Actually watching satellite "properly"

munkey

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I've realised that I spend more time gathering information and playing around with my elvis than I do watching satelite tv. This seems a bit odd, considering you would have thought that after spending ages turning a black screen into a picture, I would at least watch it for a while. I wonder if I'm nuts :)
 

rolfw

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No Munkey, you're very similar to the vast majority of regular posting hobbyists, myself included. :) The fun is in the achievement.

Rolf
 

Channel Hopper

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Most of us strive to achieve a picture by any means

If your search is because the signal is too weak, then thats simply DXing, which started with man trying to find out what was beyond the horizon, only possible by travelling there to start with. Then telegraphs and radio came along, allowing conversations with people beyond the horizon. Satellite is the logical extension, though strictly speaking we are simply trying to receive a signal thats already broadcast, rather than improving the means at both the transmit and the receive end.

For most the interest is in the achieving, rather than continuing to reap the benefits.

Maybe we are all munkeys and nuts!
 

wolsty

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We're the ones the arty-farties refer to as 'nerds', 'anoraks' and 'geeks'. We're the sad bastards encouraged to 'get a life'.

But when the luvvies' computers crash or their designer dishwahers blow up, they can't wait to find the man with a screwdriver in his top pocket to restore their urbane and civilised lifestyle.

Would you want to fly in an aircraft designed by a theatre critic?

You're not nuts, Munkey; you just have an inquisitive mind.

wolsty

:-)
 

munkey

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Hey, I'm glad I'm not alone :) I had a feeling that most people on this board were the same in that way, but I wasn't sure.

How long have you guys been into this?
 

rolfw

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Hate to admit it Munkey, but I started off many years ago with CB radio, using standard frequencies or sideband, a burner and big antennas to see if I could reach the US. Then some time after that was BSB and the squarial, DX attempts with terrestrial antennas etc.

Rolf
 

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Hi,

I have been thinking about this lately myself,I spent ages trying to get hispasat, breaks two motors in the process and now I have got it,I can be bother moving the dish there.All I was trying to do was find an alternative to Sky, I am now addicted to this hobby. I can't even stay away when I am at work.

Regards

Prince
 

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This is all very true and applies to most of us. I'm getting on in years and thought I was past my sell by date. One day I just got tired of normal television and wouldn't pay for alternative viewing.
Bought myself a sat receiver a Mac decoder a couple of cards and as they say the rest is history. I don't watch too much television, but I read and read and read the forums. I experiment. I fail sometimes because all receivers are different.....a case of trial and error, but I am alive and mentally active, not stagnating into a worn out old couch potato.
Yes programmes are becoming fewer, but that makes the challenge only greater.

As always, thanks to all those people everywhere who have helped so many so much.
Allan.
 

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I startedfrom an early age with listening to Shrotwave radio and then seeing a tv my father built, I was bitten

Took hold of about 40 old tvs from a TV repair shop chucking them out and managed to repair half of them.

Left college after studyng communications and Electronics and got a job in a shop selling satellite systems among TVs and Philips first generation VCRs. Then started helping on installs

Things have changed but the old saying still remains
Bigger dish means better signal / more channels
 

munkey

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I'm still a newbie compared to you guys. I only started coz a mate who wanted free tv nagged me into helping him. Since then I've been reading alot and learning gradually.
 

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Addictive, isn't it?

Complaints from your wife are the next instalment.

wolsty

:+
 

munkey

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[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Jul-02 AT 11:32 PM (GMT)]My girlfriend thinks I'm pretty clever, but has nagged a bit. Oh well, there's always european mature content chanels. With those and the internet the poor lass has some competition.

Did XXL ever have a headache? Methinks not. ;)
 

Channel Hopper

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'Complaints from your wife are the next instalment.'

Wolsty, that was NOT constructive, and since my wife happens to glance over at odd times to see what I am reading, she now believes this forum is some form of conspiracy plot, to see how far males can push the patience envelope.

It took me four hours to persuade her that there really are professional reasons for logging on to satellites.co.uk.
 

wolsty

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Oh dear, CH. My apologies for inadvertently suggesting that the site is a male conspiracy.

I am duly chastened.

I speak only from experience and, since I can claim no professional interest, my wife thinks my hobby is just extended self-indulgence.

I can understand, however, that this site provides valuable information for those members who have to earn a living in this field, so I'm sure that you'll find a way of justifying the attention you give to it.

wolsty

:+
 

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I thought Id got away with it but then my wife remembered your offer of a beer next time Im in Cornwall.

Oh dear - she now thinks its a virtual drinking den !
 

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Judjing by the comments with respect to partners etc it seams that I must be one of the luck one's.

My lady does not seam to bother at all about the hobby, even when I dug up the garden to put in the 3.7 mtr.

Old Satellite
 

wolsty

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Two beers, I think, CH. To compensate you for the embarrassing predicament in which I placed you.

wolsty

x(
 

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rolfw

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@ Old Satellite, your dish is bigger than my garden. ;)

Rolf
 

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10cms more than mine (in diameter as well)

That why I dont impress the other half when Im on here
 
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