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Greetings everyone. This is my first post on SatelliteGuys. My name is Tom and I very new to this hobby. I have in the past been a DirectTV subscriber and I'd probably still be with them had they not burned me. But that's another subject.
I have been researching this FTA stuff on and off for a while. My interests were re-sparked a month ago with an article in Monitoring Times magazine titled "Do-It-Yourself Satellite Radio" written by Ken Reitz, KS4ZR. I listen to a lot of radio both local and distant AM stations as well as shortwave. I know that shortwave stations such as Deutsche Welle and Radio Netherlands among others are on FTA satellite. I'm ready to explore this new world of FTA but I do have a few unanswered questions some of you fine folks might be able to answer. So here goes.
Dish size – Most sites I look at offer an 80cm dish as "standard" and 90cm an an "upgrade". Some mention that the 90cm Ku dish is "recommended" for people living in the northeast and northwest portions of the U.S. I live in central New Mexico, Albuquerque to be precise. Would an 80cm dish perform adequately in my location? The difference in cost is only $20 or so to go with a 90cm. Cost is not an issue, my two concerns are WAF and wind loads. It can get pretty windy here especially in the spring. I will be motorizing the dish is that makes a difference in your recommendations.
NASA TV – I love watching NASA TV during shuttle missions. I usually watch on my computer but the quality isn't the best. Plus it's less comfortable then being in my recliner or on the couch in my home theater room. I understand that the Dish Networks bird @ 119W broadcasts NASA TV FTA. I also understand that being a DBS satellite the polarization is circular. I'm thinking that I need to use something like an Invacom QPH-031 LNB and a switch so I can receive linear and circular polarized signals at the same time. Am I on the right path? Also this particular model has 2 extra ports that I probably won't be using. Is there another LNB model that only has one linear and one circular output?
Sports – I love watching the NFL. In fact that was one of my main reasons for going with DirectTV due to their NFL Sunday ticket offering. Well I don't have that anymore. Are there NFL viewing opportunities on FTA?
Satellite angle – This is a curiosity question. Let's say for my location I need to angle my dish @ 45 degrees according to one of the many calculators on the web. Being that the dish uses an offset LNB is the satellite actually a little higher than that?
Re-using an old DBS dish – I have an old Sony 18" dish that I've used for many years with DirecTV. I'd like to have satellite radio hooked up to a 2 channel stereo in my home office. Can I get an inexpensive or second hand receiver, hook it up to my old 18" dish and get the music channels for my stereo? Alternatively I'd like to substitute a FTA computer card for the receiver. Do any of these PC cards work with Linux? For this home office setup I'm interested in audio only.
Too good to be true? - I'm very skeptical of "deals" I see on the internet. Usually if something seems too good to be true it usually is. I'm looking at Pansat receivers. Specifically the 3500 SD because of it's features and it has component output for my flat screen LCD. I read that there are lots of Pansat clones out there. I want to get the best deal I can but don't want to wind up with an inferior product. Any suggestions? Also, what other receivers should I be looking at that are in the same class as the Pansat 3500?
I know that there are a lot of questions here. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Tom
I have been researching this FTA stuff on and off for a while. My interests were re-sparked a month ago with an article in Monitoring Times magazine titled "Do-It-Yourself Satellite Radio" written by Ken Reitz, KS4ZR. I listen to a lot of radio both local and distant AM stations as well as shortwave. I know that shortwave stations such as Deutsche Welle and Radio Netherlands among others are on FTA satellite. I'm ready to explore this new world of FTA but I do have a few unanswered questions some of you fine folks might be able to answer. So here goes.
Dish size – Most sites I look at offer an 80cm dish as "standard" and 90cm an an "upgrade". Some mention that the 90cm Ku dish is "recommended" for people living in the northeast and northwest portions of the U.S. I live in central New Mexico, Albuquerque to be precise. Would an 80cm dish perform adequately in my location? The difference in cost is only $20 or so to go with a 90cm. Cost is not an issue, my two concerns are WAF and wind loads. It can get pretty windy here especially in the spring. I will be motorizing the dish is that makes a difference in your recommendations.
NASA TV – I love watching NASA TV during shuttle missions. I usually watch on my computer but the quality isn't the best. Plus it's less comfortable then being in my recliner or on the couch in my home theater room. I understand that the Dish Networks bird @ 119W broadcasts NASA TV FTA. I also understand that being a DBS satellite the polarization is circular. I'm thinking that I need to use something like an Invacom QPH-031 LNB and a switch so I can receive linear and circular polarized signals at the same time. Am I on the right path? Also this particular model has 2 extra ports that I probably won't be using. Is there another LNB model that only has one linear and one circular output?
Sports – I love watching the NFL. In fact that was one of my main reasons for going with DirectTV due to their NFL Sunday ticket offering. Well I don't have that anymore. Are there NFL viewing opportunities on FTA?
Satellite angle – This is a curiosity question. Let's say for my location I need to angle my dish @ 45 degrees according to one of the many calculators on the web. Being that the dish uses an offset LNB is the satellite actually a little higher than that?
Re-using an old DBS dish – I have an old Sony 18" dish that I've used for many years with DirecTV. I'd like to have satellite radio hooked up to a 2 channel stereo in my home office. Can I get an inexpensive or second hand receiver, hook it up to my old 18" dish and get the music channels for my stereo? Alternatively I'd like to substitute a FTA computer card for the receiver. Do any of these PC cards work with Linux? For this home office setup I'm interested in audio only.
Too good to be true? - I'm very skeptical of "deals" I see on the internet. Usually if something seems too good to be true it usually is. I'm looking at Pansat receivers. Specifically the 3500 SD because of it's features and it has component output for my flat screen LCD. I read that there are lots of Pansat clones out there. I want to get the best deal I can but don't want to wind up with an inferior product. Any suggestions? Also, what other receivers should I be looking at that are in the same class as the Pansat 3500?
I know that there are a lot of questions here. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Tom
8 Replies
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2193 views
M
to Satelliteguys! Great to have you here 
I enjoy shortwave, FTA, and the distant TV & radio signals too
welcome
to Satelliteguys! Great to have you here I like you already (no not that way)
I enjoy shortwave, FTA, and the distant TV & radio signals too an 80cm dish would be fine. I use a 76cm dish in Minnesota and get 99% of the signals. The bigger dish might help with those South American satellites that like to beam partially into the southern US
you can add a simple DBS LNB for 119. yes NASA is free along with Angel One and the audio channels (mono & CD ones). I have 2 LNB's on my setup. One KU and one DBS.
yep. There are 3 Fox stations on KU Band so you may get some extra games. C-Band (6 foot or larger dish) has some more but you'd really have to turn on the charm for the WAF
Each angle is different due to location of satellite and you. The satellite at the same longitude as you will be the highest in the sky. Being in NM your elevatinos are MUCh higher than me in MN. Your true south satellite (the one at the same longitude as you) will be probably near 50 elevation whereas in MN its only 38 degrees here. Yes the dishes asre offset sdo they look at 22-27 degrees higher than the dish shows. One of my dishes faces the house yet it gets a great signal
yes the 18" dish would be fine for 119. Just aim it there and hook up the receiver and the audio channels (not Sirius) are in the clear.
T
I would get the Pansat from Mike Kohl at Global Communications:
http://www.global-cm.net/
He also has everything else you need and could give you the best advice on which dish motor etc combo to use in your area for the best results. I bought my Pansat 2700A from Mike. There drop shipped from Panarex (the manufacturer) in California so you know it's brand new.
Once you get into Ku FTA your next step will be to put up a BUD (big dish) There are tons more FTA channels on C band.
I would get the Pansat from Mike Kohl at Global Communications:
http://www.global-cm.net/
He also has everything else you need and could give you the best advice on which dish motor etc combo to use in your area for the best results. I bought my Pansat 2700A from Mike. There drop shipped from Panarex (the manufacturer) in California so you know it's brand new.
Once you get into Ku FTA your next step will be to put up a BUD (big dish) There are tons more FTA channels on C band.
T
Hey Ice, I've been DXing Tv and radio since about 1970. I got some great Tv DXing done in the late 70's to middle 80's. I got stations from over 1000 miles away on low band VHF. One night in the early 80's I thought I had cable tv (cable wasn't in town yet) I was getting just about every channel number from 2-69 with some stuff from Canada. It was alot of fun
Hey Ice, I've been DXing Tv and radio since about 1970. I got some great Tv DXing done in the late 70's to middle 80's. I got stations from over 1000 miles away on low band VHF. One night in the early 80's I thought I had cable tv (cable wasn't in town yet) I was getting just about every channel number from 2-69 with some stuff from Canada. It was alot of fun
The 3500sd is one of the receivers on the short list I'd recommend you look at.
That price sure is attractive for that unit.
I use my American Express card for such purchases, and don't even worry about being taken.
I got a Mercury II from a Canadian firm a few months ago.
It's another receiver on my short list.
Close-out price was around $82? US, delivered to California.
The whole thing is documented in another thread. (sold out)
A lot of the guys on the forum got a killer price on the Coolsat 5000 last year.
More recently, some of us got a lesser-know receiver for under $40
Bargains do happen.
If you are concerned, do some web-searching for the dealer's name and see if there's any negative info about him.
All the name brand receivers mentioned above have blind-scan, and are well though of units - they come highly recommended.
Welcome aboard.
edit:
Oh, I knew I forgot something -
Consider using your 18" dish alone for the radio channels.
And use a cheap FTA receiver , not your computer.
If you insist on getting a DVB card (satellite receiver on a PCI card) or a USB box, you can get help in our PC DVB Discussion area.
I've got both, and keeping 'em separate is useful; not having to learn the nuances of the DVB card setup, will add years to your life.
That price sure is attractive for that unit.
I use my American Express card for such purchases, and don't even worry about being taken.
I got a Mercury II from a Canadian firm a few months ago.
It's another receiver on my short list.
Close-out price was around $82? US, delivered to California.
The whole thing is documented in another thread. (sold out)
A lot of the guys on the forum got a killer price on the Coolsat 5000 last year.
More recently, some of us got a lesser-know receiver for under $40
Bargains do happen.
If you are concerned, do some web-searching for the dealer's name and see if there's any negative info about him.
All the name brand receivers mentioned above have blind-scan, and are well though of units - they come highly recommended.
Welcome aboard.
edit:
Oh, I knew I forgot something -
Consider using your 18" dish alone for the radio channels.
And use a cheap FTA receiver , not your computer.
If you insist on getting a DVB card (satellite receiver on a PCI card) or a USB box, you can get help in our PC DVB Discussion area.
I've got both, and keeping 'em separate is useful; not having to learn the nuances of the DVB card setup, will add years to your life.
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68503 Replies
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2671113 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
168 Replies
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7464 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Has anyone subscribed to NBA League Pass for 2026-27 and try to link their account to NBA.com to stream League Pass? I purchased it for 2026-27, and when I linked, I got a message saying success, but then I receive an error that my linked subscription does not include the preseason games for NBA League Pass. Is that how it has always been? I know satellite doesn't have the preseason games on the NBA League Pass channels, but I thought that I was able to stream the preseason once I linked my account on NBA.com?
2 Replies
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72 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
143 Replies
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1449 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
530 Replies
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18096 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
You're no fun.
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
7 Replies
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141 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
Apple TV 4K
Apple TV 4K. New Siri AI and hands-free control. Stunning picture and immersive HomePod surround sound. Works with your Apple and smart home devices.
www.apple.com
20 Replies
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309 views
S
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade..
. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
You should have looked in the APP STORE instead.
Supporting Founder
Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.
35 Replies
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1690 views
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.
You have a different offer that is free for a shorter timeframe which is different than the one that I and bnewt saw without defining the promotion period as I sent the question to DISH Care via Facebook Messenger and this is the response I got back 20 minutes ago.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4Edq2eavsQ
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Space 232
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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24 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE
Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oRVxjGm0qtE
Direct YouTube Link - Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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19 views