What all is needed for a older c band dish?

[SatJoe44]

I am looking to find an old used c band dish in my area. I am curious to what all I will need to add with it.


1. Will I need a newer lnb or can you still use the old ones? If so which lnb do you recommend?


2. If I use the old actuator on it can I just use wire for the motor from places like lowes? If not where should I get wire for the actuator?


3. How many wires is needed? Is it just the 2 for the motor?



Im trying to plan on what all I need. Thanks

 

[telstar_1]

For wiring the only thing you want to consider is satellite "ribbon cable" if it is still available. Has 2 coax, motor/motor sensor and polarizer (LNB control) wiring, vinyl jacketed and molded together side-by-side in a flat "ribbon". It will have everything you will need and is designed to be directly buried in ground. If the dish has an old actuator on it you are likely best off just throwing it away and ordering a new one. Those just don't survive years of weathering.

An older LNB will probably still work, but you may be better off to get an LNBF instead, which eliminates the mechanical polarizer, and which you may need to use anyway depending on your receiver type. These are available in either C or C-Ku band.

 

[SatJoe44]

For wiring the only thing you want to consider is satellite "ribbon cable" if it is still available. Has 2 coax, motor/motor sensor and polarizer (LNB control) wiring, vinyl jacketed and molded together side-by-side in a flat "ribbon". It will have everything you will need and is designed to be directly buried in ground. If the dish has an old actuator on it you are likely best off just throwing it away and ordering a new one. Those just don't survive years of weathering.

An older LNB will probably still work, but you may be better off to get an LNBF instead, which eliminates the mechanical polarizer, and which you may need to use anyway depending on your receiver type. These are available in either C or C-Ku band.

Would just regular motor wire work? Also new lmbs dont need a polarator? Right?

 

[Comptech]

I still have mine waiting for free to go to a good home. Turn key setup, everything you need and high quality stuff.

 

[arlo]

I am looking to find an old used c band dish in my area. I am curious to what all I will need to add with it.


1. Will I need a newer lnb or can you still use the old ones? If so which lnb do you recommend?

My opinion. Simpler to just buy a new lnbf. New receivers will handle 'voltage polarity switching'......no moving parts (like a polorotor). Your newer receivers/dish movers won't handle the polorotor motor.
For C Band and all of the 5G interference. Looks like the Titanium Satellite line is the winner.


2. If I use the old actuator on it can I just use wire for the motor from places like lowes? If not where should I get wire for the actuator?


A linear actuator depends on a 2-wire cable to run the motor/gearbox. And at least 2 wires for the sensor that tells the dish mover how much the actuator tube has extended/retracted.
For the motor. Some good quality rubber covered cable will do. Depending on the run from house to dish, I don't think you'll need 12 AWG. 14-16 should do.
For the sensor you will want at least 2 wires 16 gauge or so. Stranded with a shield wire. People have issues with induced current and noise from the motor using siamese or sensor cable that is too close to the motor cable.
Using the shielded cable for the sensor helps to keep the dish mover from getting false triggers that drift your stored positions.

3. How many wires is needed? Is it just the 2 for the motor?


Answered.

There's more when considering getting a used dish. Reflector distortion. Condition of the polar mount pivots and general mechanical condition. If the actuator was out in the weather for years and is rusted internally. If it is borked. Add around 3-4 hundred to your budget. A margin of mechanical skills definitely will be needed.

Im trying to plan on what all I need. Thanks

 

[cyberham]

I still have mine waiting for free to go to a good home. Turn key setup, everything you need and high quality stuff.

Your distance to Comptech's antenna farm is 3 hours 50 minutes by car. You could make a day trip or, more comfortably, make an overnight stay after loading up and starting home. His offer would make up for that.

 

[SatJoe44]

I still have mine waiting for free to go to a good home. Turn key setup, everything you need and high quality stuff.

Believe me if i could find someone to pay to go get it i would!

 

[SatJoe44]

Your distance to Comptech's antenna farm is 3 hours 50 minutes by car. You could make a day trip or, more comfortably, make an overnight stay after loading up and starting home. His offer would make up for that.

Yes i dont have a trailer. Unfortunately. Thats why i am going to look for someone with a trailer.

 

[Comptech]

Yes i dont have a trailer. Unfortunately. Thats why i am going to look for someone with a trailer.

Rent a pickup truck for the weekend. If you book one a couple of weeks out it would be about a hundred bucks at most.

 

[Comptech]

Rent a pickup truck for the weekend. If you book one a couple of weeks out it would be about a hundred bucks at most.

That's what I did 12 years ago. I have a pickup, but It has a lot of miles on it, so I went the route of renting one for the weekend. Back then it was like 60 bucks. All the big parts went into the bed. All assembly parts into the cab. And by the way it was a brand new unimesh perforated that was never took out of the box. Perforated, not mesh!

 

[Comptech]

Real reason I rented the truck is the rental cost me nothing because of gas savings over my 98 Z71!

 

[Titanium]

Seriously.... Comptech's turnkey system has some of the best gear a satellite hobbyist could hope to ever own! 4 hour drive and a truck rental. No brainer! Run, don't walk!

Crossville, TN Enterprise F150 truck rental $95 per day w/ unlimited mileage

Thread 'Last call for a awesome C-Band system fro free'

Jun 17, 2026

Sad but will be going to the scrap yard soon. Free to a good home. I have a 10 foot unimesh perforated, not mesh dish, chapperal ortho feed with 5000 series Norsats. Venture 24 inch actuator, titaniun asc1 mover, a couple of WNC 4x4 powered multi switches, a TBS 6903 PCI card, a TBS5927 and A TBS5520SE USB tuners. All free and can even have the pole the dish is on. Located in the upstate of SC, Pickens, Greenville area. I can help take the dish down, but health issues you will need a 3rd hand also. I have just lost interest over the years and never use it anymore.

• Comptech
• Replies: 4
• Forum: C-BAND Satellite Discussion

• 
• 

 

[Comptech]

Just realized I am celebrating my 20th year on Sat Guys.

Seriously.... Comptech's turnkey system has some of the best gear a satellite hobbyist could hope to ever own! 4 hour drive and a truck rental. No brainer! Run, don't walk!

Crossville, TN Enterprise F150 truck rental $95 per day w/ unlimited mileage

Thread 'Last call for a awesome C-Band system fro free'

Jun 17, 2026

Sad but will be going to the scrap yard soon. Free to a good home. I have a 10 foot unimesh perforated, not mesh dish, chapperal ortho feed with 5000 series Norsats. Venture 24 inch actuator, titaniun asc1 mover, a couple of WNC 4x4 powered multi switches, a TBS 6903 PCI card, a TBS5927 and A TBS5520SE USB tuners. All free and can even have the pole the dish is on. Located in the upstate of SC, Pickens, Greenville area. I can help take the dish down, but health issues you will need a 3rd hand also. I have just lost interest over the years and never use it anymore.

• Comptech
• Replies: 4
• Forum: C-BAND Satellite Discussion

• 
• 

And it comes with one of your ACS1 movers!

 

[Comptech]

I am looking to find an old used c band dish in my area. I am curious to what all I will need to add with it.


1. Will I need a newer lnb or can you still use the old ones? If so which lnb do you recommend?


2. If I use the old actuator on it can I just use wire for the motor from places like lowes? If not where should I get wire for the actuator?


3. How many wires is needed? Is it just the 2 for the motor?



Im trying to plan on what all I need. Thanks

I do not think you are serious you have a offer for free with the best stuff you can get for free. All the posts, but not willing to drive to get it. You can walk out free with dish and LNB's Dish mover and even wire and cable. If you are just baiting stop. If you are looking to have a system set up with no work on your end stop If you have a hobby you put work into it. It is handed to you right now so come and get it. If not, quit posting. Nothing is truly free in life . If you were really interested come and get it. Tired of the posts, come and get it. Otherwise quit posting about Cband if you are just jerking our chain and hoping someone will come and set you up for free. The free is there, quit posting whe it is close and free!. If you are that interested and a day trip, trip you are not that interested for the equipment you would receive.

 

[SatJoe44]

I do not think you are serious you have a offer for free with the best stuff you can get for free. All the posts, but not willing to drive to get it. You can walk out free with dish and LNB's Dish mover and even wire and cable. If you are just baiting stop. If you are looking to have a system set up with no work on your end stop If you have a hobby you put work into it. It is handed to you right now so come and get it. If not, quit posting. Nothing is truly free in life . If you were really interested come and get it. Tired of the posts, come and get it. Otherwise quit posting about Cband if you are just jerking our chain and hoping someone will come and set you up for free. The free is there, quit posting whe it is close and free!. If you are that interested and a day trip, trip you are not that interested for the equipment you would receive.

I want it. I just am trying to figure a way and time. I really appreciate it.

 

[Comptech]

I want it. I just am trying to figure a way and time. I really appreciate it.

Are you not able to rent a truck for the weekend? If not maybe other would help you here

 

[SatJoe44]

Are you not able to rent a truck for the weekend? If not maybe other would help you here

I have alot going on with fam and wife. Lol. Otherwise im there already! I will try my best to get it somehow.

 

[Comptech]

I have alot going on with fam and wife. Lol. Otherwise im there already! I will try my best to get it somehow.

This is not your normal cheap system.All working fine. My LNBs that come with it are pushing 300 bucks each .The ortho feed id getting hard to find.Even the powered WNC switches are getting rare. his is the Lamborghini of a home system. Brian is not lying. Perforated dish, ortho feed with high end LNB all switches 3 different PC tuners and even a GT media uhd STB I do't know if it today's work ethnic or people want free stuff, but they want it delivered for free also. If you are that interested then step up and find a way to come get it. I am finding you to be a troll. You are not far from me and can do it. When Titanium steps in you would listen if you wee serious

 

[SatJoe44]

This is not your normal cheap system.All working fine. My LNBs that come with it are pushing 300 bucks each .The ortho feed id getting hard to find.Even the powered WNC switches are getting rare. his is the Lamborghini of a home system. Brian is not lying. Perforated dish, ortho feed with high end LNB all switches 3 different PC tuners and even a GT media uhd STB I do't know if it today's work ethnic or people want free stuff, but they want it delivered for free also. If you are that interested then step up and find a way to come get it. I am finding you to be a troll. You are not far from me and can do it. When Titanium steps in you would listen if you wee serious

Trust me i am not a find for free person. I will at least pay someone to help me get it. Im not cheap.

 

[Comptech]

Hey guys am I getting to firm with Satjoe? I see him all over the spectrum. Does he really want satellite or is he just trolling. I am serious he wants answers but rejects them. Hell a 3 hours drive to pick up something I have thousands in is a inconvenience to him. And it is free! I could make that trip in 3 hours.