African Satellite World and Sat Gear

samito1 · Jul 20, 2018

freq said:
Found out you can use a small linear actuator to "semi motorise" a fixed dish and remotely change elevation while at the Equator sweeping through 51.5, 64e, 66 68, 70ku, 72, 75, 76.5, 78 and even 91.5 if the actuator is long enough and without changing the lnb placing

Can't combine 66 and 68? No problem by the flick of a switch, just lower the dish from 68 to 66 within seconds Similar to 72e and other sats .
View attachment 800106

Pretty creative idea I intend to emulate someday.

My questions though;
(1). How well does the actuator handle the outdoors with the possibility of water seeping into it?
(2) I have seen their motors are largely d.c. being either 12v, 36v 0r 48v rated. Does this mean you need a converter or is it inbuilt into the actuator? Asking this since transmitting d.c. over long distances (socket to tall roof) often suffer high power losses due to the low voltage
(3). Do they have a memory once programmed to say move some length, or in swapping birds you need to be near the dish so as physically locate the specific elevations?

Let Love Reign · Jul 20, 2018

The good thing about FTA is you sweep around and end up with gems then you dance around making strange noises! But germs are there too. So at least you get gems once in a while!

freq · Jul 20, 2018

samito1 said:
Pretty creative idea I intend to emulate someday.

My questions though;
(1). How well does the actuator handle the outdoors with the possibility of water seeping into it?
(2) I have seen their motors are largely d.c. being either 12v, 36v 0r 48v rated. Does this mean you need a converter or is it inbuilt into the actuator? Asking this since transmitting d.c. over long distances (socket to tall roof) often suffer high power losses due to the low voltage
(3). Do they have a memory once programmed to say move some length, or in swapping birds you need to be near the dish so as physically locate the specific elevations?

1. Actuators have different ratings ie ip64 and Ip65. Ip65 is meant to be water proof and work outdoors. There are actuators made for Satellite purposes (more expensive) and those are typically water proof. The one I used is for general purposes but is rated ip65 and is waterproof. Am not worried about rain and I have wrapped it in polythene to make it more waterproof
2. The voltage required is DC this can be sourced from from an adapter like laptop charger. Yes there are transmission loses but am transmitting 12v 2.5amps over 40meters up 6 floors but the power is still strong enough to mivm the dish. Note you.must use AC to dc adapter. It cannot be connected to a wall socket directly. They do not have inbuilt convertors

3. The actuator am using is general purpose and am actually just switching it on and off as I watch signal level till I get the signal. Its very effective once you get used to it.
There are far more expensive actuators specifically made for Satellite. They consume 36v 5amps. To keep position memory for various sats, you will need a dish positioner (sold separately and expensive) connected to the actuator. Now these actuators have Reed sensors, the sensors count as the actuator moves and report back to the positioner how many counts are required to move to a particular Satellite. The positioner keeps the info and that is how it remembers position

By using Disceq 1.2 protocol with your decoder connected through the positioner, you will be able to simply change the channel and the positioner will move the dish to the required position by moving the actuator.. (

For me I do not need to be beside the dish. The dish is six floors up the building and am seated with a switch which I click a few seconds up or down to move the dish and I land on the required sat. Its like hunting remotely while sitting on the couch

Hope this answers your quiz. I can clarify further if needed.

Let Love Reign · Jul 20, 2018

freq said:
1. Actuators have different ratings ie ip64 and Ip65. Ip65 is meant to be water proof and work outdoors. There are actuators made for Satellite purposes (more expensive) and those are typically water proof. The one I used is for general purposes but is rated ip65 and is waterproof. Am not worried about rain and I have wrapped it in polythene to make it more waterproof
2. The voltage required is DC this can be sourced from from an adapter like laptop charger. Yes there are transmission loses but am transmitting 12v 2.5amps over 40meters up 6 floors but the power is still strong enough to mivm the dish. Note you.must use AC to dc adapter. It cannot be connected to a wall socket directly. They do not have inbuilt convertors

3. The actuator am using is general purpose and am actually just switching it on and off as I watch signal level till I get the signal. Its very effective once you get used to it.
There are far more expensive actuators specifically made for Satellite. They consume 36v 5amps. To keep position memory for various sats, you will need a dish positioner (sold separately and expensive) connected to the actuator. Now these actuators have Reed sensors, the sensors count as the actuator moves and report back to the positioner how many counts are required to move to a particular Satellite. The positioner keeps the info and that is how it remembers position

By using Disceq 1.2 protocol with your decoder connected through the positioner, you will be able to simply change the channel and the positioner will move the dish to the required position by moving the actuator..

For me I do not need to be beside the dish. The dish is six floors up the building and am seated with a switch which I click a few seconds up or down to move the dish and I land on the required sat. Its like hunting remotely while sitting on the couch

Hope this answers your quiz. I can clarify further if needed.

This is serious stuff!

freq · Jul 21, 2018

Let Love Reign said:
This is serious stuff!

Hahahaha not so serious

Lunsat2 · Jul 21, 2018

freq said:
1. Actuators have different ratings ie ip64 and Ip65. Ip65 is meant to be water proof and work outdoors. There are actuators made for Satellite purposes (more expensive) and those are typically water proof. The one I used is for general purposes but is rated ip65 and is waterproof. Am not worried about rain and I have wrapped it in polythene to make it more waterproof
2. The voltage required is DC this can be sourced from from an adapter like laptop charger. Yes there are transmission loses but am transmitting 12v 2.5amps over 40meters up 6 floors but the power is still strong enough to mivm the dish. Note you.must use AC to dc adapter. It cannot be connected to a wall socket directly. They do not have inbuilt convertors

3. The actuator am using is general purpose and am actually just switching it on and off as I watch signal level till I get the signal. Its very effective once you get used to it.
There are far more expensive actuators specifically made for Satellite. They consume 36v 5amps. To keep position memory for various sats, you will need a dish positioner (sold separately and expensive) connected to the actuator. Now these actuators have Reed sensors, the sensors count as the actuator moves and report back to the positioner how many counts are required to move to a particular Satellite. The positioner keeps the info and that is how it remembers position

By using Disceq 1.2 protocol with your decoder connected through the positioner, you will be able to simply change the channel and the positioner will move the dish to the required position by moving the actuator.. (

For me I do not need to be beside the dish. The dish is six floors up the building and am seated with a switch which I click a few seconds up or down to move the dish and I land on the required sat. Its like hunting remotely while sitting on the couch

Hope this answers your quiz. I can clarify further if needed.

Very nice explanation. Two questions Freq for learning purposes, 1. given you use a switch to move the dish rather than a positioner and remote, how do you set dish limits in a home environment? My boy once broke a dish mount by driving it over the limit 2.What has been your experience with issues of signal loss over 40 metres?

Let Love Reign · Jul 21, 2018

Those with freesat decoders like v7 combo, v7hd v7 max or V8 and V8 golden etc the July updates are out!

freq · Jul 21, 2018

Lunsat2 said:
Very nice explanation. Two questions Freq for learning purposes, 1. given you use a switch to move the dish rather than a positioner and remote, how do you set dish limits in a home environment? My boy once broke a dish mount by driving it over the limit 2.What has been your experience with issues of signal loss over 40 metres?

1. Limits haven't been a problem to me because the actuator stroke length is not long enough to cover the whole arc. Its only 8 inch or 20cm (I bought the cheapest because I only wanted to experiment). The elevation adjustor rod of the dish is around 45cm so even if you move the actuator to the extremes (within 20cm), it will not over move the dish and damage it. My advice is if you're going to move the dish manually without a positioner, buy buy a short stroke actuator (short enough not to over push or pull the dish)
also actuators designed for Satellite come with inbuilt limit switches which you can adjust to set maximum movement you want (you can buy those but they are more expensive)
what am using is general purpose actuator. Those do not come with adjustable limit switches. Certain dish positioners also have east and west limits.
2. Signal losses have been insignificant. The cable I use isn't any special. I also have 2 disceq switches on the circuit (a 4x1 and a 8x1). But what I get on the roof is always what I get in the house.

Aaaaarrghhh · Jul 21, 2018

someone try it out to check if it has goodies

NGARUKA · Jul 21, 2018

thank you for update

Mnyash · Jul 21, 2018

freq said:
1. Actuators have different ratings ie ip64 and Ip65. Ip65 is meant to be water proof and work outdoors. There are actuators made for Satellite purposes (more expensive) and those are typically water proof. The one I used is for general purposes but is rated ip65 and is waterproof. Am not worried about rain and I have wrapped it in polythene to make it more waterproof
2. The voltage required is DC this can be sourced from from an adapter like laptop charger. Yes there are transmission loses but am transmitting 12v 2.5amps over 40meters up 6 floors but the power is still strong enough to mivm the dish. Note you.must use AC to dc adapter. It cannot be connected to a wall socket directly. They do not have inbuilt convertors

3. The actuator am using is general purpose and am actually just switching it on and off as I watch signal level till I get the signal. Its very effective once you get used to it.
There are far more expensive actuators specifically made for Satellite. They consume 36v 5amps. To keep position memory for various sats, you will need a dish positioner (sold separately and expensive) connected to the actuator. Now these actuators have Reed sensors, the sensors count as the actuator moves and report back to the positioner how many counts are required to move to a particular Satellite. The positioner keeps the info and that is how it remembers position

By using Disceq 1.2 protocol with your decoder connected through the positioner, you will be able to simply change the channel and the positioner will move the dish to the required position by moving the actuator.. (

For me I do not need to be beside the dish. The dish is six floors up the building and am seated with a switch which I click a few seconds up or down to move the dish and I land on the required sat. Its like hunting remotely while sitting on the couch

Hope this answers your quiz. I can clarify further if needed.

😀😀😀 Some of the crazy stuff that an ASAS addict can do...

freq · Jul 21, 2018

Munyaga said:
😀😀😀 Some of the crazy stuff that an ASAS addict can do...

Haha it was going 6 floors up the roof every time I need to change elevation by a few inches that made me do this. It has saved me alot of exercise am growing fat now.

Mnyash · Jul 21, 2018

Let Love Reign said:
Those with freesat decoders like v7 combo, v7hd v7 max or V8 and V8 golden etc the July updates are out!

After a good 2 months' break...

samito1 · Jul 21, 2018

freq said:
1. Actuators have different ratings ie ip64 and Ip65. Ip65 is meant to be water proof and work outdoors. There are actuators made for Satellite purposes (more expensive) and those are typically water proof. The one I used is for general purposes but is rated ip65 and is waterproof. Am not worried about rain and I have wrapped it in polythene to make it more waterproof
2. The voltage required is DC this can be sourced from from an adapter like laptop charger. Yes there are transmission loses but am transmitting 12v 2.5amps over 40meters up 6 floors but the power is still strong enough to mivm the dish. Note you.must use AC to dc adapter. It cannot be connected to a wall socket directly. They do not have inbuilt convertors

3. The actuator am using is general purpose and am actually just switching it on and off as I watch signal level till I get the signal. Its very effective once you get used to it.
There are far more expensive actuators specifically made for Satellite. They consume 36v 5amps. To keep position memory for various sats, you will need a dish positioner (sold separately and expensive) connected to the actuator. Now these actuators have Reed sensors, the sensors count as the actuator moves and report back to the positioner how many counts are required to move to a particular Satellite. The positioner keeps the info and that is how it remembers position

By using Disceq 1.2 protocol with your decoder connected through the positioner, you will be able to simply change the channel and the positioner will move the dish to the required position by moving the actuator.. (

For me I do not need to be beside the dish. The dish is six floors up the building and am seated with a switch which I click a few seconds up or down to move the dish and I land on the required sat. Its like hunting remotely while sitting on the couch

Hope this answers your quiz. I can clarify further if needed.

Quite comprehensive and detailed reply sir. Thanks a lot for it.

freq · Jul 22, 2018

samito1 said:
Quite comprehensive and detailed reply sir. Thanks a lot for it.

Welcome Sir

samito1 · Jul 22, 2018

Aaaaarrghhh said:
someone try it out to check if it has goodies

Word on the street has it that it doesn't change matters on the 68e neighborhood, but reels in the AFN stuff pretty well.

Mrimi · Jul 22, 2018

samito1 said:
Word on the street has it that it doesn't change matters on the 68e neighborhood, but reels in the AFN stuff pretty well.

Can I receive AFN (1°w) in southwestern Tanzania on 6ft please?

Aaaaarrghhh · Jul 22, 2018

samito1 said:
Word on the street has it that it doesn't change matters on the 68e neighborhood, but reels in the AFN stuff pretty well.

sadly currently im on the 68 neighborhood on 6ft The Afn has been difficult to catch.Anyway thanx for the info

sqianne · Jul 22, 2018

Where I can get freesat v7 combo in central regions of tanzania

Kimbori · Jul 22, 2018

Let Love Reign said:
Those with freesat decoders like v7 combo, v7hd v7 max or V8 and V8 golden etc the July updates are out!

I denied updates as (on my opinion) they are not worth enough.

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