Corotor to Add Ku to C-Band Dish

[arcticman]

I have had a BUD since the early nineties. I upgraded to the 4DTV sidecar when it came out to go with my2710R receiver. Netlink/Superstar keeps dropping channels and now has turned off Disney, ESPN and Comedy Central. I have decided it is time to move to Dish Network, particularly since they have expanded their HD offerings. Since I am up in Alaska, a six foot dish is required.

That is why I’m considering keeping the existing dish (I think it’s a Laser8500 -made by Perfect 10), adding a corotor so that it will pick up Ku feeds and then use a diSEqC switch to get Free over The Air signals. I am in Alaska, so I think a small dish won’t work.

My installation guy doesn’t seem to be real interested in helping me out. Any suggestions or warnings?

Thanks,

Arcticman

 

[Mr Tony]

Welcome

If you dont mind me asking, where in Alaska are you?

I thought only a 4 foot dish is all that is needed for Dish 119 in Alaska? I know a 6 footer is needed for 110.

Yes you could add a KU LNB to the existing C-Band setup. That would probably be the easiest since you already have the big dish. Add a FTA reciever and you can get some of the free stuff up there. Below is how to add a FTA reciever to the existing setup. You can use the analog reciever to move the big dish and change polarities.

Here is a list of what is up there 24/7
C-Band
http://www.global-cm.net/MPEGlistCBandUS.html

KU
http://www.global-cm.net/MPEGlistKuBandUS.html

and the list that we rarely post since its mainly for Alaska/Hawaii
http://www.global-cm.net/MPEGlistPacRim.html
On the above link (the one right above here) the only satellite really is 139 (AMC8) which is beamed for Alaska and has Alaska 1,2,3 and ARCS along with a few radio stations

 

[mikekohl]

Given the probably 15 year age of your C-band antenna,
and its exposure to the elements over that time, upgrading
to a C/Ku feed could likely be disappointing given the possible
results on Ku-band.

Get ahold of my friends at Satellite Alaska in Anchorage
E-Mail satellite@alaska.net Tel (907) 243-7475
and see what they might have in solid offset antennas
for Ku-band. An old rule of thumb is that a 3 foot offset
of solid type usually equals or outperforms a 10 foot mesh antenna
on Ku-band. These folks in Anchorage likely have antennas in the
3 foot and even up to 6 foot size for solid offset consumer types,
in addition to some commercial 2.4 meter (8 foot) offsets designed
for commercial use. Having lived in south-central Alaska between
1974 and 1987, I know what freight costs can be on shipments of
solid one piece antennas into "The Bush". The above mentioned
source brings antennas into Anchorage by the container quantity,
so at least you won't have the typical freight charges getting to the
state from Seattle and beyond.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[arcticman]

Thanks

Iceberg & Mikekohl-

Thanks for the advice and the listings of what is presently available FTA. It really helped me out.

I have been in Fairbanks since 1985, Anchorage before that from 1975 to 1985.

Fairbanks is a great place to raise kids. I am thinking of following them back to the lower 48 when the last one graduates from high school.

Later,

Arcticman

 

[tdti1]

Iceberg & Mikekohl-

Netlink/Superstar keeps dropping channels
Arcticman

For 4dtv programming you mite want to take a look at NPS or SRL, espn and Disney are gone but thats about it.
NPS - Your One Call Solution - CBAND Satellite Programming C-band
Satellite Receivers C band and 4DTV satellite programming