random question. about big satellite dishes

redtom · Apr 7, 2014

My neighbor still has one of those big ole mesh dishes from the 1980's in his yard. The ones about 8ft across. I'm not techie at all, but can it still be operating something? Just wondering. He's a wealthy guy but has some issues with letting things go around his place and can't see mowing around it.

rrlund · Apr 7, 2014

I know a guy who was still using one the last I knew. Maybe not anymore,I don't know for sure. When I asked him why he didn't change,he said you could get channels "Ala Carte". Said you didn't have to get a package to get the channels you wanted,you could just get them by the piece without taking ones you didn't watch.

Nick167 · Apr 7, 2014

They still can be used my grandparents used a big 10ft one til about 2003

JDemaris · Apr 8, 2014

There's not much and what most of what is available requires buying a descrambler and paying a subscription. You're talking a C-band analog microwave system. Built mine in 1981. I was the first person to have one in my town. I made it out of pressure treated 2X6 lumber and chicken wire mesh. Mine was 14 feet in diameter. My electronics came from a company named "Ghost Fighters" in Montana. Back then from my place in NY -there were 6 different satellites to point at. I had an electric winch to move the dish. On each satellite - half the channels came in with the amp right side up and the other half with the amp upside down. So the amp had a motor on it too. I have over 100 channels back then and nothing was scrambled. Around 1986 -scrambling came in and within a few years - to wathch anything useful -a descrambler and subscription fee was needed. Now?? I'm glad for the digital changeover. I use simple over-the-air antennas now. Get 30 channels were I only got two when it was analog.

jennifer408 · Apr 8, 2014

wow ! it was just the opposite for us, we used to get 14 channels, now we get 2 sometimes.

JDemaris · Apr 8, 2014

Sounds to me your are doing something wrong. Need
more explanation. The analog signals before the
change were often on different channels and were
broadcast from different antennas. So after the
change to digital - you have to do your homework.
#1 find what frequency your old channels are on
now. #2 - find out if they are coming from new
locations and point your antenna accordingly.
Note that many older VHF channels switched to UHF
and if you only have a VHF antenna - it's not
going to work. The vast majority of people in the
USA are getting improved service with digital if
the correct antennas are put up and they are
pointed in the correct directions. Takes 10
minutes of using a signal search engine with your
ZIP code to get all the info you need. In central
NY we went from 1 channel to over 30. In northern
Michigan we went from 3 channels to 25 US and 6
from CBC in Canada. Just took a little work to set
things up right.

rrlund · Apr 8, 2014

I've got Direct,but an antenna too. I've had as many as 47 channels scanned in. I made the mistake of rescanning a month or so ago looking to see if anything new had been added in the last few years. Only came up with 43 now,but I guess whatever it was that I lost,I don't miss it.

random question. about big satellite dishes

redtom

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rrlund

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Nick167

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JDemaris

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jennifer408

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JDemaris

Well-known Member

rrlund

Well-known Member

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