Interested in seeing what I can do...

[mark458]

Hello all, I just moved into my new place and found a 10' Unimesh dish pointed at the sky and it got me wondering what I can do with it... part of me says "FREE TV!" The other parts says "Hmmm... my own little seti station...." Or perhaps both! Just wanted to see what my options with it are and how expensive thoughs options are.

 

[rv1pop]

WELCOME to Satellite Guys!

YES!!!!! It is worth it! Now some pictures - a bunch of them - and let us see what you have. Of course, read, read, READ! Things may begin to make sense. Used is good. Free is better. both are available.

 

[mark458]

Ok I grew some balls and climbed on the roof. Here are the pics



Also there are 3 wires coming off of it, one from the motor and 2 from the dish, from the dish one is grey and one is black.

It would also be great if I could connect it to my computer. I have an AMD Phenom II X6 1100 w/ 4GB ddr3 and 5TB hd space it also has 3 open pci-e slots and 2 pci slots.

 

[turbosat]

There are computer-card options for Free-to air reception, but without a regular receiver, they probably would make it tough to aim and peak your dish. I'd shop around for a fairly simple receiver to start with (the fta receivers will do both 'big dish' or c-band signals, and ku-band (if your dish has a ku-lnb on it) signals ). I think once you see what all you can tune in, you probably will want to explore further. It's addictive for a hobby, and can get expensive, just depends on your tastes in tv viewing. check The List, top of the pages here, and click on some of the c-band sats for examples of some of the programming. It's not really an option to replace pay-tv, but the signal quality is amazing, and the variety is almost endless.

 

[osu1991]

Have you checked around the house to see if the previous owner might have left an old receiver somewhere.

Your going to need a gbox or vbox or an old analog receiver to operate the actuator (if it is still functional) and move the dish across the arc.

I would get a receiver that can blind scan and hook it up and scan to see if it is still pointed at a satellite before trying to move the dish.

 

[mark458]

SO what channels are impossible to get FTA?

 

[Corrado]

SO what channels are impossible to get FTA?

The impossible are even sometimes possible for short durations when you figure out where to look. It's part of the fun of finding what's up there. The hardest part is done, the big dish is already there. Now for the finishing touches.

 

[mark458]

THere are 3 cables going to my house from the dish. One is grey 2 a black one black is a coax the other has 5 wires in it, 2 large one black one white and 3 small blue red and yellow.

I need to know if the motor for the dish is 12v if so how to I take a car battery to it and test the motor?

Also I saw someone say to keep your paid for tv.... Why? I was just told its possible to get ALL channels...

 

[siepo]

hello i am wondering if anyone can help me. I am from New York City and i am really tired of Direct tv. I have been trying to find someone in new york but it is like a needle in a haystack. Would like to know what type of box is good for me and what would be best for me since they might have experience. I hope there is something out there that is a cartoon channel, history, food, like discovery, Nat Geo, with TLC or like tlc channels. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Especially since i am a newbie and would like to change all my tv habits for the better. Thank you have a great day.