Echostar 5 (129) In South Texas???

[jerry_stx]

I was wondering if I could recieve Echostar 5 (129W) in South Texas Zip Code 78520. I've read somewhere (wiki) that:

Today, approximately 70% of DISH Network subscribers can receive nationwide HDTV channels using the 129°W orbital location, but since the 129°W does not effectively cover the entire United States this solution is not available for large populations of customers in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and deep Southern regions of the United States.

I have a Dish 1000. I've noticed on my reciever that the signal comes and goes. I have it pointed in the right direction. Seems like nothing is obstructing view. Just wondering if I need a bigger dish or something.

 

[RedSavina]

I have the 1000.2 here in deep south Texas. The issue is not "viewing" the satellite - that works just fine. The problem is with the satellite itself. If you poke around a little on these forums you will find references to the satellite "wobbling". I don't know how technically accurate this is, but it certainly describes my experience.

As I said above, I can see the satellite just fine. However, the signal will start out pretty solid and gradually deteriorate to nothing. If I wait a while it will come back and gradually improve. This cycle is fairly consistent.

A dedicated dish reduces the impact of this effect. Before I got my 1000.2 I used a dedicated Dish500 and while I still had the same signal drop off, I was able to maintain a signal lock - albeit with macroblocking at the lowest levels.

Based on my experience, I suspect a larger dish dedicated to 129W would be adequate. I have plans to test this, but haven't had the time to do so yet.

Welcome to SatelliteGuys.US and good luck. Please report back any findings or discoveries.

Cheers,
Red

 

[RandallA]

"but since the 129°W does not effectively cover the entire United States this solution is not available for large populations of customers in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and deep Southern regions of the United States."

Dish Network needs to revise this statement. If they are using the word effectively then they need to add the Pacific Northwest and California to the areas not available.

 

[jerry_stx]

thanks red for the reply. i have a dish 1000.2 that i could dedicate to just 129. you think it would work? or you mean a bigger dish? i'll test it out and give you the results. what you described is exactly what i'm experiencing. i have 2 other dish 500. so instead of buying a bigger dish hopefully that dish 1000 will work.

 

[RedSavina]

thanks red for the reply. i have a dish 1000.2 that i could dedicate to just 129. you think it would work? or you mean a bigger dish? i'll test it out and give you the results. what you described is exactly what i'm experiencing. i have 2 other dish 500. so instead of buying a bigger dish hopefully that dish 1000 will work.

The test I am planning is to get the W adapter for the 1000.2 dish from Claude over at DishStore.net. I would then put my DP Dual in the center position and use this dish for 129W. This feed would then go the the input port of my DPP Twin on the Dish500 at 110/119.

The only reason I haven't done this yet is I don't want to give up my 61.5 dish until SkyAngel goes dark.

I would be thrilled if you test this - if it works I may be tempted to changed my priorities.

Cheers,
Red

 

[Miner]

Red,

Isn't there a guy in Corpus that is picking up 129 satisfactory with a dish 500 and i bracket? Or is that wishful thinking of 95 degrees / 90 % humdity?

Miner

 

[RedSavina]

Red,

Isn't there a guy in Corpus that is picking up 129 satisfactory with a dish 500 and i bracket? Or is that wishful thinking of 95 degrees / 90 % humdity?

Miner

Sounds familiar, but I can't be sure. As noted in my post above, I had decent results with the same configuration. My original post on the topic is here (although my numbers turned out to be a little lower than I initially thought).

Red

 

[RandallA]

The test I am planning is to get the W adapter for the 1000.2 dish from Claude over at DishStore.net. I would then put my DP Dual in the center position and use this dish for 129W. This feed would then go the the input port of my DPP Twin on the Dish500 at 110/119.

The only reason I haven't done this yet is I don't want to give up my 61.5 dish until SkyAngel goes dark.

I would be thrilled if you test this - if it works I may be tempted to changed my priorities.

Cheers,
Red

Red,

Make sure the W bracket you're getting from Claude is the one for the 1000.2. As far as I know the one for the 1000 is different than the one for the 1000.2.

 

[RedSavina]

Red,

Make sure the W bracket you're getting from Claude is the one for the 1000.2. As far as I know the one for the 1000 is different than the one for the 1000.2.

You are correct - I have already discussed this with Claude! Thanks for bringing this up. I should have mentioned it in my earlier post.

Cheers,
Red