Could I borrow

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r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#17108 12-Nov-2007 12:52

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone on the North Shore in Auckland (in the bays would be excellent) has a satalite meter I could borrow for a couple of hours.

Long and involved story, but just moved into a new home, aquired a dish (don't ask) and need the meter to align the dish.

Any help would be apprecaited.

paradoxsm

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#94852 12-Nov-2007 15:43

I got one from DSE for about $30 the other week (they are half price now) , dunno how effective it is however but looks well made.

cyril7

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#94855 12-Nov-2007 15:57

The $30-50 sat finders will simply tell you where in the sky to point the dish, however they are totally useless for aligning the dish to get full C/N out of it. You are better off just dragging the STB and small TV onto the roof or getting a proper meter. I have one that I would be glad to loan you but only if you picked it up, Im in Kapiti, so no good to you there.

Cyril

pebbles

741 posts

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#94860 12-Nov-2007 16:29

Another thing you could do is just take advantage of stores fourteen day return policies :)

muzz20

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#95088 13-Nov-2007 23:31

Have set caravan dish up line of sightt each time there, not that diff. Just get a bearing off a neighbours dish and put yours on same general heading. Have someone at TV end bring up signal page on the receiver and call you mobile (or shout loud) intructions on where to move dish for lock in.
Otherwise DSE could lend you one as suggested

mcraenz

1140 posts

Uber Geek

#95147 14-Nov-2007 15:19

If you're using a DVB-S card I find that a wireless laptop +VNC to the PC with the DVB-S card in it works pretty well. Just don't drop the laptop; unless you're falling then drop the laptop and save your self.

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timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#95176 14-Nov-2007 17:32

I can personally validate that the 'shout loud' method works, but can be time intensive...... and great fun for the neightbours to watch!

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#95181 14-Nov-2007 17:48

mcraenz: Just don't drop the laptop; unless you're falling then drop the laptop and save your self.

Hmmm depends on insurance.

No insurance + a $3000 laptop

Drop laptop, save self:
$3000 laptop down tubes.
Net cost $3000 (laptop replacement)

Save laptop, allow self to come to harm (you cant have a positronic brain for this scenario, so all you robots are rooooted):
Smash ankle on impact: $free
Petrol for unimpressed, yet slightly bemused spouse to drive you to hospital: $2.87
One week sick leave: $free
Telecommute for six weeks until you are allowed to drive: SAVES PETROL, so a net GAIN of ~$400
Prescription charges for painkillers: $100
X-Rays: $85
Doctors followup visits: $200
Net profit: $12.13 - (six weeks at home, six weeks of no lawnmowing or other dumb stuff)

Man.... my dish is perfectly aligned, but I am almost compelled to go and realign it to get my twelve bucks and paid working holiday at home!!

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r33ks

75 posts

Master Geek

#95335 15-Nov-2007 12:43

Thanks everyone for their entertaining suggestions....

Tony, I did particularly enjoy your mastercard style review of pro's con's of saving the laptop... two points.
1) I live a bit closer to work than maybe you do.... $400 seems a bit steep.
2) You didn't put a cost against spending a week at home with the wife.... and the associated divorce.

If you take that into account, the cost of the destroyed laptop would be well worth it.

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#95344 15-Nov-2007 13:27

r33ks: 1) I live a bit closer to work than maybe you do.... $400 seems a bit steep.

I own a V8 that eats a pine tree and kills 18 small innocent animals every kilometre, so yes, that does start to add up for me.