From: dave@news.ccutah.edu (dave martin)
Subject: Re: Considering the UST-4800
Organization: University of Utah Computer Center
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 07:12:59 GMT


From: flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US (Gary Bourgois,Hamshack)
..
>So what I am looking for is someone who has the 4800 who can fill me in on
>the unit.  Everyone who called LTR during our survey that had the 4800 were
>very happy with it.  
well, I didn't call during the survey, but I did call...

>So here are some questions:

>     If you have a UST 4800, 
I had one for 3 months, had to replace it because of mediocre TI filters.

>     1.  Have you experienced any technical problems?

The TI filters are almost useless if you have bad TI.  Things the 4800
filters dont work on come in fine with the TI filters on Drake1524 and Toshiba
trx-1800 and even other unidens (4400 4500) in this area.

>     2.  The 4800 does not have Favorite Channel Memory, but uses SUPERGUIDE
>         instead.  How complex is it to pop over to a favorite audio channel?

This is easy as long as it knows about the channel, (as of my last check LTR
is not in the superguide datastream).  Otherwise you must manually tune the
audio carriers or customize the channel which causes problems if there is
more than one service you are interested in on one channel.

>     3.  Does SUPERGUIDE's schedule include CBC, and other ITC channels?

Superguide is basically an Onsat clone (I think they are actually the same
company) and includes most stuff thats in onsat such as Dr. Dish, Soap Bubbles,
letters (there are also superguide specific letters), program notes, etc.
it even includes wild feeds (T1-9 4:00 pm(mst) ST:TNG for example).  All
times are given according to YOUR timezone and Daylight observance.
Also, there are superguide specific articles (for several months now
they have had an article explaining how to locate and program G5.
they say they are still running the article because they STILL get calls
on the 800 # asking "what happened to WGN?".

>     4.  Would it be possible for me to get from you any tech info, and
>         perhaps a copy of the instructive video tape?  I will pay for
>         tape or postage.
I never got an instructive video tape.  They say in the literature that
there is a Transponder spectrum analyzer for finding active video.  My
unit did not include this feature.  Also the literature claimed the
ability to print superguide data if you connect a printer.  The unit I
had had a DB9 labeled Factory Use Only and the documentation (nor the
menus) made any mention of printing.
>     5.  What frequency is the I.F. Loop on the unit?
>I don't remember, other postings say 140mhz.

>With the features of superguide, Audio Spectrum Analyzer, etc, this unit
>looks to be the most advanced receiver available for my purposes.

>Any info anyone can provide would be appreciated.

>--
>    /   Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan  USA   \
>   ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!  S3/21 6.2. Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-])
>    \  Now a snazzy new DOMAIN address!  flash@lopez.marquette.mi.us      /
>        GEnie: SIGNALS   FAX: (906) 228-7477    GWN BBS: (906) 228-4399

If the superguide datastream ever goes away (I don't think this likely, at least
for several years) the 4800Super will probably be very difficult to operate.

Also the unit I had had an annoying high-pichted squeal on the right channel
on T1-9 during STTNG feeds, this squeal is not present on the drake1524.  I
could make the squeal go mostly away by slightly detuning the audio freq.

The audio spectrum analyzer was very nice and I wish the drake had one.
I would probably still have it if the TI problems weren't so bad, though
the audio concerned me (my dealer turned out to be a jerk; he claims he
can get any reciever, but actually ask him for something he doesn't normally
stock and watch the "why do you want that?  the ones I carry are the best
or I wouldn't carry them" pitch start.)

Also:

From:         "(Mike Gingell)" <aurs01!aurw6b!gingell@CONCERT.NET>
>     5.  What frequency is the I.F. Loop on the unit?
140 MHz


So far I have not signed up for Superguide as the dish it is on has a
treetop between it and F4. Also it is positioned to look Eastward over
the Atlantic and as far west as E1.  However I do plan to cut the top off
that tree and sign up for Superguide - assuming they don't move it far
to the west when they move all those other channels off F4.
..
The video mouse is neat. You can set up a timed recording, with or
without Superguide, and it will start and stop a VCR for you.  You can
choose from a menu of all the well known brands.  For some strange
reason they have record, stop, play, fast forward and rewind functions.
What use the last 3 are and why they did not include a VCR power on/off
function I don't know.  Its strange. You must leave the VCR turned on,
or use a timed remote to turn it on and off.
..
Mike Gingell, Alcatel, Raleigh, NC USA  (919) 850-6444
UUCP:       ...!mcnc!aurgate!aurfs1!gingell
Internet:   gingell%aurfs1%aurgate@mcnc.org

(end-quote)
the superguide datastream is also available on G5-7.
As for FF REW and play, the 4800 can be told to send these from the
remote (cust right,left,up,(and down=stop).  I'm not sure its cust but its
one of the keys up there followed by the cursor key.  This gives you sort
of a minimal UHF remote for your VCR.  They should have included an optionally
used ON/OFF capability though (I need to leave my VCR on for other reasons)
and it would have been nice if it could learn the codes instead of having
them in ROM (the standalone superguide suffers from this as well.) my
JVC is not one of the ones supported by the 7 or so JVC code sets in the
standalone unit, sigh.

Also, I found that (at least the standalone unit) will still get the
articles section without actually being authorized, but it will
erase all the listings and say "not authorized" or something like that
but try reading the articles anyway. (guide,return,select articles).
By the way, I think the data offset is 540 if you set it up for G5-7.

Hope this is useful information.
dave@csulx.weber.edu
dmartin@cc.weber.edu
(IGNORE whatever the header address says.)