Any D* users also use FTA?

[Optical Serenity]

Just for the sake of having it, I'm thinking of getting a FTA dish & receiver. I wonder though if it would be worth it? I don't really care about the ethnic non-english stuff... is there anyone here who has FTA just to get something you can't get on D*?

 

[PSB]

You can't get LIVE news feeds on DBS satellite


LIVE free HD sports...........

 

[Optical Serenity]

So which satellite would I point it at if I got one?

 

[charper1]

I have been using C/Ku band (analog) long before DBS was release and continue to use to this day (analog & digital). If you have the extra time, YES, it is worth it. For about $265 you can get a fully motorised (too see ALL the sats in NA) Fortec Lifetime Classic 36" system or an extra $80 will get the 39.4" system. There is plenty of English programming, but I also love the international stuff too. Lots of live wild network feeds as well. Click here: http://www.sadoun.com or the Sadoun link above.

 

[charper1]

List of North American satellites; many have FREE stuff, but not all, and not always "hot" - http://www.lyngsat.com/america.html

Green = Ku band

Red(ish) = C band

Yellow = Combo
4 digit transponders = C
5 digit transponders = Ku


Avondale Estates, GA 30002

Latitude 33° 46.302'N Longitude 84° 15.642'W

Sat Name - Sat Lng - Az(t) - Az(m) - El - Skew
----------------------------------------------------------------
*** North American Satellites 61W - 160W ***

EchoStar 3 61.5W 143.0 147.8 43.8 -30.1
Rainbow 1 61.5W 143.0 147.8 43.8 -30.1
Brasilsat B2 65.0W 147.8 152.7 45.6 -26.3
Brasilsat B1 70.0W 155.4 160.2 47.8 -20.2
Nahuel 1 71.8W 158.3 163.1 48.5 -17.9
AMC 6 72.0W 158.6 163.5 48.6 -17.6
DirecTV 1 72.5W 159.5 164.3 48.7 -17.0
Galaxy 12 74.0W 162.0 166.8 49.2 -14.9
SBS 6 74.0W 162.0 166.8 49.2 -14.9
AMC 5 79.0W 170.6 175.4 50.3 -7.8
Nimiq 2 82.0W 175.9 180.7 50.7 -3.4
AMC 9 83.0W 177.7 182.5 50.7 -1.9
Brasilsat B3 84.0W 179.5 184.3 50.7 -0.4
XM Roll 85.1W 181.5 186.3 50.7 1.3
AMC 3 87.0W 184.9 189.7 50.6 4.1
Intelsat Americas 8 89.0W 188.5 193.3 50.4 7.0
Galaxy 11 91.0W 192.0 196.8 50.1 10.0
Nimiq 1 91.0W 192.0 196.8 50.1 10.0
Nimiq 4i 91.0W 192.0 196.8 50.1 10.0
Brasilsat B4 92.0W 193.7 198.5 49.9 11.4
Intelsat Americas 6 93.0W 195.5 200.3 49.6 12.8
Galaxy 3C 95.0W 198.8 203.6 49.1 15.6
Intelsat Americas 5 97.0W 202.1 206.9 48.4 18.3
Galaxy 4R 99.0W 205.3 210.1 47.7 20.8
Spaceway 2 99.2E 173.8 178.6 -60.4 5.2
DirecTV 1R/4S/8 101.0W 208.4 213.2 46.8 23.3
AMC 4 101.0W 208.4 213.2 46.8 23.3
Spaceway 1 102.8E 167.4 172.2 -59.9 10.4
AMC 1 103.0W 211.4 216.2 45.9 25.7
AMC 15 105.0W 214.3 219.1 44.9 27.9
Anik F1/F1R 107.3W 217.4 222.2 43.6 30.3
DirecTV 5 109.8W 220.7 225.5 42.2 32.8
EchoStar 6 110.0W 220.9 225.7 42.0 33.0
EchoStar 8/10 110.0W 220.9 225.7 42.0 33.0
Anik F2 111.1W 222.3 227.1 41.4 34.0
Solidaridad 2 113.0W 224.6 229.4 40.2 35.7
SatMex 6 115.0W 226.9 231.7 38.8 37.4
XM Rock 115.0W 226.9 231.7 38.8 37.4
SatMex 5 116.8W 228.9 233.7 37.6 38.8
AMC 16 119.0W 231.3 236.1 36.1 40.4
DirecTV 7S 119.0W 231.3 236.1 36.1 40.4
EchoStar 7 119.0W 231.3 236.1 36.1 40.4
EchoStar 9/Intelsat Americas 13 121.0W 233.3 238.1 34.6 41.8
Galaxy 10R 123.0W 235.3 240.1 33.1 43.1
Galaxy 14 125.0W 237.2 242.0 31.6 44.3
Galaxy 12 125.0W 237.2 242.0 31.6 44.3
Galaxy 13/Horizons 1 127.0W 239.0 243.8 30.1 45.4
EchoStar 5 129.0W 240.7 245.5 28.6 46.5
Intelsat Americas 7 129.0W 240.7 245.5 28.6 46.5
AMC 11 131.0W 242.4 247.2 27.0 47.4
Galaxy 15 133.0W 244.0 248.8 25.4 48.3
AMC 10 135.0W 245.6 250.4 23.8 49.2
AMC 7 137.0W 247.1 251.9 22.2 50.0
AMC 8 139.0W 248.5 253.3 20.5 50.7
EchoStar 1/2 148.0W 254.7 259.5 13.1 53.3
EchoStar 2 148.0W 254.7 259.5 13.1 53.3
EchoStar 4 157.0W 260.2 265.0 5.6 55.0

 

[Mr Tony]

since some of those satellites are C-Band only or not accessible here, lets try this list
http://www.global-cm.net/MPEGlistKuBandUS.html

 

[tdti1]

You can put up a big dish and get c/ku feeds, then you can also get a 4dtv.

 

[Optical Serenity]

So what should I get? I guess I'm still confused on different receivers and what not. I'd love to be able to do HD if that is possible.

 

[PSB]

I use the DVB world USB receiver hooked to my computer for HD nd 4:2:2 broadcasts! Receivers that can do FTA HD are VERY spendy!

 

[Optical Serenity]

I'd rather just run it straight, so I guess I'll forget about HD right now for FTA.

 

[Sassan]

I have dishnetwork and FTA. Good stuff.

 

[Optical Serenity]

Ok its settled, I'm getting an FTA system...I need a receiver that has component output and digital audio out.

Should I get a motorized dish?

 

[Labgate]

Hello

I have a dishnetwork receiver (I love the pvr function I have on it). I have also fta and I like it very much.

I love the pansat 3500 receiver. component output digital toslink.

If you have the possibility get a 10 foot dish with c/ku capabilities. You will be able to get many channels you don't get elsewhere.

If not, buy a dish with a motor it is a must.

Sg2100 motors are not too expensive. Personnaly I prefer the hh-120 they sell at Sadoun.

I also love my invacom lnb. It is 0.3 db and very strong.

Finally, if you plan on getting a motor, check if you have a clear view of the sky to the south.

Best regards

Labgate

 

[Optical Serenity]

I was checking out Sadoun's website, and this setup looks good:

M-2 Motorized Mercury II Blind Search Choice Set: This system includes the latest powerful Mercury II receiver from Fortec Star.

System Includes:
~ Fortec Star Mercury II Digital Satellite Receiver
~ Stab HH90 Motor
~ 31" FS80P Dish
~ Universal 0.4dB Single KU LNBF.

$299

Good plan for someone living in metro Atlanta?

 

[voomvoom]

Optical Serenity, that's an adequate dish for most ku. But, I would suggest upgrading to a larger dish, if you can afford it, if not, you will probably wished you had later. If you do upgrade you may have to upgrade the motor also. I've read nothing but good things about the Mercury II, I have an HH90 and an 80cm Fortec dish and they are both excellent. I prefer a standard ku lnb over the universal ku lnb, but that's just me. There's nothing wrong with a universal ku lnb. I think you've made an excellent choice and will enjoy it. Good Luck.

Al

 

[drhydro]

I was checking out Sadoun's website, and this setup looks good:

M-2 Motorized Mercury II Blind Search Choice Set: This system includes the latest powerful Mercury II receiver from Fortec Star.

System Includes:
~ Fortec Star Mercury II Digital Satellite Receiver
~ Stab HH90 Motor
~ 31" FS80P Dish
~ Universal 0.4dB Single KU LNBF.

$299

Good plan for someone living in metro Atlanta?

Hi Optical,
I think you will like the Mercury II reciever, I have found mine to be a very nice unit.

I have to echo voomvoom about the dish size, while a 31" dish will get most signals, you will struggle trying to get weaker transponders and rain fade will be a issue.

 

[Labgate]

Hello

Just checked the specs of the mercury II receiver. Seems to be a good receiver.

I Have to agree with the guys 31 inch is a little bit small. You will get some sats, some you won't. You won't get some weak transponders.

Personnaly I would go with a 39 inch, even if it will be more expensive.

The first dish I bought was 33 inch, I changed it for a 39 inch one month later.

Labgate

 

[PSB]

Sorry to disagree with the other members but a 30" dish will work FINE in GA. for 99% of your signals. I noticed when I was in GA. (Then FL.) that satellite signals are MUCH higher than up here in MN. where many people use a 30" dish with NO PROBLEMS!

Just my professional opinion

Remember that a good 30" dish will work better than a slightly larger (duff) dish!

 

[Mr Tony]

For the $15 upgrade to a 36", it might be worth it. If you go to a 39" the shipping will kill ya

 

[PSB]

I would defiantly upgrade and get as big a dish as possible, but the 30" will work fine. Whats rain fade ?