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Cutting Edge
OK, so much for the clickbait headline. You have to do something in order to get Google to notice you sometimes. As they say, don't blame the player, blame the game.
If you have a satellite television system on your boat, chances are it's over 5 years old. In some cases it could be much older than that. Satellite TV for marine was incredibly popular in the 2000s and 2010s when there was simply no other entertainment option out there. Today you have internet and cellular options, and of course satellite TV is still in the mix. But, even though your satellite system may have been giving you great service for years, there could still be a silent killer lurking that threatens to take the whole system down just when you can't deal with it. (oh boy, there's that clickbait again.)
You know that salt water is tough on your boat. While it's not as corrosive as say, battery acid, it will eat through paint, varnish, and especially metal. There's a whole scientific reason for how the saline content in the water encourages oxygen to combine with the molecules in the stuff that makes up your boat, which in turns weakens those materials. But you're not here for that and you probably already know it.
What you might not have realized is the effect that salt water can have on your satellite TV's cables. The tiniest bit of salt water exposure on satellite cables can slowly eat away at them from the inside. You wouldn't notice the difference at first, but at some point those cables will get so degraded that they won't carry signal effectively. When that happens your only choice is to replace those cables right away. It doesn't matter if you're 50 miles out at sea, you won't get satellite TV until that cable is replaced. Period.
So, the smartest thing to do is inspect cables every year and plan to replace them on a schedule. About every seven years is a pretty good guess, but damage can occur after just one season depending on how your cables are used.
You should start by looking at the connectors. The connector itself should be nice and shiny without large scratches or visible brass under the chrome plating. The part where the connector spins should be free from corrosion and grit. When you unscrew the cable it should be free from dirt on the inside and the copper center conductor should be shiny and bright, not dull and brown. Look at the edge of the connector where it meets the cable and see if there has been any sign of water getting in. Even water spots can indicate a problem.
Look along the entire cable, as much as you can, to look for signs of bends. Generally speaking, black cable will turn a little bit white if it's been bent. The bend may smooth out but the discoloration will still be there. White cable is a little harder to tell bending on. Look to see if there are any nicks in the rubber jacket or any areas where the cable is swollen or dimpled. A difference in the cable's diameter will indicate that water has gotten in and degraded the dielectric.
Yes, reconnectorize is a word. I know it doesn't sound like a word. Trust me.
In a marine setting, reconnectorizing should be a temporary solution. If you're out at sea and your TV starts acting up, your options are limited. You may have some RG6 ends on the boat in a drawer. If you see that the connector is starting to get corroded, by all means try a new connector. However, it's a sure bet that corrosion is also in the cable itself. Don't just add a new connector and assume things are fixed permanently. Replace the cable as soon as possible.
Really the only thing you can do is try to keep saltwater exposure to a minimum. All your electronics should be kept away from the salt air as much as possible. When it comes to cables, there is one thing you can do, at least if you're the sort of boat that travels long distances.
If you travel outside the US, you may have different sets of wires for US satellite and international satellite. That's common since US satellite systems are so different from those used in other parts of the world. In that case, you want to make sure there's no chance for an unused cable to corrode.
Don't leave cables bare. Always terminate them using an F81 barrel connector and a terminator. You can buy the barrels and the terminators from Solid Signal if you want. However, this is one of those few cases where it's also ok to go to a local home store and buy what they have. There's no signal really traveling through these cables so it doesn't matter as long as they fully close up the connector.
Terminating any unused cables will keep salt air from the inside of the connectors. It will also help your satellite system work better. Unterminated cables cause an imbalance that your satellite system will strain to fix. It's a good idea to make sure that any cable not connected to a device is terminated all the time.
The folks at Signal Connect have more experience than anyone else in the world at activating marine satellite systems. We can help you with service, upgrades, and even help you integrate your TV system with your new internet system. We're here to help! Call the experts at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it's after hours, fill out the form below and we'll get right back to you.
The post This silent problem could be killing your marine satellite TV system appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
If you have a satellite television system on your boat, chances are it's over 5 years old. In some cases it could be much older than that. Satellite TV for marine was incredibly popular in the 2000s and 2010s when there was simply no other entertainment option out there. Today you have internet and cellular options, and of course satellite TV is still in the mix. But, even though your satellite system may have been giving you great service for years, there could still be a silent killer lurking that threatens to take the whole system down just when you can't deal with it. (oh boy, there's that clickbait again.)
OK here's the story
You know that salt water is tough on your boat. While it's not as corrosive as say, battery acid, it will eat through paint, varnish, and especially metal. There's a whole scientific reason for how the saline content in the water encourages oxygen to combine with the molecules in the stuff that makes up your boat, which in turns weakens those materials. But you're not here for that and you probably already know it.
What you might not have realized is the effect that salt water can have on your satellite TV's cables. The tiniest bit of salt water exposure on satellite cables can slowly eat away at them from the inside. You wouldn't notice the difference at first, but at some point those cables will get so degraded that they won't carry signal effectively. When that happens your only choice is to replace those cables right away. It doesn't matter if you're 50 miles out at sea, you won't get satellite TV until that cable is replaced. Period.
So, the smartest thing to do is inspect cables every year and plan to replace them on a schedule. About every seven years is a pretty good guess, but damage can occur after just one season depending on how your cables are used.
How to check for damage to a satellite cable
You should start by looking at the connectors. The connector itself should be nice and shiny without large scratches or visible brass under the chrome plating. The part where the connector spins should be free from corrosion and grit. When you unscrew the cable it should be free from dirt on the inside and the copper center conductor should be shiny and bright, not dull and brown. Look at the edge of the connector where it meets the cable and see if there has been any sign of water getting in. Even water spots can indicate a problem.
Look along the entire cable, as much as you can, to look for signs of bends. Generally speaking, black cable will turn a little bit white if it's been bent. The bend may smooth out but the discoloration will still be there. White cable is a little harder to tell bending on. Look to see if there are any nicks in the rubber jacket or any areas where the cable is swollen or dimpled. A difference in the cable's diameter will indicate that water has gotten in and degraded the dielectric.
Should you reconnectorize old cables?
Yes, reconnectorize is a word. I know it doesn't sound like a word. Trust me.
In a marine setting, reconnectorizing should be a temporary solution. If you're out at sea and your TV starts acting up, your options are limited. You may have some RG6 ends on the boat in a drawer. If you see that the connector is starting to get corroded, by all means try a new connector. However, it's a sure bet that corrosion is also in the cable itself. Don't just add a new connector and assume things are fixed permanently. Replace the cable as soon as possible.
Is there anything you can do to extend the life of a cable?
Really the only thing you can do is try to keep saltwater exposure to a minimum. All your electronics should be kept away from the salt air as much as possible. When it comes to cables, there is one thing you can do, at least if you're the sort of boat that travels long distances.
If you travel outside the US, you may have different sets of wires for US satellite and international satellite. That's common since US satellite systems are so different from those used in other parts of the world. In that case, you want to make sure there's no chance for an unused cable to corrode.
Don't leave cables bare. Always terminate them using an F81 barrel connector and a terminator. You can buy the barrels and the terminators from Solid Signal if you want. However, this is one of those few cases where it's also ok to go to a local home store and buy what they have. There's no signal really traveling through these cables so it doesn't matter as long as they fully close up the connector.
Terminating any unused cables will keep salt air from the inside of the connectors. It will also help your satellite system work better. Unterminated cables cause an imbalance that your satellite system will strain to fix. It's a good idea to make sure that any cable not connected to a device is terminated all the time.
Need more info? Call the experts!
The folks at Signal Connect have more experience than anyone else in the world at activating marine satellite systems. We can help you with service, upgrades, and even help you integrate your TV system with your new internet system. We're here to help! Call the experts at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it's after hours, fill out the form below and we'll get right back to you.
The post This silent problem could be killing your marine satellite TV system appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
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395 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....
68507 Replies
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2671387 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
30 Replies
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3511 views
S
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Who cares if it's cheaper than store bought. you do realize that ground beef is like hot dogs right lips and a**holes!!! you have no idea whats in it and what animal came from what carcass right
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Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
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214731 views
Tony as the director.
Would you rather have LaRoche ???Tony as the director.
No. Bring in someone new.
Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...No. Bring in someone new.
Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)
Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.
Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.
It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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12 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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7 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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22 views
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.
168 Replies
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7520 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Has anyone subscribed to NBA League Pass for 2026-27 and try to link their account to NBA.com to stream League Pass? I purchased it for 2026-27, and when I linked, I got a message saying success, but then I receive an error that my linked subscription does not include the preseason games for NBA League Pass. Is that how it has always been? I know satellite doesn't have the preseason games on the NBA League Pass channels, but I thought that I was able to stream the preseason once I linked my account on NBA.com?
2 Replies
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101 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
143 Replies
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1481 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
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.
530 Replies
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18142 views
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.
