Dish 500 vs Dish 500+

[cousineddie]

I currently have the superdish and the Voom channels. I have a separate Dish 500 pointed at 129 for my HD. I was wondering now that my locals are no longer on 121 and all I need for my top 120 pkg. and locals is to get 110 and 119 would I be better off getting another dish 500 and peak it on these two birds and leave my other 500 for my HD or should I get the new Dish 500+ and get all 3 birds on one dish? Also on my Dish for my HD I was thinking of getting the I adapter for the 500 and I heard something about putting the skew at 90 degrees and peaking for 129. What do you guys recommend?

 

[teachsac]

The 500+ will not pick up the HD on 129 you would need a 1000. Only thing there right now is international and Detroit and St Louis Locals. You could leave it as is or get another Dish500.

 

[SmityWhity]

I agree with "teachsac", to leave as is, except for one thing....

Since you no longer need the SuperDish 121 set to receive 3 birds, you may desire to repeak the SuperDish 121 for 119 and 110 for a stronger signal on those 2 birds.

OPTIONS:
If you really have a bad signal on 129, you may want to try and peak the 119 LNBF (or the 110 LNBF) on the SuperDish 121 to receive 129. If so, you could set the skew to 90 before peaking. Also, you would then use the Dish 500 to receive 119 and 110. This really depends on if your 129 signal is not acceptable.

On putting the I-Bracket and adjusting the skew to 90 on the Dish 500 to receive 129 -- It seems like it would increase the signal a little than using either the 119 or the 110 side of a Y-Bracket.

Assuming the signals are the same or better, and if you really only wanted one dish antenna, then go with the Dish 1000+.
The only different between the 500+ and 1000+ is a DP Dual LNBF and a bracket. But I think the bracket comes with the 500+ to convert it to a 1000+.

 

[Pepper]

as the superdish is huge, you can probably follow the instructions found elsewhere in this forum for attaching a LNBF to get 129 with the superdish.

 

[cousineddie]

Thanks for all your help. I think I'll get another Dish 500 for my locals and 110/119 and use my other 500 to peak my HD channel on 129. If I get the I adapter can I set the skew to 90 degrees and just use the elevation and azimuth?

 

[Pepper]

yes that will work

 

[JH1949]

Thanks for all your help. I think I'll get another Dish 500 for my locals and 110/119 and use my other 500 to peak my HD channel on 129. If I get the I adapter can I set the skew to 90 degrees and just use the elevation and azimuth?

Can you receive a stronger signal if you re-aim your Dish 500 at 61.5 instead of 129 ?

 

[grb]

Can you receive a stronger signal if you re-aim your Dish 500 at 61.5 instead of 129 ?

Yes, you should. Even in S. Cal where the dish is pointed almost at the horizon, you can still get a good signal. However, in S. Cal, (at least in the L.A. area), the local HD channels are on 129, So I opted to 129 from 61.5 when I upgraded. I have a dedicated 500 pulling in the 129.

I get a good signal (68-86) on the 129 and haven't had any severe pixelation or signal loss problems. I think the 61.5 has roughly the same signal level. The problems with the 129 (signal reduction due to satellite wobble) make the signal less stable. The advice usually is to use the 61.5 if you can and besides it has the HD demo channel (not on 129). I miss that aquarium!

 

[JH1949]

I was wondering why cousineddie was using 129 at his place in SW Wisconsin instead of 61.5.

 

[cousineddie]

Inregards to the last question that is where my dish installer decided to aim it. Would I get a better signal if I tried to go after the 61.5 sat?

 

[justlost]

Inregards to the last question that is where my dish installer decided to aim it. Would I get a better signal if I tried to go after the 61.5 sat?

Yes. But if you are not having problems with 129 then stay put!