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I came home today to no signal.. (at all) Turns out my DiSEqC switch died. all 4 ports, dead to the world. The back of the case was slightly dented, letting moisture inside and corroding all the internal stuff.
The dent pulled the seal away slightly so the water could get in. The switch is in the dark, so it never got any sun to cook the water back out.
The dent pulled the seal away slightly so the water could get in. The switch is in the dark, so it never got any sun to cook the water back out.
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SatAdam,
Once again, I hope that I don't offend by stating that this might not be for the best (if you don't have extra switches). Don't get me wrong - I'm all for experimentation and for finding things out, but I think that there might be a good chance that you'll detune your brand new switch. However if you have a couple and don't mind loosing one, I'd say go for it. As for what I'm going to say, I checked with a forum member whom I greatly respect, just to make certain that what I said was on track.
At microwave frequencies (and probably others) just about everything acts as tuning...the distance of the cover, the proximity of the case, the thickness of the circuit board, etc. I've seen amplifier circuits that were actually tuned by using thin solder spikes on the RF traces. Even the angle of the spike would change the signal characteristics.
A much better explanation was given to me in these words:
"...The traces between the ports on the circuit board inside a DiSEqC switch are meant to have the same characteristic impedance as the coax cable they connect to (RG-6, RG59 = 75ohms). The traces are printed with a specific width which is related to the thickness (distance to ground plane on bottom) and type of material of the circuit board. An assumption is made is that the top of the board is exposed to air which has different characteristics (the most important being dielectric constant) than compounds like epoxy.
If you pot the circuit board with something like epoxy you will change the dielectric constant that the trace "sees" and then it won't be a 75 ohm trace anymore.
The net effect will be some overall signal loss as well as possible frequency specific losses due to impedance mismatches."
I was thinking that the circuit would be totally detuned, but that was probably a little extreme:
"....In reality the whole consumer level satellite/cable TV setup using cheap cable, cheap F connectors, and cheap parts is a real RF mess anyway, kind of like a leaky hose, and so you may not notice unless your signals are marginal to start with - possibly weak transponders will suffer. "
I'd like anyone who might be thinking of doing this to keep this in mind. Make certain that you have a backup just in case. I'd also be interested in hearing how the experiment goes. Maybe I'll be proven wrong.
Just one other thought. Condensation occurs from warm humid air coming in contact with cooler surroundings. My suggestion (for what it's worth) would be to keep the switch enclosed in a light colored (white?) box with adequate airflow to limit sudden temperature extremes.
Please forgive the length of this post.
SatAdam said:
SatAdam,
Once again, I hope that I don't offend by stating that this might not be for the best (if you don't have extra switches). Don't get me wrong - I'm all for experimentation and for finding things out, but I think that there might be a good chance that you'll detune your brand new switch. However if you have a couple and don't mind loosing one, I'd say go for it. As for what I'm going to say, I checked with a forum member whom I greatly respect, just to make certain that what I said was on track.
At microwave frequencies (and probably others) just about everything acts as tuning...the distance of the cover, the proximity of the case, the thickness of the circuit board, etc. I've seen amplifier circuits that were actually tuned by using thin solder spikes on the RF traces. Even the angle of the spike would change the signal characteristics.
A much better explanation was given to me in these words:
"...The traces between the ports on the circuit board inside a DiSEqC switch are meant to have the same characteristic impedance as the coax cable they connect to (RG-6, RG59 = 75ohms). The traces are printed with a specific width which is related to the thickness (distance to ground plane on bottom) and type of material of the circuit board. An assumption is made is that the top of the board is exposed to air which has different characteristics (the most important being dielectric constant) than compounds like epoxy.
If you pot the circuit board with something like epoxy you will change the dielectric constant that the trace "sees" and then it won't be a 75 ohm trace anymore.
The net effect will be some overall signal loss as well as possible frequency specific losses due to impedance mismatches."
I was thinking that the circuit would be totally detuned, but that was probably a little extreme:
"....In reality the whole consumer level satellite/cable TV setup using cheap cable, cheap F connectors, and cheap parts is a real RF mess anyway, kind of like a leaky hose, and so you may not notice unless your signals are marginal to start with - possibly weak transponders will suffer. "
I'd like anyone who might be thinking of doing this to keep this in mind. Make certain that you have a backup just in case. I'd also be interested in hearing how the experiment goes. Maybe I'll be proven wrong.
Just one other thought. Condensation occurs from warm humid air coming in contact with cooler surroundings. My suggestion (for what it's worth) would be to keep the switch enclosed in a light colored (white?) box with adequate airflow to limit sudden temperature extremes.
Please forgive the length of this post.
Staff member
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot 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
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
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8
Understanding the TPN Map
Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions
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This thread is a place to discuss the 4K events that appear on channel 540. We are getting, at this point, one college football game a week. Let's hope there is more coming.
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Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
As I recall you have the Flex package. Do you sub to multisport? -02 is FS1 and -03 is ESPN. -01 is Fox so you would get that if you sub to locals.Hmmm, I'm not seeing anything like those events in our Hopper 3 guide for tonight or Saturday.
I went into the Tools menu and requested a Guide Update. I'll try looking at it after the update completes.
edit — I now have the 148-01 4KFox events for Saturday, but not anything for 148-02 or 148-03 which don't even show as available channels. I do have 148-04 4KUSA.
Even though it didn't work out for the Hoosiers, this event recorded and I was able to watch it in full 4K HDR.
Timer is set to Record the Series. Thanks, Bobby!
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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....
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I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share
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Unless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.
I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner.
You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
I would think that all the packaging would already be accounted for ... they weigh the container, subtract that from the scale, then add the product , so its weighing the Product onlyUnless the specific product or its packaging is known at the time of weighing, estimating the tare weight for a PoS system is a tall order.
I'm pretty sure that produce bags can't get any thinner.
You certainly don't want to put unbagged produce on a belt, scale, or in a clerk's hands (gloved or not).
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8XjBdqOb-0
Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo Day at The Apple Store Los Angeles!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8XjBdqOb-0
Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo Day at The Apple Store Los Angeles!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
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Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
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I remember this in the news too...
www.nbcnews.com
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com
That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.I remember this in the news too...
$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone
A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
Lifetime Supporter
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yn1fIBkbJDQ
Direct YouTube Link - Glenn's Pick of the Week: The Vevor Automatic Tape Dispenser
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yn1fIBkbJDQ
Direct YouTube Link - Glenn's Pick of the Week: The Vevor Automatic Tape Dispenser
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.
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Welcome back, as you can see we branched off into a bunch of things since Satellite is what it is now, so lots to talk about here.