For you gadgeteers and tinkerers out there is a an interesting deal at www.surpluscenter,com item #5-1459 "Rotary Actuator w/Controller $89.95. This is actually a satellite dish pointing system designed for marine use mfg by Lockheed and sold by a company called Futuretrac. You can see the background by Googling up that name and drilling down about 10 pages. The system is no longer in production and is being sold thru various scavengers. I bought a complete system with all the bells and whistles for $800 last year and was greatly impressed by the quality of construction. I have seen mil spec items not as sophisticated and well thought out. I have not installed it yet and can not vouch for its performance but when I attempted to buy critical spares from the vendor I purchased it form, He stated that he had only replaced several power supplies in the 80 or so units he had sold over the past year. The Surplus center item is missing the antenna, feed horn, and actuator mount but does have the controller, remote control(essential for setup and operation) and control cables and connectors. I have spoken with the surplus center and they are including a copy of the operations manual also essential. The manual states that the unit will perform well at anchor and underway in moderate seas. It will track both Direct TV and Dish satellites. My original unit has a lightweight fiberglass dish but the manual states that the unit will handle up to a 24" metal dish. the manual also states that the unit will operate a 12vdc but prefers the 15vdc provided by the included ac/dc power supply(not in the Surplus center offering) The Surplus center also offers just the actuator for $49.95. I bought both and now have essentially three units. They claim to have about 170 in stock as of this date. So for the venturesome drag out some aluminium scraps, a hack saw and have at it. Usual disclaimers and naturally no guarantees! Larry Ropka "Charis" abuilding Ft Walton beach FL