Bownze,
I read your post and all the responses.
I understand your decision to dump the high rate cable subscription and I agree with it. You also say that you understand and are familiar with the channels that are available via FTA satellite. I believe that you have done your homework on this so far.
However, I am also in agreement with the responses here, based upon your desires to have a non-complicated "set-it up and forget it" system. That's not going to happen exactly the way you think it will.
You can probably come pretty darned close to this goal, but there will be quite a bit of DIY and hands-on tweaking in your future. If you are savvy with electronics and computer use, you won't find this to be too too far out of your comfort zone.
I think many of those who responded previously wish that you had spent more time asking questions here and discussing your situation before you announced your decisions and actions (after the fact). The reason being is that those of us who are regulars in FTA feel that we may be wasting our time as you might decide (after you get into this) that it is not your cup of tea and back out. Many do. I try to be totally up front with all information and clarify the whole game to any one who is new and interested. Everyone here is pretty much the same way. We don't want you to dive in deep only to come up gasping for air and wondering what the hell you jumped into this for in the first place.
If you are ready to tackle FTA Satellite TV, we are here to guide you. But, I think that we should start you out with an inexpensive and user friendly system to just get your feet wet. Let's not have you diving off the high board right from the start.
I recommend a Coolsat 5000 receiver (not new, used off Ebay). You cannot buy a new one as they are out of production, discontinued. But you can get one cheap. Buy one from a reputable seller on Ebay, for $20-$50. Buy a Winegard 76 cm dish (DS-2176) and a cheap Ku band standard LNBF and an SG-2100 motor. This system is ONLY a recommendation. It's old equipment, but it is good and it is a good training set and it is inexpensive. This recommendation is only a starter package and you don't have to follow my advice here. I am just throwing the information your way for something for you to ponder and research. I am thinking about the dirt cheap items that you can test, be happy with, and not get you too far into the hobby money wise - to the point where you don't feel your stuck in it.
I think you can get all of the equipment I listed for approximately $250 total, including the cabling and connectors. I am not so sure on the pricing, just guessing. This just gives you a place to start with equipment that I know is good.
You can move up later if you think you like it (FTA SAT).
You can also visit all of the sponsors displayed at the top of every page in the forum and see what they have for sales and recommendations. Most all of the sponsors are also members here on this site, so you can post questions here and they will usually answer you shortly.
I also must urge you to check out the free OTA channels available via terrestrial transmissions. Depending upon where you live, there may be a lot of excellent channels available to you. I would even suggest Netflix for streaming videos and for DVD leases. You can put all of these together and have a very cheap TV experience that rivals DN or DirectTV (maybe) but certainly surpasses your previous cable company.
You can spend some time researching all I have told you so far and evaluating it for yourself, I urge you to do so, I hope that it all becomes fitting for you. I am always here if you want to query me, except in the summer. I go fishing then.
RADAR
I read your post and all the responses.
I understand your decision to dump the high rate cable subscription and I agree with it. You also say that you understand and are familiar with the channels that are available via FTA satellite. I believe that you have done your homework on this so far.
However, I am also in agreement with the responses here, based upon your desires to have a non-complicated "set-it up and forget it" system. That's not going to happen exactly the way you think it will.
You can probably come pretty darned close to this goal, but there will be quite a bit of DIY and hands-on tweaking in your future. If you are savvy with electronics and computer use, you won't find this to be too too far out of your comfort zone.
I think many of those who responded previously wish that you had spent more time asking questions here and discussing your situation before you announced your decisions and actions (after the fact). The reason being is that those of us who are regulars in FTA feel that we may be wasting our time as you might decide (after you get into this) that it is not your cup of tea and back out. Many do. I try to be totally up front with all information and clarify the whole game to any one who is new and interested. Everyone here is pretty much the same way. We don't want you to dive in deep only to come up gasping for air and wondering what the hell you jumped into this for in the first place.
If you are ready to tackle FTA Satellite TV, we are here to guide you. But, I think that we should start you out with an inexpensive and user friendly system to just get your feet wet. Let's not have you diving off the high board right from the start.
I recommend a Coolsat 5000 receiver (not new, used off Ebay). You cannot buy a new one as they are out of production, discontinued. But you can get one cheap. Buy one from a reputable seller on Ebay, for $20-$50. Buy a Winegard 76 cm dish (DS-2176) and a cheap Ku band standard LNBF and an SG-2100 motor. This system is ONLY a recommendation. It's old equipment, but it is good and it is a good training set and it is inexpensive. This recommendation is only a starter package and you don't have to follow my advice here. I am just throwing the information your way for something for you to ponder and research. I am thinking about the dirt cheap items that you can test, be happy with, and not get you too far into the hobby money wise - to the point where you don't feel your stuck in it.
I think you can get all of the equipment I listed for approximately $250 total, including the cabling and connectors. I am not so sure on the pricing, just guessing. This just gives you a place to start with equipment that I know is good.
You can move up later if you think you like it (FTA SAT).
You can also visit all of the sponsors displayed at the top of every page in the forum and see what they have for sales and recommendations. Most all of the sponsors are also members here on this site, so you can post questions here and they will usually answer you shortly.
I also must urge you to check out the free OTA channels available via terrestrial transmissions. Depending upon where you live, there may be a lot of excellent channels available to you. I would even suggest Netflix for streaming videos and for DVD leases. You can put all of these together and have a very cheap TV experience that rivals DN or DirectTV (maybe) but certainly surpasses your previous cable company.
You can spend some time researching all I have told you so far and evaluating it for yourself, I urge you to do so, I hope that it all becomes fitting for you. I am always here if you want to query me, except in the summer. I go fishing then.
RADAR
, and some minimal sports. Maintenance does involve a little dish tweaking after major storms and, if this year is any indication, some satellite changes at the start of the year. If you choose to add the hobby interest to it you can find some additional channels on occasion - sometimes they stay in the clear (itc) for a while sometimes not and sports and news feeds.
