Recent content by Cham

All of my current HF antennas are home-made (other than the wire itself). Home made baluns and ununs to make things match. Have had some great deals on feedline at hamfests, but I have bought new stuff for UHF etc. I have found that (for me) it's best to purchase a good mobile VHF/UHF antenna...

I would check it out but I don't have fb. +2 today but windy south of winterpeg...

I think 2m and 20m are the most popular bands. Easy to make a vertical for 20m (5m or about 15ft) copper or galvanized pipe, some plywood or plastic to keep it off the ground, hose clamp to attach center lead of feedline, and wire (radials) to attach to the feedline shield. Can use some string...

Yes. Google, they have a website and contact info if you are interested.

Yes. Diseqc switches will pass the DC power to the LNB(s). Make sure you shut off the receiver before connecting or dis-connecting cables on the diseqc switch or LNBs connected to it. The switches are very sensitive and don't like voltage spikes. It's good to have a spare just in case... :)

Sounds like you will be in Japan for a while. I do have a buddy that originally moved here from Japan but I don't think he does any FTA stuff there when he goes back to visit. Would be good to know what they are doing there for FTA and OTA, different part of the Clarke Belt for sure! Have fun...

TV signals are broadcast mostly hoizontal polarity, but many are elliptical favouring horizontal to mitigate multipath somewhat.With anomolous propagation there "could" be a polarity flip in some situations, but I think most of the time the polarity should be the same as the station broadcasts...

Wonder if your sat meter doesn't receive DVB-S2 signals, and the sat you are aiming at has no DVB-S TPs on horizontal polarity?

I stream 4:2:2 from the MIO to the TV using a laptop PC and KODI. Use the enigma2 add-on in Kodi. Just enter the IP of your MIO, it already has the port number set etc for steaming. Also make sure your LAN has lots of headroom. Router here maxes at 4GB (16 ports) and does fine, but a basic...

My advise: Try to get your HF privileges asap. Join local Amateur Radio club (s), get to know other hams. Lots of "Elmers" to help you out. Look for good used gear, VHF/UHF/HF, feedlines, power supplies, tuners... Clubs often have equipment for sale/wanted lists. Build your own antennas...

Re-greasing is so it works in cold climates. I re-did mine more than 10 years ago after I purchased it. The factory lube turns to concrete at -20C. Also the top bearing can come loose. I have tightened mine a few times. You have to dis-assemble the unit to tighten the nut. Using a bit of...

Watched it last evening... Stayed awake for most of it (I think).. So I guess I can't give you an accurate rating if I likely missed the best part.. :)

I'm still here... Lots of other stuff going on these days managing my business, maintaining equipment (not just FTA stuff), and on the road quite a bit with the truck. Very difficult finding employees that are capable/functional these days so I have to do everything myself. I am also more busy...

Yes antenna placement and height can make a big difference. Maybe you could put your receiver dongle in a laptop or portable computer with a short feedline and try moving the antenna around. Never know with reflections off the houses and other obstructions you might find a sweet-spot. Likely...

Wondering if your pre-amp is too strong. I don't use the USB dongle in a satellite receiver, but in a raspberry pi running TVHeadEnd it works well. I added a high gain pre-amp a couple years ago to see if I could pick any more channels from down south. Ended up I couldn't receive most of the...