New member checking in from Washington State.

[No Doubt]

Hello people, my name is Guy. I am new to this forum, but not to the world of Satellite. I installed Direct/Dish for a year or so & one of my customers (downsized from a BUD) was very happy with my installation & programming & gave me their old system. The dish was rusted from saltwater & I junked it out. I kept the receiver (GI 920), knowing that I would hook it up sooner or later. I am getting at the end of my 6 month "special" from Comcast & figure it is time to get up to date on the C Band scene. I went around this weekend & found 2 give away large dishes, I am getting both & installing one, the first dish is a 6 ft fixed, that I can do testing with (no arm, it is on one bird) The second one is a 10 ft, that is in good shape & working, (one piece of mesh is loose, but easily fixed)the owner uses it for some sports (football) & said to give him a couple of weeks & I can come over & take it down ( I stressed that I wanted to set the dish on a certain bird before we unplugged his receiver, which he was fine with) On the feedhorn cover, it says "LAZER" I think, it was too cold to play with taking it off to look to see if it had duel LNB's, lol. I am looking forward to getting set up with this BUD, if I dont have a digital TV, will I need a converter as well? Also, who is giving the best packages on programming? I dont watch alot of TV, but my fav channels are History, TLC, A & E, HGTV, TRU TV, Lifetime, Speed, Discovery, Bravo, E!
Thanks in advance, Guy

 

[turbosat]

If your 920 still works you can subscribe to those pay channels thru nps or another provider.
Won't need any converter boxes-that only applies to over-the-air signals, satellite transmission isn't affected by the 'digital switch'. (the 920 picks up analog and digital satellite signals tho)
xxx.callnps.com/ is one provider of subscription satellite services....check out the website for the programming avail.

 

[Cadsulfide]

Welcome to FTA!

Free to Air is a little different than D*sh or D*rect, but is way cool.

As a previous installer, you'll have little trouble getting started. Linear Ku birds are a lot weaker than the circular DBS birds from the big providers, bear that in mind when aiming for the first time.

Getting a C band setup working is easy, getting the polar mount adjusted correctly, and maximizing your signal across the Clarke Belt can be a challange. Take your time, and don't take shortcuts with anything, especially the post.

Set up an array if you have space (sounds like you do). Read all the FAQ's and starter threads before you buy any stuff new. A lot is available from the site sponsers, or from a certian enormous, souless auction site. If you have trouble or questions, just ask. Post some pix of your progress, we would all like to see them.

 

[rv1pop]

Welcome to SatelliteGUYS! Enjoy the addiction.

 

[No Doubt]

Thanks for the welcome & input. At the shop/office, there was always a bud on & working, & I played with it abit in the mornings. I will buy a inclimeter for my site survey and post my progress. I am familier with the Clarke Belt, but memory fails me, lol. From Washington state I sould be concerned with W9 at 85 (east) & W7 at 137 (west, and all in between, correct?

 

[rv1pop]

Depends on where in the valley you are and what you see to the south. I have gotten signal at least once from 53 or 50° in the east to a signal from (I think) one just past 148°.
Not that I found anything I could watch, but I was playing, using my GPS to set the angle, then moving the elevation on the dish to get a squeal on the meter. (Between Bickleton and Goldendale above the Columbia River, South of Yakima.) In Lynnwood/So.Everett I have too many trees south of me to get very much.

 

[No Doubt]

Are you in Lynnwood/Everett now? I am just to the east in Snohomish, lol. I see you also have your ticket? I am just passed my tech this month & am working 2 & 10 meters, Guy.

Depends on where in the valley you are and what you see to the south. I have gotten signal at least once from 53 or 50° in the east to a signal from (I think) one just past 148°.
Not that I found anything I could watch, but I was playing, using my GPS to set the angle, then moving the elevation on the dish to get a squeal on the meter. (Between Bickleton and Goldendale above the Columbia River, South of Yakima.) In Lynnwood/So.Everett I have too many trees south of me to get very much.

 

[rv1pop]

Yes, in Lynnwood right now, getting a house ready to rent. Put up a dish so we could watch Glorystar, and the potential renter in today wants me to leave it - That may clinch the deal!
Got My novice in 1957, Tech in 1958 and Extra in 2006, Just have 2 Meter with me. I am 1 mile from 146.78, but have not had much time to be on the air while here.

 

[No Doubt]

2013 Check-in!

HAHA!, So it has been awhile since I have visited, as life takes us in differant directions sometimes. I am still building radio stations & driving truck when I want to make a living, lol.
I think I may set my KU dish's (primestar) up this spring, what is out there FTA?
How is the forum doing!
Waving from the NW Corner,
Guy

 

[Panavision]

Wow! This has got to be the largest gap in activity for a thread I've ever seen! I hope all is well. FTA has changed a little, or a lot, depending on what you're looking for, since 2008. Now, I come from a Ku background, so it may be a little different for C-band, but many signals have gone to DVB-S2 and 8PSK as well as high definition. The good news is that you can still watch most things with a new, inexpensive receiver. Plus, most of your other equipment should work fine. Some of the stuff you described earlier seemed to indicate an interest in 4DTV. I'll leave that to the C-banders in the know. Welcome back!

 

[Lone Cloud]

Yikes! 5 years. Now is a fairly good time for true FTA. I see a handful of what I consider premium channels and plenty of other vintage regular networks and downright weird stuff.

The majority of it is in HD too. You do need a big dish for most of it though. If it's your thing, you can avoid sending checks every month to a cackling, overweight CEO.

You know, before the internet, people in this hobby (and many others) were at the complete mercy of other people. We are already taking for granted the ability to learn about nearly everything, including satellite FTA, in ten minutes from your nearest keyboard. Here we can compare methods and products and troubleshoot nearly anything. It's a pretty good time for FTA.

 

[Anole]

It may LOOK like No Doubt's been idle all this time, but I recall numerous animated discussions.
In late 2010, he started a couple of threads.
And somewhere, I think he announced he was moving (?).

Anyway, welcome back, buddy!