C-Band Analog

[WondrousBread]

Hello there.

I have recently had some time off, so I repaired the actuator on the C-Band dish that I have had beside my house since I was a child. It hasn't been used in years. I have now refurbished it to working order (at least, the motion arc).

I have only an analog C-Band receiver (Star Trak 6) at the moment, though I plan on upgrading to an FTA box (DVB and DVB-S2) when I get a chance.

Can anyone tell me if there are any analog channels, analog test channels, or regular feeds that I can use to test if my system is currently working? I tried to find Shepherd's Chapel, but after checking Lyngsat it appears Brother Murray has upgraded his equipment to DVB-S2.

Located in Ontario, Canada.

 

[Mr Tony]

I tried to find Shepherd's Chapel, but after checking Lyngsat it appears Brother Murray has upgraded his equipment to DVB-S2.
.

The old man didn't. The kid (Dennis) did once the old man died

Honestly I dont know of any analog C-band left. Weather Channel was the last one If I recall

 

[FTA4PA]

Isn't C-SPAN on 131W still analog?
P.S. Welcome to Satellite Guys WondrousBread!

 

[WondrousBread]

First of all, thanks to both of you for the quick replies, and for being so welcoming to me

According to Lyngsat, C-SPAN is analog. However, it is squarely behind a 25 foot tall pine tree. It wasn't that tall the last time the dish was in use . I've done a lot of searching (both using the internet and using the dish) to try and find a feed or test card, but found none other than C-SPAN. I've found some references to RAI, QCN, and others, but I can't seem to verify any of them with Lyngsat.

On a side note, I'm actually rather sad to hear that Murray has died. At least his son has kept his dream alive and well on G16/Tp16

 

[FTA4PA]

How about 111W: http://www.lyngsat.com/Anik-F2.html

 

[Mr Tony]

well as of this thread a year ago the only thing left was C-Span
http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/qvc-c4-07-to-leave-analog.346629/

What this also means is that the last remaining 24/7 analog signal will be C3-07 C-SPAN.

 

[WondrousBread]

Based on Lyngsat, the data is current as of 2 days ago. So tomorrow from 8:45 to 11:30, I should be able to tune it. It also isn't straight behind the tree like 131W is, but it does seem to be near the edge of the tree. I'll have to give it a try tomorrow. I've found that there are still NTSC C-band feeds listed on certain satellites (Lyngsat), but they are not regularly scheduled, so finding one would be a lucky fluke.

 

[WondrousBread]

If C-Span really is the only thing left, then I'm out of luck as for testing the equipment.

 

[rrob311]

As long as you are tracking the arc you should have no problem getting signals with a newer receiver while using the Star Trak. You may have to upgrade the lnb depending on what kind you have on the dish. I use a 4dtv receiver as a dish mover. It still works well even though I don't use it for analog. It is a little cumbersome having to use a separate remote and tv input to move the dish but it works for me.

 

[waylew]

QVC is on ch 9 at 135w,AMC 10,and Cspan ch 7 at 131w,AMC 11,are the only analogs I know are still there.I just checked to make sure.

 

[Mr Tony]

QVC is on ch 9 at 135w,AMC 10,

which contradicts the post above from a year ago...interesting

Just for the record, on 1/31/15, QVC will turn off its analog signal on C4-09

 

[Titanium]

Heard rumor that QVC was left up for smaller systems that we're going to drop the channel rather than upgrade the receiver. Guess it comes down to return on investment. QVC must get a pretty good return on this monthly full transponder (24MHz) cost of probably a minimum of 30k.

 

[waylew]

which contradicts the post above from a year ago...interesting

Yeah I keep expecting it to be gone but every time I check it's still there.I wish the other one was still on 10,it was a great place for me to peak up polarity,feedhorn was in easy reach.

 

[Mr Tony]

Heard rumor that QVC was left up for smaller systems that we're going to drop the channel rather than upgrade the receiver. Guess it comes down to return on investment. QVC must get a pretty good return on this monthly full transponder (24MHz) cost of probably a minimum of 30k.

Now that I think about it my uncles podunk cable must still gets it via analog. Was up there a couple months ago and flipping through the channels I saw "sparklies" on the screen

 

[FaT Air]

Heard rumor that QVC was left up for smaller systems that we're going to drop the channel rather than upgrade the receiver. Guess it comes down to return on investment. QVC must get a pretty good return on this monthly full transponder (24MHz) cost of probably a minimum of 30k.

Hard to believe that QVC(Liberty Interactive) couldn't afford a few $200.00 FTA STB's, 30k/.2k=150 affiliates - And we all know there'd be one heck of a discount with a quantity purchase.

 

[WondrousBread]

So I've been unable to tune QVC, that Latino channel on Anik F2, or C-Span. Regrettably, they are all obstructed by the tree, so I can't tell if my lnb still works.I think the best option might be to just pick up a really cheap used FTA box (the last one I had cost me five dollars, but I've since given it away) and try it out. Worst case scenario, I lose a few dollars. If it works, I'll upgrade to a better system.

I was very surprised to learn that almost all of the analog programming was gone, especially considering the excellent quality of C-Band analog. I had thought a few more channels (Weather Channel, PBS, NASA channel) might still be broadcasting, but I guess DVB is now the way of things.

 

[FaT Air]

Analog has gotten very rare, been mainly digital for many years.
Keep the analog to move the dish and select the polarity as the digital boxes have left those operations out. (Think there was an (VeryRare) analog feed a couple of years ago, haven't heard of any since.)

excellent quality of C-Band analog.

Just wait until you see an DVB HD satellite signal. It's 'right up there'.
A DVB-S2 receiver from China can be had for under 50 bucks, IIRR, but most do NOT do Dolby audio(and maybe a couple of other 'high level' encoding types of audio) Latest thread
I think the Manhattan DJ 1997 is still available for ~$100 from their dealers who have any left. /www.global-cm.net

 

[kofi123]

Those analog VSEN feeds shown on Anik F2 at LyngSat have been gone for years. Evidently nobody ever informed the webmaster. They were part of Virginia's distance learning network serving schools in the state, but virtually all those sorts of things are done over the internet these days. I think Saskatchewan was the final state or province still providing satellite feeds for distance learning (the LIVE SatNet transponder also listed on Anik F2), but those feeds went away sometime in the last year.

Anyway, I don't think anybody mentioned the Powerball or Mega Millions drawings in this thread. They are still done on a shared analog C-band feed on Galaxy 19. Powerball draws take place Wednesdays and Saturdays and Mega Millions draws take place Tuesdays and Fridays. All draws happen around 11 PM Eastern; the Mega Millions feed is up for about 15 minutes, while the Powerball feed is up for about 35 minutes.

The only other routine analog feeds I'm aware of come from the Alabama Public Health Training Network on Galaxy 16 C-band. They also uplink, and publicly announce the coordinates to, an analog feed of the Alabama governor's annual State of the State Address, though unfortunately this year's address just occurred on February 2nd. Looking over a schedule at the agency's website, the next event with an analog feed will be on February 18th.

 

[sellig]

Hello there.

I have recently had some time off, so I repaired the actuator on the C-Band dish that I have had beside my house since I was a child. It hasn't been used in years. I have now refurbished it to working order (at least, the motion arc).

I have only an analog C-Band receiver (Star Trak 6) at the moment, though I plan on upgrading to an FTA box (DVB and DVB-S2) when I get a chance.

Can anyone tell me if there are any analog channels, analog test channels, or regular feeds that I can use to test if my system is currently working? I tried to find Shepherd's Chapel, but after checking Lyngsat it appears Brother Murray has upgraded his equipment to DVB-S2.

Located in Ontario, Canada.

Hi , since two days i take time to locate some feeds or channels on different satellites and i can confirm that c-span is sill available on C3 old F3 now AMC 11 131 degre w , and QVC. ch 7 is still on AMC 10 C4 old F4 . My operating system is a Montery 95 with a 10 ft Wineguard 2 lnbs ku and c-band. and it is still a good hobby for me to spend time to found some free channels i have a receiver to scan mp2 and mp4 on each sat too , so if i can help , it will be a pleasure for me . I have my big dish since 1995 and the price of my system was 7500$ at time time. A lot of money but lot of pleasure too . No regret .

 

[Mr Tony]

thanks for confirming