Channel master 1.2m

Manikm909

Manikm909

Small'ish Dish Man
My Satellite Setup
Channel Master 1.8M on Edision MIO 4K & GTMEDIA Combo, and CM1.2M on Octagon SF8008
My Location
Kent, UK
hey guys

i think i can get a CM 1.2m at a bargain price - the thing is im not used to these big boys toys, ive only ever used a diseq motor.

what else do i need to get it running, i know its not a single cable back to receiver like it is for DISEQ motors....

im worried, i'll buy it and wont know what to do with it...lol - a lot of threads i see, you need old addon boxes.

it looks like i need to change my scaffiold pole to a 3 inch pole....?

any advice would be amazing!! thanks!
 
A channel Master can bolt onto a DiSEqC motor, with a bit of adaption.

You won't need the polar mount part, which can be sold off to recoup some of the money.
 
If you plan to use a 36v motor it requires 4 wires, like electric plug wires, that run from that motor, to a v-box II, the cable, from your LNB then goed into the bac of your v-box II with another, short cable, running from v-box II to your receiver.
This allows you to control the dish, from your receiver.
There used to be receivers, that had these connections, but these are no longer manufactured.
 
thank you! so.....in practical terms then, these kind of dishes, although high quality - and great receivers (signal wise) actually rely on old tech, more faff, and additional cable runs for a motor....? Although i love the idea of these dishes, it seems there is no tech, readily available to support them (in real terms) - it seems, that you have to search auction sites to find and buy old kit to make it work (motorised wise) - yes \ no? A newer (arguebly) less quality dish is probably the way to go, and probably why i've never ventured down this route...thoughts....?
 
No they don't rely on old technology, it's just that it became too expensive, to produce these receivers, for dedicated satellite enthusiasts, as most people just want the sky, or local satellite provider, options.

A V-Box II is compatible with even the most modern receiver, and is quite easy to set up, so you require an extra, little, box, when using a 36v motor. The 4 wires are very thin, in a separate cable, the size of any cable which connects to your electric plugs, which can run alongside your coax cable, without you even noticing it.

It all depends on where you site your dish, as to if you need a 36v motor, as they are generally stronger than Diseqc motors.
 
Mickha said:
No they don't rely on old technology, it's just that it became too expensive, to produce these receivers, for dedicated satellite enthusiasts, as most people just want the sky, or local satellite provider, options.

A V-Box II is compatible with even the most modern receiver, and is quite easy to set up, so you require an extra, little, box, when using a 36v motor. The 4 wires are very thin, in a separate cable, the size of any cable which connects to your electric plugs, which can run alongside your coax cable, without you even noticing it.

It all depends on where you site your dish, as to if you need a 36v motor, as they are generally stronger than Diseqc motors.
Click to expand...

isnt a VBOX II a discontinued product?
 
Channel Master 1.2 m is one of the best dishes possible to get on the marker. Polar-mount technology is an old one but still up-to-date. I would strongly recommend this dish.
 
As I "understand" the situation, the "original" version of the VBox II was discontinued - but several other "suppliers" now provide "equivalent clones" (with "variable" reputations for reliability!)
 
thanks guys...the dish ive seen has like a black chunk and longish arm at the back of the CM - is that A 36V motor? omg - should i start to learn this stuff, or is it a deprecated world that i should stay away from? i fear that although this seems like a bargain, getting it to work like a USALS DISEQ is not going to be straight forward.....i feel though even just having the dish itself is worth the learning curve...im SOOOOO in two minds what to do....this all started on should i get a gibby 125 or Laminas 120 ...
 
thanks - i understand the reasons why - its the whole motor thing thats putting me off really - its unknown territory for me. im worried i'll end up with a dish \ parts i wont be able to use \ and have to sell. mind you its so cheap, i dont know why im worrying
 
That sounds like a superjack actuator. It's basically an extendable arm, that pushes, and pulls, the dish.
actuator.webp
 
yes, that looks like it - so what do i need to get that working with a modern sat receive - is that a 36v motor? so i'll need a vbox?
 
If you do an internet search. for 4 core electrical cable, you should quickly find numerous options, probably even at your local DIY stores.
Equally type in V-Box II, and you should find a reputable satellite dealer, in the UK, who can supply one.

You can check if the motor, supplied with your dish, is still working by using a 12 v battery, and using some ordinary electrical wiring to connect the positive, and negative, to the motor connections, on your motor, which you can quickly find by undoing the screws on the motors casing.

The supplier, of the dish, might even own a V-Box II, that they'll include, in the deal.
Have you got any pictures, of the dish, you can attach, so that other members can check that everything required, is there, and the condition of the dish, arms, polar mount, feedhorn, etc.. are included?

Connecting the V-Box II is basic.
vbox II rear.jpg
 
I had a CM1.2 with a Jaeger Supermount SMR motor and V Box. it was very good but very heavy compared to aluminium. My dish is on a SSE facing gable end on the South coast and open to strong winds that sweep through the English Channel. In high winds a few years back it ripped the lead flashing from the flat roof edging. My home insurance would only cover me for a dish upto 1 metre, with my neighbour a bit concerned if it came down on his fancy conservatory. I changed to a Fibo type 0.9 dish with TM 2600 motor and noticed very little difference in reception. The CM 1.2 is well worth getting but more fiddly to set up with another box in your den.
 
I have my CM 1.2M sited at ground level, on a SMR 1224 motor, as I have a south facing garden, so find setting up, and maintenance, quite easy. If considering a smaller, lighter, dish, then you could also look at the Fracarro Penta 85cm, which I installed for my parents, as this is light, nice looking, fairly easy to set up, and should pick up nearly everything available, but the CM 1.2M will always out perform any smaller dish, and even some of similar size, but as a lot of satellites provide a very strong signal, in the UK, you can get away with an even smaller dish and still get a lot of satellites, it just depends on what you need, and what you want to use the dish for.
 
Can't really add anything that hasn't already been said. I had a 1.2m Gibby on a Motek 2100 motor a good few years ago and it worked OK. A Laminas is a very light dish and I wouldn't hesitate putting in on a DiSEqC motor if it was at ground level. Not only the weight but also the sail effect in high winds can rip them off the motors.

I wouldn't put a 1.2M CM on a DiSEqC motor - it's just too heavy. People have and it worked but.....

I'd say any of the dishes I mentioned perform as well as each other with the only exception being a Fibo 1.2m dish which is heavier than even the CM and a lightly larger. Difficult to find though.

You could also try a Fibo 90cm - a very good performer for the size and will swing well on a DiSEqC motor. A Penta 85cm mentioned above is also decent.

I'd avoid Triaxes. Good performers but a pain to set up unless you have 3 arms.
 
I have 3 Triaxes, and when I set them up first time around, I wished I had at least 3 arms - 4 would have been even better!
 
thank you everyone!
i decided not to proceed with the deal.
instead, i have taken down my gibby 1m, and put up the triax td110 - i didnt realise how much bigger the triax was.
sods law, the motor gave up - not sure if that was co-incidence or the Triax killed it (it was about 10 years old) - i have ordered a new Dark Motor.
i will probably sell the gibby!
i noticed that with the triax i could get 3west test card solid, the gibby used to fluctuate - so i know the triax is a little better than the gibby but marginal.
i have enquired about the 1.2 Laminas with a french supplier - might end up getting that...
 
manikm909 said:
i have enquired about the 1.2 Laminas with a french supplier - might end up getting that...
Click to expand...

If that's 2 Galli, I've used him lots. Going to be pricey for shipping though...
 
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