Trying to get into C-Band, may have found a dish?

[ssj925]

I found someone selling this BUD about an hour 1/2 away from me.

Looks like a Winegard Quadstar.

Aside from some rust, it seems to look in okay condition from the pics.

I currently run Ku band on a much smaller dish and want to try to get into C-Band.

Does this dish look like it has everything I would need?

I assume it can be disassembled into four pieces?

Also anyone can tell from the pic if it might be 10ft, 7.5 ft, etc?

 

[KE4EST]

Looks like a good dish. Go out a few days before you take it down and spray WD-40 or similar on the bolts so they can set a couple days. It will help. Go with something prepared to cut off a bolt or two if needed. You can always get new ones at the hardware store.

 

[Brct203]

I found someone selling this BUD about an hour 1/2 away from me.

Looks like a Winegard Quadstar.

Aside from some rust, it seems to look in okay condition from the pics.

I currently run Ku band on a much smaller dish and want to try to get into C-Band.

Does this dish look like it has everything I would need?

I assume it can be disassembled into four pieces?

Also anyone can tell from the pic if it might be 10ft, 7.5 ft, etc?

nice find! Hopefully the price is reasonable too.

That does indeed look like a Quadstar and I do believe it's a 10-footer and it looks like it's in great condition. Also, based on the rubber cover we see in the first pic, the actuator might be a VonWeise, which is a good brand.

The Quadstar can de disassembled in quarter, just keep in mind that each quarter is still quite large (I have in mind they are about 63"by 63").

Most likely it has a polarotor or equivalent with an old style LNB. That might still work but cannot readily be controlled by modern receivers. So the easiest solution is to get a C-Band LNBF (Titanium is what I woudl recommand).

You'll need a dish mover, and right now the pickings are slim... The best option used to be the Titanium ASC-1, but it's been discontinued for a while. See if you can find a used one. There's also V-box, i'm not sure what's available these days. Alternately, ask the seller if he/she still have the old analog receiver/positioner. It's not very convenient but it's better than nothing. Just don't pay too much for it (I'd say no more than $40).

Go get it and have fun! And if you can do it, Michael's suggestion with the WD40 is a great idea!

 

[ssj925]

Seller has it listed for $45. They said they could take it down if I was interested so I’m assuming I would only have to disassemble it. Still waiting for their reply.

So it’s 63” x 63” per panel? I’m gonna need a bigger car lol

 

[Brct203]

Seller has it listed for $45. They said they could take it down if I was interested so I’m assuming I would only have to disassemble it. Still waiting for their reply.

So it’s 63” x 63” per panel? I’m gonna need a bigger car lol

$45 is an awesome price!

I would suggest you take it down, possibly with assistance from the seller, but that you lead the effort. Those things need to be taken down carefully... I've read too many stories of people like us who were so happy to have found a nice dish in great shape, only to go pick it up and find it bent beyond repair by an well-meaning but overzealous seller/giver who dropped it on the ground (to many people, this is just scrap aluminum...)

I have that same dish, it's fairly easy to take apart. in my case, the bolts were very rusted and most of them sheared when I tried to losen them. But bring all kinds of tools and a hack saw, maybe even a small angle grinder if you have one.

I was lucky to pick it up less than 1 mile from my house, so I just tied the panels on the roof of my car (the car has side rails on the roof) and drove slow

check out my old post with links to other threads in some of the replies. Lots of useful info on refurbishing the Quadstar, even a reference of spray paint that matches the manufacturer paint color very well

10-foot C-band dish

I had been looking at getting a C-Band dish for a little while, and on Friday, fellow forum member and friend Dfecarter told me that he had spotted one, and the location was about a half a mile from my house! I had driven by it several time and somehow had missed it. The dish had pine needles...

www.satelliteguys.us

 

[ssj925]

$45 is an awesome price!

I would suggest you take it down, possibly with assistance from the seller, but that you lead the effort. Those things need to be taken down carefully... I've read too many stories of people like us who were so happy to have found a nice dish in great shape, only to go pick it up and find it bent beyond repair by an well-meaning but overzealous seller/giver who dropped it on the ground (to many people, this is just scrap aluminum...)

I have that same dish, it's fairly easy to take apart. in my case, the bolts were very rusted and most of them sheared when I tried to losen them. But bring all kinds of tools and a hack saw, maybe even a small angle grinder if you have one.

I was lucky to pick it up less than 1 mile from my house, so I just tied the panels on the roof of my car (the car has side rails on the roof) and drove slow

check out my old post with links to other threads in some of the replies. Lots of useful info on refurbishing the Quadstar, even a reference of spray paint that matches the manufacturer paint color very well

10-foot C-band dish

I had been looking at getting a C-Band dish for a little while, and on Friday, fellow forum member and friend Dfecarter told me that he had spotted one, and the location was about a half a mile from my house! I had driven by it several time and somehow had missed it. The dish had pine needles...

www.satelliteguys.us

Do you know roughly how heavy the dish is?

I’m a bit concerned how high it’s mounted but if it’s not that heavy then shouldn't be an issue.

 

[FTA4PA]

Nice find! Get it while you can. It will likely go fast at that price. Great advice in all the previous posts! Good luck and welcome to Satellite Guys!

 

[clucas]

Ideally you can stand on the roof to dismantle rather than use ladders. I would loosen the bolts so you can spin it on the pole to a good position to work. I would first unbolt the actuator from the mount so it will hang on the dish. This will prevent you poking a hole in the mesh if the dish gets away from you. Then take it off the dish. Remove the supports and electronics then you can start on the panels spinning and flipping the dish to the easiest position to work. Don’t be afraid of breaking off any rusted bolts-they will be useless anyway and buy new hardware. All pieces will be clumsy or somewhat heavy especially the mount once you get it off. It’s going to be tough to lift it up over the pole to get it off. Depending on how much room you have to work on the ground, you could drop the pole and mount together and salvage the pole to use.
Here’s how I did it in the past. I used a reciprocating saw with a metal blade. (Have extra on hand in case they break since they are cheap.) I tied a couple ropes near the top to guide the descent and started to cut the pole as close to the ground as you can opposite the direction you want it to fall. I set up a sawhorse or blocks on the ground so the pole didn’t hit the ground directly but the pole would hit about 3/4 the way up. If it’s a 10 foot pole put the sawhorse 7 or 8 feet from the bottom of the pole. Start the cut. After you get more than 3/4 of the way through keep tension on the ropes and keep cutting until the pole starts to give. Pull it down cutting a bit more as needed. The pole will not drop like a tree but slowly come down but stay out of the way just in case. Finish the cut to remove the pole.

 

[Brct203]

Do you know roughly how heavy the dish is?

I’m a bit concerned how high it’s mounted but if it’s not that heavy then shouldn't be an issue.

I don't have numbers, but this is what I remember:
- the entire reflector is a bit too heavy for one guy to carry (plus it's big and awkward).
- Each quarter pannel is easy to lift, but still a bit bulky and awkward to carry.
- there's a round reinforcement tube that makes a circle of around 7ft diameter behind the mesh. There's a bit of a gap between that pipe and the mesh, enought to feed a thin rope. That might come in handy to secure the panels before dissassembly and to gently lower them to the ground. Again, you don't want to let one drop...
- the mount is heavy but can be carried (maybe 40 lbs??), but as Clucas mentionned, it can be tough to lift it from the pole, depending on where you are standing. in my case, cutting the pole was not really an option, as it was filled with concrete. (I was able to salvage the entire pole and i'm still using it!).
- before you take the dish apart, take many upclose pictures. You'll be happy to find them when you have a bunch of parts on your driveway and are trying to remember how they fit together
- also a good idea to bring a sharpie and number the panels so that you can reassemble them in the same order

 

[ssj925]

the guy hasn’t replied back even though he’s read the message

Anyone know where else to check for BUDs in case this falls through? No one in Northern California with an extra?

I’ve been checking craigslist and fb marketplace and don’t know where else to check

 

[armadillo_115]

the guy hasn’t replied back even though he’s read the message

Anyone know where else to check for BUDs in case this falls through? No one in Northern California with an extra?

I’ve been checking craigslist and fb marketplace and don’t know where else to check

Keep an eye out while driving around. Back roads seem to be more productive than high traffic areas since many salvagers have grabbed up the easy pickings. Then ask the owners if they would like their old dish removed. Explain that the scrap value is very low and tell them you want to re-purpose the dish. Many are happy to give them away. Offer a bit of cash if the dish is especially desirable.

Good Luck!

 

[Hyper Casey]

In many states a 10 Ft wide load is permitted on the roads. At least that is the way it is here in Michigan. I think maybe on weekends only? I took my 10 Ft BUD home from 45 minutes away on a trailer. Just lifted the dish off the pole, loaded it up, strapper it down, drove it home. I had help obviously, but 2 guys can do it, 3 for sure. I would suggest doing this if you can. Way easier than dis-assembling, and re-assembling. Plus, much can go wrong taking it apart and putting it together again. Plus, if the dish is found close enough to you, and you keep it assembled, likely the settings are all correct. Just plum the pole and you are good to go.

 

[ssj925]

No reply...I did see two dishes on a local commercial building. Going to see if I can find out who owns it and if I can take one lol

I also found this 3 1/2 hrs away and they said I can have it but looks like it's missing a mesh piece.

ALSO for what's it's worth, here;s my satbeams recommendation for my location:

180E:
FrenchPolyUS Beam Ku - 70cm/27.6”
Global Beam C band - 330cm/129.9”(10ft)
North Hemi C band - 190cm/74.8” (6 ft)

166E:
NW Pacific Beam ku - 75cm/29.5”
WestHemi Beam C - 230cm/90.6” (7.5ft)

53W:
NorthLatin America Ku - 65cm/25.6”
WestHemi C band - 170cm/66.9” (6 ft)
Global C band - 310cm/122” (10 ft)

55.5W:
AmericasEurope C band - 190cm/74.8” (6 ft)

58W:
WestHemi C-band - 130cm/51.2” (4.3 ft)

61w:
NA Ku band - 65cm/25.6”
Americas C band - 250cm/98.4” ( 8ft)

67W:
CentralAmericas Ku band - 85cm/33.5”

73.8W:
Conus Ku band - 60cm/23.6”

77W:
Conus ku band - 55cm/21.7”

87W:
NA Ku Band - 60cm/23.6”
NA C band - 210cm/82.7” (7.5ft)

89W:
NA ku band - 70cm/27.6”
NA C band - 100cm/39.4”

97W:
NA Ku band - 70cm/27.6”
NA C band - 130cm/51.2” (4.3 ft)

99W:
NA ku band - 65cm/25.6”
NA C band - 150cm/59.1” (5 ft)

101W:
NA ku band - 70cm/27.6”
NA C band - 210cm/82.7” (7.5ft)

103W:
NA Ku band - 70cm/27.6”
NA C band - 170cm/66.9” (6 ft)

105W: amc
NA Ku band - 60cm/23.6”

105W: ses 11
NA ku band - 65cm/25.6”
NA C band - 110cm/43.3” (4 ft)

113W:
NA Ku band - 65cm/25.6”
NA C band - 130cm/51.2” (5 ft)

116.8W(117):
NA Ku band - 75cm/29.5”
NA C band - 150cm/59.1” (4.3 ft)

123W:
NA Ku band - 80cm/31.5”
NA C band - 100cm/39.4”

124.9W(amc 21):
NA Ku band - 80cm/31.5”

125W:
NA ku band - 80cm/31.5”
NA C band - 80cm/31.5”

127W:
NA Ku band - 80cm/31.5”
NA C band - 150cm/59.1” (5 ft)

133W:
NA C band - 90cm/35.4”

135W:
NA C band - 130cm/51.2” (4.3 ft)

139W:
NA C band - 170cm/66.9” (6 ft)

 

[FTA4PA]

I also found this 3 1/2 hrs away and they said I can have it but looks like it's missing a mesh piece.

View attachment 162005

For free? I would grab it. As far as the missing mesh it can be replaced. Only thing I would be concerned with is the support rib under the missing piece of mesh. Appears it has been bent way forward (maybe what knocked the mesh out in the first place). Likely took a fair amount of force to do that. Perhaps do a string test to make sure the dish has retained it's shape.

 

[ssj925]

For free? I would grab it. As far as the missing mesh it can be replaced. Only thing I would be concerned with is the support rib under the missing piece of mesh. Appears it has been bent way forward (maybe what knocked the mesh out in the first place). Likely took a fair amount of force to do that. Perhaps do a string test to make sure the dish has retained it's shape.

Yes free, just need to drive down to get it. Would it work even with the whole mesh piece missing until I get it fixed? At this point, this dish may be my best option

 

[primestar31]

Would it work even with the whole mesh piece missing until I get it fixed?

Yes, but not as good as WITH the missing piece installed. Ask when you get there, they may still have it. If so, bare minimum you might be able to use it as a pattern to get another one made.

 

[FTA4PA]

Yes, but not as good as WITH the missing piece installed. Ask when you get there, they may still have it. If so, bare minimum you might be able to use it as a pattern to get another one made.

What he said!

 

[ssj925]

Found this 40 mins away...it's free. Worth taking a look at?

 

[primestar31]

Found this 40 mins away...it's free. Worth taking a look at?

I can't tell about the reflector, because it looks seriously damaged to ME, but hard to tell for sure. HOWEVER, I'd grab it just for the HH (Horizon to Horizon) mount, if for nothing else!

Transfer that to a dish with a GOOD reflector, and convert it to reed switch if not already, and you really have something then. HH mounts are a "Holy Grail" thing..

IF you go to get it, take a friend, and keep your mouth shut around the present owner. Don't give him ANY reason to believe it's anything special, or you might lose it right there. Or, he might suddenly get the idea he wants money for it.

 

[ssj925]

Sorry for keep asking. 1st guy never responded back, latest one someone else took, but I did find this one. Looks like it's already down and just needs an LNB and pole?

1 hr away