C Band Still Alive?

[ndennis]

I've been using my old 4DTV just to power my 10' dish with my AZBox. I have not used the 4DTV to view anything in many years.

I changed the battery years ago but it now appears to be dying. The display has everything lit-up.

My 10' dish goes back to about 1996 but the Ku is still working fine.

Looking for a way to power my dish has made me remember how enjoyable things were back in the 90's. Especially the wild feeds.

Where is a good place to see what's up there on FTA C-band?

Can my AZBox receive everything the 4DTV can receive? Is there a better all around box?

It does not appear that the AZBox can control a movable dish. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[franklin24401]

I am brand new to the new FTA myself. I have a old 8ft dish I am going to try and get going. I like this channel search the best so far. Here's a link.
kuband.fta.channels.drsat.ca/channels.cfm

Just put in c band, and you can leave everything else in "search all". There are a lot of c-band channels.

From what I am understanding, your receiver can get C band as well as KU. It's all done in the LNB's. They convert the signal down to a intermediate frequency that the receiver picks up, it doesn't really know if it's C or KU. But they do have some new fancy switching they use in the new receivers. They change the voltage going up the coax to tell the LNB's to switch from horizontal to vertical, and they have a 22khz signal the receiver sends up the coax to switch between KU and C band LNB's. This switch can be built into the feedhorn assembly, or can be external and looks just a like a 2-way coax splitter. So that's how they manage what signal gets to the receiver.

They also have these new fangled standards called Diseq, your receiver has them. These are communication standards that your receiver uses to talk to a dish mover box. They sell these dish mover boxes and reasonable prices(do search for "vbox").

What I find refreshing is the reasonable prices on all this stuff. When the 4DTV receiver came out way back in the 90's, the price knocked me out of the game. I think I can get back in now though since it shouldn't cost too much to get back in.

And like I said I am just learning this stuff myself, so someone can correct me if any of the info above is wrong.

 

[Anole]

Where is a good place to see what's up there on FTA C-band?

Can my AZBox receive everything the 4DTV can receive? Is there a better all around box?

It does not appear that the AZBox can control a movable dish. Any suggestions?

1. Top of every page: The List
Also, Lyngsat.com, and Mike Kohl's site which someone will post shortly.

2. An AZbox can't get anything your 4D receiver can get, but it CAN get everything your 4D can't!

3. You want a Gbox (or Vbox) to control your dish mover motor (click my signature for review & discussion)
Many members give up the feedhorn with servo motor, as new receivers won't control them
They opt for a voltage controlled LNBF, or an ortho feed.

 

[FaT Air]

Mike Kohl's site which someone will post shortly.

Here it is: http://www.global-cm.net/mpeg2central.html
GBox or VBox - your Az can talk to it so it can move your dish to the proper place. Well, that's after you program in the locations.
An LNBF or an ortho -n- multiswitch. your FTA STB can select the polarity via LNB voltage.
C band Rocks (didn't someone else say that??)

 

[KE4EST]

Welcome to the site Franklin!!!

 

[ndennis]

Thank you - I'm composing an email to sanoun.com now.

The biggest reason I stopped moving my dish many years ago was the high cost of the positioner and they only lasted a year or two.

I'd love to get my 4DTV up and running again along with my AZBox. If it's not too costly I'm going to try and get it all going again.

 

[ZetaMale]

Thank you - I'm composing an email to sanoun.com now.

The biggest reason I stopped moving my dish many years ago was the high cost of the positioner and they only lasted a year or two.

I'd love to get my 4DTV up and running again along with my AZBox. If it's not too costly I'm going to try and get it all going again.

You'll still need an actuator. The Gbox or Vbox or 4DTV will power the actuator. The Gbox and Vbox uses Diseqc commands from the Azbox (or other FTA receiver) to move the dish. Anyway, your actuator should last a lot longer than 2 years so I'm wondering why you have to replace it every 2 years.

 

[ndennis]

I use to move the dish a lot everyday and just wore them out. They stopped being accurate.

I have a new actuator in my closet but it's too small to last long with the big dish. One just like it is on the dish now. I need something heavy duty.

My dish is on a tall pole attached to the side of the house so everything is difficult to get at from the roof.

 

[FaT Air]

Don't know what you've been using but here's what you need. http://www.venturemfgco.com/satellite-maxi-ball-screw.html
Maybe counter-weight the dish also?? #14
My VonWeise is 20+ yrs old. moved a lot just about every day. Sure you don't have something binding putting added stress on the actuator?

 

[primestar31]

Here's where you can buy it, and it's well worth the money! https://impaktproducts.com/Venture-24-Maxie-Heavy-Duty-Ball-Screw-Actuator-p-16516.html

 

[tdti1]

Thank you - I'm composing an email to sanoun.com now.

The biggest reason I stopped moving my dish many years ago was the high cost of the positioner and they only lasted a year or two.

I'd love to get my 4DTV up and running again along with my AZBox. If it's not too costly I'm going to try and get it all going again.

The antenna controller (positioner) or the actuator motor (arm) I never had a receiver stop moving my dish, and I have had my dish for about 30 years and replaced the actuator about 4 or 5 times, the Venture Maxi 24" I have on now has been running for over 6 years with no issues.

 

[franklin24401]

Welcome to the site Franklin!!!

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[tdti1]

If you want the best get the a Thompson Saginaw it will last your probably 15-20 years.

 

[ndennis]

A counter weight is a great idea. I'm trying to find some good instructions now.

 

[ndennis]

Don't know what you've been using but here's what you need. http://www.venturemfgco.com/satellite-maxi-ball-screw.html
Maybe counter-weight the dish also?? #14
My VonWeise is 20+ yrs old. moved a lot just about every day. Sure you don't have something binding putting added stress on the actuator?

I found this actuator new on EBay for $120.00 including shipping and just bought it. Thanks.

 

[ndennis]

Any suggestions for the LNBF? I want a really good one. Thanks.

 

[FaT Air]

The absolute best is an orthomode transducer [OMT, Ortho] with two high quality LNB's with a modified multiswitch.
Second would have been a GeosatPRO C2. Unfortunately, not manufactured any more.
Before my acquisition of a C2, I had a ESX242 that performed very well. Confirming the review linked to.

 

[dotbatman]

Can you post a link to the ebay item you purchased? I contacted venture about a quote for a part of the actuator and they wanted 130. If I can get the whole thing for $120, I'll do that instead.

 

[ndennis]

There was only one for sale. I saw the price an got it right away.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161010076483

 

[primestar31]

There was only one for sale. I saw the price an got it right away.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161010076483

That's an Acme screw model, and NOT the top of the line Ball screw model. Still quite good and worth the money, but not the high-end one for really heavy dishes.. See the last picture of the text on the shipping box.

Yup, there's two versions of the same actuator...