BETA testers
- Thread starter Sadoun
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Would love to test!!!
I'm almost always "playing" with my dishes and would like to Beta test new products.
Do you have test plans or certain configuration you would like tested - - - and do you have a checklist of items you would like a report back on?
I'm almost always "playing" with my dishes and would like to Beta test new products.
Do you have test plans or certain configuration you would like tested - - - and do you have a checklist of items you would like a report back on?
WOW, I didn't expect that many volunteers. That is great. I like how some of you listed their experience and the satellite products they currently have. That will help me in selecting the proper product to test.
If you didn't list your experience, years in the hobby, and the satellite tv products product you have, you can list it here or just PM me with that data (if you want to keep it private).
Thanks
If you didn't list your experience, years in the hobby, and the satellite tv products product you have, you can list it here or just PM me with that data (if you want to keep it private).
Thanks
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ROFLMAO!
No kidding. Same goes for M$ as well bro, except you have to pay up front for the patches to their bugs. The latest bug patch is known as Seven......
You bet Sadoun, I'm with Ice. If it aint broke, try harder. If ya cant break it then it's ready for a production run.......lol
I have 2 C banders up and plans for a third, and three fixed and one automated Primestars hungry for some more LNBs.....
BTW, what's the latest on the V/G-Box + polarotor control?
If you are looking for development ideas, I have a couple of suggestions for a switch.
First, an all in one DiSEqC (1x4 or 1x8) with 22khz ports (as opposed to the 13/18V +22khz on 4Xn multiswitches) A 1x4 could see 8 lnbs and still reserve the (legacy) H/V signal for the actual polarity control at the LNB instead of path definition. That might appeal to those wanting 8X1 with rx's that wont play committed/uncommited nicely (or at all).
The other suggestion AFAIK has never been produced either. It is essentially a (4X4) Four receivers using DiSEqC to 4 lnb switch. A pattern for the switching array already exists in the conventional 4X4 multiswitch (ie Zinwell 4402 (or 4803 for 4X8) etc.)
My idea is to use PIC 12F series or similar uC(s) to decode the DiSEqC command and drive the 16 possible switch combos. I say more than one uC because they are cheap, small (8pin DIP), and a dedicated uC to input port will assure complete command reception (no scanning), and will allow for partial functionality if something adverse happens on any one port.
Between Cadsulfide and Pendragon, I'd bet they could have a working protoype overlaid on a multiswitch in a matter of hours. (I would go multi uC but Cad may choose to go with a single uC to simplify the HW /layout tasks. Everybody knows how those 'do it in software' guys can be.......lol)
I've got a NIB SAM 4803 I paid 2 bucks for at a yard sale. If I can find that PIC code for DiSEqC decoding on the web again, I might give it a try myself.
I am particularly interested in LNBs for Ku,Ka,L, and S bands and have calibrated wave, frequency gen and PANFI. Experience in profile
Count me in as a willing volunteer / participant, if there are any openings.
I do understand that for beta testing to be of use, that it will require effort and work on my part.
Located in the desert - in case hot environment testing is of benefit.
A list of the equipment compliment on hand is in my profile...
I do understand that for beta testing to be of use, that it will require effort and work on my part.
Located in the desert - in case hot environment testing is of benefit.
A list of the equipment compliment on hand is in my profile...
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Count with me
- DVB-S PC Twinhan 1020a
- 1.2M offset dish
- Universal Ku LNB
I would like to test anything in software / hardware for PC.
- DVB-S PC Twinhan 1020a
- 1.2M offset dish
- Universal Ku LNB
I would like to test anything in software / hardware for PC.
qualified
C-bander since 1987, digital since fall 2006. And I once ruined an anvil, but not in a sandpile.
C-bander since 1987, digital since fall 2006. And I once ruined an anvil, but not in a sandpile.
Sadoun count me in! Im good about breaking things and then bitching when they dont work 
Perfect for any beta 
Experience,
C / ku two dish's both motorized
Pansat 9200 slaved to my HTPC with a TT 3200
I can test just about any product needed.
Perfect for any beta Experience,
C / ku two dish's both motorized
Pansat 9200 slaved to my HTPC with a TT 3200
I can test just about any product needed.
I'll help if I can.
I'm a semi-retired industrial controls/ instrumentation guy. Left Toledo for ND in 2003 and love it here. Not much call for for my talents here , but I have adapted. Spent a couple of years installing Dish, am Wild Blue certified and this summer opened Farpoint Electronics. The only electronics repair joint in Pembina County..... only 100' from the county traffic light.
Been pushing FTA and getting some interest from folks out in the country.
Farpoint Home.
I'm sorta handy with small micro's and in response to Melgarga's post, I'll steal a quote from Steve Ciarca: "My favorite programming language is solder".
I will also tend to be brutally honest. For example: The gbox while a fine product, would have been better off with screw terminals versus spring clips for wiring connections, and perhaps an h-bridge instead of relays for driving the positioner. I know, I know price point, price point. I read the thread when it came out.
Good here too for cold weather testing, in January it can be -35F at night ...tough on most plastics...gear trains get a little stiff.
I'm a semi-retired industrial controls/ instrumentation guy. Left Toledo for ND in 2003 and love it here. Not much call for for my talents here , but I have adapted. Spent a couple of years installing Dish, am Wild Blue certified and this summer opened Farpoint Electronics. The only electronics repair joint in Pembina County..... only 100' from the county traffic light.
Been pushing FTA and getting some interest from folks out in the country.
Farpoint Home.
I'm sorta handy with small micro's and in response to Melgarga's post, I'll steal a quote from Steve Ciarca: "My favorite programming language is solder".
I will also tend to be brutally honest. For example: The gbox while a fine product, would have been better off with screw terminals versus spring clips for wiring connections, and perhaps an h-bridge instead of relays for driving the positioner. I know, I know price point, price point. I read the thread when it came out.
Good here too for cold weather testing, in January it can be -35F at night ...tough on most plastics...gear trains get a little stiff.
Well here's a bit of background info that may be of interest....
Electronics hobbyist and licensed Ham Operator for 33+ years (last 21+ = Extra Ticket)
Got my 1st C band setup about 30 yrs ago (before Videocipher was introduced)
Didn't really look into Ku/digital until about 6-7 years ago (Why? Who cares. I have C band!......lol)
I am in the same trade field as Cadsulfide, Industrial/Petrochem Process Control Systems and Chemical Analysis so my work goes hand in hand with my play.
I have a score of "Mad Scientist" type project (see above for examples) bouncing around in the space between my ears, and love to tinker, McGiver, and cobble together all sorts of dis-associated parts and pieces to make something unique and more useful.
That being said, one can imagine that my "resource center" would put Fred Sanford to shame....(my XYL
: must REALLY love me...Thank you Jesus!) although she tells me she's waiting for me to kick the bucket, sell it all for scrap and buy a condo in MAUI! :yikes
Sometimes I think she really means it..........BTW, she started me on some new "diet salt" ..... anyone know what arsenic tastes like?
Electronics hobbyist and licensed Ham Operator for 33+ years (last 21+ = Extra Ticket)
Got my 1st C band setup about 30 yrs ago (before Videocipher was introduced)
Didn't really look into Ku/digital until about 6-7 years ago (Why? Who cares. I have C band!......lol)
I am in the same trade field as Cadsulfide, Industrial/Petrochem Process Control Systems and Chemical Analysis so my work goes hand in hand with my play.
I have a score of "Mad Scientist" type project (see above for examples) bouncing around in the space between my ears, and love to tinker, McGiver, and cobble together all sorts of dis-associated parts and pieces to make something unique and more useful.
That being said, one can imagine that my "resource center" would put Fred Sanford to shame....(my XYL
: must REALLY love me...Thank you Jesus!) although she tells me she's waiting for me to kick the bucket, sell it all for scrap and buy a condo in MAUI! :yikesSometimes I think she really means it..........BTW, she started me on some new "diet salt" ..... anyone know what arsenic tastes like?
Count me in. I have beta tested other satellite equipment in the past for General Instruments. In fact, I beta tested the original videocipher and video pal order recorder back in the 80's.
I also have a dedicated communications room containing over 100 various satellite receivers (analog, videocipher, digicipher, professional rack mount and digital), monitors and test equipment.
I also have a dedicated communications room containing over 100 various satellite receivers (analog, videocipher, digicipher, professional rack mount and digital), monitors and test equipment.
I also would like to be a beta tester .
I've been at this sat stuff since the early 1980's (1983-1984) since we got our first C Band dish at home (a Toky receiver with a Chaparral LNA, later replaced by a Monterrey receiver and a Uniden when we bought our next 8 ft. prime focus).
Right now i have an 8ft and a 10 ft prime focus solid antennae (fiberglass), one with a BCS621-2, the other one with the double C output LNBF (i think it's called C2), using two Pansat 2500a and a CW-700s (i have not been able to make work the USB receiver), also i have two 90cm offset dishes with a quad universal LNB and a single output universal LNB (both of them made by Chaparral), and a like 5-6 directv and a dish 500 dishes in storage (got them pretty cheap and i couldn't resist LOL).
Cheers
M.
.I've been at this sat stuff since the early 1980's (1983-1984) since we got our first C Band dish at home (a Toky receiver with a Chaparral LNA, later replaced by a Monterrey receiver and a Uniden when we bought our next 8 ft. prime focus).
Right now i have an 8ft and a 10 ft prime focus solid antennae (fiberglass), one with a BCS621-2, the other one with the double C output LNBF (i think it's called C2), using two Pansat 2500a and a CW-700s (i have not been able to make work the USB receiver), also i have two 90cm offset dishes with a quad universal LNB and a single output universal LNB (both of them made by Chaparral), and a like 5-6 directv and a dish 500 dishes in storage (got them pretty cheap and i couldn't resist LOL).
Cheers
M.
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