HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Drake 1524.  I ordered it.
From: flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US (Gary Bourgois,Hamshack)
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 11:45:13 EDT
Organization: Great White North/UPLink

Well I hope I did the right thing.  One thing about living in the outback is
that you have to do your research WITHOUT hands on experience.  I have been
fortunate in purchases of things like Ham Equipment, Computers, VCRs etc.
that I managed to make good choices on the equipment.

The research I did convinced me that the DRAKE 1524 is the receiver to buy.
This is based upon comments of others, reviews, and going through the
catalogue.  I also wanted something that had good support, a reliable service
record (I talked to friends who are dealers, and they all recommend the
Drake).

I ordered from VHF communications, and expect the unit soon.  VHF is in the
process of moving to a new location, so communication is a bit shakey at this
moment.

Anyway, I am wondering if anyone else on the net has this unit, or has any
comments on it.

I have found only ONE thing to be concerned about, a minor nit, but I am
always seeking perfection.

I am a SATELLITE DXer.  I like tuning around looking for things.  One thing I
found out about the Drake is that the ON SCREEN menus are on BLUE SCREEN
instead of supered over video.  My JVC VCR has a blue screen, but you can
turn it off, and thus not be blind while making use of the menus.  Since the
MENU SYSTEM seems to be such a big part of this receiver, It looks like I
will be staring at a blue screen a lot.  I would much prefer white letters
over video, as they are on my VCR and TV set.  I am wondering if anyone knows
a way to turn the blue screen off, or if there is a possibility that this
could be added as an upgrade.  It is only a personal preference.  I don't
know how much I will like working with a menu driven receiver, having been a
HANDS ON type of person all my life.  The receiver does all the seeking and
setting for you, which most folks would see as an advantage, but for someone
who likes to dig for things, I don't want the screen to turn blue when there
is no video present.  That would drive me insane.

Anyway, I know there are others on here who have the 1524, so any tips and
tricks you can impart 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
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite,sci.space
From: nixdorf@bonmot (Eric Nixdorf)
Subject: Re: Toshiba vs. Chaparral
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 03:16:22 GMT

akmal@hades.wpd.sgi.com (Akmal Khan) writes:
: All the flashy LEDs notwithstanding, can anyone contrast the Toshiba
: TRX-80/TRX-100 IRDs with the Chaparral Monterey 70 
: and the Chaparral CR110 receivers? Am I making a huge mistake even considering
: buying one of these?
: 

Akmal,

     I looked at Monterey, GI, and Toshiba among manufacturers when deciding
which new IRD to buy.  GI was generally the cheapest, followed by Toshiba, with
Monterey being by far the most expensive.  In terms of features, Monterey (the
90 model) has surround sound and picture-in-picture built in.  For funtionality
and ease of use, Toshiba was the easiest, followed by Monterey and GI.  The
Monterey has the *absolute worst* remote control among the three, it's terribly
confusing (the people I know who don't dislike it fall in the "something that
expensive *ought* to be hard to use category), the Toshiba the easiest remote
control.
     The clear difference was picture and sound.  Toshiba absolutely blew the
other two out of the water (using the same setup for all three receivers).  
The TRX-80, the TRX-1800, and the TRX-2200 all use the same video and audio
circuitry, differences among the three are number of outputs, number of
satellites able to store in memory, number of outputs, etc.  The TRX-80 is a
great system, I passed it up at $1050 to go for the TRX-2200 because I wanted
the extra video/audio outputs and the VCR timer to move the satellite auto-
matically for taping.  While the picture-in-picture and surround souncd are
nice features, can't argure with the killer picture and audio.  Also, for the
difference in price between the Toshiba TRX-2200 and the Monterey-90, my TV
has picture-in-picture already, I can purchase a better separate surround
sound processor that the Monterey-90 has, and *still* have at least $500 in my 
pocket.

					Eric
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: merkel@convex.com (Kent Merkel)
Subject: SBS6 Balloons
Organization: CONVEX Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx., USA
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 11:26:16 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

Did anyone else enjoy the coverage of the Albuquerque balloon fest??
From my location near Dallas, I was not able to get a "sparklie" free
picture any of the four days. Most other transponders on SBS6 were
solid. I am having trouble understanding how that happens. Does the
bird have multi-downlink antennae for spotting different areas?? Can
someone enlighten me???
Thanks
Kent

Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: Trivia quiz - What's This Equipment????
From: "Joe Slater x7534" <SASJZS@VMS.SAS.COM>
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 08:31:00 EST
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

Hi Elmer,
   Thats pretty much what I thought, but never having seen an actual h&v
setup, I wanted to verify with the experts.    Thanks,   Joe Slater
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Wed, 7 Oct 1992 11:36:30 -0700
From:         "(Bob Wier)" <rrw@ELDEN.CSE.NAU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: SENATE TRIES TO OVERRIDE CABLE BILL VETO TODAY!

 In the newspaper this morning they had a summary of some of the "more
 important" aspects of the bill (and of course fair pricing for sat
 tv owners wasn't even mentioned). One thing which did catch my eye is
 that within 10 years (TEN YEARS?) cable systems must allow people to
 subscribe to premium services WITHOUT subscribing to "basic" services.
 I guess the cable companies might have been against that since perhaps
 a bunch of people will just go for premium service and get "basic"
 from over the air - although I'd sure hate to be without Discovery, et al...


 - Bob Wier

  ---------- insert favorite standard disclaimers here ----------
                   College of Engineering
      Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Arizona
  Internet: rrw@naucse.cse.nau.edu | BITNET: WIER@NAUVAX | WB5KXH
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
X-Envelope-to: HOMESAT@NDSUVM1.BITNET
X-VMS-To: IN%"HOMESAT@NDSUVM1.BITNET"
X-VMS-Cc: ZOKUZMANOVIC
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 00:14:00 EDT
From:         Zoran kuzmanovich <ZOKUZMANOVIC@DAVIDSON.BITNET>
Subject:      Help with Greensheet/Outlook

Exactly a month ago I purchased what I thought was going to be a .7 Cal Amp
LNB to help with the picture degradation during rainy days on a small
3ft Ku band system.

After two phone calls (only two so as to give them a chance to regroup
after their leader's horrible death, even though the lnb was ordered
before Shaun's death), I finally received the package today.

Inside, instead of the CalAmp .7lnb, I found a US Electronics .7lnb,
gain rated at 55db (instead of CalAmp's 65).  Now, I don't really mind
waiting for a drop shipment (my VISA was charged the day I ordered the
lnb) if the price is low (it was), but can they really get away with
charging me, waiting till enough orders are built up so that they
get a favorable price, and send me a substitute of lower quality.
On top of that, even though the bag containg the screws and the rubber
seal was unopened, the lnb itself looks used, that is, the enamel around
the screw holes is chipped and scraped.

What should I do.  Recently someone attacked Bob Grove over used merchandise
being shipped and charge for as new, and it sparked an interminable
debate and a parade of testimonies pro- and against.

Is this an isolated and honest mistake--or are these folk kind of gray?
HELP!

Zoran Kuzmanovich    zokuzmanovic@apollo.davidson.edu

"Chewy, take the professor in the back and plug him into the hyperdrive!"
From: esilver@quickag (Eric Silver)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: Cheap 3 foot Ku band dishes
Date: 15 Oct 92 11:36:49 GMT
Organization: Eric Silver

hew@Turing.ORG (Harold E. Wheaton (N6WUX)) writes:
>
> Today, I ordered a complete 3 foot Ku band dish+receiver from Hannah and
> Hansen in Pittsburg for $299+ S&H.  The following are in the package:
> 
> 3 foot offset fed parabola (your choice of pole mount or floor setup)
> Drake 1.1 db NF LNB
> 60 feet of RG-6 cable
> "BR1000" receiver  [The model number suggests it's a Pansat.]
> (For $100 extra [or so], one can substitute the BR1000 for the Uniden 3000
> and the Uniden has a remote and is digital obviously.)
> 

Hi there! Can you keep us all up to date with your adventures on this new
toy!

I am thinking about getting one kit like that. problem is I lived in Montreal
Quebec canada and in an apartment building with a large balcony facing the east.

Question:

1) What's on Ku channels
2) Is 3 feet dish ok for my location
3) Anyone with experience on TVRO from a balcony?

Eric
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X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL6]
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Fri, 9 Oct 1992 14:51:49 MEZ
From:         "(Wolfgang R. Schulz)" <wrs@MCSHH.HANSE.DE>
Subject:      Re: ARD on ECS only, CNNI, SOLAR, Olympus
              "VM1.NoDak.EDU!HOMESAT" at Oct 9, 92 7:35 am

Jurgen Bartels wrote:
>
> ARD which used to be relayed by Kopernikus and ECS F1 (13E) is now
> only available on ECS. On Kopernikus a slate points to ECS.
> Apparently they wanted to free the transponder on Kopernikus.
> I wonder why?

As I had recently posted already, this ARD distribution feed is from
ARD-Star Frankfurt to Dresden, a link which the Telekom rented
temporarily from British Telecom. They will use the Kopernikus transponder
for n-tv from Berlin later this year, to be fed into german cables.
ARD was not asked for permission to use the Eutelsat 13 East for this,
because Telecom consideres Eutelsat to be a telecommunication system
which is not ment to be watched by the public...hahaha. The SES,
Luxembourg, by the way, has made public, that Astra 1 C will carry n-tv,
RTL2 and Vox after launch in spring 1993. And two SPANISH channels
will help to fill Astra 1B soon (sorry: scrambled).

>
> Media Network reported that SOLAR radio has been put off the air.
> Sky-Sports audio is now been heard there.

I heard that too on Media Network, from a recording to their answerline.
Had to check that emediately and you are right: subcarrier has Sky Sports
audio now. It's no wonder that SOLAR Radio had to give up with such a
STRANGE format of radio...real crazy phone-in-talkshows, recorded,
religous touch, from the U.S. plus rap music. UUgghh. They had announced
to air shows like Gary's SIGNALS, but only did during the test period,
not later.

> Brighstar on 21.5W relays now ABC worldnews for Sky-NEWS at 20:00 UTC

Thanks for that good news. Receiption is much better on 21.W than on
PanAmSat here. Is the nightly ABC News on PAS 45 West gone?

Wolfgang


--
***Wolfgang R. Schulz, Theodor-Koerner-Weg 5, 2000 Hamburg 61, Germany***
***Phone: +49 40 5521878***Fax: +49 40 5513219***MCI Mail: 241-2526******
***Internet:wrs@mcshh.hanse.de**Bang:..unido!mcshh!wrs**wrs@mcshh.UUCP***
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: swarup@linus.mitre.org (Vipin Swarup)
Subject: Info wanted on building a satellite TV system
Reply-To: swarup@mitre.org
Organization: Research Computer Facility, The MITRE Corporation, Bedford MA
Distribution: rec
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 15:59:08 GMT



I'm looking for detailed information on how to build a satellite TV
system from scratch. That is, I want to build my own antenna,
receiver, etc. (I'm not interested in scrambled channels). I'd
appreciate any information and pointers to magazine articles or books
on this subject.

Thanks,
  Vipin.

==========================================================================
Vipin Swarup, 
The MITRE Corporation
202 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA 01730.
Email: swarup@mitre.org
==========================================================================
From: rkobenter@galaxy.gov.bc.ca
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Russian Sats? Receivable in N.A.?
Date: 16 Oct 92 17:49:26 -0700
Organization: BC Systems Corporation

Anyone receiving RUSSIAN satellites over here in North America?

How about in Europe? What kind of programming is available? All in 
SECAM-East?


robert kobenter
From: terry.walter@outlan.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca (Terry Walter) 
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENE
Date: 11 Oct 92 14:07:00 GMT
Reply-To: terry.walter@outlan.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca (Terry Walter) 
Distribution: world
Organization: Outland BBS-UUCP

The Star Trek feeds on on t301, approx. around 1 pm Sunday's MST.  I
think on channel 9 or 13.  When the new season did premiere for cable TV
viewers, I seen it one week earlier on this feed.  Pissed some trekkies
off, by posting what happens :)

The Sunday feeds are shown to cable tv viewers almost a week later!

Does anyone have the NHL listings for the dish?
                    
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: dnadams@nyx.cs.du.edu (Dean Adams)
Subject: Re: Wild Feeds listing -- better than first time, but...
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 11:21:25 GMT


robe@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (robert.g.egan) writes:
 >Robert Smathers can't find the Howard Stern show feed. The reason is, I
 >believe, his show was cancelled last Spring, so this summer was all reruns. 
 >WWOR which produced the show said they were cancelling it, but of course, 
 >Howard claimed that he decided not to do the show anymore during his radio 
 >show after the WWOR announcement (yeah, right).

Yeah right, indeed!   Anyone who has listened to the radio show should
know of all the endless horror stories he had about working for WWOR.

Howard quit the show because he had a movie deal signed.  If they were
really "canceling" it, then WHY are they *still* playing the reruns every
week with plans to do so indefinitely...?   Unfortunately the syndicator
can't quite keep going as easily with only old episodes...
From: kearns@ez-rider.West.Sun.COM (William Kearns SUN Phoenix SE 602-275-5537 x26)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: Re: Frequently Asked Questions about Satellite
Date: 15 Oct 1992 00:23:48 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: kearns@ez-rider.West.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: ez-rider.west.sun.com

I own a Houston Tracker III+.  My understanding is that is has a VideoCipher II descrambler.  What do I need to do to upgrade to VCII+ or VCRS?  Also need to know the difference between VCII+ and VCRS.
---
Thanks,								/\
							       \\ \
William G. Kearns					      \ \\ /
							     / \/ / /
SE   					 THE VALLEY OF THE  / /   \//\
Sun Phoenix, AZ  Phone (602) 275-4242			    \//\   / /
Voice Mail  (602) 275-5537 x26				     / / /\ /
FAX   (602) 220-4453					      / \\ \
Email william.kearns@West.Sun.COM			       \ \\
								\/

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Apparently-To: <homesat@vm1.nodak.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Mon, 12 Oct 1992 12:55:28 -0400
From:         "(Ron Gomes)" <rrg@PROLOGIC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Descriptive Video

Mike Gingell writes:

	This is an ideal application for a separate stereo processor.
	You can pick off the SAP and Mono on 5.20/6.8 MHz while using
	your regular receiver for stereo on 5.65/6.20 MHz.

Actually I don't think this is necessary (unless you want to isolate
the main audio as a separate channel in a recording) because the DVS
channel is just a voiceover on top of the main audio, so choosing
DVS/SAP alone is sufficient.

			Ron Gomes
			rrg@prologic.com
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: roberts@triton.unm.edu (Robert Smathers)
Subject: Re: NEW TO SATELLITE
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 92 21:31:48 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1.184.uupcb@hardgood.com> john.fix@hardgood.com (John Fix)  writes:
>Finally finished helping my dad set up a satellite dish yesterday, and
>was wondering what the best monthly guide to programs and other tid bits
>might be?

[Rush Limbaugh mode on]

You should get mine!  It is the best -- in fact, you can't
find a better one in the universe!                  

[Rush Limbaugh mode off]

Seriously, mine is fine if you just want a chart of what is
where, but if you want a magazine with good wild feeds news
and programming logs, then my favorite one is SATELLITE TV
WEEK.  I have received sample copies of the major magazines
(at least the big three consumer mags) and I find SATELLITE
TV WEEK has the most current list of wild feeds, the best
tech column, and pretty good programming listings.  And
the sports section is good, also.


The majority of the Sportschannels are located on Satcom F4R
and they are all scrambled.  MSG is also located on F4R
and it is scrambled (but the audio is there).  SC CHI
has audio on 6.8.  NESN has audio on 6.8.

Robert
roberts@triton.unm.edu



Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: fybush@unixland.natick.ma.us (Scott Fybush)
Subject: Re: Descriptive Video Broadcasting
Organization: Unixland Public Access Unix  (508) 655-3848
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 01:21:23 GMT

DVS for PBS programming is coordinated by WGBH in Boston.  IMHO, it's
one of the few good things 'GBH does...but that's another thread ;-)

Information on PBS DVS can be had from WGBH at 125 Western Ave., Boston
MA 02134.  (617)492-2777 is the phone number.  If anyone has any 
SPECIFIC questions, e-mail me and I'll call 'GBH myself and see if I can't 
get the info.

Scott Fybush -- fybush@unixland.natick.ma.us
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X-Organization: SUNY at Plattsburgh, New York, USA
X-Envelope-to: homesat@NDSUVM1.BITNET
X-VMS-To: In%"homesat@ndsuvm1.bitnet"
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 13:49:00 EST
From:         Cristian Pantea <PANT6245@SNYPLAVA.BITNET>
Subject:      Ways to access internet and this discussion group?

   I have been a subscriber to this discussion group for quite some time now.
 I will graduate from college sometime in December, great!!!!!!!!!!!
However that will also mean that I will loose my access to Internet and to this
home satellite discussion group.

Is there any one out there that can tell me if there are other ways of having
an internet account other than from educational institutions, because my
school will not let students once they graduate keep their internet account.
Is through internet the only way to access this discussion group?
Are there any BBS out there were I could join and subscribe to this
discussion group?
Are there any BBS out there that connect to Internet??

If someone can help, please post.


                                                           Thanks
                                                          Cristian
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: oester@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Bob Oesterlin)
Subject: Re: Trees; How bad are they?
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 12:31:09 GMT
Distribution: usa
Reply-To: oester@vnet.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM Rochester Mn

In article <ANDERSON.92Oct14214633@zymurgy.bms.com>, anderson@zymurgy.bms.com (Jay Anderson) writes:
|> At my location I have a good view of the central part of the satellite arc.
|> The east and west portions are blocked by about 1 tree each.  The question
|> is how badly will I lose due to the trees.  I'm considering putting up an
|> 8-10' dish.  The outcome of this may deter me from setting up a system (and
|> right now I *want* a system ;-)).  BTW, I live in Philadelphia and right now
|> fall is upon us and the trees are shedding their leaves, but I have some
|> branches and limbs.

Well, it depends. In my location I'm allways at least 30% blocked by trees and/or
house. In the middle of the arc (G5-F4) I have no problems with my 10' Orbitron
and 25/1.0 LNB's. At the ends it get worse. The west end at the worst point is
80% blocked, but I get a watchable picture down to F1 (some sparklies). G1 is
worse, but it only has 8 watt Transponders. On the east end it's worse, but
will soon be cured by my trusty chain saw...  

If you only have 1 tree to contend with, consider yourself lucky! I have a whole
forest of trees 40'- 60' tall! Go for it!

Bob
-- 
Bob Oesterlin  IBM Application Business Systems, Dept 53Z, Rochester MN 55901
IBM IPNET: oester@rchland.ibm.com                Internet:oester@vnet.ibm.com
Phone: (507)-253-4528 (tie) 553-4528

You are in a maze of twisty little #ifdef's, all alike.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Fri, 16 Oct 1992 18:43:12 -0400
From:         Elmer Beachley <etb@CS.PITT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Coop's Satellite Digest

Coop's Satellite Digest has not been published since the mid eighties.
The back issues can make interesting reading, tho.

Elmer etb@cs.pitt.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: roberts@triton.unm.edu (Robert Smathers)
Subject: Re: baseball
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 04:48:31 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Distribution: usa

In article <1992Oct14.184749.12501@cbnewsj.cb.att.com> vrg@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (v.r.gopala.rao) writes:
>In article <bymp7n#@lynx.unm.edu> roberts@triton.unm.edu (Robert Smathers) writes:
>
>> <stuff deleted>
>
>>and one channel has natural sound.  The pictures/graphics
>
>What is "natural sound"?

Natural sound is what you would hear if you were actually
present at the scene of the footage (in the case of baseball,
it is the crowd cheer w/o the crummy announcers!!!).

Robert
roberts@triton.unm.edu

Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
From: markz@ssc.com (Mark Zenier)
Subject: Re: feedhorn alignment
Organization: SSC, Inc.,  Seattle, WA
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 18:40:21 GMT
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3

wejones@CRDEC7.APGEA.ARMY.MIL (Bill Jones) writes:
: > There's a picture in an older Mark Long book that shows 4 or 5 feedhorns
: > mounted on a bar at the focus of one dish.  

: I was under the impression that those dishes with multiple feeds were
: circular rather than parabolic, but in any event they were designed for that.
: I once tried to offset a separate KU feedhorn (keeping it on the equatorial
: plane), and had very poor results.  I think a normal parabolic dish
: loses resolution fairly fast off axis, but I'm talking about several
: inches.  I agree that small errors of less than an inch can be easily
: compensated for by alignment.

The book is "The World of Satellite Television" by Mark Long and 
Jeffrey Keating.  Dated 1984.  The picture is probably older, so
it's most likely C band.

It is a parabolic dish, with a pair of curved bars supporting 5 feed 
horns.  The intesting thing is that the bar shape is convex, so the 
center feed horn is the farthest from the dish.  (My guess is a 
contant distance from the center of the dish).  The feeds seem to be 
spaced less than a foot apart.  This would only be looking at
12 to 20 degrees of the arc, depending on satellite spacing.
And it looks like a pretty big dish, maybe 16 feet.  

Mark Zenier  markz@ssc.wa.com  

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