Weatherstar JR for sale - own a piece of TWC history

[Austin M.]

*SAGE Endec

[Eric]

So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?

Above all else, I think you'd be better off acquiring equipment legally.  The Weather Channel doesn't license its WeatherStar products to be used other than at cable headends exclusively for acquiring local forecast information and broadcasting it as part of TWC's programming.  At worst, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble.

[TWCToday]

So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?

Building a machine is pointless. Its like a human without a brain. The XL is just an SGI computer in a big case but without the software its just a regular computer. If  you are really that into it just look around online at used cable headend supply sites. Often times when a small cable company goes under (or a large company reorganizes) they sell off all of their equipment

[TWCToday]

So basically, the only way to do this is try and get one for the SSC from TWC (which I know will likely not happen in my life) or not get one at all and just save my money and get a SAME ENDEC machine for my other materials?

Above all else, I think you'd be better off acquiring equipment legally.  The Weather Channel doesn't license its WeatherStar products to be used other than at cable headends exclusively for acquiring local forecast information and broadcasting it as part of TWC's programming.  At worst, you could find yourself in some serious legal trouble.

In a way its the cable companies fault in the first place that these units were sent back in the first place. Most of the time the companies that sell the used equipment dont realize that its supposed to be sent back. They are really a rare item in the cable equipment world so that makes sense. As always its important to be lawful and make wise decisions.

[Trevor]

*SAGE Endec

Aren't those illegal, too?

FYI, for anyone who doesn't know....the SAGE Endec is the machine that receives and rebroadcasts the Emergency Alert System over the air.

[Eric]

*SAGE Endec

Aren't those illegal, too?

FYI, for anyone who doesn't know....the SAGE Endec is the machine that receives and rebroadcasts the Emergency Alert System over the air.

I can't imagine the FCC would want these in the possession of unlicensed private persons.

[Austin M.]

The only way an ENDEC is illegal is if you use it illegally, which means using it to broadcast fake alerts to the public (like if I recorded a zombie attack or something).

[Eric]

The only way an ENDEC is illegal is if you use it illegally, which means using it to broadcast fake alerts to the public (like if I recorded a zombie attack or something).

Are you sure?  What documentation have you found by the FCC that states this?

A false emergency broadcast can create devastating consequences, at least potentially, which is why I am rather certain the FCC doesn't let just anyone have them.  It would be too hard to trust people with this.

[Austin M.]

SAGE Endec: Originating an alert and sending it to my weather radio

This should bring truth to it. The ENDEC doesn't broadcast directly to the public from one's private home.

[TWCToday]

That system is NOT distributed by the FCC. The FCC simply regulates that a station must have X capabilities. To the best of my knowledge the systems are made by various third parties. In the case of the WeatherSTAR/Intellistar the cable companies essentially lease it from TWC. Thats the only reason its illegal to buy. Not because the technology is controlled.

[emuman100]

It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.

[Eric]

It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.

No offense, but you're asking us to take the word of a member who has made two posts total in this forum.  Doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong, but do you have any actual proof, such as a copy of a contract, to show us?  Otherwise, you have to admit it's a bit of a stretch asking us to believe someone who's just appeared out of the blue and says, "believe me because I say I'm right."

[TWCToday]

It's not illegal. I don't know where you guys get this information from. The STAR agreement does not state that TWC owns anything, other than the fact they can elect to buy it back for less money than it was paid for. And as for the videocipher, there is nothing illegal about that either. Once the account is closed, or is unpaid, or the digital feed is used, the videocipher isn't sent any new keys, so eventually loses video. No legal trouble, no lawyers, no jail time, no arrests. It baffles me where you guys come up with this stuff.

No offense, but you're asking us to take the word of a member who has made two posts total in this forum.  Doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong, but do you have any actual proof, such as a copy of a contract, to show us?  Otherwise, you have to admit it's a bit of a stretch asking us to believe someone who's just appeared out of the blue and says, "believe me because I say I'm right."

He knows his stuff. Quite frankly I was under the impression that the agreement was a cable company payed X for a star unit and when their contract ended they were supposed to send it back. I never heard of any case where TWC actually went after someone over it.

[emuman100]

I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".

[TWCToday]

I have a copy of a STAR agreement, and due to privacy issues, I won't share. But, I can tell you this: The cable operator bought the STAR from TWC according to the agreement, and it was theirs. In fact, the 4000 that I have has an asset tag on it with a number and "Propery of XYZ".

VERY Interesting! Thanks for sharing that information I am unsure why I was under that impression. What your saying seems quite logical