Thread: Motorized or Fixed Dish for FTA?

Based on feedback from an earlier post, I plan to pick up a 30” to 36” dish for FTA. Given the size, my understanding is that this will restrict me to the Ku band only, which is fine – since a 6’ dish would probably be impractical for me at the moment. I live in the Midwest, by the Wisconsin / Illinois border and my question is, does it make more sense for me to look into a motorized or fixed dish?

From the perspective of basing this decision on what I’m trying to pull in, I looked at a current listing of FTA channels. I imported them into a spreadsheet and sorted, filtering on TV broadcast, Ku Band and English language. The sort indicates that the most bang-for-the-buck in terms of channels are on Sat 123W. Additionally, there are a handful of channels on Sats 101W, 110W, 119W, 125W, and 129W that would also be of interest to me, if possible.

So, there are a few things I’m trying to sort out in my head with regard to motorized or fixed dish setup.

1. If I use a fixed dish, can I pull in 123W from where I live?

2. If #1 is true, could I also pull in any of the other Sats mentioned? (They are not must-have’s)

3. Probably the best question to ask is ‘what’ can I pull in with a fixed dish in my area?

4. Would a motorized dish bring me any additional benefit over a fixed dish?

I realize a blind scan will detect everything available to me when the time comes, but I’m trying to get an idea of this prior to the setup itself. Thanks in advance.

I started with a fixed dish on 123w. Unfortunately, that bird is all but dead for FTA viewing. Last year all the good channels got pulled. I have a hard time thinking of one bird I would point at if all I had were a fixed dish. I might start with fixed to get the mechanics down but I would go for a motorized setup in the long run.

I mostly watch 125w, 101w, 97w, 91w, and 89w with a few random things in between.

Browse The List and lyngsat for FTA channels and decide what would be best for your viewing habits.

As Spiff said there is not a lot left on 123W, but your ability to receive 123W (or any of the other satellites on your list) is determined by your line-of-sight (LOS). That is, you need to have a clear view of the sat, not blocked by buildings, trees, mountains, etc.

You can get a good idea of what sats are visible by doing a site survey, also you might check out Dishpointer.com (link at top of page).

The advantage of a motorized dish is the ability to move from sat to sat from the comfort of your couch, once you have it setup you will be able to view all satellites in your viewable arc.

Lots of folks start with a fixed dish and learn the ropes, then add a motor later, not a bad idea IMO.

I installed my first FTA dish last year (36" dish with a Sadoun 280 motor)

I was concerned that the motor would add to much complexity to the install but I read a lot of post here at SatelliteGuys and got the basics down before I started the install.

I had a couple of questions while pointing the dish and they were answered by the great members here.

If you are willing to do the reading and put in the time on a motorized install I think you will be much happier with your FTA system.

Take care

Originally Posted by justask'n

1. If I use a fixed dish, can I pull in 123W from where I live?

Yes, as long as you have a clear line of sight to the satellite with no building, trees, etc.

Originally Posted by justask'n

2. If #1 is true, could I also pull in any of the other Sats mentioned? (They are not must-have’s)

With a fixed dish and adding additional LNBFs you should be able to cover approximately 20 degrees of the arc (10 degrees on either side of center). Remember, with a fixed dish it is impossible to get 2 degree spacing on satellites without performing some modification to the LNBFs.

Originally Posted by justask'n

3. Probably the best question to ask is ‘what’ can I pull in with a fixed dish in my area?

See above answer for #2 then reference for "The List" or Lyngsat.com to determine what satellite to place in the center then what side to add the additional LNBFs.

Originally Posted by justask'n

4. Would a motorized dish bring me any additional benefit over a fixed dish?

Absolutely! I couldn't imagine only having a single fixed dish for my home system. I keep one fixed 90cm dish to monitor the Glorystar Channels on 97W and 101W and another 90cm fixed dish for 103W (due to the non-standard skew) and a motorized 90cm with QPH-031 LNBF (circular and linear polarity) for covering KU satellites from 58W to 177W.

Great suggestions from the previous posts. I would also recommend that you first install a fixed dish at a single satellite. Learn how your receiver, switches and LNBF works then add a motor. You will probably be quite happy with a 90cm dish, QPH-031 and a motor!

You guys are awesome! You're giving me enough knowledge to be dangerous, hee hee. I don't know how soon I will actually get to setting this up as a move may be in the near future, but having all of this knowledge ahead of time is a great help. I will be in touch as I progress. Many thanks!

Originally Posted by SatelliteAV

I would also recommend that you first install a fixed dish at a single satellite.
Learn how your receiver, switches and LNBF works then add a motor.

I've told newbies this many times in the past:
"Even if you buy a kit WITH a motor, install withOUT it first, to get familiar with everything."
AND, "install it at ground level, NOT up on the roof, at first!!!"
And mostly, they ignore the advice.

Learning the mechanics of dish installation and alignment takes some reading and practice.
It's not particularly hard, but many newbies ignore what they read, don't follow instructions, and then wonder what happened?!

Getting to know your receiver will take some practice and experience.
So, keeping it simple the first few weeks or a month, will go a long ways to making the whole experience a lot less frustrating.
Oh, and do get some feedback on any receiver you choose, before purchase.
There are some boxes we wouldn't take for free...

This is the best advice you can get. Heed what Anole states here.

Originally Posted by Anole

I've told newbies this many times in the past:
"Even if you buy a kit WITH a motor, install withOUT it first, to get familiar with everything."
AND, "install it at ground level, NOT up on the roof, at first!!!"
And mostly, they ignore the advice.

Learning the mechanics of dish installation and alignment takes some reading and practice.
It's not particularly hard, but many newbies ignore what they read, don't follow instructions, and then wonder what happened?!

Getting to know your receiver will take some practice and experience.
So, keeping it simple the first few weeks or a month, will go a long ways to making the whole experience a lot less frustrating.
Oh, and do get some feedback on any receiver you choose, before purchase.
There are some boxes we wouldn't take for free...

The next basic rule and advice is... Make sure the pole or mast is STURDY and PLUMB! Don't fudge here, get it right the first time.

RADAR

you'll probably want one eventually and they're not too expensive so I'd suggest buying one now as it will save on shipping it seperately later on