Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Mon, 11 Jan 1993 14:41:11 EST
Comments:     Warning -- original Sender: tag was NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU
Comments:     Resent-From: "Howard F Speight,jr" <ACHS@ECUVM1>
Comments:     Originally-From: William Setzer <setzer@MATH.NCSU.EDU>
From:         "Howard F Speight,jr" <ACHS@ECUVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      miscellaneous questions

I live about 80 miles east of you and have a Uniden 4800S, cal amp 25 deg
LNB, channel master polorizer, 10 ft unimesh, RG6 cable (80 ft run), 18"
actuator (I forget the name).

1) Between the literature and installers, the consensus is that for
   someone in NC, a 7.5' dish/25 degree LNB or a 10' dish/40 deg. LNB
   combination gives approximately the same picture quality.  What do
   I gain if I decide upon a 10'/25 degree combination?  (That is,
   are there common enough non-ideal circumstances to warrant the
   overkill?)
** go for the overkill you'll need it for the hard to get birds.
   definitly get the larger dish if nothing else.

2) What is the significance of the size of the actuator?  (In other
   words, what advantage is there in getting a 24" vs. 18"?).  Other
   than price, are there any disadavantages to choosing an H-H instead
   of a linear actuator?
** if I had it do over again I'd buy the H/H mount instead of actuator.
   the 18" is more than adaquate to look at all the birds in the clarke belt

3) The FAQ mentions that dual C/Ku feedhorns are actually a
   "compromise system, with some minor losses".  Is there enough
   lossage to really worry about?  (I love to roam channels, so I'd
   like to add the Ku stuff, but not if it's going to cause me a
   moderate amount of trouble [or interference].)
** the better the equipment the less noticable that will be. I burned out
   the polorizer the first two days (probably about 40 hours of viewing)
   the motor was replaced and seven months later I haven't had any trouble
   The LNBF setup looks interesting for that reason. I still do a lot of
   wandering, but usually through the SuperGuide now instead of each channel.

4) Is there any advantage to choosing a particular type of feedhorn
   support (buttonhook vs. quad vs. tri)?
** I agree with someone else that posted GET THE QUAD. The wind can really
   wreak havoc. My dish moved twice on the pole before I got it tightend
   down.

5) What is the difference between the Orbitron C10 and SX10?  There is
   a $100 difference, but none of the ads really explain why.
** I don't know

6) Last, but certainly not least, the number of IRD manufacturers is
   truly staggering.  For the most part, I believe that high-end
   components have all of the necessities, so it comes down to
   choosing the one with the best set of features.  Unfortunately,
   many of the ads use "lingospeak" to describe the features, making
   it difficult for people like me to figure out exactly what the
   IRD's do.  (I mean, exactly what good are TI filters anyway?)  Is
   there any good way to filter through the chaff to get to the good
   stuff?  Are there any manufacturers that I should stay away from?
   Any help you can give me to narrow my choices would be greatly
   appreciated.
** I've been extremly satisfied with my Uniden. I think finding a good,
   honest dealer is just about as important as any component you can buy.
   Unless of course you're doing it all yourself. I paid $2300 for the
   above equipment which included installation and one year of programming
   (like basic cable, plus HBO). I wish I had purchased the 4500 which will
   allow viewing of up to nine differnet windows.
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite