Has the time come for Direct Tv to pull the plug on the old data stream? If it has not already happened the time is fast approaching. On June 4th 1997 several channels in the 200 block of Direct Tv's Channels line up disappeared, with more being dropped from the old data stream as time goes on. The folks with-in the underground do not seem to be very concerned about the card swap at all. One underground engineer said "We all new it was going to happen. We have been aggressively working on the new card. At this point we are just putting the final touches on a product that should prove to be a much better test device as far as reliability this time around."
Direct tv still seems to be having some card swap problems, that being with subscribers who purchased one of the first generation RCA DSS receivers. It has been reported that these first generation DSS receivers are not truly compatible with the new 04 series DSS authorization cards.
Howdy All,
Wow, June, the month that was! It seems that it is time to start looking for the new and improved test device. From what I understand, the new device should be available very soon. I have been informed that the new device software will not be distributed over the Internet. For those of you who use the test device, this could be the best thing that ever happened. In my opinion, keeping the software off the Internet just may help it last more than two weeks. Our Web Site Has Moved.
The fine folks at I-Star have relocated our Web Site to another server. The new address is: Http://oscoda.net/dmorgand/ Make sure that you make the change in your browser the next time that you are on line.
Quit a few folks have been calling our office and asking if the current battery cards will work with the new and improved 04 data stream. The answer is no, they will not. There are rumors of a retrofit device that, if added to the current battery card, will allow it to work with the new data stream. However, at this point remember it is only a rumor.
Update: Well it looks like DirectTV just may have pulled the plug on the old data stream. At this point, sources in the satellite underground are looking into the problem to see if, in fact, the old data stream has been shut down. I will let you know more as the information becomes available. Until Next Month
Until next Month....Dan
Hi Dan,
It's nice to hear from everyone on the Home Satellite Radio Show, just like the good old days. I would like to ask you a few questions concerning the small DBS dishes. What would you recommend, the RCA unit or EchoStar system? Which would be easier to hook up for my brother, since I am unable to install it myself due to my disability. I would like to use this unit in Delaware in a mobile home park. What type of problems would I have? There are some trees and the mobile homes are about ten feet apart. Also how much cable do you think I would need? Also what type of dish stand would be best for me to use?
Thank you,
Your long time subscriber,
Glenn
PA
Dear Glen
Its good to be back on C-Band, glad that you enjoy the show. Now on to your questions regarding what to purchase as far as a DBS system. Installing either a RCA DSS or Echostar Dish system is just about the same as far as effort and procedure. I feel that the best bang for your buck would be to purchase the RCA DSS system, due to the variety of services offered over the Dish system. Your cable requirments would depend on how far you located the receiver from the dish. I have installed systems 150' from the antenna using RG-6 coax with no problem. You say that you have trees at your location? They could be a problem if they are in the way of the DBS signal. You should have a clear shot to the southwestern sky for the system to work well. If you get S4 and E2 on C-band, you will have no problem. Hope this helps.
Dan
Dear Dan and Friends,
Okay, here's my check for another year of SWN. I must admit I debated long and hard whether to renew or not, not that you don't put out a good magazine, you do; and I've been a subscriber since it was the "Black Box News".
But, lately my interest is waning because all you seem to write about are the "little dishes." I know they're all the rage now, but I'm not interested, I think they're a rip! I'm B.U.D. kinda guy from way back and would like to see more in your magazine about "real" satellite TV.
My ugly 3-meter has been on the roof since 1985 and it's still giving me all the programming I want (although, now I'm legal and had to go to a VCII plus, but it's a bargain compared to these new systems.)
I go back to Shawn Kenny and "Yellow Rain," and Bob Cooper and "DeSug," and Lee Haddlock, and the guys from Canada, and the "3 Musketeers..." Oh what fun it was watching "Boresight" every Thursday night and trying to stay one step ahead of G.I.! I was a bona fide pirate till I got ECM'd in '91. Those were the days!
Nope, I'm not going to start over with a "little dish," I'll run my B.U.D. till the day C-band dies. So write all you can about same, OK?
Dave,
Des Moines, IA
Dear Dave
Thanks for your renewal to the Satellite Watch News. Yes, the good ol' days, I remember them well. Dave I don't think that C-Band will ever totally go away. Example: just look at how the DSS and Dish network folks receive their programming. I would love to write more about the C-Band industry, however, as you and I know, there is not much going on at the present to write about..There is a rumor circulating about a possible VCII plus hack, but I have seen nothing yet. Hang in there and just maybe something will happen.
Dan
Please find enclosed $42 for one year's subscription.
I am particularly interested in building or buying a super high performance low pass filter with tuned 2nd, 3rd and 4th order harmonic suppression (100 watt) for use with FM microbroadcasting.
I'm trying to get my FRB 40 watt tuned up and currently it's putting out almost the same amount of power in it's 4th harmonic as the fundamental, according to my scanner's signal strength display. (It's low in 2nd and 3rd though.) This makes it a dandy NORAD beacon.
RSP
Snohomish, WA
Dear RSP
Thanks for your subscription to the Satellite Watch News, and I hope that you enjoy it. Yes, you do need to get rid of that harmonic. I will do some research and see if I can find and recommend a company that could provide you a suitable filter.
Dan
Dear Dan,
Can you please let us readers know if there is any way to upgrade the battery cards to play on the 2nd generation DSS data plastic series cards of DirecTV, or will we have to scrap the old bats to buy new ones? And what channels will most likely play on the old data stream and how long will the old data stream play, do you think?
P.S. With the card swap taking place, will DirecTV do ECMs more often or not?
Dave
Depew, NY
Dear Dave
As far as I know the battery cards being used will not work at all with the new data stream. The reason for this is that the memory requirements for the new software are much larger. Maybe some one will develop some sort of retrofit device that can be added to the old battery cards when the time comes.
Dan