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Sharpie

Last reply Feb 17, 2006 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

I would like some info on HD waivers

UPDATE on HD waivers

I live in central Illinois and our local CBS station (WCIA) is not broadcasting in HD. All other stations in the area have upgraded to showing HD but (WCIA) is not even close. I can not get a waiver because I can get their SD signal through Directv. Is there a waiver that I can get that will just give me CBS HD? Thanks for the help.

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ADent

Feb 7, 2006

Here is how it is supposed to work

7. How can I receive digital signals including high definition signals?
Local digital stations: As with analog signals, subscribers can install an antenna to receive digital (including "HD," high definition, digital signals) broadcast signals over-the-air from local broadcasters that are transmitting in a digital format.

Alternatively, you may be able to subscribe to local-into-local digital service if your satellite carrier offers it.

Distant digital signals: Satellite carriers are not required to offer distant digital signals. If your satellite carrier offers distant digital signals, you may be eligible to subscribe to them if one of the following situations applies to you.

- You may be currently receiving or allowed to subscribe to distant digital signals pursuant to private agreements between your satellite carrier and one or more television networks. If, as of December 8, 2004, you received distant digital signals, you may continue to receive these signals as long as the agreement remains in effect. You may receive the digital signal regardless of whether the satellite company offers local-into-local digital service or whether you subscribe to such service. Ask your satellite carrier if it offers distant digital signals.

- Alternatively, you may be eligible for distant digital signals if you are "unserved" by over-the-air analog signals. "Unserved" means your household cannot receive, with a stationary outdoor rooftop antenna, an over-the-air signal of Grade B intensity, as defined by the FCC. If your household is predicted to be "unserved" by the analog signals of a network station, you qualify for the distant digital signal of that network, if it is offered by your satellite carrier. If your satellite carrier offers local-into-local analog service, you must subscribe to it in order to qualify for distant digital signals. If you qualify for distant signal service, the SHVERA statute specifies that you can only receive signals from stations located in your same time zone or in a later time zone, not in an earlier time zone. In other words, you cannot receive programming aired at an earlier time than it would be aired by local stations in your time zone regardless of when you first subscribed to distant digital signals. Ask your satellite carrier which distant digital signals it offers in your area.

- A third alternative, created by the 2004 SHVERA statute, will allow for signal testing at your household to determine if you are "served" by a digital signal over-the-air. In some cases, if you are shown to be "unserved," you would be eligible for distant digital signals, provided you subscribe to local-into-local analog service if it is offered. However, this digital testing option is not available until April 30, 2006 (in the top 100 television markets) and July 15, 2007 (in all other television markets). In certain situations, a station may qualify for a waiver of this testing requirement for a limited period of time. In addition, your satellite carrier may refuse to arrange for the digital signal test, and in that case, you may arrange and pay for a test yourself, under the supervision of the satellite carrier. Your satellite carrier can tell you whether you are in a top 100 market and whether it will help you to arrange for a digital signal test once the testing provisions take effect in 2006 or 2007.

In general, the SHVERA statute prevents a satellite carrier from offering distant digital signals if it makes local-into-local digital signals available to you unless you were receiving distant digital signals as of December 8, 2004. The statute also prevents satellite carriers from offering distant digital network programming that is aired in an earlier time zone than that in which you live unless you have a waiver from your local station that is affiliated with the same network as the station offering the earlier programming. This means, for example, if you live in California and local-into-local service is available to you and you are eligible for a distant digital signal, the satellite carrier is not permitted to provide you with a distant digital signal from New York.

Also

10. Do I need a new waiver to get a distant digital signal if I have a waiver for distant analog signals?

If you are an unserved household as defined above, you are eligible to receive a distant digital signal today, subject to the other statutory restrictions described above. If you are currently receiving distant analog signals because you were granted a waiver by one or more television stations, you may be eligible to receive a distant digital signal if your waiver is not limited to analog signals. You should contact your satellite carrier to check your eligibility and, if necessary, to request a waiver for distant digital signals. If you are eligible to receive a distant analog signal because you were a grandfathered subscriber as defined above, it is not automatic that you are eligible for a distant digital signal, and you should ask your satellite carrier to request a waiver from the television station on your behalf. Regardless of the way in which you are eligible to receive a distant digital signal, you must subscribe to local-into-local analog television service, if it is offered in your DMA, in order be eligible to receive a distant digital signal.

ADent

Feb 7, 2006

Summary: If you did not have OOM (out of market, aka distant) Networks on 12/8/2004 then you need to be 'unserved' by OTA signals or get a waiver - at least until May 2006 when digital testing comes to some markets.

How it actually works, I am not sure. But that is how it is supposed to work.

charper1

Feb 7, 2006

RIRWIN1983 said:
to those of you that have successfuly gotten wavers, esp for poor, or no ota reception, i would like to see how you worded your letters to assit me in applying for wavers till d* gets off its ass and offers hd locals in march,april,may, or whenever the csr tells me the next time i call. pm me if you want to email me a copy of the letter u used in ms word format.

Just have those actual letters copied and pasted here for everyone to see and use to avoid the "send to me too" posts. Just X-out anything that might be personal, which should be zero after your personal address and phone.

javahh

Feb 7, 2006

I have tried off and on for at least 1.5 years to get a waiver from the local NBC station. I can get ABC,FOX, CBSHD NewYork (with waiver from local), and 5 channels of UNCTV DT. To get the CBS waiver was pretty straight forward. I called the engineer with the station, explained where I lived in relation to the tower and he immediately sent me a waiver. NBC has been an ongoing battle. Emails, phone calls, visits to the station, have gotten me absolutely nowhere. Although NBC has some decent HD content, I have elected at this point to not watch thier station. Getting a waiver is an extremely long process with some stations and you just have to be persistant. With the locals that I get, plus the programming that I get from DirectTV, I am fairly happy at this point. I think DirectTV could use more programming, however I also understand that the technology is new and that we all want it to be right when introduced so I will wait. I have to remember that it's just TV (albiet a great way to watch) and in the end it doesn't affect\impact my life.

Sharpie

Feb 17, 2006

Update on HD waiver experience

In late January I asked Directv to send an HD waiver to my local CBS affiliate who is not sending out HD programming. Last week, I received a post card from Directv stating that the waiver had been denied. I was upset with the denial so I called the CBS station and asked to speak with the general manager. Although upset, I was courteous to the man in charge and asked for an explanation. He told me that he had no record whatsoever that Directv had even sent him a waiver acquisition because their were no findings on his computer that Directv had done so. He asked me for the name on the Directv account and address so that he could do a thorough search. Again, no such action of waiver request was sent to him by Directv. I explained why I would like the HD waiver and he was very understanding and said he would place it through for me. He later sent me an email telling me that he agreed to the waiver along with the confirmation number of the transaction. I now have channel 80 (CBS HD) thanks to the general manager going the extra mile on my behalf.

I now question whether Directv actually sent out the waivers.

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Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 4 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

How things have changed

I was reading this article

Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022

The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…

thehill.com

That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.

And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.

Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.

There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.

In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.

Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.

Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.

So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households

So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.

That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.

But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.

Imagine what 2024 will be like.

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Bruce

Today at 8:58 AM

And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and Howard Simmons

Jimbo

Today at 11:08 AM

Bruce said:
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-

Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%

Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.

View attachment 194983

Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?

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b4pjoe

Today at 11:17 AM

Jimbo said:
Your Still Thrilled about all this ?

These numbers will Never be accurate as many people use Both still ...

You have services like Hulu Live and You Tube TV that do, what you call Cable, but they ARE Streaming, so Which is is ?

Does it get counted 2x as both Streaming and Cable ?

I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.

Jimbo

Today at 11:19 AM

b4pjoe said:
I think Hulu Live, YTTV, Fubo, and DIRECTV stream among others like my Internet provider has a TV service like Broadcast/Cable but it streams like the four services I mentioned and would be listed under Broadcast/Cable. Imagine how bad the numbers would be if they were listed under streaming and not Broadcast/Cable. I'm sure someone will correct me if that is wrong though.

Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.

b4pjoe

Today at 11:23 AM

Jimbo said:
Well, your showing the same as I am, its impossible to get those that use both, as well as those that ARE both.

Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.

Jimbo

Today at 11:24 AM

b4pjoe said:
Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.

But, Originally they were Streaming ...

Bruce

27 minutes ago

b4pjoe said:
Well they are both but I think they are only counted as Broadcast/Cable/Other.

Jimbo said:
But, Originally they were Streaming ...

be4joe is correct, YTTV and the likes are not included in streaming, from Nielsen's FAQ-

What about live streaming on Hulu and YouTube?

Linear streaming via vMVPD apps (e.g., Hulu Live, YouTube TV) are excluded from the streaming category.

Jimbo

20 minutes ago

But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

b4pjoe

11 minutes ago

Jimbo said:
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

But they are basically airing a number of live channels just like Broadcast, Cable, and Others so that is why they are counted that way.

Bruce

4 minutes ago

Jimbo said:
But they ARE Streaming as well, so they Should be counted as both, which would make the Streaming numbers even More prominate.

Q.
Who does the Counting for Streaming ?

Neilson does the Broadcast/Cable ...

Same.

Ratings for streaming content is extremely accurate, since the service knows who is watching what and when, when we hit ok on our remotes.

Ratings for Broadcast/Cable shows has always been a estimate.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 7 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

New Gemini Box

The following is from Reddit. -
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/s/orzHBkmqQW

There appears to be a new DIRECTV Gemini OTT box, the C81KW-650.

The FCC listing is partially available, and a Geekbench entry confirms it uses an Amlogic S905X5, a solid SoC for a set-top box.

I also see 4GB of RAM, and the manufacturer is SEI Robotics.

DIRECTV C81KW OTT Box - Android TV Guide

Ok found a picture of the Box too on Reddit:

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/DirectvStream/comments/1twlex0/comment/opzeqi1/

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GRB1959

Sep 23, 2026

A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?

slow_poke_pete

Sep 23, 2026

GRB1959 said:
A new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming possibly becoming available in January of 2027? That would be welcome news.

I have been exploring leaving Dish DBS ever since a software update around Aug. 10, version H711 and now H712, is causing problems with IR signals and the Dish Hopper 3. As a result my Sofabaton X2 universal remote no longer works perfectly as it did prior to the H711 and H712 Dish Hopper 3 firmware updates.

I have been a little leary of the current hardware available for DirecTV streaming as the Gemini Ospry box fits my needs, however they are getting a little long in the tooth and finding the 4GB RAM (SKU: 60233) Osprey box complete with remote and power cable is somewhat challenging. I see that the 2GB RAM Osprey boxes (SKU: 60164) can be found on Ebay and at Walmart online used, however a 4GB Osprey box is preferred.

Now I wonder if I should just wait it out until the new Gemini box for DirecTV streaming becomes available. I want a box with an Ethernet port and the Gemini Air is WiFi only. If the new Gemini box does become available in January of 2027 will it be lease only via DirecTV or will we be allowed to purchase them?

there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers

GRB1959

Sep 23, 2026

slow_poke_pete said:
there leased at 10.00 per box. unless you can find em at ebay or wally world where people have gotten em before. or you could get a roku apple tv firestick if you don't need the channel numbers

I appreciate the reply. My wife will be using this as well so a numeric keypad to change channels that actually works is a must and I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.

KyL416

Sep 23, 2026

The DTV app doesn't respond to channel number inputs on 3rd party devices.

Reactions: slow_poke_pete and GRB1959

slow_poke_pete

Sep 23, 2026

KyL416 said:
The DTV app doesn't respond to channel number inputs on 3rd party devices.

This is good to know!!!

Tom Speer

Today at 9:19 AM

PUBLIC INFORMATION SUMMARY: DIRECTV's New Streaming‑Only Device (Model C81KW‑650)

I asked ChatGPT to summarize what is publicly known about DirecTV's new Streaming box. Here is what it said:

DIRECTV has a new streaming‑only device undergoing testing, publicly identified as model C81KW‑650.FCC filings and Reddit posts show it uses an Amlogic S905X5 chipset with 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, Wi‑Fi 6, Ethernet, and support for modern codecs including AV1 and H.266.It runs Android TV 14 and is manufactured by SEI Robotics.

Performance is significantly improved over the Osprey‑based Gemini and Gemini Air, with a faster CPU, stronger GPU, double the RAM, modern codec support, and better connectivity.

The FCC lists it as an OTT device, and all public information indicates it is intended for streaming service only.No official release date has been announced.

Making it also function as a Genie client would only be a matter of software, but that would not be able to use all the advanced codecs built into this device. That is clearly not a near term priority for DirecTV, if they ever do it at all.

b4pjoe

Today at 10:28 AM

Here is what Google Gemini says about it:

The DIRECTV New Streaming‑Only Device (Model C81KW-650) is the successor set-top box to DIRECTV's original Gemini hardware (C71KW). Manufactured by SEI Robotics, details about the device emerged through FCC filings and hardware benchmarks.

It represents a significant performance upgrade over previous DIRECTV hardware.

Hardware & Performance Upgrades

Processor (SoC): Powered by the Amlogic S905X5 chipset featuring a quad-core ARM Cortex-A510 CPU (2.0 GHz). This offers roughly a 35–40% performance increase over the older Broadcom chipsets, resulting in much faster app load times and UI responsiveness.

Graphics: Upgraded to an ARM Mali-G310 GPU.

Memory & Storage: Equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage—a substantial jump from previous models that allows smoother multitasking and plenty of space for third-party streaming apps.

Software & Connectivity

Operating System: Runs Android TV 14 out of the box.

Wi-Fi Upgrade: Includes Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, replacing the older Wi-Fi 5 standard for more stable wireless 4K video streaming.

Expanded Codec Support: Supports 4K Ultra HD with AV1, VP9, H.264, HEVC/H.265, and support for future-proof VVC/H.266 video playback.

HDR & Audio: Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Core Ecosystem Features

DIRECTV Experience: Retains full integration with DIRECTV's unified interface—combining live satellite or internet channel guides with third-party streaming apps downloaded via the Google Play Store.

Voice & Smart Controls: Built-in Google Assistant voice navigation and Google Cast support.

dishstaller

53 minutes ago

GRB1959 said:
I want it to have a hardwired Ethernet port so that leaves the Gemini box as my only real choice.

The Roku Ultra series (the larger square box models that attach via hdmi) have ethernet ports

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b4pjoe

7 minutes ago

dishstaller said:
The Roku Ultra series (the larger square box models that attach via hdmi) have ethernet portsView attachment 194992

This thread is about the new box for the DIRECTV Stream service. And yes it has an Ethernet port also.

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

34 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI Agents Breached an Enterprise Network in Under 10 Hours #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gnVnW1U46g0

Direct YouTube Link - AI Agents Breached an Enterprise Network in Under 10 Hours #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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TRG

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply 34 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Prescription drug costs

Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.

https://trumprx.gov/

Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp

Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp

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comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 6:09 PM

I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...

Homepage of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug homepage. Provides safe, affordable medicine or medication with transparent low prices.

www.costplusdrugs.com

You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 9:39 PM

comfortably_numb said:
Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

I'm fortunate and don't take any medications. A couple years ago I had to take some antibiotics and used the GoodRx app. Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher. She said they aren't supposed to tell customers when they see they are being screwed.

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navychop

Yesterday at 9:49 PM

That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?

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Bobby

Yesterday at 10:06 PM

navychop said:
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?

Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.

Reactions: meStevo, AZ. and TRG

klang

Today at 7:41 AM

Bobby said:
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.

Those are two of the three I take.

comfortably_numb

Today at 8:44 AM

dishstaller said:
Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher

Walmart and Sam's pharmacies have "zero rated" prescriptions lists where generics are $4 (or less). If yours are on that list, then of course GoodRx isn't going to help. Also, GoodRx isn't always the cheapest discount program. For me, the cheapest is usually Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs.

reubenray

34 minutes ago

My wife and I both take Gabapentin for nerve pain. With our Medicare Plan D plan it use to be free. Now we have to pay for it. Yesterday my wife got her prescription at CVS and the pharmacist dug around and got the cost cut in half with what he said was RX. I am guessing this was GoodRX.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

42 minutes ago · posted in TV Shows

Brutal review of Netflix's series Below

Don't know if any of you have watched this series yet, it would be interesting to see if you feel this review was accurate. It was very humorous to listen to however.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tsDO3y8I2c

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Tom Speer

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Today at 12:14 PM · posted in DIRECTV Cutting Edge Information

DIRECTV Cutting Edge Non Disclosure Agreement

In order to participate in any Cutting Edge testing, you must sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Attached are a .docx (Microsoft Word) and PDF version of the latest DirecTV NDA. I found it easiest to complete the .docx version then paste a photo or scan image of my signature, cropped closely to just the signature into it as a picture. Then set Word to wrap text around the picture so that the picture follows the text "Signature".

People who have better PDF tools than I do may prefer that version.

When you apply for any Cutting Edge testing, you will be told how to send the signed copy.

NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (testers v2).docx 19 KB NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (testers v2).pdf 95 KB

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TvMind

Last reply Today at 12:02 PM · posted in C-BAND Satellite Discussion

SES 1 101° W Horizontal "Issues" a.k.a "I want my M(e)TV"

Howdy folks long time no write.

Issue(s): Horizontal transponders (esp. Weigel mux) breakup/mosaic/sputtering audio, JTV less so (but received perfectly up until a month or so ago.
Vertical is fine (Daystar). Up until recently couldn't even get any signal on Weigel Mux but JTV was perfect.

What I did to improve things: A slight westward move improved reception but only slightly (approx 72 on the micro HD, sorry no dB to post). I removed the 3-way C-Band splitter and used a 2-way to get a 1-2 db signal gain ( the power port goes to the Startrak - the micro HD doesn't have enough juice ! (1st clue) even after swapping the switching power supply it came with with a heftier linear 12 V supply (less RFI too !).
I have had issues with the uHD before signal breaking up that a reboot would clear up (clue #2 = dying tuner?) - FYI, I reinforced the IF input and removed all flux from the pcb completely with a Flux Removal Pen (MG Chemicals Cat No. 4140-P) which definitely makes a huge difference.

I went outside and pushed and pulled reflector slightly and no improvement. Pole (actually tower in yard - the neighbours love me..NOT) is plumb, checked with carpenters level. Dish was last peaked in 2017 or so, after overhauling 24" Von Weise, new Acme, fresh grease, etc. Focal length, f/d ratio etc meticulously adjusted. One panel has a tear so planning to repair that this weekend when my cousin comes over ( to help me out (old guy here) forecast calls for sunshine.

What has changed: My utility company has installed new high tension line poles (one smack dab in the middle of 101°W target! But they put it in last year and reception (of JTV (HOR) at least) was fine, BUT when they came out to transfer the wires over this year from the old (sawed in half) pole that's about when the troubles started (coincidence?), but again Daystar (VER) was fine. I always had this pole in the light of sight of 101° before with no issues. (fyi my zenith sat 74° is unobstucted, but can't test)

In the meantime Weigel mux is trying to break in MOSTLY in LATE at night (less cell usage?) (audio not video except for a frame here or there) so don't know what has changed with this mux which suddenly "woke up". I have never had to fuss with dish moves on this satellite ( the slightest move +/- motor clicks loses lock, wheres normally on C-band I can go significantly wider east or west and still have a strong signal ( have these gone "spot beam" or narrower somehow and what is the slight difference in Az listed on Lyngsat to 100.9° affect things ( isn't that the declination i.e. requiring a tweak of declination?).

Long story short (too late, ha), if I had another DVB-S2 box to try and / or a newer more stable PLL lnb ( I have been meaning to upgrade many a time but never got arround to it) I could determine if it's my antiquated receiving equipment, or my dish/feed alignment ( doubtful as it tracks everything from 55 °W to 133 ° W nicely.) or the dreaded 5G! (BUT only on HOR and not VER?).
I read another post where the OP (with his smaller 7.5 footer) played around with the illumination to peak desired transponder and reduce qrm on interfering/ stronger xpndrs (even on 103° W). So will play with that too - and cut away the RG-6 a and pull up a fresh section with new PPC and coax Seal. Open the throat cap see if any cobwebs are there and check servo operation (also changed in last maintence 10 years ago).

Finally, this will probably be the last chance I get to play with the BUD from the looks of it (providers leaving, auctioning off rest of spectrum imminent above 4.0 Ghz, and to keep the peace with neighbours so it would be nice to have that mux back for the long, cold and dark winters to comfort this old man before I call it quits and buy a VHF/UHF/FM Yagi and get MeTV, H&I from my Vermont local stations (checked at a friends today and they come in nicely - except ABC) .
Only one guy in town (Montreal) I may be able to get a receiver or PLL lnb from to try (RPS Sat) so hopefully with elimnate that as a possible culprit. Be nice to pick up a cheap or used PLL lnb to try w/o 5G BPF (money is tight )

Like others I couldn't care less about "tv" (well maybe just a liitle or a lot) it's the challenge that excites me , I can get MeTV other ways OTA (no pirate crap).

So what do you guys (and gals) think ?. p.s. I don't have a spectrum analyzer and there are def/ cell towers nearby (half a Km or so away).
Oh and time permitting will hammer out dings too and wire damaged mesh on one section for an extra dB or two. Hesitate to touch Declination, Elevation and pole mount but will play around with those a little too... Why is this mux for finicky suddenly ?(8psk, 5/6 fec, beamwidthetc.. man wish they went back to VER I think everthing would be fine! For the engineers out here does 5G QRM affect one poliarization (HOR) more than another (VER)? I understand the strong interference swamps out the input mixer/local oscilator in the hapless old C-band lnb (I think it at time affect KU too esp. LPB on 101°W KU - incidentally thos were weak or "gone' but are back almost at the time MeTV improved..hmm Terrestrial interference?

Any thoughts or suggestions ( cheap or free solutions please) greatly appreciated. Cheers.

p.p.s. Micro HD can't display Decades and Toons but records them fine so I can watch on another box/media player (Ali chip set issue). Another reason to upgrade.

Anybody interested in a nice C/KU system free ? (for next Spring/Summer 2027)

[Sami 10' mesh, Corotor II+, Eagle Aspen (very old) C-band lnb, Norsat Ku lnb, Channel Master C/Ku (H/V) switch, Startrak 400 Analog receiver w/ motor control, Geosat uHD DVD-S2, CW600S for Mpeg-2]

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arlo

Tuesday at 10:22 AM

To me it looks like all of the intelligent things to diagnose the problem 'on the cheap' are being done.
I have my own thoughts of lnbf's using an external filter between the feed and coax. It would be cool to see what Brian could add.
Do his units have the filter before the actual LNA chip in the circuit? In other words, signal is focused at the lnbf throat. The probes for h & v polarity send the signal to.......filtering......then to the lna IC......
Or probes, lna, then filtering. Makes sense to trap the bad stuff before amplification to me.

On the cheap sometimes leaves questions. Enosat and El Bandido both use dvb-s pci cards and TBS USB receivers.
With those, and software. Signal analysis becomes sort of easy. Or tapping into your coax with a dc pass splitter, decoupling capacitor, and using a spectrum analyzer. Tuning across the LO band. Finding signal spikes. Digging deep.

Still making my decision on a (most probably) TBS PCIe tuner card. But I have tapped into my coax with my ancient but quite impressive HP spectrum analyzer and tinysa.
I don't have 5G interference so far that I know of. But have my suspects because I'm only able to snag signal from 131W in the winter when the leaves drop. But out of curiosity do scan it in the fall. And seem to be getting a signal that 'shouldn't' be there and a scan shows no channels. Far as I got.

An idea pops up to rig up an LNBF on a stick. Along with the tinysa and power supply and do some rogue signal searches. War Driving, of sorts. But. I wouldn't think that a chinabox, firmware based receiver would be of much help.
From what I see scanning across the frequency band. 5G cell transmission is always on and is very wide spectrum.
Whether anyone is actually using talking, texting, watching stupid human tricks on YouTube Makes no difference. The RF is there. So why would a C Band setup come and go? And what if you dumped the corotor and went modern voltage controlled polarity?

Another thought. Since you've learned the optimal position to place the scalar to illuminate out to the dish rim. And peaked the feed. There's most of a roll of aluminum flashing out in my garage that would most definitely wrap around my dish perimeter. That and a bag of large binder clips from the office supply. wally world. Ideas?

brownsfan1

Yesterday at 8:23 PM

arlo said:
To me it looks like all of the intelligent things to diagnose the problem 'on the cheap' are being done.
I have my own thoughts of lnbf's using an external filter between the feed and coax. It would be cool to see what Brian could add.
Do his units have the filter before the actual LNA chip in the circuit? In other words, signal is focused at the lnbf throat. The probes for h & v polarity send the signal to.......filtering......then to the lna IC......
Or probes, lna, then filtering. Makes sense to trap the bad stuff before amplification to me.

On the cheap sometimes leaves questions. Enosat and El Bandido both use dvb-s pci cards and TBS USB receivers.
With those, and software. Signal analysis becomes sort of easy. Or tapping into your coax with a dc pass splitter, decoupling capacitor, and using a spectrum analyzer. Tuning across the LO band. Finding signal spikes. Digging deep.

Still making my decision on a (most probably) TBS PCIe tuner card. But I have tapped into my coax with my ancient but quite impressive HP spectrum analyzer and tinysa.
I don't have 5G interference so far that I know of. But have my suspects because I'm only able to snag signal from 131W in the winter when the leaves drop. But out of curiosity do scan it in the fall. And seem to be getting a signal that 'shouldn't' be there and a scan shows no channels. Far as I got.

An idea pops up to rig up an LNBF on a stick. Along with the tinysa and power supply and do some rogue signal searches. War Driving, of sorts. But. I wouldn't think that a chinabox, firmware based receiver would be of much help.
From what I see scanning across the frequency band. 5G cell transmission is always on and is very wide spectrum.
Whether anyone is actually using talking, texting, watching stupid human tricks on YouTube Makes no difference. The RF is there. So why would a C Band setup come and go? And what if you dumped the corotor and went modern voltage controlled polarity?

Another thought. Since you've learned the optimal position to place the scalar to illuminate out to the dish rim. And peaked the feed. There's most of a roll of aluminum flashing out in my garage that would most definitely wrap around my dish perimeter. That and a bag of large binder clips from the office supply. wally world. Ideas?

I did some more investigating and found I got the MeTV mux in the early hours, until about 6am then the pixelating starts. Gets worse until around 8am its totally gone. I suspect my local cell tower is ramping up traffic as the morning goes on. My Titanium feed does a super job and most everything is clear that wasn't before but this mux is aggravating! I seem to just be over the signal threshold to work until the 5G total overwhelms my system. I'm using an old 9 foot spun aluminum dish and was wondering if I went to a 12 ft dish this would solve the problem? I know bigger is better in most satellite dish related signal problems. If this is true I will be searching for a bigger dish. I like your idea of flashing put around the dish perimeter. I have some I need to dig out and try before I start ripping out my dish. Anybody have any ideas if the bigger dish would do better? Any help would be appreciated!

SDA_FL_USA

Yesterday at 9:13 PM

brownsfan1 said:
I did some more investigating and found I got the MeTV mux in the early hours, until about 6am then the pixelating starts. Gets worse until around 8am its totally gone. I suspect my local cell tower is ramping up traffic as the morning goes on. My Titanium feed does a super job and most everything is clear that wasn't before but this mux is aggravating! I seem to just be over the signal threshold to work until the 5G total overwhelms my system. I'm using an old 9 foot spun aluminum dish and was wondering if I went to a 12 ft dish this would solve the problem? I know bigger is better in most satellite dish related signal problems. If this is true I will be searching for a bigger dish. I like your idea of flashing put around the dish perimeter. I have some I need to dig out and try before I start ripping out my dish. Anybody have any ideas if the bigger dish would do better? Any help would be appreciated!

8 1/2 Foot mesh here with the c140 lnbf and a verizon 5g tower nearby. Got no issue with the Metv transponder. Are you sure you have the lnbf setup correct? When I set my c140 up I noticed it was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch pushed in closer to the dish, sticking out of the scaler ring than my old lnbf was. Thought I may have trouble with that but my signal readings are higher than they had ever been.

brownsfan1

Today at 9:06 AM

SDA_FL_USA said:
8 1/2 Foot mesh here with the c140 lnbf and a verizon 5g tower nearby. Got no issue with the Metv transponder. Are you sure you have the lnbf setup correct? When I set my c140 up I noticed it was about 1/4 to 1/2 inch pushed in closer to the dish, sticking out of the scaler ring than my old lnbf was. Thought I may have trouble with that but my signal readings are higher than they had ever been.

Thanks for the info. I'll do a detailed feed alignment this weekend. I have to be on a ladder to tweak this 101w satellite with the MeTV mux. Luckily I've got a V8 Finder so I'll put that to use. Funny, I got the MeTV mux fine this Friday morning. Jewelry TV was completely garbled though. I'm wondering if I'm having 2 degree spacing problems more than the cell tower affecting me. Seems strange some days I'm fine and others MeTV is completely destroyed. In the old days I could just move the dish to 99w and see what's there adjacent to MeTV. Maybe if I optimize my feed I can eliminate my problem either way. I have a 9 foot spun aluminum dish that may not have the best two degree isolation. Some of these were crudely made with a poor parabolic shape. I'll keep you posted and thanks to all for the advice!

arlo

Today at 12:02 PM

Just some rambling here. Be safe on that ladder.
Took me about 20 seconds looking at a YouTube video showing the V8 Finder in use. A spectrum analyzer display.
Well, Cool! And it can power an lnbf stand alone. More cooler.
Well there's your 5g interference wonderment solution. IF you had a spare C band lnbf. Put it on a stick and go "wardriving". If 5g towers are blowing out signals strong enough to cause interference in your dish. Well.....
And off-axis, not in the same direction as the dish is pointed? Don't exactly know.

Take a drive around and look at towers with microwave dishes bolted to them. You'll see that a large share of them do have a perimeter shield. Further diving into the likes of Andrews show shields as an optional add-on to do just what you think they should do. Block adjacent interference. Probably a good idea when multiple units are on the same, or adjacent towers. Ya' think?

Some not-so-many years ago when I dove into this whole dish antenna thing. I replaced the c/ku band corotor feed with a Titanium C2-W. Being a good boy. Assuming that the original scalar was in the proper position from day one back in the 80's. I followed instructions and stuck the unit in the hole and bolted it down at the stamped marking as per instructions. I got my first signal finally with the Zgemma H7. I was thinking "that's it?". Signal sucked.
Then I looked at how the corotor feed was located looking at the bolt marks on the tube.
It was like focusing a telescope or camera. In the end. I was getting pretty good signals. That was in the dead of winter. And I hate the cold.

A buttonhook feed support. Give a margin of adjustability versus perimeter arm scalar supports.
And a lot of reading and experimenting showed that although the scalar was probably where it should be. Isn't anymore. The focal length / fd ratio calculations probably are right. If you have a perfect parabolic dish.
Mine ain't. And its old. Most probably not a perfect parabola since it was. As well as the polar mount. Fabricated locally.
I spoke to the old guy who installed all of them here back in the heyday. Started installing Prodelin dishes.
Everyone was watching HBO and Playboy. At 3-5 grand a pop.
He told me that him and his sons made a concrete form. Finished with a plaster top coat. And started spraying resin and chopped fiberglass. Then a metal flame sprayer like is used to build up crankshafts and stuff. Finished with several more layers of 'glass. The rest. Polar mount, cast iron pole mount. Contracted locally.
That's the story. I took that old beast and if you've seen Pootie Tang. I juvenated it and then rejuvenated it.

I think that one thing to remember is that in an lnbf. All of the satellite signal amping is done in the low noise amplifier section. What signal is blown out to the coax is done in the intermediate frequency amplifier section.
So what comes in the waveguide is what it is.
I've used several receivers. Different Enigma2 images on the same receiver show different signal levels. It's a software thing. Signal calibration and display. Don't forget that. One image might not give a signal lock on a weak transponder. Fire up another? Look at the TNAP images. An option to display signal below lock.
The only real way to tell the absolute signal level you get in the house is to use a certified spectrum analyzer/service monitor.

BTW. I'm on MeTV right now. Book 'em Danno. Purposefully aimed off-axis just above the threshold of pixelation.
Only thing I see is that the sun came and the sun went. That's where I saw break up for a half hour or so.

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 11:48 AM · 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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Reactions: c-spand

dishstaller

Yesterday at 9:32 PM

Heart of Glass - Blondie

Reactions: FTA4PA, ClarkGable and long_time_Dish

long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 10:13 PM

Magazine - Heart

hwkn

Today at 2:40 AM

Harden My HEART-Quarterflash

Reactions: RaiderPower, FTA4PA and ClarkGable

ClarkGable

Today at 6:13 AM

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

Bobby

Today at 11:48 AM

This Should Go On Forever - Rod Bernard

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Today at 11:14 AM · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

More Memories

Was happy to see another video was posted of scanning the c band skies.

I am starting a new thread on this instead of putting it the first one as many people would miss the addition of this new video

Enjoy the memories.

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

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Today at 9:37 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

We're less than 4 weeks away from Voyager 1 reaching a distance of one light day from Earth

I've always been super interested in things space related so this is a pretty cool event coming up. Nov 18, 2026 early in the morning, Voyager 1 will reach the distance of one full light day from Earth. Took almost 50 yrs. I was 13 when it launched.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gjHK3clOwIw?feature=share

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We're less than 4 weeks away from Voyager 1 reaching a distance of one light day from Earth