[Clydesdale]

Sat Glossaries by Bigd*sh and Dipper
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Antenna terms:
Antenna - Satellite d*sh

BUD - Big Ugly d*sh. d*shes that are 8 foot or larger.

MINI-BUD - d*shes that are 1.2 to 2.4 meter (4-8 ft).

FTA d*sh - 80cm to 1.2 meter (30" to 48") d*shes that are most commonly used for Ku-band free-to-air satellite TV.

TOROIDAL - Somewhat cone-shaped d*sh that is designed for several different LNBFs. Though not often used for d*sh/b*v, it is a solution for receiving d*sh/b*v satellites and True FTA satellites simultaneously without using a motor.

PIZZA PAN - The often pejorative term for the simple 18" d*sh used for direct-to-home satellite TV. The d*sh Net proprietary version is called the d*sh 300.

d*sh 500 - d*sh Net proprietary d*sh used for reception of d*sh's 110 and 119 satellite locations.

SUPERd*sh - d*sh Net proprietary d*sh used for reception of d*sh's 110 and
119 locations, as well as 121 or 105.

d*sh 1000 - d*sh Net proprietary d*sh used for reception of d*sh's 110, 119, and 129 satellite locations.

d*sh 1000 PLUS - d*sh Net proprietary d*sh used for reception of d*sh's 110, 118, 119, and 129 locations.

FOCAL POINT - The point on the d*sh's surface that receives the most direct signal from the satellite.

PRIME FOCUS - A parabolic d*sh that has the focal point in the center. Because the LNB and/or feedhorn are in the center of the d*sh, the apparent elevation and actual elevation are the same. Most commonly used with C-band.

OFFSET - A parabolic d*sh that has the focal point away from the center of the d*sh. The LNB and/or feedhorn are closer to the edge of the d*sh. The apparent elevation and actual elevation are different. Most commonly used with small-d*sh satellite TV.

Rain Fade - When rain or snow hide the satellite signal. Also called attenuation.

Elevation - The Up/Down positioning of the satellite d*sh

Azimuth - The Left/Right positioning of the satellite d*sh

SKEW - Rotation (Clockwise/Anti-Clockwise) of the LNB or LNBF

LNB terms:
LNB - Low Noise Block converter

LNBF - LNB Feedhorn - Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) & Ku (FSS) d*shes
use an LNBF, which integrates the antenna's feedhorn with the LNB. Small diplexers are often used to distribute the resulting IF signal (usually 950 to 1450MHz) "piggybacked" in the same cable TV wire that carries lower-frequency terrestrial television from an outdoor antenna. Another diplexer separates the signals to the receiver of the TV set, & the IRD of the DBS set-top box.

L.O. Frequency - Commonly (but incorrectly) called "LNB Frequency". Local Oscillator Frequency (C-band = 5150, Ku Linear = 10750, Ku Circular = 11250)

STANDARD (circular) - LNBF commonly used with d*sh Net, b*v, and Direct TV. (LNB Freq = 11250, LNB Type = Standard)

STANDARD (linear) - LNBF commonly used with Ku-band true FTA, as well as Star Choice and d*sh Net's 121 and 105 satellites. (LNB Freq = 10750, LNB Type = Standard)

SINGLE - One cable output.

DUAL - Two cable outputs.

UNIVERSAL - LNBF that can be used with North American Ku-band True FTA, although it is made for Asian and European satellites. Despite the "universal" name it cannot easily be used for d*sh Net or b*v. (LNB Freq = 9750/10600, LNB Type = Universal)

INVACOM QPH-031 - A special type of LNBF made by Invacom that combines standard linear and circular LNBFs into one physical unit, though the linear side and circular side must be treated as two separate LNBFs. This LNBF can be used for both d*sh/b*v and True FTA but is best used with a motorized d*sh. (Circular LNB Freq = 11250, Circular LNB Type = Standard, Linear LNB Freq = 10750, Linear LNB Type = Standard)

REVERSE CIRCULAR - LNBF meant to be used only for receiving d*sh/b*v when using a toroidal d*sh. (LNB Freq = 11250, LNB Type = Standard)

LEGACY - The term for the d*sh Net proprietary version of the Standard circular LNBF. The only difference is that the Legacy LNBF has the "d*sh" logo on it. It is otherwise exactly the same. (LNB Freq = 11250, LNB Type = Standard)

d*shPRO - d*sh Net proprietary LNBF type that uses d*shPro bandstacking technology. (LNB Freq = 11250, LNB Type = OCS-DP)

d*shPRO TWIN - Two d*shPro LNBFs assembled as one unit that has a built-in switch and can feed two receivers.

d*shPRO QUAD - Two d*shPro LNBFs assembled as one unit that has a built-in switch and can feed four receivers.

Switch Terms:
DiSEqC - Digital Satellite Equipment Control. This is the protocol used for most satellite TV switching aroung the world. The DiSEqC switch is best used with LNBFs that are not made by Echostar and comes in two varieties.

DiSEqC 2X1 - Two LNBFs to one receiver

DiSEqC 4X1 - Four LNBFs to one receiver

LEGACY - d*sh Net proprietary switch for pre-2002 Echostar equipment. Legacy switches do not use DiSEqC protcol. Model numbers begin with "SW".

d*shPRO - d*sh Net proprietary switch made specifically for d*shPro LNBF types. Uses DiSEqC protocol. Model numbers begin with "DP".

Receiver Terms:
RS232 (Straight-Through) - A 9-pin serial cable that is used to interface between the computer and the FTA receiver. Incompatible with RS232 null modem.

RS232 (Null Modem) - A 9-pin serial cable that is used to interface between the computer and the FTA receiver. Incompatible with RS232 straight-through. For straight-through vs. null modem, it is important to read your receiver's manual.

FIRMWARE - Most commonly called "bin" or "bin file", it is the main software program that allows your receiver to function. There are two types of bin files.

FACTORY BIN - The official firmware made by the manufacturer for the receiver. It doesn not allow reception of d*sh Net or b*v and in many cases does not have any advanced features.

THIRD-PARTY BIN - The unofficial firmware made by various coders loyal to a particular receiver that allows you to watch d*sh Net and b*v for free.

SAT FILE - Used only for Viewsat and DVB-S PCI cards, this is a file that provides satellite and transponder parameters. The DVB-PCI version is called an "ini file".

CHANNEL FILE - Widely called "Channel List". This is a file that provides all of the technical settings for each channel so that the receiver can tune to them. A channel file can either be created using special software, downloaded from the forums, or scanned directly using the receiver.

KEY FILE - A file that contains the hexadecimal keys necessary for decryption. Also called "opkey" or "softcam key"

ANTENNA SETUP - Other variants are "d*sh setup", "d*sh setting", and "Installation". This is the main panel in the receiver menu used to configure LNBFs and switches so that your receiver can interface with them. The most commonly modified values in the antenna setup are LNB Type, LNB Frequency, DiSEqC, Motor, and Legacy Switch.

SAT SCAN - A scan of all channels on a particular satellite based on pre-set transponder values. This is the fastest type of scan.

BLIND SCAN - A scan of all channels and transponders on a particular satellite without any pre-set values. This is the most thorough type of scan.

TRANSPONDER SCAN - A scan of one particular transponder rather than the entire satellite.

Motor Terms:
ARC - The imaginary line in the sky where the satellites visible from your location reside. It roughly follows the Sun's March/September path across the sky. The arc is location-specific. Satellites are in different positions on the arc in the east than they are in the west. The arc is steeper in the south and shallower in the north.

APEX - The point on the arc that corresponds to your longitude. In simple terms, the highest point on the arc.

TRUE SOUTH - South as determined by a straight line from where you are to the South Pole.

MAGNETIC SOUTH - South as shown on a magnetic compass.

APEX SATELLITE - The satellite closest to the apex, though not necessarily on the apex itself. It is the highest satellite in the sky and closest to True South.