To: The Frugal Squirrel
    lcoble@netside.com

From: Falcon
      lfks64a@prodigy.com

Topic Area: Survival Article

Subject: Keep That Home Satellite Dish Working

Tell me if the diagram comes out right in the transmission.
If not, I will remove it. and revise the article.

_________________________________________________________

Article follows:
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Keep That Home Satellite Dish Working,..

                                                                      
By Falcon

In an emergency, and now relying upon your basic instincts
for your survival, your satellite dish may be the only line of
communication that you will have with the rest of the world.

Having a good, battery operated radio is a must, but if there is no
electrical power, or the Radio and TV Stations in your area have
been knocked out of service, will you be able to find out whats
going on with the rest of the country or the world for that matter?
If you have a ham radio, or a shortwave radio, your OK. But, what if
you don't. Your satellite dish just may be the best means of
communications you can have.

Receiver Power and Modifications.

It's difficult to give you the exact power requirements for any
satellite dish receiver because there are so many different makes,
models and manufacturers. But there are some standard features that
you may have that can be utilized.

Using Automotive Batteries for Twelve Volt Power.

A) The Receiver

If you have a satellite receiver that uses a power pack that plugs
into the wall, you can most likely use direct 12 volt power input.
Most wall transformers are rated with an output from 14 to 19 volts
DC. This is generally reduced to 9 or 12 volts inside the receiver
by a voltage regulator. You will have to look inside to see if there
is a regulator in the circuit. If there is, you can buy a plug like
the one that plugs into the back of your receiver, and make a patch
cord that has two battery clips on the other end. Remember, Polarity
is important positive to positive, and negative to negative. Plug it
in, connect the battery, and your in business.

Even if your wall transformer says it has a 14 to 19 volt AC output,
check to see if there are rectifier diodes just before the voltage
regulator. If they are there, the 12 volts DC will just flow through
them as if they weren't even there. Remember, polarity is important.

If you're not familiar with electronics, get someone who is and let
them do it. Don't mess with it if your not sure.

B) The Dish Sweep Actuator

Most of the Satellite Dish Actuators that I have seen operate on 12
volts DC. Once again, you will have to open the control box and find
the diodes and voltage regulator. If it has a plug in power pack,
you can use the same type of patch cord as the receiver. If the
control box plugs directly into the wall, you will have to solder
the patch cord wires directly to the circuit board between the
diodes (if any) and the regulator. Once again, remember, Polarity is
important. Your actuator should work as before,....maybe a little
slower.

If your actuator controller is built into your receiver, the
receiver patch cord is all you will need.

Once again, if your not sure, get someone that knows electronics to
do it for you.

C) Television:

At this point your satellite dish is all ready to go. The only thing
you need now, is a television. The one that plugs into the wall
won't work! You have to buy a battery operated television. One that
works in a car or recreational vehicle is perfect. Usually you can
pick these up for less than $100. If it uses Nickle/Cadmium
batteries, this is fine, but can be a problem recharging them.
Regular batteries don't last very long, and they go dead.

You may be able to modify the set by soldering a patch cord into the
circuit the same way you modified the satellite receiver and clip it
to the automotive battery as well. If it has a plug that plugs into
the cigarette lighter socket, just replace the plug with two battery
clips. Remember, polarity is important.

Your satellite dish should now be fully functional. I have an older
model satellite receiver system, Sat-Tech 5000, circa, 1980. I
modified it as I have described, and you can't tell any difference
in the performance.

They listed for about $300 to $400 new. When the company went belly
up, I bought two receivers from one of the dealers for fifty bucks a
piece. Always nice to have spares.

Most of the newer receivers on the market today are pretty
complicate and all digital. But, someone that is knowledgeable in
electronics can generally figure out if the set can be modified for
12 volt, DC operation. It is worth checking out.

The following is a simple diagram that shows a basic patch cord set
up. It uses a "4 wire, Pig Tail Plug" used to provide power to
trailer brake lights. They are available in most automotive stores
for a few bucks.
      

   BAT       
 _______                 __
|              |               |    |-------------------- +
|              |___+___ |    | ____________ _  To Receiver
|              |_______ |    |
|_______|      -        |    | ____________ +
                               |__| ____________ _  To Actuator 
Controller
                        4 wire plug

You are now capable of receiving news, weather, and emergency
information from around the world. It is, by far, the best
communications receiving system to have available. And it is totally
independent of other power sources. Now all you have to do is keep
the automotive battery charged. A full charge can last up to 12 to
14 hours of operation. It depends on how much power your receiver
actuator and TV uses. Remember, the more you use the sweep actuator,
the more power you will be draining. Be conservative about power
usage.

Again,....if your not sure, have a person knowledgeable in
electronics to see if the modifications can be made to the system.
Don't try doing it yourself.

                                                        


