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Keith Brannen
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Decided to move one of my dishes today back along the wall about seven or eight inches to get it farther away from my Star Choice dish, just in case it was blocking some signals. (see attached photo for setup prior to move, the middle dish was moved).

So as I begin to tear down the dish, uplugging the LNB's (leaving them attached to the dish), loosening the bolts, etc., I began to think (definitely a mistake) that it might be easier to get on the roof and lift the dish up and place it on the roof, rather than carry the dish down the step-ladder.

To get on the roof, I have to get on from the other side of the house (the dishes make it impossible to put up the ladder on this side).

So up I go, go the dish and start to lift it (not feeling totally at ease leaning over the edge of the roof), but the bolts still seem snug, so I loosen them some more. As I was doing that, I starting thinking (this time a good thing) that I really don't like leaning over the roof to lift up the dish, I could lose my balance, fall, and come crashing down on top of the dish. Decided it would be better to carry the dish down the step-ladder. As well, if I fell off the step-ladder with the dish, it wouldn't be as far a fall, and I would hit the ground first and not on top of the dish. Plus, I might cushion the dish (I would eventually heal, but a crushed dish/LNBs would cost money to replace!).

Anyhow, I come off the roof, get the dish down without mishap, move everything, re-point the dish and LNBs, put the TV, ladder, and tools away.

Everything is fine... except... when I go to watch something on the other dish (G10R) I notice the signal for all transponders is way down (20-40 SQ loss). Why the loss? Didn't touch the G10R dish, couldn't see that moving the other dish could have affected it, unless it moved a board or something.

Out comes the TV, ladder, and tools. Figure I might just try shifting the arm at the LNBs to see if that helps, and the dish moved easily side-to-side! That not right, it shouldn't move! Get to where the dish is connected, and discover the bolts are almost completely loose!

Get off the ladder and begin to think. I haven't re-pointed the G10R dish in quite a while, but have done some bracket work and tweaking at the LNBs recently. So, if I failed to tighten the bolts the last re-point, later when I was playing around at the LNBs, it should have moved then.

It then slowly dawns on me that maybe when some idiot was on the roof earlier, instead of loosening the bolts on the dish to be moved, the idiot loosened the bolts on the G10R dish!

Either way, if I forgot to tighten the bolts at the last re-point (unlikely) or I loosen up the bolts of the wrong dish, I'm an idiot, or in the immortal words of Bugs Bunny: "A real maroon"!

Think I'll just watch some TV now, and try to avoid looking at signal quality for a while (sure, that's unlikely).
5 Replies · 1376 views
swampman
LOL....thats priceless. :D
M
Welcome to the pain and pleasures of the roof dancing crowd. Ain't it great fun being a hot cat on a tin roof getting weird looks from neighbors?
digiblur
Another reason why I keep my FTA rigs on the ground ;)
Keith Brannen
mastermesh said:
Welcome to the pain and pleasures of the roof dancing crowd. Ain't it great fun being a hot cat on a tin roof getting weird looks from neighbors?

Which is why I mounted my dishes on the side of the house, so I wouldn't have to go on the roof! As you can see, I have good reasons why I shouldn't ever go on the roof!

Already have one neighbour who seems to always walk by the driveway every time I'm up on the ladder. Last time, she just laughed!
Larry1
Well this week I was up on the roof replacing the amplifier on my OTA antenna. After removing the antenna, building a new mast to get it a little higher, hauling it up on the roof and trying to get the mast back in the top bearing on the TV tower the mast started to sway as I was holding it at the end of the pipe and it swung down some as I was trying to stop it from crashing to the ground. Well, the pipe knocked the dish, but not too hard. After then trying again to put the mast back in the bearing, this time it went in fine. My OTA antenna now has much better signal strength and I can scan in more channels. The Tube (on a sub channel of WUHF-DT OTA) now comes in sporatically and before I had no signal at all from that channel and WNGS-DT OTA comes in with great signal strength. After finishing this project I went back in the house to find I had no signal on my satellite now. So now out comes the small TV, satellite receiver, and a pile of cables to connect it all up. Now I find my small tv does not have a picture. Luckily it was just the tuner in the small tv and I replaced the RF connection with the composite video connection. (that tv is only used for aligning the dish) Now back on the roof. Now the receiver is not picking up the signal from the remote. So, back to the ground to tilt up the receiver so it will see the remote signal. Now back to the roof again. I try moving the dish a couple of bumps with the remote and find out that the dish is still aligned, I had just turned the motor a couple of notches so it did not need to be re-aligned. Tried pushing on the dish to confirm it was peaked and it was. After this I decided it was time for a break and headed off to the store about 1/2 hour away to pick up some DVD's I have been wanting for a while. Well tonight I find out one of the discs in one of the DVD box sets is bad. Oh well, just the reason I need to pick up a few more discs tomarrow. The TV tower I have needs about 2 more sections to put the OTA antenna up where it should be. I have 2 sections now and should have a minimum of 4 for my location and six would be better. It was a good project but I am not going to add the extra sections to the tower, as I do get a few channels in with consistant very strong signal. The antenna on the tower for the OTA is a home made one I put together earlier this year and works well. I will try to take and post a few pictures if anyone is interested. Even though I was also laughing at myself, it has been great fun.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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
73 Replies · 695 views
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Juan
Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.
You are paying for the whole thing
T
You are paying for the whole thing
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
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Jimbo
Well, the bag can't weigh that much, right? But by law food product packaging must display the actual net weight of the product, i.e., the contents of the container, so by any logic, if not law, a store's stated per-ounce cost should reflect that figure. But since there's not any law regulating shelf statements, a store can say whatever it wants without violating any rules. So I guess the answer is more consumer legislation. Or simply caveat emptor.
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
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TRG
TRG
I would think that the Vendor/Maker of the product would have a say in it, showing the Correct weight ...
You would think it would be in the contract.

I do look at the ounces of items, but unless its way off, I don't check the math, may have to start now.

Remember when you use to get a 13.5 oz bag of Chips .... Thats a PARTY Size now.
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
Jimbo
I remember when a pound of coffee was 16oz. Now its 12oz, they don't call it a pound anymore and its three times the cost of the 16oz pound.
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
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meStevo
The larger discrepancies are likely from a data or sync issue. Digital tags don't cause the error, but they can spread one bad entry across a whole store or region instantly. The small cent differences are probably just rounding in the weight, the price data, or both.
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(((Garyd)))
Well, they don't call it a pound anymore ....

Ice cream is that way too, use to be a half gallon, now its 1.5 quart or some say 48 oz
Is it real Ice-cream?
Jimbo
Is it real Ice-cream?
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
(((Garyd)))
Is it Real Ice cream ???
Depends on what your talking about.
Most don't have any milk in them
TRG
TRG
I buy my coffee beans from a local small batch roaster. The scale they use has a large stainless steel bowl on top. They scoop the beans from large mylar bags containing the roast of your choice. After weighing the coffee the beans are poured into a bag or ground, your choice. I have a grinder and prefer grinding right before I brew.
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NYDutch
Most don't have any milk in them
Ice cream must meet the follow standards:

Contain at least 10% milkfat (from real dairy/cream).
Weigh at least 4.5 pounds per gallon.
Contain at least 1.6 pounds of total solids per gallon and at least 20% total milk solids.
Contain no more than 100% overrun (the amount of air whipped into the mixture).

Products that don't meet those standards must still contain some milkfat and milk solids to be labeled a "frozen dairy treat".
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dishstaller
The larger discrepancies are likely from a data or sync issue. Digital tags don't cause the error, but they can spread one bad entry across a whole store or region instantly. The small cent differences are probably just rounding in the weight, the price data, or both.
It's simple math. You take the price and divide by the number of ounces and come up with the price per ounce. I find it hard to believe that Walmart's computers can't carry out simple division.
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meStevo
It's simple math. You take the price and divide by the number of ounces and come up with the price per ounce. I find it hard to believe that Walmart's computers can't carry out simple division.
The division isn't the problem, the inputs are. On the Starbucks pods, $9.22 @ $3.35/oz works out to 2.75 oz, but the box is 1.94 oz. So either the system has the wrong weight on file, or the unit price is left over from an older price of about $6.50 that never got updated. Garbage in, garbage out. Walmart's had unit-pricing data problems before, too - in 2024 they paid $1.64M to settle with New Jersey after inspectors found 2,000+ instances of unit prices using the wrong unit of measure.
dishstaller
Garbage in, garbage out.
THAT is most likely the culprit.
in 2024 they paid $1.64M to settle with New Jersey after inspectors found 2,000+ instances of unit prices using the wrong unit of measure.
So....its intentional. The new fine needs to be a billion $...that would cause someone to fix the issue.
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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....
68597 Replies · 2677322 views
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gms49ers
Just Get Through This Night - Styx
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long_time_Dish
Help Me Make It Through The Night - Sammi Smith
gms49ers
Make Me Smile/Now More Than Ever - Chicago
long_time_Dish
Sara Smile - Hall and Oates
dishstaller
When I See You Smile - Bad English
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Can't help but wonder if a worker overlooked checking the harness. I rarely ride a roller coaster anymore but when I do I check the harness myself pretty aggressively.
Can't imagine what the son is going through.

27 Replies · 374 views
Jimbo
dishstaller
Had no idea there were that many redundancies built into those restraints.
Jimbo
Had no idea there were that many redundancies built into those restraints.
It makes sense, however, I would want more types of restraints, so if one doesn't work, the other does ... the restraints coming over the shoulder I would have expected ... with a Seat belt as last resort.

Fwiw, I inquired with what they use on Coasters at Cedar Point, various Coasters, different restraints according to what the car and track requires ...

NONE of the Coasters at CP use THAT particular system :)
I'm glad to see ...
dishstaller
with a Seat belt as last resort.
According to the article, when you see a seat belt on a ride like this, it is basically used as a way of making sure the rider isn't too large/fat to safely ride the ride.
Jimbo
According to the article, when you see a seat belt on a ride like this, it is basically used as a way of making sure the rider isn't too large/fat to safely ride the ride.
Well, the over the shoulder support is better, but would require reconfiguring the cars.
Jimbo
Heres an article from the Akron Beacon ... seeing Six Flags has bought Cedar Point and Kings Island, they are included ...
I said earlier that Cedar Point doesn't use this type of seat restraint ... well, it does use it, But the difference is, the ones up here ALSO have the Over the shoulder restraint as well ... like I was suggesting that they should have used with the Goliath.

One of the new(er) one at Cedar point the Gate Keeper, uses the Clam shell .. I have rode it many times and have Mostly felt secure, that ride will stop you part way on the ride and you just hang, till the ride is ready to continue ... I typically ride the Front Car ... when its getting ready, you ARE hanging, in the car, looking down .... it would require 2 separate restraint systems to unlock at the same time to possibly get out of it.

dishstaller
UPDATE: Six Flags is adding seatbelts to all 9 rollercoasters

Jimbo
UPDATE: Six Flags is adding seatbelts to all 9 rollercoasters

Finally ....
dishstaller
Finally ....
It DOES kinda seem like a simple safety feature.
T
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.
3 Replies · 69 views
primestar31
IS Amiko MIRA 3 any good ???
Can you recommend the best to cover all bases. NO BEEPS on certain channels 101w (NEWSMAX ,NEWS NATION), a clock that keeps working STEADY for timed recording ,solid unit with good lifespan. My Amiko died AND my Linkbox has NO Favorites Button and BEEPS on many channels. Picking up 105 west with a NEW SHED IN THE Way with 6 foot Cband ..95 percent quality ...unbelievable.
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko? It's slim pickings out there anymore. The FTA market in the US has pretty much been abandoned.

This would likely be your best bet, and Rick is a good seller. I've never had any issues with him:

T
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko? It's slim pickings out there anymore. The FTA market in the US has pretty much been abandoned.

This would likely be your best bet, and Rick is a good seller. I've never had any issues with him:

Thanks
T
Have you tried a new power brick on your Amiko?

YOU WERE RIGHT. IT IS WORKING NOW WITH 2X AMPS !!

DAN
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.

The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
4 Replies · 44 views
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dishstaller
Not sure if this would qualify as a supplement but here goes: When I meet someone who is in their 90s and doing very well healthwise I always ask what they attribute their longevity to. Out of all the people I questioned, there was only ONE thing that they ALL did. They all drank some apple cider vinegar daily....usually before bed. You can water it down all you want. Who knows why, but I do it. You want to buy the organic type with the mother.
(((Garyd)))
Didn't see a thread like this so I figured why not start one. This is about natural supplements. If you aren't into supplements, fine, but please let those of us who do want to discuss this discuss it.

The first one I wanted to mention has been a real life changer. I'm 62 and still do all of my own install work at my business....also do all the yard work at the house. A few years ago I started noticing that I was losing my range of movement, it was even getting hard to bend over and lace up my boots. Almost got stuck in an attic because I couldn't get turned around once the work was done. Didn't think much of it and figured with age comes stiffness that was only going to get worse as time went on.
It was then that I stumbled across a video which was discussing rotator cuff tears and why they were to prevalent these days. Turns out, the culprit is a simple deficiency in MANGANESE which is key in keeping your tendons flexible. Most anti-biotics strip your body of any manganese it might have had which is why certain anti-biotics, especially those in the Cipro family. I actually knew a man who had two tendons tear while on that stuff.
Went to Amazon and ordered some manganese. Now it took a while, it wasn't instant, but gradually I have regained all of my flexibility. I can bend over and touch my toes while standing with no pain and putting on my boots is no longer a chore.
Pretty cheap too. The bottle I ordered was a 200 ct for under $13. They said to take double the normal dose for the first month because most people are severely lacking, then go to one a day.
Chia Seeds
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dishstaller
Chia Seeds
Kinda the whole idea is to mention something and explain WHY it is something we might want to add to our daily routine.
This is what I got from google. Looks like I'm going to be adding them, thanks

Key Health Benefits
    • Digestive Health: One ounce (28 grams) of chia seeds provides nearly 10 grams of fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements, feeds beneficial gut bacteria, and helps prevent constipation. [1, 2]
    • Heart and Cardiovascular Support: Rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)—an essential plant-based omega-3 fatty acid—chia seeds can help lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and improve cholesterol profiles. [1, 2, 3]
    • Blood Sugar Regulation: The combination of soluble fiber and protein slows down carbohydrate digestion, preventing sharp blood sugar spikes after meals. [1, 2]
    • Weight Management: When soaked in liquid, chia seeds absorb up to 10 to 12 times their weight in water. The resulting gel expands in the stomach, increasing feelings of fullness and curbing appetite. [1, 2, 3]
    • Bone Strength: They contain high levels of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for maintaining bone density. [1, 2, 3]
    • Antioxidant Protection: Compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid help fight cellular damage from free radicals and reduce chronic inflammation. [1, 2, 3]
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
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
6 Replies · 128 views
Foxbat
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Bruce
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
IMG_2175.webp
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b4pjoe
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Thanks for that info. I will mark it on my calendar! 🤣
Jimbo
Will the Jupiter 2 make it in time ....
Stay tuned ...
dishstaller
So, 1/1596th the way to Alpha Centauri (if it were headed that way). 79,800 years to go…
Isn't that insane!!!
To reach the nearest galaxy to ours, at its present speed, will take another 44 billion years.
Jimbo
Isn't that insane!!!
To reach the nearest galaxy to ours, at its present speed, will take another 44 billion years.
Turn the Lights out when you get there.
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
0 Replies · 5 views
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.


:eek


It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
114 Replies · 1011 views
harshness
The EV company to watch out for is SAIC. They seem likely to take over Government Motors at some point.

GM originally struck a JV deal with SAIC to gain access to China. Now SAIC has taken China back with the substantial library of technology GM shared and they're looking to export to Mexico, South America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
osu1991
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harshness
If it weren't for the sky-high electricity prices...

Of course, the real scare with Winter coming is the insane cost of heating oil.
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osu1991

GM said its next-generation vehicle architecture will provide 40 times more computing power and 30 percent less wiring than before and will expand from the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ to its high-volume SUVs, trucks, crossovers, and fourth-generation EVs, which will be powered by lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic batteries

Despite the politicization and perceived consumer pivot away from EVs in America, GM needs to remain globally competitive, so it's doubling down on its fourth generation EVs, with energy-dense, cheaper-to-manufacture LMR batteries, more efficient motors, and state-of-the-art centralized computing architecture. With a stated goal of cutting the traditional four- to five-year concept-to-production time in half, GM is clearly challenging the concept of "China speed," which in the Chinese automotive industry can be as quick as 18 months from design to start of production. In the AI space, GM is smartly collapsing all of its marque-specific apps under the familiar OnStar brand, while providing more features—both on the phone and in the car—than it ever has before.