Interested in FTA need help

[xoibsurferx]

As a kid I was always fascinated with satellites and now since I have a family of my own and we're living in our own house I'd really like to stop paying $100 a month for cable or $75 a month for direct tv. My wife and I decided we really only watch a few channels such as Nick Jr for the kids, TLC, MTV, Teen nick, and local channels. I'm not sure if I'd be able to get them channels FTA but would love it if I could.

Even if I can't get them I'd still be very interested in getting a FTA set up going. I know I'd want/need a 12ft mesh satellite with rotor, a satellite finder so I can find some satellites in the sky, and would need a receiver. Is there anything else I'd need? I'd like to pick up KU band as well as C band if its even possible to pick up both with one set up.

Also on "the list" what does encrypted mean?

 

[Lone Gunman]

As a kid I was always fascinated with satellites and now since I have a family of my own and we're living in our own house I'd really like to stop paying $100 a month for cable or $75 a month for direct tv. My wife and I decided we really only watch a few channels such as Nick Jr for the kids, TLC, MTV, Teen nick, and local channels. I'm not sure if I'd be able to get them channels FTA but would love it if I could.

Even if I can't get them I'd still be very interested in getting a FTA set up going. I know I'd want/need a 12ft mesh satellite with rotor, a satellite finder so I can find some satellites in the sky, and would need a receiver. Is there anything else I'd need? I'd like to pick up KU band as well as C band if its even possible to pick up both with one set up.

Also on "the list" what does encrypted mean?

First and foremost, FTA is NOT a substitute for subscription TV! These systems aren't user friendly and do require a certain amount of attention to keep them working correctly. Example, my Wife doesn't even know how to turn my systems on and has no interest in learning. She has a Kindle Fire and that satisfies her need for entertainment.

Encrypted means that those channels are scrambled, ie, you can't view them with FTA equipment.

Sometimes some encrypted channels are put ITC (in the clear) and we can view them but they come and go without warning. Most if not all the channels you listed in the first paragraph are encrypted so they won't likely be available unless they go ITC. Local channel probably won't be available either unless you put up an OTA antenna.

10ft dish is probably going to be easier to find and will do most anything you need done. I've got two of those. There's also C/Ku LNBFs available so you can receive both on the same dish.

The GeoSat Pro Micro HD is one of the more popular receivers and you can get tech support right here on this forum if needed.

 

[KE4EST]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys!!

No, those channels you listed you will not be able to get on FTA. However, it is still a very fun hobby and you can find lots of stuff to watch. You can get both on one big dish as long as the dish is Ku compliant(meaning if you go with a 12ft mesh dish, make sure the holes in the mesh is not too large). To get started though you may find it easier for the learning curve to start out with a Smaller dish around 1Meter(3feet) in size and a fixed dish set-up. Once you get the hand of it then you can add a motor and/or go with a larger dish.

Basically you need a good size dish and good quality LNBF, coax at least RG-6 and a receiver. There are several out there right now that are good for what you want. Just do some reading and reading and more reading and ask ask ask questions, and we will help you get going.

Encrypted means that you cannot receive it for free. These are pay tv channels(like Directv) or channels for some other down-link or service. So if you see that, no you want be able to get it.

 

[77TA]

I’m like you. I was always fascinated with satellite tv when I was young and finally got into it about 1 ½ years ago and love it.

Most major cable channels are encrypted so we can’t view there programming but there are other channels that may offer alternative programming. For example for kids there are channels like sprout, pbs kids, tct kids, qubo, and a French language Disney. While you would need an over the air antenna for your local channels you can find network channels (national feeds) FTA.

A 12 foot mesh would be excellent for c band but depending on the size of the holes in the mesh may or may not work for ku band.

 

[turbosat]

Keep your eyes open for a big c-band dish on craigslist and local trade/sell papers. Some of us have been known to knock on doors and ask if people would like their big dish removed, and sometimes wind up with nice free equipment. The old primestar dishes (gray, round or oval) are getting harder to find, but you might also run across one of those-perfect ku dishes. And easy to remove, if you don't dig up the pole, lol. They tended to use lots of concrete on those. There's lots of free tv available on ku, and with a c-band dish you get much more. Take pictures if you spot something, and ask us about it. You might even find an abandoned store or gas station with a no-longer in use ku dish, if you can locate the owner.

 

[. Raine]

To SatelliteGuys!

 

[FaT Air]

Looks like a ~30 dollar TV antenna will get your locals.
Check Your Address for Free (local) TV: TVFOOL Looks like aim it to the NNW. Check your address, I just used the city. (In six-seven months, the charge for locals via the subscription is recouped)
This hobby is DIY (do it yourself) but there's plenty of helpers here that can answer your questions.
A 10ft is the most commonly sought after big dish (BUD) and if Ku operation is desired on it, if metal, you'd want solid or holes no larger than 1/8 inch. If fiberglass a light held behind it (in the dark). Don't want much light passing thru the 'glass'. The actual reflective material is 'inside' the FG. If not good for Ku a 90cm to 1 meter offset dish* for Ku is highly recommended. There's a thread in the C band section of 'experienced' dishes for sale or free. Keep an eye on it to spot something in your area. And look around, keep an eye out, travel the back roads now and then.
Good suggestion previously: Take pictures if you spot something, and ask us about it. Some one here has experience with that model most likely.
* HOA's and local authorities cannot deny their installation. But may 'have a say' on a larger dish. (OTARD)

 

[xoibsurferx]

Wow thanks so much for all the replies! I was not expecting this forum to be so active. I will definitely be on the look out for a big dish and once I acquire one I'll purchase a receiver and get hunting for some programs to watch. I've been researching some of the channels to watch that aren't encrypted and there's some for kids and a lot that are in other languages but still a lot in english so I think I'd have tons of fun browsing for something to watch. That's nice to know I can get KU band and C band if the holes are small enough in a mesh dish and LNBF is capable of both. Will I need a certain fta receiver to receive both or need two different ones?

It may not work as a complete substitute for tv but like I said as a kid I was reading satellite books in school and loved it. Of course I recall the big mesh satellites being more common then. Some of my parents neighbors had then and used then and I was always standing outside like a creep looking at them lol.

 

[. Raine]

Alone it's not really a complete substitute for paid TV, but coupled with an OTA antenna and Netflix, Amazon, etc, it can be. The picture quality on most channels is better than cable and such too. We got rid of our cable TV a year or two ago and replaced it with C and Ku FTA, an OTA antenna, Netflix and Amazon Prime, don't regret it at all. I and my family are actually much happier with the setup we have now than the crappy cable TV service that we had.

 

[Lone Gunman]

FYI all the FTA receivers that are available today can receive both C and Ku signals.

 

[xoibsurferx]

FYI all the FTA receivers that are available today can receive both C and Ku signals.

Thanks for that information. So all I need is the special LNB or LNBF that can receive both c band and ku signals?

 

[FaT Air]

Yep. it's the LNBF that determines what band you're 'on'. Take a look at the Sticky LNB LO Frequency - 101 to understand 'how it works'.

 

[Lone Gunman]

Yep. it's the LNBF that determines what band you're 'on'. Take a look at the Sticky LNB LO Frequency - 101 to understand 'how it works'.

And make sure to buy a STANDARD LNBF not a UNIVERSAL! Been there, done that myself before I learned what I really needed.

 

[xoibsurferx]

And make sure to buy a STANDARD LNBF not a UNIVERSAL! Been there, done that myself before I learned what I really needed.

Thanks for letting me know. I'm on the hunt for a dish now. I really love the looks of them older black mesh ones and I'm sure I can get one for free or a decent price but so far no luck. I found one but its four hours away from me and the guy wants $300 for it. It won't let me post the url here. Its in raleigh NC on craigslist as "Ku-Band/C-Band Prime Focus Dish. Is it worth $300 and a four hour drive one way?

 

[mmewrench]

$300 is a bit steep, but that depends on the type of dish and what comes with it. Have him send you pics of everything.

 

[xoibsurferx]

$300 is a bit steep, but that depends on the type of dish and what comes with it. Have him send you pics of everything.

It wouldn't let me post a link so I pmed you the link. It has pictures and all. Let me know your honest price on it and if its worth my day to drive to get it.

 

[77TA]

Most dishes go for around free to around $150, but there are exceptions based on the particular dish. Ultimately it's up to you to decide if it is worth it to you.

By the way, not sure if anyones mentioned we have a thread where people list dishes they find on ebay, craigslist, etc... that may help you find one. here is the link.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads...d-Craigslist-dishes-for-you-to-take-a-look-at

 

[77TA]

Bye the way, your dish is listed there. Nice dish and he's had it listed for several months, so he may be willing to negotiate. If you get it leave the conical scalar off. It's for using an offset dish for c band and is probably severely hurting its reception.


http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads...r-you-to-take-a-look-at?p=3329823#post3329823

 

[Lone Gunman]

I had looked at that onelisted on Craigs List before and noticed that it had the wrong scaler ring on it. I was thinking that was the reason he was trying to sell it, ie, he couldn't get it to work with the wrong scaler.

IMHO you should look a little closer to home before you go a long distance to get one. I'm sure there is one close to you, you just have to start riding around and asking questions to see if anyone you know might know where one is.

FYI, I found one within about 3 or 4 miles from my house by running an ad in the local "Your Message Board" trader paper. Took a couple of weeks but I got a call from someone that had a 10 footer that I got for $100.

 

[Hockeynut]

Thanks for letting me know. I'm on the hunt for a dish now. I really love the looks of them older black mesh ones and I'm sure I can get one for free or a decent price but so far no luck. I found one but its four hours away from me and the guy wants $300 for it. It won't let me post the url here. Its in raleigh NC on craigslist as "Ku-Band/C-Band Prime Focus Dish. Is it worth $300 and a four hour drive one way?

No prob xoibsurferx...Head on up to the Big G and I have a Cband dish for you...Not far from Monroe up 85...Shoot me a pm! ..I have many in the barn.