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NewFtaUser
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

Where to Start to Set Up a FTA Dish- I have absolutely no experience

Hello,

I would like to set up a dish that gets the most Arabic channels. I've done some searching online but I am not familiar with the materials mentioned so it seems a bit overwhelming. I'm hoping someone could provide me with guidance as to where to begin. Some materials that I do have from a previous satellite set up in my home are a small dish, a large dish and a 35-SDX100TG diplexer (I've attached the images below in case you want to take a look). I would greatly appreciate any information you guys provide.

Thank you
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Jim S.
Jim S.
A 32-inch dish is NOT useless! I started with a 30" dish. (Actually, I started with an 18" dish, but I knew what I was doing. If you don't, it's not going to work.) A 30" dish got me everything on 97W at the time, although both it and one of the neighboring satellites have become more crowded since then. (A dish smaller than 30" may, or may not, pick up interference from satellites less than 4 degrees apart.) Also, I don't know how the signal strength compares between here and California. But, it's worth a try. In fact, the LNB on your 32-inch dish appears to be an FTA-type LNB, not a Dish Network LNB. You can tell because it's in a circular clamp rather than in an oversized plastic housing plugged into the end of the arm. You should try to determine whether it's already pointing at 97W, since that's where most of the Arabic channels are. (If the previous owner was into Spanish channels, it's probably nearby at 93W; Chinese, 95W; Dutch, 101W; Christian fundamentalist, guess what, 97W or 101W!) If so, you could get probably the cheapest FTA receiver you could find, on ebay or craigslist or wherever, hook it up, and you're ready to go. (You may need to do a bit of reprogramming if the previous owner was using it to steal Dish Network, but someone here can help you with that.)
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N
NewFtaUser
Jim, thank you, I'm trying to make do with what I already have so I'm happy to hear that I can use my 32" dish. Other members have mentioned using GeoSatPro, is that the best? I see other brands such as sonicview, coolsat and pansat... if I buy the cheapest one on the market, will I have to replace it within a year? and when buying from ebay or craigslist, how do I ensure that I'm not buying a bad item, is there any way to know?

Thanks again
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N
NewFtaUser
Jim, thank you, I'm trying to make do with what I already have so I'm happy to hear that I can use my 32" dish. Other members have mentioned using GeoSatPro, is that the best? I see other brands such as sonicview, coolsat and pansat... if I buy the cheapest one on the market, will I have to replace it within a year? and when buying from ebay or craigslist, how do I ensure that I'm not buying a bad item, is there any way to know?

Thanks again
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SatelliteAV
SatelliteAV
Sonicview and Coolsat are both out of business and all three were successfully sued by Dish Network for products that were used for theft of services. These receivers are no longer capable of theft of service, so they are very inexpensive as the owners usually have no more use for them. You will get different answers from different members on recommendations for specific receivers, but I would suggest that of these three manufacturers, a Coolsat 5000 would be a good inexpensive receiver for the Arabic channels on Galaxy19. You can always upgrade to a newer model with more bells and whistles like DVR and HD functions. I wouldn't pay more than $35 for a used Coolsat on eBay and maybe include free shipping!

Did you have a chance to look at the LNBF on the 32" dish to see if it has any model numbers or specs? If no model or specs, I would suggest buying a new Standard / Linear LNBF since they are so inexpensive. Without specs on the existing LNBF it is not possible to determine if the unit is compatible or not. There are many LNBFs out theire that mount with the circular clamp, but are circular polarity for the Dish Network, Bell and DirecTVsatellites.

The 32" dish will be the minimum size to receive programming. Be aware that several transponders on Galaxy19 will receive interference from an adjacent satellite with this smaller dish. A quality 90cm (36") dish is the minimum size to resolve to 2 degree satellite spacing.
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Jim S.
Jim S.
NewFtaUser said:
if I buy the cheapest one on the market, will I have to replace it within a year?
Click to expand...

Do you mean replace because it breaks, or replace because it's obsolete?

In terms of breakage, I seem to remember reading that there have been a few models with notoriously bad power supply sections. Easy to fix if you can fix your own electronics, but still, you shouldn't have to. Someone with experience with them will have to tell you which ones it was.

On the other hand, I don't foresee a mass movement of existing channels, and especially free channels, to any transmission format that a cheap receiver can't receive. It's true that the Thai channels on 101W did recently change formats, but most of them had only been on a little while in the old format, plus I keep hearing that it's intended to become a subscription package.
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Foxbat
Foxbat
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

New Apple TV 4K released, plus other Apple Home devices.

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…
www.apple.com

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
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Ronnie-
Ronnie-
Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.


Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.


It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
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navychop
navychop
Ronnie- said:
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
Click to expand...

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
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navychop
navychop
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
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KAB
KAB
navychop said:
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
Click to expand...
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
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S
slow_poke_pete
navychop said:
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
Click to expand...
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
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ncted
ncted
slow_poke_pete said:
ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade
Click to expand...
No. Makes me wonder if that is Apple or the carrier. I am on pre-paid, so I never get "an upgrade." I still have my old iPhone 11 Pro as a second line, and it runs iOS 27 just fine. My iPhone Air, which is still a current model, doesn't really seem that much faster in regular use. It is better in other ways, and worse in some ways than the 11 Pro (size), but performance really isn't a big differentiator, especially since I replaced the battery in the 11 Pro. If I had gotten enough storage when I originally bought the 11 Pro, it could still be my primary device with no issues.
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ncted
ncted
KAB said:
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
Click to expand...
Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.
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navychop
navychop
slow_poke_pete said:
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
Click to expand...

What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

This Week in Space 232

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
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tim Cook, Elton John & King Charles: A Royal Tech Event

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
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TFLEV
· posted in TFLEV

Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!

Time for another AWESOME video from TFL Electric Vehicles!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyF_RH1m0mc


Direct YouTube Link - Watch the New Tesla Roadster Jump, Fly and Barrel-Roll in Mid-Air!
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The Apple HomeView

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0k5iT-OlpdE


Direct YouTube Link - The Apple HomeView
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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osu1991
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

Frisco King - Paramount Plus


View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy


December 18, 2026 Paramount plus
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
osu1991 said:

View: https://youtu.be/RHYQYYm5jLM?is=cwxm9t1efsWNl6yy


December 18, 2026 Paramount plus
Click to expand...

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Howard Simmons said:
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
Click to expand...
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
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T
Therm
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Am I the only one that hates what Dish did to their mobile app?

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?
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Juan
Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
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Foxbat
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
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TheRatPatrol
TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows

NCIS

Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Jimbo
Jimbo said:

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BIdMzUBHvjw?feature=share
Click to expand...

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Jimbo said:
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Click to expand...
Tony as the director.🙄
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Howard Simmons said:
Tony as the director.🙄
Click to expand...
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
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dfergie
dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Jimbo said:
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
Click to expand...
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
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Jimbo
Jimbo
Howard Simmons said:
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Click to expand...
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Trailer for new Jim Caviezel movie Ghost Soldier

Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
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dishstaller
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.
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meStevo
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk

Project Hail Mary

If you're going try to read / listen to the book (can't recommend the audio book enough) before this comes out, I'd avoid trailers.

Trailer below, spoiling it to make sure you read the above bold message first. The book / audio book are fantastic. Go into this blind if you can IMO!


View: https://youtu.be/m08TxIsFTRI



Kind of disappointed at how much they show. A lot still to see, but man, some good reveals in the book that are just served up here.
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meStevo
meStevo
I've seen it twice. Can't recommend the audio book enough, Ray Porter's performance is amazing and there's so much more in the book than the movie.
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Foxbat
Foxbat
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
www.ign.com

'It Is Time Go!' — Project Hail Mary Is Officially Coming to Prime Video

Amazon has confirmed that Project Hail Mary will be coming to Prime Video.
www.ign.com www.ign.com
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K
klang
Forgot to comment. I did watch when it first came out on MGM. I enjoyed it a lot. I think reading the book made it easier to watch. Several friends commented it was a little hard to follow.
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TRG
TRG
"astrophage". I read the book but didn't see the film yet.
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Howard Simmons
Howard Simmons
Foxbat said:
"Project Hail Mary" should be on Prime Video starting Friday, July 3.
www.ign.com

'It Is Time Go!' — Project Hail Mary Is Officially Coming to Prime Video

Amazon has confirmed that Project Hail Mary will be coming to Prime Video.
www.ign.com www.ign.com
Click to expand...
That's what I will be watching this weekend.🤗
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K
klang
Kindle book on sale for $2.99 today at Amazon.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
meStevo said:
.........there's so much more in the book than the movie.
Click to expand...
I agree. That can go for pretty much any book vs movie. Back when I was single I would read any Stephen King or John Grisham book I could get my hands on. When you read a book you make up the scenes and characters in your mind.....the movie version always disappoints.
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