newbie to fta, was just offered a 10' dish, lots of questions

[drhydro]

Hello All,
I was just offered a 10' mesh dish, along with 2 drake 1724 recievers with descrambler? boards. I am hoping by descrambler boards that they mean boards to enable the Drake to pick up DVB. Am I correct?

I am in no way interested in hacking and if that is what these boards are for they are headed for the nearest trashcan. As one of my favorite philosophers said "TANSTAFL" ie: "there aint no such thing as a free lunch" :-D

So anyways, assuming this dish is straight (not warped) is it worth my picking up and transporting? I realize if the mesh is not small enough i will not be able to pick up Ku, but that is not a concern at this point.

And what will the Drake 1724 pick up off of this dish? Just ntsc c band? Or can it pick up DVB c band? i have searched the web and can find almost no specs on these recievers. If need be i can update the reciever at a later point, correct?

Last but not least i live on a northeastern facing slope. my zip code is 05492, i am at 44 lat, 72.7 long. i THINK i have a clear shot to a couple of birds, but am not sure. I want to check tonight by using a compass and inclinometer (or even a carpenters speedy square taped to a level ;-) , but i am a little confused as to which direction i need to check.

Say i want to see if i can get Galaxy 10r (123.o w) Should i point my lensatic compass to north, lock it, then look for a clear line of site by looking where the compass indicates 123.0 ? Enlightenment on this would be GREATLY appreciated. And if i am facing due south, will 123 be to the east or west? hopefully the above makes sense lol.

Thanks in advance for your help, i have spent several hours perusing this forum and have found it most enlightening.

Have a great day :-D

 

[Mr Tony]

Hello All,
I was just offered a 10' mesh dish, along with 2 drake 1724 recievers with descrambler? boards. I am hoping by descrambler boards that they mean boards to enable the Drake to pick up DVB. Am I correct?

The Drake is probably an anlog receiver. Back when C-Band was big, there were free channels and scrambled. The descrambler board (also known as VCII board), would allow you to get subscription channels. There are 2 types of encoding
DVB-what most of us use
DCII-Digicipher II...this is what C-Band and the new version called 4DTV would be

The Drake won't do DVB

I am in no way interested in hacking and if that is what these boards are for they are headed for the nearest trashcan. As one of my favorite philosophers said "TANSTAFL" ie: "there aint no such thing as a free lunch" :-D

Nope. These are to allow you to pay for programming (if so desire)

So anyways, assuming this dish is straight (not warped) is it worth my picking up and transporting? I realize if the mesh is not small enough i will not be able to pick up Ku, but that is not a concern at this point.

There is alot of stuff on C-Band that is free to be picked up. If you have the real estate, I'd do it

And what will the Drake 1724 pick up off of this dish? Just ntsc c band? Or can it pick up DVB c band? i have searched the web and can find almost no specs on these recievers. If need be i can update the reciever at a later point, correct?

NTSC C-band analog. There are TONS of news feeds and sports feeds on C-Band and lots on KU band. I'll go into more detail below

Last but not least i live on a northeastern facing slope. my zip code is 05492, i am at 44 lat, 72.7 long. i THINK i have a clear shot to a couple of birds, but am not sure. I want to check tonight by using a compass and inclinometer (or even a carpenters speedy square taped to a level ;-) , but i am a little confused as to which direction i need to check.

Say i want to see if i can get Galaxy 10r (123.o w) Should i point my lensatic compass to north, lock it, then look for a clear line of site by looking where the compass indicates 123.0 ? Enlightenment on this would be GREATLY appreciated. And if i am facing due south, will 123 be to the east or west? hopefully the above makes sense lol.

for you, 123 would be ssw. check out this site. Put in your latitude & longitude and click on a satellite or type it in. It will tell you elevation & azimuth for your area. For myself in Minnesota, G10 is a little sw of me. For you, it will be more

Thanks in advance for your help, i have spent several hours perusing this forum and have found it most enlightening.

Have a great day :-D

Glad to have you here!!

You have approximatelly 1/2 of having the most kick ars system available for Free to Air. You have a C-Band dish and a C-band analog receiver. To complete the system, you would need a DVB receiver and since the dish won't support KU, you would need a separate KU dish. If the C-Band dish would have supported KU, then one dish is all you would need.

There are lots of sports and news feeds that are FREE on C band and KU band. I have a couple C/Ku band receivers and 2 DVB receivers. I ripped the VCII boards out of my 2 analog receivers (actually, they just pop out) to lighten the receiver (those boards can get heavy)
Some stuff is digital (DVB) but alot of the sports feeds (college games) are analog. The C/KU receiver can get me oodles of games on Saturdays. The only thing hindering me from the complete system is a C-Band dish. I am limited to KU band (30" or greater), but can get 15-20 games in the clear between the 2 systems

Honestly, if you have the real estate to install the dish, I would get it (especially if you can get it cheap) Get a DVB receiver and see lots of free channels on C-Band. I know there will be a couple more chiming in (guy on here named Diamond Jim has C-Band too).

Hope this helps

 

[PSB]

Zip=05492





Sat Name (sat lng) Az(m) El
--------------------------------------
Thor 2 ( 1.0 W) 119.6 4.2
Thor 3 ( 1.0 W) 119.6 4.2
Intelsat 707 ( 1.0 W) 119.6 4.2
Amos 1 ( 4.0 W) 121.8 6.3
Telecom 2C ( 5.0 W) 122.6 7.0
Atlantic Bird 3 ( 5.0 W) 122.6 7.0
Nilesat 101 ( 7.0 W) 124.1 8.4
Nilesat 102 ( 7.0 W) 124.1 8.4
Telecom 2D ( 8.0 W) 124.9 9.0
Atlantic Bird 2 ( 8.0 W) 124.9 9.0
Express 3A ( 11.0 W) 127.2 11.1
Hispansat 1A ( 11.0 W) 127.2 11.1
Atlantic Bird 1 ( 12.5 W) 128.4 12.1
Gorizont 26 ( 14.0 W) 129.7 13.2
Telstar 12 ( 15.0 W) 130.5 13.8
Intesat 901 ( 18.0 W) 133.0 15.8
NSS 7 ( 22.0 W) 136.4 18.5
Intesat 907 ( 27.5 W) 141.4 21.9
Hispasat 1B ( 30.0 W) 143.8 23.5
Hispasat 1C ( 30.0 W) 143.8 23.5
Hispasat 1D ( 30.0 W) 143.8 23.5
Intelsat 801 ( 31.5 W) 145.3 24.4
Intesat 903 ( 34.5 W) 148.3 26.1
Telstar 11 ( 37.5 W) 151.4 27.8
NSS 806 ( 40.5 W) 154.6 29.4
PAS 3R ( 43.0 W) 157.4 30.6
PAS 6 ( 43.0 W) 157.4 30.6
PAS 6B ( 43.0 W) 157.4 30.6
PAS 1R ( 45.0 W) 159.7 31.6
Intelsat 705 ( 50.0 W) 165.7 33.7
Intelsat 706 ( 53.0 W) 169.5 34.8
Inteslat 805 ( 55.5 W) 172.7 35.7
PAS 9 ( 58.0 W) 176.0 36.4
EchoStar 3 ( 61.5 W) 180.7 37.3
Brasilsat B2 ( 65.0 W) 185.6 37.9
Brasilsat B1 ( 70.0 W) 192.6 38.4
Nahuel 1 ( 72.0 W) 195.5 38.5
AMC 6 ( 72.0 W) 195.5 38.5
SBS 6 ( 74.0 W) 198.3 38.5 True South bird Distance to satellite= 37970km
Galaxy 3R ( 74.0 W) 198.3 38.5
AMC 5 ( 79.0 W) 205.4 38.1
Nimiq 2 ( 82.0 W) 209.6 37.7
Brasilsat B3 ( 84.0 W) 212.3 37.3
XM Roll ( 85.0 W) 213.7 37.1
AMC 2 ( 85.0 W) 213.7 37.1
AMC 3 ( 87.0 W) 216.4 36.6
Telstar 4 ( 89.0 W) 219.0 36.0
Galaxy 11 ( 91.0 W) 221.6 35.4
Nimiq 1 ( 91.0 W) 221.6 35.4
Brasilsat B4 ( 92.0 W) 222.9 35.0
Telstar 6 ( 93.0 W) 224.2 34.7
Galaxy 3C ( 95.0 W) 226.7 33.9
Telstar 5 ( 97.0 W) 229.2 33.1
Galaxy 4R ( 99.0 W) 231.6 32.2
DirecTV 1R/2/4S (101.0 W) 233.9 31.3
AMC 4 (101.0 W) 233.9 31.3
AMC 1 (103.0 W) 236.2 30.4
GStar 4 (105.0 W) 238.4 29.4
Anik F1 (107.3 W) 240.9 28.2
DirecTV 1 (110.0 W) 243.8 26.7
EchoStar 6 (110.0 W) 243.8 26.7
EchoStar 8 (110.0 W) 243.8 26.7
Anik E2 (111.1 W) 244.9 26.1
Solidaridad 2 (113.0 W) 246.8 25.0
XM Rock (115.0 W) 248.8 23.8
SatMex 5 (116.8 W) 250.5 22.7
Anik E1 (119.0 W) 252.6 21.3
DirecTV 5 (119.0 W) 252.6 21.3
EchoStar 7 (119.0 W) 252.6 21.3
Galaxy 10R (123.0 W) 256.2 18.8
Galaxy 5 (125.0 W) 258.0 17.5
Galaxy 9 (127.0 W) 259.7 16.2
Telstar 7 (129.0 W) 261.4 14.9
Satcom C3 (131.0 W) 263.0 13.5
Galaxy 1R (133.0 W) 264.6 12.2
Satcom C4 (135.0 W) 266.2 10.8
AMC 7 (137.0 W) 267.8 9.4
AMC 8 (139.0 W) 269.3 8.0
EchoStar 1 (148.0 W) 276.0 1.7
EchoStar 2 (148.0 W) 276.0 1.7

 

[TBI]

The Drake will not pick up DVB but Analog C-band is interesting from the testing Ive done. I would setup the Drake and dish and get it working then look for an inexpesive DVB receiver to add to the setup, you would need the drake to turn the dish. I will let someone else explain the compass but below the Az(m) number is your magnetic compass reading for each Sat.
Good Luck and let us know how its going.
Waterville, VT 05492
Latitude 44° 42.744'N Longitude 72° 45.576'W

Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m) El Skew
---------------------------------------------------------------
*** Of Particular Interest ***
AMC 6 72.0W 178.9 195.5 38.5 -0.8
SBS 6 74.0W 181.8 198.3 38.5 1.3
AMC 5 79.0W 188.8 205.4 38.1 6.3
AMC 9 85.0W 197.1 213.7 37.1 12.1
AMC 3 87.0W 199.8 216.4 36.6 14.0
Galaxy 11 91.0W 205.1 221.6 35.4 17.5
Intelsat Americas 6 93.0W 207.7 224.2 34.7 19.3
Galaxy 3C 95.0W 210.2 226.7 33.9 20.9
Intelsat Americas 5 97.0W 212.6 229.2 33.1 22.5
Galaxy 4R 99.0W 215.0 231.6 32.2 24.1
AMC 4 101.0W 217.4 233.9 31.3 25.5
AMC 1 103.0W 219.6 236.2 30.4 27.0
AMC 2 105.0W 221.9 238.4 29.4 28.3
EchoStar 9/Intelsat Americas 13 121.0W 237.9 254.4 20.1 37.0
Galaxy 10R 123.0W 239.7 256.2 18.8 37.8
Galaxy 5 125.0W 241.4 258.0 17.5 38.6
Galaxy 13 127.0W 243.1 259.7 16.2 39.3
Intelsat Americas 7 129.0W 244.8 261.4 14.9 40.0



*** All Satellites 5W - 160W ***


Atlantic Bird 3 5.0W 106.1 122.6 7.0 -43.1
Nilesat 101 102 7.0W 107.6 124.1 8.4 -42.6
Atlantic Bird 2 7.9W 108.3 124.8 9.0 -42.4
Telecom 2D 8.0W 108.3 124.9 9.0 -42.4
Express 3A 11.0W 110.7 127.2 11.1 -41.7
Eutelsat II F4 11.5W 111.1 127.6 11.5 -41.5
Atlantic bird 1 12.5W 111.9 128.4 12.1 -41.3
Gorizont 25 14.0W 113.1 129.6 13.2 -40.8
Telstar 12 15.0W 113.9 130.5 13.8 -40.5
Intel 901 18.0W 116.4 133.0 15.8 -39.5
NSS 7 22.0W 119.9 136.4 18.5 -38.0
Intelsat 905 24.5W 122.1 138.7 20.1 -37.0
Intelsat 907 27.5W 124.9 141.4 21.9 -35.7
Hispasat 1B 1C 1D 30.0W 127.3 143.8 23.5 -34.4
Intelsat 801 31.5W 128.7 145.3 24.4 -33.7
Intelsat 903 34.5W 131.7 148.3 26.1 -32.0
Satcom C1 37.4W 134.8 151.3 27.7 -30.3
Telstar 11 37.5W 134.9 151.4 27.8 -30.2
NSS 806 40.5W 138.1 154.6 29.4 -28.3
Panamsat 3R 6 68 43.0W 140.9 157.4 30.6 -26.6
Panamsat 1R 45.0W 143.2 159.7 31.6 -25.2
Intelsat 705 50.0W 149.2 165.7 33.7 -21.3
Intelsat 706 53.0W 153.0 169.5 34.8 -18.9
intelsat 805 55.5W 156.2 172.7 35.7 -16.7
Panamsat 9 58.0W 159.5 176.0 36.4 -14.4
EchoStar 3 61.5W 164.2 180.7 37.3 -11.2
Rainbow 1 61.5W 164.2 180.7 37.3 -11.2
Brasilsat A2 (incl. 5.8 deg) 63.0W 166.3 182.8 37.6 -9.7
Brasilsat B2 65.0W 169.0 185.6 37.9 -7.8
Brasilsat B1 70.0W 176.1 192.6 38.4 -2.8
Nahuel 1 71.8W 178.6 195.2 38.5 -1.0
AMC 6 72.0W 178.9 195.5 38.5 -0.8
Galaxy 12 74.0W 181.8 198.3 38.5 1.3
SBS 6 74.0W 181.8 198.3 38.5 1.3
GOES 12 75.0W 183.2 199.7 38.4 2.3
AMC 5 79.0W 188.8 205.4 38.1 6.3
DirecTV 3 81.8W 192.7 209.3 37.7 9.0
Nimiq 2 82.0W 193.0 209.6 37.7 9.2
Brasilsat B3 84.0W 195.8 212.3 37.3 11.1
XM Roll 85.0W 197.1 213.7 37.1 12.1
AMC 9 85.0W 197.1 213.7 37.1 12.1
AMC 3 87.0W 199.8 216.4 36.6 14.0
Galaxy 11 91.0W 205.1 221.6 35.4 17.5
Nimiq 1 90.9W 205.0 221.5 35.4 17.5
Brasilsat B4 92.0W 206.4 222.9 35.0 18.4
Intelsat Americas 6 93.0W 207.7 224.2 34.7 19.3
Galaxy 8I (incl. 1.0 deg) 95.0W 210.2 226.7 33.9 20.9
Galaxy 3C 95.0W 210.2 226.7 33.9 20.9
Intelsat Americas 5 97.0W 212.6 229.2 33.1 22.5
Inmarsat 2 f2 (incl. 1.7 deg) 98.0W 213.8 230.4 32.7 23.3
Galaxy 4R 99.0W 215.0 231.6 32.2 24.1
DirecTV 2 100.8W 217.1 233.7 31.4 25.4
DirecTV 1R 100.8W 217.1 233.7 31.4 25.4
AMC 4 101.0W 217.4 233.9 31.3 25.5
DirecTV 1 101.0W 217.4 233.9 31.3 25.5
AMSC 1 101.1W 217.5 234.0 31.3 25.6
DirecTV 4S 101.2W 217.6 234.1 31.2 25.7
AMC 1 103.0W 219.6 236.2 30.4 27.0
Solidaridad 1 (incl. 2.8 deg) 103.5W 220.2 236.7 30.1 27.3
AMC 2 105.0W 221.9 238.4 29.4 28.3
G-Star 3 (incl. 11.5 deg) 105.0W 221.9 238.4 29.4 28.3
G-Star 1 (incl. 6.0 deg) 105.0W 221.9 238.4 29.4 28.3
MSAT 1 106.5W 223.5 240.1 28.6 29.3
Anik F1 107.3W 224.4 240.9 28.2 29.8
Anik E1 109.2W 226.4 242.9 27.1 31.0
DirecTV 6 109.8W 227.0 243.5 26.8 31.3
EchoStar 6 110.0W 227.2 243.8 26.7 31.4
EchoStar 8 110.0W 227.2 243.8 26.7 31.4
Anik E2R 111.1W 228.3 244.9 26.1 32.1
Solidaridad 2 113.0W 230.3 246.8 25.0 33.1
Morelos 2 (incl. 4.4 deg) 114.9W 232.1 248.7 23.8 34.1
XM Rock 115.0W 232.2 248.8 23.8 34.2
SatMex 5 116.8W 234.0 250.5 22.7 35.1
Anik E2 118.7W 235.8 252.3 21.5 36.0
DirecTV 5 119.0W 236.0 252.6 21.3 36.1
EchoStar 7 119.0W 236.0 252.6 21.3 36.1
EchoStar 5 119.0W 236.0 252.6 21.3 36.1
EchoStar 9/Intelsat Americas 13 121.0W 237.9 254.4 20.1 37.0
Galaxy 10R 123.0W 239.7 256.2 18.8 37.8
Galaxy 5 125.0W 241.4 258.0 17.5 38.6
Galaxy 13 127.0W 243.1 259.7 16.2 39.3
Intelsat Americas 7 129.0W 244.8 261.4 14.9 40.0
Satcom C3 131.0W 246.5 263.0 13.5 40.7
Galaxy 1R 133.0W 248.1 264.6 12.2 41.2
Satcom C4 135.0W 249.7 266.2 10.8 41.8
AMC 10 135.5W 250.1 266.6 10.4 41.9
AMC 7 137.0W 251.2 267.8 9.4 42.3
AMC 8 139.0W 252.8 269.3 8.0 42.8
Inmarsat 2 f3 (incl. 1.9 deg) 142.0W 255.1 271.6 5.9 43.4
EchoStar 1 148.0W 259.5 276.0 1.7 44.3
EchoStar 2 148.0W 259.5 276.0 1.7 44.3
TDRS 9 (incl. 7.4 deg) 151.0W 261.7 278.2 -0.4 44.7
TDRS 10 (incl. 6.2 deg) 151.0W 261.7 278.2 -0.4 44.7
EchoStar 4 157.0W 265.9 282.5 -4.6 45.1

Satellite Finder is (c) Copyright 2004, P. Lutus

 

[TuxCoder]

I've been real tempted lately to get a C band dish. I say go for it! I definitely could fit one in over here, it's just I'm trying to figure out where to draw the line. I already have a SuperDish on a pole, a motorized 30" dish on my garage roof, and a Radio Shack antenna on my 'main' roof. Too much more and I'll scare all the neighbors away (which some people may see as a good thing).

 

[TBI]

Sorry guys I type slow. I did not know you all had responed already.
I did not mean to duplicate your efforts.

 

[PSB]

The more the merrier, I was just copying your great idea anyway, feel free to post away anytime, plus your version has skew : ) Its the members who make this a great forum!

 

[Mr Tony]

Sorry guys I type slow. I did not know you all had responed already.
I did not mean to duplicate your efforts.

dont worry about it. The more responses we get, the better we can help everyone out

 

[drhydro]

Thanks for the all the info folks, you have been a big help. I am able to get the dish and recievers for free :-D so I will be going to pick them up. Just a few more questions.......

What is a recommended DVB reciever, and approx cost? I have to justify any expenses to the big boss (the one who wears dresses in the family ;-)


What are the chances of motorizing this monstrosity? Cost? Or should i just pick my fav satallite and leave it pointed there?

As for mounting, I am planning on digging a deep hole (have to get below frostline here which is 48") putting a plate in the bottom, placing mast on top of the plate and pouring some concrete. Besides ensuring that the mast is plumb, any other "gotchas" I should look for?

 

[Mr Tony]

Thanks for the all the info folks, you have been a big help. I am able to get the dish and recievers for free :-D so I will be going to pick them up. Just a few more questions.......

What is a recommended DVB reciever, and approx cost? I have to justify any expenses to the big boss (the one who wears dresses in the family ;-)

I hope you arent the one who wears the dresses
I have a Stawork 3618 and a Pansat 1500. Both good receivers. I would recommend the Satwork. Easy to manuever

What are the chances of motorizing this monstrosity? Cost? Or should i just pick my fav satallite and leave it pointed there?

Most 10' dishes re motorized..if this isn't then its your call

As for mounting, I am planning on digging a deep hole (have to get below frostline here which is 48") putting a plate in the bottom, placing mast on top of the plate and pouring some concrete. Besides ensuring that the mast is plumb, any other "gotchas" I should look for?

don't know on this one
Havent installed one before

 

[TBI]

On planting the dish I found this site by doing a Google search, looks informative.
http://www.satellitehelp.com/installation_index.asp#Planting_The_ Dish

 

[drhydro]

I havent seen this dish yet, but i guess it makes sense a dish that large would be motorized, espescially as the previous owner was using it for FTA as recently as 2 months ago.

What is the maximum size mesh that can be used to pick up Ku? 1/4" or smaller?

Can i use one of the newer recievers and have it run the motor for me (auto lock on various satallites) , or is am i going to run into a "standards" issue?

Oh and BTW iceberg, USUALLY she wears the dresses, unless she tells me to put one on ;-) just kidding of course.........

 

[Mr Tony]

I havent seen this dish yet, but i guess it makes sense a dish that large would be motorized, espescially as the previous owner was using it for FTA as recently as 2 months ago.

What is the maximum size mesh that can be used to pick up Ku? 1/4" or smaller?

I think that sounds about right. You might want to ask the previous owner

Can i use one of the newer recievers and have it run the motor for me (auto lock on various satallites) , or is am i going to run into a "standards" issue?

you would need one of these http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/ASTON/DS200.htm to run a C-band off a DVB receiver

Oh and BTW iceberg, USUALLY she wears the dresses, unless she tells me to put one on ;-) just kidding of course.........

 

[drhydro]

If i find this dish wont pick up Ku, how hard is it to add a second dish? Can i use the same cable runs, ie: one run for two dishes, or do i have to run more cable?

And last but not least, how long can a cable run be before i start to have problems? i might have to run the cables 2-300 feet to find a suitable.

You folks have been great with your answers, some of the other forums I belong to could use a few pointers from this forum and its members.

 

[Mr Tony]

If i find this dish wont pick up Ku, how hard is it to add a second dish? Can i use the same cable runs, ie: one run for two dishes, or do i have to run more cable?

should be pretty easy. All you would need is a DiSEqC switch. Allows 2-4 lines run to one receiver. I have a 4x1 running to 2 30" KU dishes and 2 DBS dishes (for the audio channels)

And last but not least, how long can a cable run be before i start to have problems? i might have to run the cables 2-300 feet to find a suitable.

you should be fine with that

You folks have been great with your answers, some of the other forums I belong to could use a few pointers from this forum and its members.

Glad to help

 

[ken2400]

Bring some tools, oil, and a tourch to get the bolts free-ed up. Take your time and you will most likely not break anything.

I would go for it. If you have the land, time, and know how do it. I have had like two or three large dishs and a 6' one and they are fun to play with.

If you have to get rid of it just put an add here or in your local paper. Someone will grabe it.

Write back and tell us how you made out.

Ken