I have had it only about 14 months but I love it. I need to go shopping on the country roads for bigger one to mount permanent with a motor for the spring.
How Long Have You Had Your BUD?
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Over a year with the deceased BUD, but if you include the time I spent with them from the mid-80's until the late 90's, well...
Got mine off of craigslist less than a year ago. Winegard Pinnacle 10ft. Been stored indoors for almost 10yrs. He wanted $80 for it. When I saw that it was a buttonhook feed, I told him that I wasn't interested. Then he told me he would sell it for $20-$30, so I took it for $20. Great dish, haven't regretted it.
Pick up a 10 ft Sami with a working Venture actuator just for the asking around 4 months ago and got into C-band FTA with a BSC621 2D LNBF.
Also I would like to give a great big thank you to 14Karat for the heads-up posts on a perforated 8 1/2 ft Birdview.
I spoke with the property owner and he had already contacted a local junk hauler to come scrap that "ugly thing" and get it out of his yard. After a lot of persuasion (I'm not above begging) I eventually talk him into letting me have it. This is my latest project and I promise to post photos. Again thank you 14K.
Also I would like to give a great big thank you to 14Karat for the heads-up posts on a perforated 8 1/2 ft Birdview.
I spoke with the property owner and he had already contacted a local junk hauler to come scrap that "ugly thing" and get it out of his yard. After a lot of persuasion (I'm not above begging) I eventually talk him into letting me have it. This is my latest project and I promise to post photos. Again thank you 14K.
Good for both of you. "After a lot of persuasion..." seems a necessary skill sometimes.
I've had my 6 foot Fortec dish since April and my 8.5 foot Paraclipse mid summer.....love 'em both. Still have work to do on the 8.5 footer but that's a next summer project. Blind
BUDs still Rule!!
Did the C-Band thing since 1980ish, starting with a 10' Prodelin 8 piece fiberglass and a receiver of unremembered manufacture, handcrank, mounted on a SkiDoo trailer to do site work. Soon after, moved to Luxor receivers and dish actuator controllers and Conifer 10' mesh dishes. Great dish but mesh was pretty much C-Band only in size. Moved on to what you see in my avatar and siggy about 3 years ago. I custom built the feed mounting to handle C/Ku Band and DSS and used that until last year when I custom mounted an Invacom Quad and removed the C/Ku Band feeds. Now have just acquired an H to H mount and drive which will be a project for next year. It never ends!!
Did the C-Band thing since 1980ish, starting with a 10' Prodelin 8 piece fiberglass and a receiver of unremembered manufacture, handcrank, mounted on a SkiDoo trailer to do site work. Soon after, moved to Luxor receivers and dish actuator controllers and Conifer 10' mesh dishes. Great dish but mesh was pretty much C-Band only in size. Moved on to what you see in my avatar and siggy about 3 years ago. I custom built the feed mounting to handle C/Ku Band and DSS and used that until last year when I custom mounted an Invacom Quad and removed the C/Ku Band feeds. Now have just acquired an H to H mount and drive which will be a project for next year. It never ends!!
What is a "buttonhook feed"?
The buttonhook feed setup is a single pole attached to the center of the dish and bent on the outboard end to allow attachment of the LNA/LNB at the focal point of the dish. It was roughly formed in the shape of an old style hook that ladies used to lace their high boots of the day, hence the name. Usually easily adjustable for focal distance by sliding in or out of a tube mounted in the center of the dish but typically required some number of guy wires to the circumference of the dish to steady the feed in any kind of wind. It did give you more control over feed position than fixed tripods etc. though.
Striker
1994 - I remember having to tell my boss I was going to a funeral in order to get time off to drive up to Fergus Falls and pick up the kit at Sky Vision. Been watching BUD ever since.
I have had C-band since 1998, gave up on it 2004 or later; I never got around to setting up a proper pole mount for it. I got the disg and some stuff the week after Christmas 1997, some stuff the next month, and got it set up by February 1998, one of the first things I seen was the NASA press conference announcing John Glenn going back into space, and I got hooked onto TvLand, MTV2, TLC, FX, Discovery, PBS-X, and ZDTV, as well as all sorts of wildfeeds, and network feeds for UPN. I experimented with a number of LNAs, block and 70 Mhz downconverters, and LNBs, using a warner, and then Saginaw arm, and a fixed, then adjustable scalar feedhorn, and a C/Ku feed.
since 1987, it's been in 2 different houses though I stopped using it from 2003 to about a week ago when I decided to give FTA a try! Im learning it as I type
July 1, 1983 How do I know that ? I put the date of installation in the concrete after I mixed and poured it , then a few days later the 12 foot fiberglass got installed and we've been up and running ever since . First receiver was a Dexell . Been through 3 or 4 dish arms and on my 3rd receiver in 26 years . Have a digital package through NPS and at the time being we go from C-3 to G-3 .
I do need to find a place where I can find info on what other satellites and channels that I should be able to watch as I need to tune those in and put them in memory .
Just recently retired and never really had time before to search the "Net" for places like THIS . Pretty Cool !
I do need to find a place where I can find info on what other satellites and channels that I should be able to watch as I need to tune those in and put them in memory .
Just recently retired and never really had time before to search the "Net" for places like THIS . Pretty Cool !
Got my first 2 BUDs in 2006. They are both Paraclipse 12 footers but they are too big for my yard in CA so they have been in storage. I've picked up a few more dishes over the past year and finally got my first BUD up and running last week! Lots of fun!
Hi Guys,
I haven't had a dish in years, but my son just moved out to an old farm house and doesn't get good reception over the air and is a poor college kid so he doesn't need a monthly bill so DirecTv/Dish is out too. I looked around at FTA stuff and found that all but CBS is on C band Galaxy 16. A kind forum member on another forum was nice enough to donate a Creative Works 7000 to him so we're now on the hunt for a BUD and I'm doing research on how to set this all up as it's been at least 15 years since I've been near a dish.
Seeing this thread brought some smiles to my face though. My brother and I were ham radio operators and we read many articles on home earth stations and drooled over the equipment in the Long's Electronics flyers. My parents finally sold their camper in 1984 and said we could use the proceeds from it to get a dish up and going.
The dish was (is, it's still at Mom's!) a Wilson perforated steel dish. 10' I think. We didn't have a good shot at the arc due to trees so we put it on top of a 25' windmill tower! I still remember bringing it home - dad had someone weld up wheel adapters he bolted on two of the legs, and then a hitch adapter he put in the head and we just flipped it on it's side and pulled it in with a truck like it was a trailer! We used a crane to lift the tower and dish up. It's still there, but it's on the agenda to take down this summer. I just may move it over to my place!
The first receiver was an Anderson Scientific 70mhz with a separate LNA and downconverter. We didn't use it long, but I don't recall why. We ended up using an STS MBS SR Block receiver and matching actuator and it worked GREAT!
I can remember trying to line the dish up for the first time, it was on a temp mount on the ground and we weren't hitting anything. All the adjustments were loose as we were moving back and forth and up and down. We got tired and took a break and a friend came over to chat and leaned on the mount and the dish lifted and a channel came in! We all jumped up!!!
I moved out a couple years later but was able to get a house where they'd let me put a dish up so I had a 10' mesh dish (Isis was the model, I think Kaultronics built it) and bought a used Ma/Com T1 receiver and actuator. We used that for a couple years and then we upgraded to a Houston Tracker Tracker X - nice unit with a UHF remote! Funny story, one night we were watching TV and the darn thing would just take off moving on us! We'd move it back and settle in and it'd do it again! I was checking cables, etc. until I heard faint laughter . . . a buddy of mine had the same unit and he brought his remote over and was standing outside the window screwing with us!
Reading this thread brought back some fun memories - I'd almost forgot about hand cranks!
I used to hire out to the local dealers to do installs and I did some freelance maintenance work. We catch a lot of wind here in Nebraska and the dishes would always blow off. You just had to loosen the mount and rotate it till they lined up again. I started drilling a 1/8" hole through the mounts and poles and then if I ever got called back for that I'd just slip the drill bit and rotate till it lined up -> worked GREAT!.
Later I joined the service and we were traveling a lot so the big dishes went by the way side and I just haven't went back. I loved playing with dishes though, so I'm thinking I may have to take the hobby up again!
I loved the 10 signs you've been doing this too long . . .
#10 You call your dish a parabolic reflector.
Yep!
#9 Your Videocipher II was made by MA/COM.
My parent's was! Silver "010" model! I still remember the address number!
Mine was a General Instruments and was black - an "018" model, and I still remember it's address number too!
#8 You used to tune in to Dr. Gene Scott (oh, you still do?)
Yep! I just looked him up and I see he's passed away now, but his wife has taken over and that they do still air some of his tapings.
#6 Your HBO was interrupted one evening when Captain Midnight struck.
I missed that, but I remember reading about it and all the uproar it caused!
#5 You thought that Ku-band thing would never catch on.
Actually I did think it would catch on - I knew many people wanted dishes, just didn't want the big dish.
#4 You remember testing out parental block on Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
#3 You recall when MTV played music.
I even remember Max Headroom!
#2 You keep referring to AMC 11 as Satcom 3.
Satcom 3 is gone?????
And finally, the number one sign that you've been in the hobby waaaay too long.
#1 You're patiently waiting for the return of American XXXtasy.
Oh man, yeah, I remember American XXXTasy! I would annoy my wife with it - every time company came over and she turned the tv volume down I'd discretely switch the channel over to Am X -> it was a hoot when they finally caught a glimpse of what was on!
Also, do you remember they used to do themes? I remember one year on Christmas Eve they played "Santa Comes Twice"! It had midgets for elves . . .
Oh what fun those old dishes used to be!
It wasn't long ago my father passed away and when we were cleaning out the garage we came across that little blue triangle thing you used to use to align the polarotor. I think it's still over there, I'll have to check!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane guys!
Steve
I haven't had a dish in years, but my son just moved out to an old farm house and doesn't get good reception over the air and is a poor college kid so he doesn't need a monthly bill so DirecTv/Dish is out too. I looked around at FTA stuff and found that all but CBS is on C band Galaxy 16. A kind forum member on another forum was nice enough to donate a Creative Works 7000 to him so we're now on the hunt for a BUD and I'm doing research on how to set this all up as it's been at least 15 years since I've been near a dish.
Seeing this thread brought some smiles to my face though. My brother and I were ham radio operators and we read many articles on home earth stations and drooled over the equipment in the Long's Electronics flyers. My parents finally sold their camper in 1984 and said we could use the proceeds from it to get a dish up and going.
The dish was (is, it's still at Mom's!) a Wilson perforated steel dish. 10' I think. We didn't have a good shot at the arc due to trees so we put it on top of a 25' windmill tower! I still remember bringing it home - dad had someone weld up wheel adapters he bolted on two of the legs, and then a hitch adapter he put in the head and we just flipped it on it's side and pulled it in with a truck like it was a trailer! We used a crane to lift the tower and dish up. It's still there, but it's on the agenda to take down this summer. I just may move it over to my place!
The first receiver was an Anderson Scientific 70mhz with a separate LNA and downconverter. We didn't use it long, but I don't recall why. We ended up using an STS MBS SR Block receiver and matching actuator and it worked GREAT!
I can remember trying to line the dish up for the first time, it was on a temp mount on the ground and we weren't hitting anything. All the adjustments were loose as we were moving back and forth and up and down. We got tired and took a break and a friend came over to chat and leaned on the mount and the dish lifted and a channel came in! We all jumped up!!!
I moved out a couple years later but was able to get a house where they'd let me put a dish up so I had a 10' mesh dish (Isis was the model, I think Kaultronics built it) and bought a used Ma/Com T1 receiver and actuator. We used that for a couple years and then we upgraded to a Houston Tracker Tracker X - nice unit with a UHF remote! Funny story, one night we were watching TV and the darn thing would just take off moving on us! We'd move it back and settle in and it'd do it again! I was checking cables, etc. until I heard faint laughter . . . a buddy of mine had the same unit and he brought his remote over and was standing outside the window screwing with us!
Reading this thread brought back some fun memories - I'd almost forgot about hand cranks!
I used to hire out to the local dealers to do installs and I did some freelance maintenance work. We catch a lot of wind here in Nebraska and the dishes would always blow off. You just had to loosen the mount and rotate it till they lined up again. I started drilling a 1/8" hole through the mounts and poles and then if I ever got called back for that I'd just slip the drill bit and rotate till it lined up -> worked GREAT!.
Later I joined the service and we were traveling a lot so the big dishes went by the way side and I just haven't went back. I loved playing with dishes though, so I'm thinking I may have to take the hobby up again!
I loved the 10 signs you've been doing this too long . . .
#10 You call your dish a parabolic reflector.
Yep!
#9 Your Videocipher II was made by MA/COM.
My parent's was! Silver "010" model! I still remember the address number!
Mine was a General Instruments and was black - an "018" model, and I still remember it's address number too!
#8 You used to tune in to Dr. Gene Scott (oh, you still do?)
Yep! I just looked him up and I see he's passed away now, but his wife has taken over and that they do still air some of his tapings.
#6 Your HBO was interrupted one evening when Captain Midnight struck.
I missed that, but I remember reading about it and all the uproar it caused!
#5 You thought that Ku-band thing would never catch on.
Actually I did think it would catch on - I knew many people wanted dishes, just didn't want the big dish.
#4 You remember testing out parental block on Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
#3 You recall when MTV played music.
I even remember Max Headroom!
#2 You keep referring to AMC 11 as Satcom 3.
Satcom 3 is gone?????
And finally, the number one sign that you've been in the hobby waaaay too long.
#1 You're patiently waiting for the return of American XXXtasy.
Oh man, yeah, I remember American XXXTasy! I would annoy my wife with it - every time company came over and she turned the tv volume down I'd discretely switch the channel over to Am X -> it was a hoot when they finally caught a glimpse of what was on!
Also, do you remember they used to do themes? I remember one year on Christmas Eve they played "Santa Comes Twice"! It had midgets for elves . . .
Oh what fun those old dishes used to be!
It wasn't long ago my father passed away and when we were cleaning out the garage we came across that little blue triangle thing you used to use to align the polarotor. I think it's still over there, I'll have to check!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane guys!
Steve
Got my first bud 3 years ago,I just got another a few weeks ago, both are 10 footers i will use one for fta and the other for the 4DTV that way the wife can watch her Chiller station while i watch my Nascar or do some Feed Hunting.
Looking at the poll it seems c band is not going away there seems to be more and more people going this route. Lots of free BUDS out there i have got all mine for free so far (3 10 footers)
funny post SLR65, I was very young when my parents got the BUD but I remember everything you posted, ESPECIALLY S3 18 and F4 24 lol
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