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View Full Version : What should I do with my old satellite dish?



hotwire132002
Sep 3, 2004, 06:21 PM
I have an old Dish Network dish. I switched to Cable, so I'm trying to figure what to do with the dish. Any creative ideas? I'm kinda thinking make a WiFi antenna out of it (I found a tutorial somewhere a while back). Otherwise, anyone know if I can pick up Ku-Band with the thing? Or, any better ideas to get some functionality out of the thing?


iLikeMyiMac
Sep 3, 2004, 06:41 PM
linky (http://www.wwc.edu/~frohro/Airport/Primestar/Primestar.html)
10 miles line of sight. :D
edit: I didn't know you already had wifi plans
You could make a Gazebo (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tractor/msg0818481819626.html)
seamuskrat
Sep 3, 2004, 06:47 PM
You can always sell it on Ebay for $15 or $20. People buy those. If you live in a large city, swap meets will buy them for slightly more.
hotwire132002
Sep 3, 2004, 06:49 PM
linky (http://www.wwc.edu/~frohro/Airport/Primestar/Primestar.html)
10 miles line of sight. :D
edit: I didn't know you already had wifi plans
You could make a Gazebo (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tractor/msg0818481819626.html)

I'm thinking WiFi--unless there's a way to recieve a free-to-air Ku-Band signal with it. Anyone know the answer to that one?

BTW--I can't make a gazebo--it's one of the dinky little 18" or so dishes.
iLikeMyiMac
Sep 3, 2004, 07:13 PM
I'm thinking WiFi--unless there's a way to recieve a free-to-air Ku-Band signal with it. Anyone know the answer to that one?

BTW--I can't make a gazebo--it's one of the dinky little 18" or so dishes.
Fondu pot?
bird bath?
ThomasJefferson
Sep 3, 2004, 07:23 PM
Fondu pot?
bird bath?


Think healthy.

Salad Bowl
Mr. Anderson
Sep 3, 2004, 07:38 PM
Wow, I have one too and I'd love to make it a wifi over the lake....that would be quite cool....I think I'm going to have to try that. :D

D
iLikeMyiMac
Sep 3, 2004, 07:38 PM
Perhaps a snow disc?
You could put a light bulb through it and make a nice lamp.
Counterfit
Sep 3, 2004, 08:33 PM
Wear it as a new hat :D
hotwire132002
Sep 3, 2004, 08:35 PM
Wear it as a new hat :D

I like that idea :D , but I'm still wondering if it's possible to pick up Free-to-air Ku-Band with it (and a new LNB?)
homerjward
Sep 3, 2004, 11:18 PM
you could feed your dog out of it or use it to serve food like on the old time warner commercial
hotwire132002
Sep 3, 2004, 11:36 PM
you could feed your dog out of it or use it to serve food like on the old time warner commercial

What cracks me up is that I have a Newfoundland--and for anyone at all familar with the breed, if I filled the dish with dog food, he'd have no trouble eating it all :D

Anyway, sorry to keep repeating this question, but anyone know if the dish can be used to pick up a free-to-air Ku-Band signal (possibly with a diffferent LNB)?
evilgEEk
Sep 4, 2004, 01:10 AM
Anyway, sorry to keep repeating this question, but anyone know if the dish can be used to pick up a free-to-air Ku-Band signal (possibly with a diffferent LNB)?
hmmm...Maybe with a different LNB but I still don't think it would work. I have a limited knowledge in this area, even though I use Ku dishes every day (I work at a tv station), I've never really put much thought into using a mini-dish for free Ku... A lot of help I am, eh? ;)

I still think you should use it as a snow disc. :D

Or just put it in the back of your closet just in case you ever decide to go back to satellite tv.
hotwire132002
Sep 4, 2004, 08:24 AM
hmmm...Maybe with a different LNB but I still don't think it would work. I have a limited knowledge in this area, even though I use Ku dishes every day (I work at a tv station), I've never really put much thought into using a mini-dish for free Ku... A lot of help I am, eh? ;)

I still think you should use it as a snow disc. :D

Or just put it in the back of your closet just in case you ever decide to go back to satellite tv.

Thanks for the help! I think I'll have to go on eBay and look around for a Ku-Band dish then. (Our local access station gave me a spare receiver, now I just need a dish!)
musicpyrite
Sep 4, 2004, 10:09 AM
If its the smaller, pizza sized dish, you could try to use it as a frisbee. Or use it as serving plate for food.

If I were you I'd mount if on top of my car, tune it into a Wi-Fi antenna, and take a laptop and go wardriving. :D
hotwire132002
Sep 4, 2004, 10:12 AM
If its the smaller, pizza sized dish, you could try to use it as a frisbee. Or use it as serving plate for food.

If I were you I'd mount if on top of my car, tune it into a Wi-Fi antenna, and take a laptop and go wardriving. :D

I like it... I think I'll try it. You win!

I'm also interested in setting up a Ku-band setup. I know I can't use this dish, but anyone who can help me get going, I have a thread here (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1022515#post1022515).
cslewis
Sep 4, 2004, 11:44 AM
10 Gallons of Salsa, and some Tostitios? :D