why 2 antenna... sorry in advance...

[mike95687]

I am a total newbie so I'm really sorry for this question, I'm sure the answer is here but I can't find it. I've searched the forum and cannot find an answer similar to one that fits my question.

I just bought a house with two (2) dish network antenna on the roof. Both say Dish 500. One has a two heads (receivers?) the other has a single unit...

I explained this to the sales person, they said I only needed one enless I wanted international programming. I mentioned this to the installer and he insisted the system wouldn't work right and I wouldn't be able to receive as many channels (but couldn't say which ones).

I have been looking around and with the exception of a few spanish stations and PAX network I can't seem to find out which channels I would miss. Is there a way to know. Dish seems to not be interested and nobody there seems to know what to do.

The house is in a community which generally frowns on satellite systems and one I'd like to minimize the impact of my moving in. The former owner's really made a stir witht the 2 antenna.

In retrospect it seems like my installer was being lazy by not wanting to remove the second dish. There were several wires coming from each antenna and he added another (different color) the installation is more unsightly now than it was before.

How big a deal is it to remove a second dish? what channels will I lose. I am using a standard TV and have America's Choice 120 service. (standard stuff). I am pretty handy and would have no problem doing the work, I just don't want to mess up my service. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[gbjbany]

to Satellite Guys.
Some data to help out.
1. Where are you located ?
2. How many receivers do you have and what are they.
3. If you go to one of them, in the menu go to 6. 1. 1. and select check switch what does it say.

All of this will allow someone here to determine what equipment you have and what the dishes are for. Then they can advise you better on what your options are.

 

[kluken]

I am a total newbie so I'm really sorry for this question, I'm sure the answer is here but I can't find it. I've searched the forum and cannot find an answer similar to one that fits my question.

I just bought a house with two (2) dish network antenna on the roof. Both say Dish 500. One has a two heads (receivers?) the other has a single unit...

I explained this to the sales person, they said I only needed one enless I wanted international programming. I mentioned this to the installer and he insisted the system wouldn't work right and I wouldn't be able to receive as many channels (but couldn't say which ones).

I have been looking around and with the exception of a few spanish stations and PAX network I can't seem to find out which channels I would miss. Is there a way to know. Dish seems to not be interested and nobody there seems to know what to do.

The house is in a community which generally frowns on satellite systems and one I'd like to minimize the impact of my moving in. The former owner's really made a stir witht the 2 antenna.

In retrospect it seems like my installer was being lazy by not wanting to remove the second dish. There were several wires coming from each antenna and he added another (different color) the installation is more unsightly now than it was before.

How big a deal is it to remove a second dish? what channels will I lose. I am using a standard TV and have America's Choice 120 service. (standard stuff). I am pretty handy and would have no problem doing the work, I just don't want to mess up my service. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

My guess is single head dish may be pointed to 61.5 for some locals or HD. As to your new community, tell them to frown at the FCC all they want, you have a legal right to have the dishes, tell them to join the 21st Century.

 

[mike95687]

I'm in Northern California, I will get the model numbers this afternoon. One is a standard DVR and one is not. They are whatever the most basic units are...

Thanks,

Mike

 

[mike95687]

Well to a point I agree Kluken, but the CCR's for this community can be interpreted to preclude the dish being visible. TV antennas are off limits, and that has been upheld in court. They were written before roof mounted dishes were possible, but even so if it isn't needed why have it in the roof.

 

[Mr Tony]

doesnt matter mike

Here are the rules
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

doesnt matter if they can see it...

 

[gbjbany]

West coast so probably 148 or 129 some spanish Locals are on 129 in Sacramento. If that's the case you could see if you can get a d1000 and only have one dish. Some San fran locals are on 148.
But anyway Checkswitch will let us know.

 

[Mr Tony]

yeah the 2nd dish is probably for 148 locals.

 

[mike95687]

Thanks Ice...

Interesting... I see why 2 are an issue. The act covers:

Q: What types of antennas are covered by the rule?

A: The rule applies to the following types of antennas:

(1) A "dish" antenna that is one meter (39.37") or less in diameter (or any size dish if located in Alaska) and is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite.

(2) An antenna that is one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and is designed to receive video programming services via broadband radio service (wireless cable) or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals other than via satellite.

(3) An antenna that is designed to receive local television broadcast signals. Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements.

In addition, antennas covered by the rule may be mounted on "masts" to reach the height needed to receive or transmit an acceptable quality signal (e.g. maintain line-of-sight contact with the transmitter or view the satellite). Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements for safety purposes. Further, masts that extend beyond an exclusive use area may not be covered by this rule.


A dish is one dish. An antenna is one assembly (multiple elements of one or more wavelength)... It looks like TV antenna's under 12 feet are legal though. If they give me too much grief I will put one of those up.

 

[Mr Tony]

Thanks Ice...

Interesting... I see why 2 are an issue. The act covers:

Q: What types of antennas are covered by the rule?

A: The rule applies to the following types of antennas:

(1) A "dish" antenna that is one meter (39.37") or less in diameter (or any size dish if located in Alaska) and is designed to receive direct broadcast satellite service, including direct-to-home satellite service, or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals via satellite.

(2) An antenna that is one meter or less in diameter or diagonal measurement and is designed to receive video programming services via broadband radio service (wireless cable) or to receive or transmit fixed wireless signals other than via satellite.

(3) An antenna that is designed to receive local television broadcast signals. Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements.

In addition, antennas covered by the rule may be mounted on "masts" to reach the height needed to receive or transmit an acceptable quality signal (e.g. maintain line-of-sight contact with the transmitter or view the satellite). Masts higher than 12 feet above the roofline may be subject to local permitting requirements for safety purposes. Further, masts that extend beyond an exclusive use area may not be covered by this rule.


A dish is one dish. An antenna is one assembly (multiple elements of one or more wavelength)... It looks like TV antenna's under 12 feet are legal though. If they give me too much grief I will put one of those up.

read down farther

Q: Can a restriction limit the number of antennas that may be installed at a particular location?

The Commission’s rule covers the antennas necessary to receive service. Therefore, a local rule may not, for example, allow only one antenna if more than one antenna is necessary to receive the desired service

for you to receive ALL your services (including locals) you need 2 dishes (now a D1000 handles that which is one dish)

Antennas can be any length. They just cant be no more than 12 feet above the roof line

 

[mike95687]

Wow thanks Ice. Amazing stuff... Still won't keep some old codger from suing me, obviously he can't win but it really (to me) isn't worth the hassle.

My DVR is a DVR-625 and the other receiver is a 322. I guess I will live with the 2 for now and promise to upgrade as soon as it is possible.

 

[gbjbany]

did you capture the "check switch" information, That's the key to the 2 dishes story.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Wow thanks Ice. Amazing stuff... Still won't keep some old codger from suing me, obviously he can't win but it really (to me) isn't worth the hassle.

My DVR is a DVR-625 and the other receiver is a 322. I guess I will live with the 2 for now and promise to upgrade as soon as it is possible.

Assuming the court does not already know about OTARD, he can't even force you to court. Just send in a copy of OTARD with your reply to the summons, and it should be thrown out on the spot - and the court is likely to remember this for the next victim of these "old codgers".