to pull it off by 20 to 30 % of signal, or quality. So who makes the better dishes? the plus on the Fortec is the strength of the LNB arm, it can hold the heaviest of LNB's with no problem. Jm

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rkrenicki

Sep 19, 2005

Technojunky said:
I tried to buy one over the internet today and they want $35 to ship it. He claimed that it was the size of the box that made it cost so much.

That is exactly right.. the box needed to safely ship a dish that large, exceeds the USPS and UPS Girth requirements, and is considered an oversize package, thus being charged for the 70lbs rate, rather then the actual weight.

I have shipped an 80cm dish in the past, and it barely was under the girth requirements (by like 2" combined), anything bigger than that, would have crossed the line.

For example, the USPS website dictates the sizes as follows:

Package - Use "Package" when the length plus girth (the distance around the thickest part) of a package equals 84 inches or less. Most packages fit within this category.

Large Package - Use for packages when the length plus girth (the distance around the thickest part) of a package is more than 84 inches but not more than 108 inches.

Oversize Package - Use for packages when the length of the longest side plus the distance around the thickest part is more than 108 inches and less than or equal to 130 inches. Items over 130 inches are not mailable.

Lets say, you wanted to ship a dish from Connecticut (where I am) to California.. a satellite dish box is 30 inches x 30 inches x 10 inches.. that would be 124 inches in girth, which falls under the Oversize package definition. Assuming it was 20lbs, the USPS would charge $120.72 for Parcel Post

If that box were 28 inches by 28 inches by 10 inches, it falls under the normal box catagory, and would only cost $25.39 for parcel post.

Here is UPS's prices:
All prices are UPS Ground, assuming from 06385 to 90210 and 10lbs
28x28x10 $21.82 (Billable weight 30lbs)
32x32x10 $44.59 (Billable weight 70lbs)
38x38x10 $93.41 (Billable weight 90lbs)

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/oversize.html

digiblur

Sep 19, 2005

ultatryon said:
That is exactly right.. the box needed to safely ship a dish that large, exceeds the USPS and UPS Girth requirements, and is considered an oversize package, thus being charged for the hundredweight rate, rather then the actual weight.

I have shipped an 80cm dish in the past, and it barely was under the girth requirements (by like 2" combined), anything bigger than that, would have crossed the line.

Hundredweight doesn't have anything to do with package size. This is for LTL shipments all going to one consignee.

To put all of this in layman's terms.... the box is too big and requires extra handling. The oversize boxes (OS1's and OS2's) most likely will not go through automated sorting systems, belts, etc which is why the extra cost of the shipping.

rkrenicki

Sep 19, 2005

You are correct, I used the wrong term. I knew it was billed as a heavier package, due to its unweildyness (in this case, 70lbs, not 100lbs).. I have already edited my above post for more clarification.

Anole

Sep 24, 2005

fine adjust & no shipping cost

Technojunky said:
One thing I don't like about the Fortec dish is the design of the adjustments.
I saw a design that had screws to make fine adjustments.
... So who makes the better dishes?

Certainly an educational thread, but no answer to the original question.

I've only run across small dishes that adjust like the DBS dishes (and the Fortec above).
Seems like there would be a market for something with a few fine tuning screws.
Or, would a design of something like that be a project worth discussing?
If so, it would be in another thread.
(a little torch-work isn't beyond the average experimenter)

As for the problem with shipping, wouldn't it be nice to find a registry with all the "local" dealers?
(say, within 50 miles, or whatever you are comfortable with.)
He gets large loads of dishes delivered to him for a reasonable price.
It would be nice to drive by and pick one up without having to pay shipping.
Problem I have found, even in a very active area, is that none of the little dealers want to pass any of that savings to the customer.

ken2400

Sep 25, 2005

Freecycle.org is your friend. I found a 1 meter Primestar about two weeks ago. I had to drive like 35 mins to get it.

Technojunky said:
I bought my dish from sadoun, and for the money I paid, it is probably OK. One thing I don't like about the Fortec dish is the design of the adjustments. I saw a design that had screws to make fine adjustments. So one you get your dish in the ball park, you fine tune it with the screws, then lock it down. The problem with the Fotec dish is in the fact that when to tighten the screws, you can change the focus of the dish enough to pull it off by 20 to 30 % of signal, or quality. So who makes the better dishes? the plus on the Fortec is the strength of the LNB arm, it can hold the heaviest of LNB's with no problem. Jm

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Lon.TV

46 minutes ago · posted in Lon.TV

Alexa Tablet 11 Review - Amazon's New Google Tablets?

Time for another AWESOME video from Lon Seidman of LON.TV!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hWHGOObqEk

Direct YouTube Link - Alexa Tablet 11 Review - Amazon's New Google Tablets?
The Official LON.TV Website
Lon on Facebook

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 6:31 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

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....

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The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

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klang

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 5:36 PM · posted in TV Shows

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Paramount+

Season 2 order already in hand:

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1

I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.

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klang

Jul 28, 2025

I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.

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klang

Oct 11, 2026

klang said:
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.

Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.

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MikeD-C05

Oct 11, 2026

klang said:
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.

Yeah, the foot stuff was just nasty. I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less. Funny, I love being shoe less at home and never wear shoes indoors in my home for long, but seeing her laying on all her furniture with her bare feet hanging out just kind of grossed me out.

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harshness

Oct 13, 2026

MikeD-C05 said:
I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less.

Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?

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MikeD-C05

Sunday at 12:51 PM

harshness said:
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?

There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure. So walking around the station like she did she would get stuff on her feet. I am sure the robot vacuum is still going to miss stuff, with all those different alien species running around there.

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harshness

Sunday at 2:00 PM

MikeD-C05 said:
There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure.

Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.

MikeD-C05

Yesterday at 1:35 PM

harshness said:
Where is it going to come from -- specifically?

Why do you think cleaning technology won't improve in the next few hundred years? HEPA filtration was invented as part of the Manhattan Project.

I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.

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osu1991

Yesterday at 1:59 PM

MikeD-C05 said:
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes. It looks unprofessional and very "hippy like" for someone of her status and I personally don't get off to feet, so there is that.

Stay out of my office. I rarely have shoes or socks on in the office. My office and business is at home though :clapping

klang

Yesterday at 2:04 PM

I just thought her behavior, including the bare feet thing, was disrespectful to her position.

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harshness

Today at 5:36 PM

MikeD-C05 said:
I don't know, but I still don't like her walking through the station or the academy with out her shoes.

That is your right.

I couldn't buy hiding behind the dirty-feet argument.

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dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 5:32 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Gas Price Info With National Gas Temperature Map

Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

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harshness

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I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.

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In Oregon, our premium boat gas is about a dollar more than our corn premium. Several stations only offer the non-corn premium grade.

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$4.09 - $4.29, real gas $4.69...

harshness

Today at 5:32 PM

harshness said:
I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.

It turns out I was justified in my suspicion.

Gavin Newsom somehow authorized the temporary move of the distribution date of the Winter blend to September 28th.

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 4:42 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Security Now 1101

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojDkPVLnkNI

Direct YouTube Link - Security Now 1101
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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jamieh1

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FAST Channels added to DIRECTV Stream/Internet

DIRECTV Stream/Internet added Ch 4105 SportsGrid

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KyL416

Aug 24, 2026

Now testing:
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KyL416 said:
Now live:
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It only took them 41 days to announce it

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BlackHitachi

Supporting Founder

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Since the Reds have there thread we should too!

Last watched Nine inch Nails
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osu1991

Oct 9, 2026

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Simple, charming. Entire premise is quite silly but Cary Grant carries it across the line in good fashion.

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:42 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

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Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 2:37 PM · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/14/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)

Additional tabs provide:

OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
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@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261014.xlsx 1,874 KB

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KyL416

Oct 8, 2026

PISTONS and THUNDER are finally testing on the stream server. PISTONS is showing the Ion/Scripps Sports promo loop filler that their NHL and WNBA feeds have, THUNDER has a "You are watching Thunder+" slate

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The Heat still haven't announced their West Palm Beach or Fort Myers affiliates. Since WPLG is streaming the games for free via their app, I doubt we'll be seeing the return of WPLG on stream.

So far nothing testing for the Bucks, Magic, Hawks or Hornets.

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KyL416

Thursday at 7:30 PM

KyL416 said:
The Heat still haven't announced their West Palm Beach or Fort Myers affiliates. Since WPLG is streaming the games for free via their app, I doubt we'll be seeing the return of WPLG on stream.

West Palm Beach is getting it on WTCN-CD/43 MNT. Still nothing for Fort Myers

Also, the Thunder's deal for KSBI/52 OKC and KQCW/19 Tulsa will be via a special cable and DIRECTV only feed of those stations. OTA viewers and Dish customers will be limited to 10 games.

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Thanks for the updates on CW norfolk
Hopefully comes to sat soon!!

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Not seeing 44 (WVBT-DT/44 CW Norfolk ) on my D* app for firestick

KyL416

Saturday at 8:44 PM

It's only available for streaming customers, they still haven't added that batch of CW stations to satellite.

Even if it was, satellite customers still can't stream their CW affiliates via the app, just the Big 4, select PBS stations and some independents (mainly the ones that have full season NHL/NBA rights)

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KyL416

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WCWW/25 CW South Bend and WBKP/5 CW Marquette are now testing on the stream server. These are both already available on satellite.

Now live in the satellite guide:
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Bobby

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:54 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish 4K Event Listings (No Discussion)

This is a thread that will keep you apprised of 4K events that will be showing on Dish channel 540. Keep looking here for information.

As of today, 9-27-17, there are no scheduled events posted for the next 2 weeks. That is subject to change on a daily basis.

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Bobby

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