Yes, since it deviates from the norm! Of course, who wants to be normal when you can be exceptional. The FTA Community rocks!
Would you call HAM radio operators Insane, even though people can communicate now a days using cellphones, internet, etc? Absolutely, not.
Same thing with FTA hobbyist. The technical and geometrical aspect of the hobby is exciting. Also, you are getting channels that are for the most part "not" available through PayTV or CATV and vice-versa.
"Are we FTA folks insane?"
The answer is "A definite maybe!"
Its all part of my life, which revolves around film, video, and communications technology. Recently, while talking with a female friend on my cell phone (while setting up my secondary motorized dish on the roof, in the middle of the night, with my receiver and a monitor up there), I mentioned in passing that I was watching TV on my roof. There was a long moment of silence on the other end. Finally I hear "That's it. You're the biggest geek I've ever known."
I was speechless. How does one respond to such a compliment?
I've worked with probably 40 DVB receivers in 5 years.
You my friend is my dream customer.
Iceberg, you should start your own FTA Satellite Magazine and post all your articles and reviews in that magazine. I will be happy to be your 1st advertiser. Heck, you write so much on this forum, you would make a great editor-in-chief.
I cant do that. My memory is too corupt, (or is it my mind, I keep forgetting which one) to do that so I carry a digital camera everywhere I go to enhance my recall. Problem is, I've got pics of dishes that I cant remember where I was when I took the pic, so I've started taking an extra, wider angle shot that includes the house w/addy or street name as well. I've still got several to "come and get" and several others to "check on" or "check back". My "already gone" folder has several I missed as well. I've got three Birdview solids in the "cant have" folder along with a Primestar some lil' old lady wanted to keep, "Just in case" she said...Tron, Yep I've been there too. I think I have a mental map of every dish around me for miles haha. Blind