Hooked and need help - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

madrat · 06-07-07, 05:45 PM

So after ordering a Metronic Touchboxe from Maplin for £20 I have realised I have got the bug again

But I do have a few questions that I hope you lot can help with. First, What is meant by patchable? Dose this mean you can get some encrypted channels with a bit of softwear tweeking or am I totally off?

Can I use a 6 degree monoblock on a 60cm dish for Astra and hotbird or dose it have to be an 80cm?

I am regretting the day I removed my old 80cm and dumped it at the tip

I am thinking about motorised, but it will have to wait a while, and I will have to mount the dish on a flat roof for that.

BGonaSTICK · 06-07-07, 06:00 PM

Yes, that's what patching is. Rather than an add-on, it's a modified version of the entire firmware, which you load over the top of the existing one.

60cm is really a little too small for consistently good reception on Astra1 and Hotbird, but you could give it a go.

madrat · 07-07-07, 01:03 AM

Don't think I will bother with a mono block just yet then.

madrat · 07-07-07, 01:44 AM

I have 2 spare mini dishes, old ones that measure 53x42cm, the LNB's are Grundig 0.7db. Can I use these to pick up astra 1? and what about hotbird?

I had an idea of fixing them to a pallet and pacing it on the flat roof behind the low wall. Then technically they are not fixed. That also leaves me a spare 60cm to play with (not fixed to the pallet) and the 65cm shown in the picture used for astra 2.
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/30-05-07_2031.jpg[/img]
Will mean having 3 separate leads I know but only takes a few second to swap leads into the receiver.

For the moment I will have to use RG6 c@ble because i have 2 big reals of it in the shed. Cant spent any more at the moment as Mrs Madrat is getting the hump. We are supposed to be saving

ops:

madrat · 07-07-07, 02:20 AM

This is to be my "downlink controle" or "viewing centre" with resident fish and rat and visating cat.
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/2007_0707viewing0009.jpg[/img]
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/2007_0707viewing0007.jpg[/img]
I know it looks a mess but I know where everything is........ well most of the time :

bigtee · 07-07-07, 07:35 AM

The 54cm dish will pick Hotbird or Astra 1 --- which ever it is aligned to.

BGonaSTICK · 07-07-07, 12:15 PM

Oh dear, you are hooked!

Astra1 should be OK, Hotbird you might be missing some channels. Alignment is critical using a minidish.

This is a waffly old thread from way back:

http://www.satellitehelp.co.uk/forum...pic,352.0.html

and a couple of big powerful birds have replaced all the old stuff up there since.

So worth a go for sure.

Don't be running any more cable into the house. Just connect the three dishes to a 4-way DiSEqC switch, and then connect the coax you have going into your existing dish into the switch output.

The receiver will switch between the three dishes automatically, once configured!

Your den is a lot neater than mine

ops: Did you know you have a cat in your printer? LOL, I expect it's nice and warm.

madrat · 07-07-07, 02:08 PM

I was thinking about a switch but as I said Mrs madrat is getting the hump.

Yes the cat loves eather my chair or the printer, trouble is when the black one comes in, he mingles with things and you don't see him until you sit on him

BGonaSTICK · 07-07-07, 04:43 PM

You can get a switch on eBay for about £8.

Take Mrs madrat out for a nice dinner, leave an £8 tip, and then swipe it back as you leave

madrat · 07-07-07, 09:55 PM

Might just have a look on ebay and make sure it arrives on a day she is at work :spite:

More photos. I have been busy today making goon hilly downs in miniature :roflmao:

[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1910.jpg[/img]
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1911.jpg[/img]
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1912.jpg[/img]
[img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1915.jpg[/img]

Just need half a dozen bricks or a couple of concrete blocks for ballast. If the mini dish doesn't work for Hotbird I can changer it for a 60cm.

What with the aerial on the corner its starting to look a bit like a down link station

ops:

[img width=300 height=400]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1916.jpg[/img]

And before any comedian says it. Yes I know The dishes are missing LNBs. :

06-07-07, 05:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Hooked and need help So after ordering a Metronic Touchboxe from Maplin for £20 I have realised I have got the bug again But I do have a few questions that I hope you lot can help with. First, What is meant by patchable? Dose this mean you can get some encrypted channels with a bit of softwear tweeking or am I totally off? Can I use a 6 degree monoblock on a 60cm dish for Astra and hotbird or dose it have to be an 80cm? I am regretting the day I removed my old 80cm and dumped it at the tip I am thinking about motorised, but it will have to wait a while, and I will have to mount the dish on a flat roof for that. __________________ *I want it and I want it now*

06-07-07, 06:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help Yes, that's what patching is. Rather than an add-on, it's a modified version of the entire firmware, which you load over the top of the existing one. 60cm is really a little too small for consistently good reception on Astra1 and Hotbird, but you could give it a go. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

07-07-07, 01:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help Don't think I will bother with a mono block just yet then. __________________ *I want it and I want it now*

07-07-07, 01:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help I have 2 spare mini dishes, old ones that measure 53x42cm, the LNB's are Grundig 0.7db. Can I use these to pick up astra 1? and what about hotbird? I had an idea of fixing them to a pallet and pacing it on the flat roof behind the low wall. Then technically they are not fixed. That also leaves me a spare 60cm to play with (not fixed to the pallet) and the 65cm shown in the picture used for astra 2. [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/30-05-07_2031.jpg[/img] Will mean having 3 separate leads I know but only takes a few second to swap leads into the receiver. For the moment I will have to use RG6 c@ble because i have 2 big reals of it in the shed. Cant spent any more at the moment as Mrs Madrat is getting the hump. We are supposed to be saving ops: __________________ *I want it and I want it now*

07-07-07, 02:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help This is to be my "downlink controle" or "viewing centre" with resident fish and rat and visating cat. [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/2007_0707viewing0009.jpg[/img] [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/2007_0707viewing0007.jpg[/img] I know it looks a mess but I know where everything is........ well most of the time : __________________ *I want it and I want it now*


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07-07-07, 07:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
bigtee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 468 Thanks: 8 Thanked 44 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help The 54cm dish will pick Hotbird or Astra 1 --- which ever it is aligned to. __________________ Raven 90 multi lnb 1w, 7, 9, 13, 16, 19 & 28e; 1m Orbital on SG 2100 5e-34w; TM1500s, Fortec 5400, Phoenix Apollo & Kathrein (analogue) Receivers

07-07-07, 12:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help Oh dear, you are hooked! Astra1 should be OK, Hotbird you might be missing some channels. Alignment is critical using a minidish. This is a waffly old thread from way back: http://www.satellitehelp.co.uk/forum...pic,352.0.html and a couple of big powerful birds have replaced all the old stuff up there since. So worth a go for sure. Don't be running any more cable into the house. Just connect the three dishes to a 4-way DiSEqC switch, and then connect the coax you have going into your existing dish into the switch output. The receiver will switch between the three dishes automatically, once configured! Your den is a lot neater than mine ops: Did you know you have a cat in your printer? LOL, I expect it's nice and warm. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

07-07-07, 02:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help I was thinking about a switch but as I said Mrs madrat is getting the hump. Yes the cat loves eather my chair or the printer, trouble is when the black one comes in, he mingles with things and you don't see him until you sit on him __________________ *I want it and I want it now*

07-07-07, 04:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help You can get a switch on eBay for about £8. Take Mrs madrat out for a nice dinner, leave an £8 tip, and then swipe it back as you leave __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

07-07-07, 09:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 1,705 Thanks: 4 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Hooked and need help Might just have a look on ebay and make sure it arrives on a day she is at work :spite: More photos. I have been busy today making goon hilly downs in miniature :roflmao: [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1910.jpg[/img] [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1911.jpg[/img] [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1912.jpg[/img] [img width=400 height=300]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1915.jpg[/img] Just need half a dozen bricks or a couple of concrete blocks for ballast. If the mini dish doesn't work for Hotbird I can changer it for a 60cm. What with the aerial on the corner its starting to look a bit like a down link station ops: [img width=300 height=400]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b29/madrat/07-07-07_1916.jpg[/img] And before any comedian says it. Yes I know The dishes are missing LNBs. : __________________ *I want it and I want it now*