Dish Network Installation Issue - Please help

[coldmountain]

I had scheduled a dish network installation yesterday.As part of the package I chose, I wanted a particular International Channel( SUN TV) , which is beamed from 3 satellites ( 61.5 , 121 and 148 ). The technician who had come yesterday told me that I have no line of sight for 61.5 . At that time , I wasnt knowing about the other 2 locations. Later I did some research and found out the channel is being beamed from 121 and 148. I called up the dish customer rep and found out that 121 is my only hope since signals from 148 are weaker in the northeast part of US. He also told me that I need a SuperDish 121 to receive the channel from 121. Unfortunately Dish Network has stopped supporting SuperDish and will not be issuing SuperDish equipments..Now , I have the following question:-

1. Will I be able to get clear reception of the international channel from Satellite 121 using SUPERDISH. The technician told me that I have a clear line of sight for 110W ( American Channels ). If I have a clear line of sight for 110 , will I be getting signals from 121 too with SUPERDISH 121 ?[ My Balcony is facing west and has Trees and Shades blocking the Southern Region ,hence couldnt connect to 61.5 ]

2. Is anyone using SUPERDISH to receive international channels from 121. Is it hard to setup to receive signals from 121 ? { I saw in some forums that they had no luck setting up SUPERDISH to receive signals from 121 , so I'am hesistant to buy them.

Lastly , Assuming that I could go for SUPERDISH, is there any better ( economical) place to get the SUPERDISH kit..

Sorry for the long message,I would really appreciate your expertise to help me resolve this issue. THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE.

 

[r_childress]

Maybe the easiest solution is to put up a separate dish to look at 121.

 

[gearheadchnc]

what city and state do you live in?

 

[coldmountain]

Thanks for the response.I was told that SuperDish is the only equipment that can receive signals from 121 .

To answer the other question, I live in Manchester,CT

 

[Liquidforce88]

The answer is you could get a Superdish for the 121. You need that dish to get the 121 because it uses a special LNB that a regular dish does not have.

The problem is Dish is not going to support the 121 so the channel probably won't be there long.

Get another tech out to see if you really don't have Line Of Site to the 61.5. That sat sits pretty high in the sky.

 

[gearheadchnc]

the 148 satellite is the west coast equivalent of 61.5 which is used on the west coast and I am assuming you also want regular sih programming also and if its not releasing to much info whats your zip code I might be able to get you some azimuth and elevation numbes

 

[gearheadchnc]

I your zip code is 06040 the 61.5 shoots elevation 40 and azimuth 178 which is almost directly south and the dish 500 for 110 and 119 satellites need a 26 elevation with a azimuth of 247 with five degrees clear to each side ie 242 to 252 window

 

[Claude Greiner]

The only thing I could say is buy a SuperDish outright and install it and subscribe to the channels

 

[coldmountain]

Thanks so much for your advises. Can you please tell me the Elevation and Azimuth for receiving signals from 121 .

Also, one of my friend has an unused DISH. He got this in 2003 to watch Worldcup cricket 2003. The LNB says BS1H3UP201M Lot #10 . I'am not sure if this equipment can receive signals from 121.
Appreciate if anyone knows about this model.

Thanks again !!

 

[dishcomm]

Maybe the easiest solution is to put up a separate dish to look at 121.

No can do....121 is an FSS satellite and requires a different LNB and a larger reflector..There is no solution to receive 121 using a typical d-500 antenna....Plus this guy seems to be in an apartment..many apartment complexes in my area barely allow one dish let alone two.....

 

[SmityWhity]

Additional info/comments:

The SuperDish 121 picks up 3 locations, 119, 110, and 121.
To pick up all 3 locations from Zip Code 06040:
Azimuth = 253, Elevation = 22, Skew = 129

I was just wondering if the installer said you had clear sight of 119, since he mentioned 110. If you have sight of 110 and 119, there is a good chance you have 121, but not definite. Personally, I don't feel installing a SuperDish 121 is very difficult. However, it is heavy and is the largest DBS home dish that Dish Network has. Therefore, you may have trouble properly mounting it on a balcony.

EDIT: Here's a picture of a SuperDish 121 attached to the railing on a balcony. Since I still had line of sight, I mounted it on the inside of the balcony to shield from snow and high winds, and don't seem to have any problems. This SuperDish 121 has an extra LNBF taped to the side for receipt of 129 (Denver Locals), other wise, I would just use a wing dish for 61.5 or 148 since I have LOS to all.

As said before, you need the SuperDish 121 because it has a DishPro compatible LNBF that can be used with the other DishPro LNBF and DP Switch (such as DP34).

However, if you were only going to subscribe to the A La Carte-Sun TV, with a single dish setup peaked to 61.5; then you may be able to use a non Dish Network dish (FTA dish) since you will not have to interface it with anything else. But again, this would still be dependent on a clear line of sight to 121 which would still be somewhere around 253 (251 - 254 magnetic), and what type of receiver you will be using. But you may have trouble finding an installer to do it.

Future Support for the SuperDish 105 and 121.

I have a SuperDish 121 for Korean programming. I could get the programming off 61.5, 148, and now 118.7. Dish is suppose to be coming out with a "Dish 1000+ Repoint Kit" to convert the SuperDish to a Dish 1000+. Hopefully soon, if not, maybe they'll give me a Dish 1000+, although that doesn't help the OP.

 

[coldmountain]

SmityWhity - Thanks a lot for your detailed explanation.I vaguely remember that the installer mentioned that I have a clear line of sight for 121. But unfortunately my apartment complex do not allow to fasten any dish on the railings, I need to find out alternate ways to fix the SuperDish.

Also , can you please let me know where can I get SuperDish 121 kit cheaper.I see few people selling used SuperDish 121 kit on ebay that ranges between 90 - 120 USD ( includes shipping). Are these normal price ranges ?

Thanks again !!

 

[SmityWhity]

If you are going to go with a SuperDish 121 to receive 3 sat locations (119/110/121), then you need to consider the following:

- (1) Switch: Either a DP34 or DPP44:
- - - - (a) DP34: Will connect 3 sat locations to 4 receivers, takes 2 cables to feed dual tuner receiver, no Power Inserter required, costs about $60 - $70 (+/-).
- - - - (b) DPP44: Will connect 4 sat locations to 4 receivers (8 tuners), take one cable to feed dual tuner receiver, costs about $170 - $200.

- (2) Routing cable: Will you be drilling a hole through a wall? Another option is using "RG-6 Flat Cable" which is about 8" long, but you can open a window or sliding door and then close the door on this cable. However, if you open and close the door too much, I have found it doesn't last long - so buy a couple of extra's. They cost about $2 a piece, athough some like to charge about $9 each.

- (3) Mounting: I guess if you got a big enough bucket, pan, slop jar, etc..., you could install a mast pole in it, with one end flat or a rod through it to keep it from turning. Then add concret mix and water to weigh it down. And maybe even run a bracket from it to the railing as an option.
Sorry - but I could not tell you how much weight or concret to use - maybe someone else has figures.

At the top of the forum pages, you will see several advertisers. I do know that Sadoun and The DishStore both sells the SuperDish 121. I would suggest going to their web sites, and/or call them, and check their prices. There will be differences, but you need to compare the final pricing as shipped to your location:
- SD-121 Price
- Shipping Cost to your location
- Is a DP34 Switch included (if not, what is the price, and if you want the DPP44, will they offset the price of a DP34)

 

[dishcomm]

If you are going to go with a SuperDish 121 to receive 3 sat locations (119/110/121), then you need to consider the following:

- (1) Switch: Either a DP34 or DPP44:
- - - - (a) DP34: Will connect 3 sat locations to 4 receivers, takes 2 cables to feed dual tuner receiver, no Power Inserter required, costs about $60 - $70 (+/-).
- - - - (b) DPP44: Will connect 4 sat locations to 4 receivers (8 tuners), take one cable to feed dual tuner receiver, costs about $170 - $200.

- (2) Routing cable: Will you be drilling a hole through a wall? Another option is using "RG-6 Flat Cable" which is about 8" long, but you can open a window or sliding door and then close the door on this cable. However, if you open and close the door too much, I have found it doesn't last long - so buy a couple of extra's. They cost about $2 a piece, athough some like to charge about $9 each.

- (3) Mounting: I guess if you got a big enough bucket, pan, slop jar, etc..., you could install a mast pole in it, with one end flat or a rod through it to keep it from turning. Then add concret mix and water to weigh it down. And maybe even run a bracket from it to the railing as an option.
Sorry - but I could not tell you how much weight or concret to use - maybe someone else has figures.

At the top of the forum pages, you will see several advertisers. I do know that Sadoun and The DishStore both sells the SuperDish 121. I would suggest going to their web sites, and/or call them, and check their prices. There will be differences, but you need to compare the final pricing as shipped to your location:
- SD-121 Price
- Shipping Cost to your location
- Is a DP34 Switch included (if not, what is the price, and if you want the DPP44, will they offset the price of a DP34)

Snce the SD takes a 2"pole I would use about 60-80 pounds of concrete and go down about 1.5 to 2 feet.....The SD is heavy and I liked to reduce the wiggle factor potential as much as possible..

 

[coldmountain]

Thank you very much for providing me with all the detailed information that I need.

Thanks again !!

 

[dishcomm]

Thank you very much for providing me with all the detailed information that I need.

Thanks again !!

You're quite welcome