Tim, if you find a 1 meter Primestar dish (it has 3 arms in front of dish that holds the LNB), get it! That is the only dish I would get since (to me) it is easy to use, as far as adding the LNB. There are many great threads in this site that has info of setting one up. Before blasting us thousands of how to questions about setting one up, please go to Search and do all your studying there.
If you got a printer, print the information and keep them in a notebook or folder. You got lots of time available right now so that's the perfect opportunity to prepare yourself!
I got several notebooks I collected throughout the year and a half since getting started on this great hobby.
I will tell you right now, it won't be easy to set up a FTA system. Be patient and TAKE YOUR TIME!!! I have been dealing with satellites since the '80s so that help me out alot as far as understanding the satellites, their location, setting up systems, etc...
AND whatever you do, Tim, STAY AWAY from hacking your FTA receiver! That's stealing and you can be BANNED from this site forever, if Iceberg or any of the moderators find out you want to hack the receiver. This is the best site on the internet that is honest about the hobby.
I hope it stays that way!