Introducing Myself, and Questions About FTA

[joefta]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking here for four months now (to the day!), and wanted to join, say hi, and ask a few questions.

A bit about myself: I work with computers, and have been involved with computers since my first Atari 400 and Apple IIe (that should give you an idea how old I am!). I also enjoy tinkering with electronics in general, I like using my radio scanners and shortwave radios, and so on. Yes, I'm kind of geeky.

I first heard about FTA when I was listening to a local call-in radio show, Leo Laporte's "The Tech Guy on KFI." Someone phoned in and said that they just experienced viewing "wildfeeds" at a friend's house, and wanted to get into FTA (here's a link: leoville dot tv /radio/ShowNotes/Show184?action=browse#toc16).

Well given my interest in scanning and DXing, I was immediately interested, and spent the last 4 months doing my research.

What I want to do is True FTA (I'm a happy cable subscriber). I would like to get in on the wildfeed action, check out kooky "local access" types of programming, local news feeds and all that fun stuff.

After reading about the various STBs, I'm leaning towards getting a Coolsat 5000. What I really wanted to do was DVB/PCI, but from what I've read, that's not the way to go for wildfeeds.

So, here's my spec list:

- Coolsat 5000 (or Viewsat Extreme if you can convince me...)
- Winegard DS-3101 (want the 1 meter for DXing)
- Invacom QPH-031
- and eventually, a Stab HH100 motor

I've read quite a few posts about how newbies should initially pass on a motor (one too many variables). But I'd like to hear your opinion on this one more time...

Also, I was looking at the tripods at Sadoun, and I think this may be the best way for me at the moment. (We're remodeling, but I can't wait for the house to be finished - I want to get started!) But, I see that these tripods aren't rated for 1 meter dishes. Anybody here successfully use a 1 meter dish on a tripod?

And finally, as I've done my research, I've come across a few questionable sites and Usenet postings that speak of the demise of MPEG2 programming. Is this something that FTAers worry about? Is there another STB I should be waiting for? If I plan on using a PCI card at some point, is this all moot?

Thanks everyone,

Joe

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys its good to have you here.

I am moving your post to our FTA sectrion where the Internet's best FTA staff and the best group of FTA members can answer your questions for you.

 

[PSB]

Hello and WELCOME to the SatelliteGuys.US FTA area.


I would recommend a Blind scan receiver for finding feeds, then I would DEFINITELY recommend going the DVB/PCI route also.

After finding the feeds with a blind scan then can be easily transfered (Manually or by software) to your card and this will open you up for 4:2:2 and HD news and sports feeds.

Just watched the State of the Union the other night in the above manner and it blew my socks off!

Nice to have you here!

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking here for four months now (to the day!), and wanted to join, say hi, and ask a few questions.

A bit about myself: I work with computers, and have been involved with computers since my first Atari 400 and Apple IIe (that should give you an idea how old I am!). I also enjoy tinkering with electronics in general, I like using my radio scanners and shortwave radios, and so on. Yes, I'm kind of geeky.

I first heard about FTA when I was listening to a local call-in radio show, Leo Laporte's "The Tech Guy on KFI." Someone phoned in and said that they just experienced viewing "wildfeeds" at a friend's house, and wanted to get into FTA (here's a link: leoville dot tv /radio/ShowNotes/Show184?action=browse#toc16).

Well given my interest in scanning and DXing, I was immediately interested, and spent the last 4 months doing my research.

What I want to do is True FTA (I'm a happy cable subscriber). I would like to get in on the wildfeed action, check out kooky "local access" types of programming, local news feeds and all that fun stuff.

After reading about the various STBs, I'm leaning towards getting a Coolsat 5000. What I really wanted to do was DVB/PCI, but from what I've read, that's not the way to go for wildfeeds.

So, here's my spec list:

- Coolsat 5000 (or Viewsat Extreme if you can convince me...)
- Winegard DS-3101 (want the 1 meter for DXing)
- Invacom QPH-031
- and eventually, a Stab HH100 motor

I've read quite a few posts about how newbies should initially pass on a motor (one too many variables). But I'd like to hear your opinion on this one more time...

Also, I was looking at the tripods at Sadoun, and I think this may be the best way for me at the moment. (We're remodeling, but I can't wait for the house to be finished - I want to get started!) But, I see that these tripods aren't rated for 1 meter dishes. Anybody here successfully use a 1 meter dish on a tripod?

And finally, as I've done my research, I've come across a few questionable sites and Usenet postings that speak of the demise of MPEG2 programming. Is this something that FTAers worry about? Is there another STB I should be waiting for? If I plan on using a PCI card at some point, is this all moot?

Thanks everyone,

Joe

Will MPEG 2 be replaced by MPEG 4? Sure probably at some point. It is a digital standard and we all know that anything related to computers and technology will change in time. I don't believe it is iminent though. With a PC it is a moot point since you will be able to do anything with the right card. Right now you can do 4:2:2, 4:2:0 and HD with a cheap PC card. As far as a motor, I wouldn't be too afraid. There is a learning curve for sure but the experts here can help.

Your setup looks good and welcome!

 

[drhydro]

That looks like a nice setup. Into that mix i would throw a couple of 18" DBS dishes and a diseqc switch to get all the audio that is out there, also NASA tv and what ever else shows up FTA on DBS sats.

As for the motor, its easier to initially set up and locate your true south satellite without a motor, after you have located true south then install the motor. I highly recommend getting a cheap analog satellite meter also, they can make the initial install easier.

 

[123tim]

I've read quite a few posts about how newbies should initially pass on a motor (one too many variables). But I'd like to hear your opinion on this one more time...

Joe,

I got a Stab hh90 motor drive in a package deal from Sadoun (receiver, motor and antenna). I think that I saved a lot of money doing that. I think that you'll defiantly want a motor sooner or later. I've had a lot of fun experimenting with my antenna on a movable "fixed mount" (an oxymoron?), but I've tired of that, and I'm ready now to hook up the motor permanently.
I'd recommend getting the motor (if it saves you money) even if you don't intend to use it right away.
Just an opinion!

Good luck!

 

[joefta]

Thanks for the replies. I've got a few more questions/thoughts:

- I read more last night, and am now thinking that a Coolsat 5000 may be overkill. What's a good blindscan receiver if my intent is to basically use it as a "scanner"? Any closeouts I should be aware of?

- PSB said, "After finding the feeds with a blind scan then can be easily transfered (Manually or by software) to your card..." Is there a particular brand of STB that works better in a slave set-up?

- drhydro said, "...i would throw a couple of 18" DBS dishes and a diseqc switch to get all the audio that is out there, also NASA tv and what ever else shows up FTA on DBS sats." I thought I would be able to get all of that with the 1 meter antenna and motor? I know that the DBS dishes are easy to come by (free? garage sales?), but is the 1 meter dish also overkill? FYI, I'm in ZIP Code 90505.

- Regarding those tripods, maybe one of those non-penetrating roof mounts would be better for me? I could set it up in my patio with some cinder blocks...

 

[Diamond Jim]

Welcome aboard Joe.

 

[PSB]

"PSB said, "After finding the feeds with a blind scan then can be easily transfered (Manually or by software) to your card..." Is there a particular brand of STB that works better in a slave set-up?"

Any blind scan receiver will work as a slave. I LIKE the Satwork 3618 (discontinued may be able to pick one up cheap) for blind scanning I use mine EVERYDAY.

I also REALLY recommend the Fortec Classic NA as it is very flexible when Blind/scanning (As mentioned in the review)

There is also a new blind scan receiver coming out this month from Traxis (3500)

                  Torrance, CA 90505
     Latitude 33° 48.636'N Longitude 118° 21.042'W

              Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m)    El  Skew
------------------------------------------------------
            Telstar 12   15.0W 262.5 248.5 -19.3 -55.5
                      
          Intelsat 901   18.0W 264.2 250.2 -16.9 -55.8
                      
                 NSS 7   22.0W 266.5 252.4 -13.7 -56.0
                      
          Intelsat 905   24.5W 267.9 253.8 -11.7 -56.1
                      
          Intelsat 907   27.5W 269.5 255.5  -9.3 -56.2
                      
         Hispasat 1C/D   30.0W  90.9  76.9  -7.3 -56.2
                      
          Intelsat 801   31.5W  91.8  77.7  -6.0 -56.1
                      
          Intelsat 903   34.5W  93.4  79.4  -3.6 -56.0
                      
           AMC 12/T 11   37.5W  95.1  81.1  -1.1 -55.8
                      
               NSS 806   40.5W  96.8  82.8   1.4 -55.6
                      
             Pas 3R/6B   43.0W  98.3  84.2   3.4 -55.3
                      
                Pas 1R   45.0W  99.4  85.4   5.1 -55.0
                      
          Intelsat 705   50.0W 102.5  88.4   9.3 -54.2
                      
          Intelsat 707   53.0W 104.3  90.3  11.8 -53.6
                      
          Intelsat 805   55.5W 105.9  91.9  13.8 -53.0
                      
                 Pas 9   58.0W 107.6  93.5  15.9 -52.4
                      
              Amazonas   61.0W 109.6  95.6  18.4 -51.5
                      
            EchoStar 3   61.5W 110.0  95.9  18.8 -51.3
                      
             Rainbow 1   61.5W 110.0  95.9  18.8 -51.3
                      
      Estrela do Sul 1   63.0W 111.0  97.0  20.0 -50.9
                      
          Brasilsat B2   65.0W 112.5  98.5  21.7 -50.1
                      
          Brasilsat B1   70.0W 116.3 102.3  25.7 -48.1
                      
              Nahuel 1   71.8W 117.8 103.8  27.1 -47.3
                      
             DirecTV 1   72.5W 118.4 104.4  27.7 -47.0
                      
                 AMC 6   72.0W 118.0 103.9  27.3 -47.2
                      
                 SBS 6   74.0W 119.6 105.6  28.8 -46.2
                      
            Echostar 4   77.0W 122.3 108.3  31.2 -44.6
                      
                 AMC 5   79.0W 124.2 110.1  32.7 -43.4
                      
               Nimiq 2   82.0W 127.1 113.1  34.9 -41.5
                      
                 AMC-9   83.0W 128.1 114.1  35.6 -40.8
                      
          Brasilsat B3   84.0W 129.2 115.1  36.3 -40.1
                      
              AMC 2/16   85.0W 130.2 116.2  37.0 -39.4
                      
                 AMC 3   87.0W 132.4 118.4  38.4 -37.8
                      
                  IA-8   89.0W 134.7 120.7  39.7 -36.2
                      
             Galaxy 11   91.0W 137.1 123.1  41.0 -34.5
                      
             Nimiq 1/3   91.0W 137.1 123.1  41.0 -34.5
                      
          Brasilsat B4   92.0W 138.3 124.3  41.6 -33.5
                      
             Telstar 6   93.0W 139.6 125.6  42.2 -32.6
                      
             Galaxy 3C   95.0W 142.2 128.2  43.4 -30.6
                      
             Telstar 5   97.0W 144.9 130.9  44.5 -28.5
                      
             Galaxy 4R   99.0W 147.7 133.7  45.5 -26.3
                      
       DirecTV 1R/4S/8  101.0W 150.7 136.7  46.5 -24.0
                      
                 AMC 4  101.0W 150.7 136.7  46.5 -24.0
                      
            Spaceway 1  102.0W 152.2 138.2  46.9 -22.8
                      
                 AMC 1  103.0W 153.7 139.7  47.4 -21.6
                      
                AMC 15  105.0W 156.9 142.9  48.2 -19.0
                      
           Anik F1/F1R  107.3W 160.7 146.6  48.9 -16.0
                      
           DirecTV 6/5  109.5W 164.4 150.3  49.6 -12.9
                      
            EchoStar 6  110.0W 165.2 151.2  49.7 -12.2
                      
            EchoStar 8  110.0W 165.2 151.2  49.7 -12.2
                      
               Anik F2  111.1W 167.1 153.1  49.9 -10.7
                      
         Solidaridad 2  113.0W 170.4 156.4  50.3  -7.9
                      
              SatMex 5  116.8W 177.2 163.2  50.7  -2.3
                      
             DirecTV 5  119.0W 181.2 167.1  50.7   1.0
                      
            EchoStar 7  119.0W 181.2 167.1  50.7   1.0
                      
 EchoStar 9/Telstar 13  121.0W 184.8 170.7  50.6   3.9
                      
            Galaxy 10R  123.0W 188.3 174.3  50.4   6.9
                      
             Galaxy 12  125.0W 191.8 177.8  50.0   9.8
                      
         Galaxy 13/H 1  127.0W 195.3 181.3  49.6  12.7
                      
  Telstar 7/Echostar 5  129.0W 198.7 184.6  49.1  15.4
                      
                AMC 11  131.0W 202.0 187.9  48.4  18.1
                      
             Galaxy 1R  133.0W 205.2 191.1  47.7  20.7
                      
                AMC 10  135.0W 208.3 194.2  46.8  23.2
                      
                 AMC 7  137.0W 211.2 197.2  45.9  25.5
                      
                 AMC 8  139.0W 214.1 200.1  44.9  27.8
                      
            EchoStar 1  148.0W 225.6 211.6  39.5  36.5
                      
            EchoStar 2  148.0W 225.6 211.6  39.5  36.5

   Satellite Finder is (c) Copyright 2004, P. Lutus

A one meter dish would be GREAT, but being where you are you could get away with a slightly smaller dish...

 

[joefta]

Thank you for that info, Pete. Is there anyway to quantify what I'll be gaining by using a 1 meter vs. something smaller?

 

[PSB]

http://www.geo-orbit.org/sizepgs/eirporgcharts.htm

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Dish-Size.htm

I use a 36" dish (And a product called Rain Shield) and I hav very few problems even in the worst weather.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=33137

 

[drhydro]

- drhydro said, "...i would throw a couple of 18" DBS dishes and a diseqc switch to get all the audio that is out there, also NASA tv and what ever else shows up FTA on DBS sats." I thought I would be able to get all of that with the 1 meter antenna and motor? I know that the DBS dishes are easy to come by (free? garage sales?), but is the 1 meter dish also overkill? FYI, I'm in ZIP Code 90505.

The smaller dish's will allow you to recieve DVB circular polarity signals, you could also use the invacom quad LNB which recieves both linear and circular signals. Personally i listen to the audio portion of my setup as much as i watch the video, so its nice to have fixed dishes so i dont have to wait for a dish to move ;-)

 

[Tron]

- Regarding those tripods, maybe one of those non-penetrating roof mounts would be better for me? I could set it up in my patio with some cinder blocks...

I use NPRMs on all of my dishes, and they work very well! They're mounted on the flat roof of my shed, and held down with 4 x 8 x 16" solid cinder blocks ($1.30 each at Home Depot or Lowe's).

I removed the reflectors from my dishes for Katrina (actually, I removed the entire motor and dish assembly on my motorized setup), and the NPRMs stayed in place!

As far as dish size, use the largest you can afford and have room for. You'll be glad later when you're trying to pull down weak news feeds

 

[joefta]

Pete,

Thank you for the geo-orbit and sadoun links -- answered my question perfectly. Looks like a 76cm would be more than adequate for my area, but since I'm interested in the DX aspect of this new hobby, I might just get the 1 meter after all (thanks Tron).

Thomas,

More food for thought on the multiple dishes. Since I do listen to music/radio throughout the day, and only watch TV at night (and sometimes I want music and the wife wants TV), I'll consider adding additional antennas sooner rather than later.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Hey Joe,

I'm in 92505, give me a call sometime...