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Hopefully I did not miss a Newbie thread somewhere. I am going to purchase a FTA setup this spring and have a few questions for you old hats. I thank you in advance for any help you might give.
#1 I live in Vermont, will a 36" dish be able to pull in a strong enough KU signal this far north?
#2 How much of the southern sky do I need open, how many degrees each way off true south?
#3 I used to set up DSS systems for family and friends when they moved. I also work as an engineer and am used to running bearings with the head survey tech, and understand how to take a bearing, the 15 degree variation between actual and true north, etc. I also do all my own electrical work, network, and video installs. With that skill set should I be able to set up a system by myself, or with the help of a friend?
#4 I have been looking at the motorized dish package from Sadoun sales in OH, with the GeoSatPro DSR 200c receiver and 36" dish. Is Sadoun a good company? Is the GeoSatPro 200c a good hobbyist receiver for blind searches? I read one review on this site that seemed to be glowing.
Thanks in advance for any help or direction. I have been a long time shortwave and amateur radio listener, and this to me seems to be the equivalent with TV. It looks like a great hobby, and given the amount of time I already spent with my OTA setup tuning stations from over 100 miles away, I think it could be alot of fun!
#1 I live in Vermont, will a 36" dish be able to pull in a strong enough KU signal this far north?
#2 How much of the southern sky do I need open, how many degrees each way off true south?
#3 I used to set up DSS systems for family and friends when they moved. I also work as an engineer and am used to running bearings with the head survey tech, and understand how to take a bearing, the 15 degree variation between actual and true north, etc. I also do all my own electrical work, network, and video installs. With that skill set should I be able to set up a system by myself, or with the help of a friend?
#4 I have been looking at the motorized dish package from Sadoun sales in OH, with the GeoSatPro DSR 200c receiver and 36" dish. Is Sadoun a good company? Is the GeoSatPro 200c a good hobbyist receiver for blind searches? I read one review on this site that seemed to be glowing.
Thanks in advance for any help or direction. I have been a long time shortwave and amateur radio listener, and this to me seems to be the equivalent with TV. It looks like a great hobby, and given the amount of time I already spent with my OTA setup tuning stations from over 100 miles away, I think it could be alot of fun!
7 Replies
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1360 views
Your questions were well addressed above, but I'll chime in too, just to make it unanimous. - 
0. we'll point you to helpful threads, depending on your needs
1. you're fine
2. see below for dish aiming info
3. good skills. FTA should be educational, but not that big a challenge for you
4. yes he is; yes it is; the glowing review is by our best people! -
- (no b/s)
5. DXing via OTA doesn't hold a candle to FTA (unless you are just nostalgic for the old days)
One thing I'd like to bring up that hasn't been touched on yet, is where to mount the dish.
For a beginner, it's really a good idea to have it easily accessible for your first efforts.
That means mounting it to a wall or on a post in the back yard, about chest high.
Roof-mounting a motor as your first venture into FTA, will be a monumental challenge.
Even with your experience, getting to know the receiver will be a big enough challenge for your first step.
So, I would really suggest you leave the motor in the box and install the dish alone to gain familiarity with the receiver.
Plan on taking the FTA receiver and a monitor out to the dish, to help alignment, too.
Watch one satellite and work through all the menus for a week.
Use the time to study how to install and align the motor, and maybe on the next weekend, dive into it.
Finding yourself unprepared right in the middle of the install/alignment, will be frustrating and painful.
Here's where to look and find the various satellites in the sky....
Anole on how to use GeoSatFinder.com:
- put in your country/state/city or your ZiP code
- click "select" on one of the suggested locations
- click the blue tab marked "Full Satellite List"
- pick 'n click on a satellite of your choice
OR:
- click on "All common satellites" and get a .PDF file with aiming info for 'em all.
0. we'll point you to helpful threads, depending on your needs
1. you're fine
2. see below for dish aiming info
3. good skills. FTA should be educational, but not that big a challenge for you
4. yes he is; yes it is; the glowing review is by our best people! -
- (no b/s)5. DXing via OTA doesn't hold a candle to FTA (unless you are just nostalgic for the old days)
One thing I'd like to bring up that hasn't been touched on yet, is where to mount the dish.
For a beginner, it's really a good idea to have it easily accessible for your first efforts.
That means mounting it to a wall or on a post in the back yard, about chest high.
Roof-mounting a motor as your first venture into FTA, will be a monumental challenge.
Even with your experience, getting to know the receiver will be a big enough challenge for your first step.
So, I would really suggest you leave the motor in the box and install the dish alone to gain familiarity with the receiver.
Plan on taking the FTA receiver and a monitor out to the dish, to help alignment, too.
Watch one satellite and work through all the menus for a week.
Use the time to study how to install and align the motor, and maybe on the next weekend, dive into it.
Finding yourself unprepared right in the middle of the install/alignment, will be frustrating and painful.
Here's where to look and find the various satellites in the sky....
Anole on how to use GeoSatFinder.com:
- put in your country/state/city or your ZiP code
- click "select" on one of the suggested locations
- click the blue tab marked "Full Satellite List"
- pick 'n click on a satellite of your choice
OR:
- click on "All common satellites" and get a .PDF file with aiming info for 'em all.
:up
That's my favorite "Lizard"!
Right on the mark as always! 
Even when the "Dinosaurs" went extinct, there were some reptilians which survived. They survived because they were smart, wise and able to adapt!
Therefore, listen to the instructions from the "survivors".
:up
RADAR
Yeah, being silly is part of the fun in this hobby.
Your questions were well addressed above, but I'll chime in too, just to make it unanimous. -
0. we'll point you to helpful threads, depending on your needs
1. you're fine
2. see below for dish aiming info
3. good skills. FTA should be educational, but not that big a challenge for you
4. yes he is; yes it is; the glowing review is by our best people! -
5. DXing via OTA doesn't hold a candle to FTA (unless you are just nostalgic for the old days)
One thing I'd like to bring up that hasn't been touched on yet, is where to mount the dish.
For a beginner, it's really a good idea to have it easily accessible for your first efforts.
That means mounting it to a wall or on a post in the back yard, about chest high.
Roof-mounting a motor as your first venture into FTA, will be a monumental challenge.
Even with your experience, getting to know the receiver will be a big enough challenge for your first step.
So, I would really suggest you leave the motor in the box and install the dish alone to gain familiarity with the receiver.
Plan on taking the FTA receiver and a monitor out to the dish, to help alignment, too.
Watch one satellite and work through all the menus for a week.
Use the time to study how to install and align the motor, and maybe on the next weekend, dive into it.
Finding yourself unprepared right in the middle of the install/alignment, will be frustrating and painful.
Here's where to look and find the various satellites in the sky....
Anole on how to use GeoSatFinder.com:
- put in your country/state/city or your ZiP code
- click "select" on one of the suggested locations
- click the blue tab marked "Full Satellite List"
- pick 'n click on a satellite of your choice
OR:
- click on "All common satellites" and get a .PDF file with aiming info for 'em all.
That's my favorite "Lizard"!
Right on the mark as always! Even when the "Dinosaurs" went extinct, there were some reptilians which survived. They survived because they were smart, wise and able to adapt!
Therefore, listen to the instructions from the "survivors".
:up
RADAR
Yeah, being silly is part of the fun in this hobby.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
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343 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
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936 views
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....
67110 Replies
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2662364 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
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31 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
9 Replies
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349 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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9 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
12 Replies
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297 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
11 Replies
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196 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
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99 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching
www.syfy.com
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics
The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
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5645 views
