what's the difference in the DISH Network dish and the DirectTV dish? can one be used for either satelite by aiming? I know the receivers are different, but the dish outside looks basically the same? thanks..
the dish is the same diameter and the same pitch for focussing the reflected signal.
the LNAs don't interchange, I believe, and certainly the mounts won't.
DTV is a 0 degree rotation angle, you hit the satellite square on... there are two signals in non-HDTV that carry (48?) channels each, one vertically polarized and one horizontally polarized. so the dish HAS to be set at 0 degrees rotation, the up-angle calculated for your latitude.
DISH-TV has a rotational angle, it looks like 17-18 degrees. that's why the cartoon dish bouncing about in ads always has its "head" cocked like a puppy. its several transmit antennas are not polarized at 0 and 180 degrees, but 17 and 197.
not sure if the LNA blocks work on the same exact frequencies, I'm sure not. close, but not exact, they're both in the 5.8 GHz licensing band.
but practically, when you consider the 0.4-0.5 degree aim needed for the satellite's ray gun to zap the dish, and the wide spacing of the satellites, even if the electronics are close enough, you can't use leftover pieces of one system to get the other.
/// geek warning, techno below. read if you dare ///
DirectTV stems from a 1980 announcement by Stan Hubbard of KSTP/Hubbard Broadcasting that he would beat the satellite-to-cable guys like Ted Turner at their own game by launching his OWN satellite and building his own homeowner-based receiver system. almost laughed out of the meeting hall at the NAB.
I told my Dad at the time (him 40 years in broadcasting, me looking for new work after 5 years) that yes, it would work, one of the few broadcasters who could make it work was doing it, and no, he'd never make in 3 years, try 6 to 8.
it took 11 years to meet his 3-year deadline, partly due to the technology needed at a target low price, partly due to partner RCA blowing away and having to recontract with Hughes Aviation, and later take them in as partners due to a recession. but DTV got up.
once they passed the critical period of market acceptance, investors including Fox's Rupert Murdoch put Dish together for competition.
and of course, the cable companies are still around.
from an average Joe standpoint, you can get DIY and HGTV on all of them.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,
sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
The dish and LNB's that work with Dish will work with DirectTV. Do realize that their are Pro versions of the LNB's and these may not work with both, but standard circular patterned LBB's work with both. The receiver and aiming of the dish are the other critical elements.
Also, if you're in a condo or townhouse complex, check with your association. There are laws about where the satellite dishes can be mounted -- on your unit versus common areas.
