Newb Questions

[Krutoymuzhik]

Just wanted to say first, this is a great site, I have been scrolling through it for about a month now trying to learn as much from you all as can, but I still have questions to ask.

I have Dish Network now, I recieve the International Russian programs on the 61.5 satellite. I have recently found out that I can recieve some descent Russian programming through FTA, so I am figuring to change over and do FTA. I am mostly looking at the Intelsat 5 satellite for programming. I am located in Topeka, KS 66614. I do believe i have a line of site to this satellite, but I am wondering if its possible to use my Dish Network satellite to recieve anything if I point it toward this satellite. If not can anyone recommend a fairly simple and cheap starter FTA complete system to me so I can get started with this all. Wondering if I should even invest in a motor if there is anything else out there worth the while to install one.

I would appreciate any information anyone can give me on these matters. I am sorry if this is a repeat post, I know how many forum users dont like users not using the "Search" tool

Thanks again.

 

[PSB]

Welcome to the SatelliteGuys.US FTA forum

Sorry your Dish receiver will not work for FTA.

Have a look at our review area for some ideas of FTA systems.

Here are the angles to all the satellites from your location..........

   Topeka, KS 66614
Latitude 39° 0.924'N Longitude 95° 44.814'W

              Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m)   El  Skew
-----------------------------------------------------
*** ALL DBS SATELLITE ***
                      
            EchoStar 3   61.5W 132.8 128.6 32.6 -34.8
          EchoStar 6/8  110.0W 202.0 197.9 42.4  16.9
          EchoStar 5/7  119.0W 214.3 210.2 38.8  26.0
 EchoStar 9/Telstar 13  121.0W 216.8 212.7 37.8  27.8
          EchoStar 1/2  148.0W 244.0 239.9 20.2  44.3
            EchoStar 4  157.0W 250.9 246.8 13.5  47.3
                      
     DirecTV 1/1R/2/4S  101.0W 188.3 184.2 44.5   6.4
             DirecTV 6  110.0W 202.0 197.9 42.4  16.9
             DirecTV 5  119.0W 214.3 210.2 38.8  26.0
                      
*** All Satellites 61W - 160W ***
                      
              Amazonas   60.0W 131.2 127.1 31.7 -35.8
            EchoStar 3   61.5W 132.8 128.6 32.6 -34.8
             Rainbow 1   61.5W 132.8 128.6 32.6 -34.8
              Nahuel 1   71.8W 144.8 140.7 38.4 -26.6
           DirecTV 5/1   72.0W 145.1 140.9 38.5 -26.4
                 AMC 6   72.0W 145.1 140.9 38.5 -26.4
             Galaxy 12   74.0W 147.6 143.5 39.5 -24.6
                 SBS 6   74.0W 147.6 143.5 39.5 -24.6
                 AMC 5   79.0W 154.5 150.3 41.6 -19.6
             DirecTV 3   81.8W 158.5 154.4 42.5 -16.6
               Nimiq 2   82.0W 158.8 154.6 42.6 -16.3
          Brasilsat B3   84.0W 161.7 157.6 43.2 -14.1
             XM 3 Roll   85.0W 163.2 159.1 43.5 -13.0
                 AMC 9   85.0W 163.2 159.1 43.5 -13.0
                 AMC 3   87.0W 166.3 162.2 43.9 -10.6
              Galaxy 9   91.0W 172.5 168.4 44.6  -5.8
             Galaxy 11   91.0W 172.5 168.4 44.6  -5.8
               Nimiq 1   91.0W 172.5 168.4 44.6  -5.8
          Brasilsat B4   92.0W 174.1 169.9 44.7  -4.6
             Telstar 6   93.0W 175.6 171.5 44.7  -3.4
             Galaxy 3C   95.0W 178.8 174.7 44.8  -0.9
             Telstar 5   97.0W 182.0 177.9 44.8   1.5
             Galaxy 4R   99.0W 185.2 181.0 44.7   4.0
             DirecTV 2  100.8W 188.0 183.9 44.5   6.2
            DirecTV 1R  100.8W 188.0 183.9 44.5   6.2
                 AMC 4  101.0W 188.3 184.2 44.5   6.4
             DirecTV 1  101.0W 188.3 184.2 44.5   6.4
                AMSC 1  101.1W 188.5 184.4 44.5   6.6
            DirecTV 4S  101.2W 188.6 184.5 44.5   6.7
                 AMC 1  103.0W 191.4 187.3 44.2   8.9
              AMC 2/15  105.0W 194.5 190.4 43.8  11.2
               Anik F1  107.3W 198.0 193.9 43.2  13.9
             DirecTV 6  109.8W 201.7 197.6 42.5  16.7
            EchoStar 6  110.0W 202.0 197.9 42.4  16.9
            EchoStar 8  110.0W 202.0 197.9 42.4  16.9
               Anik F2  111.1W 203.6 199.5 42.1  18.1
         Solidaridad 2  113.0W 206.3 202.1 41.4  20.1
               XM Rock  115.0W 209.0 204.9 40.6  22.1
              SatMex 5  116.8W 211.4 207.3 39.8  23.9
             DirecTV 5  119.0W 214.3 210.2 38.8  26.0
            EchoStar 7  119.0W 214.3 210.2 38.8  26.0
            EchoStar 5  119.0W 214.3 210.2 38.8  26.0
 EchoStar 9/Telstar 13  121.0W 216.8 212.7 37.8  27.8
            Galaxy 10R  123.0W 219.3 215.2 36.7  29.5
             Galaxy 12  125.0W 221.7 217.5 35.6  31.1
          Galaxy 13/H1  127.0W 224.0 219.8 34.5  32.6
   Telstar 7/EchoStar5  129.0W 226.2 222.1 33.3  34.1
                AMC 11  131.0W 228.3 224.2 32.0  35.5
             Galaxy 1R  133.0W 230.4 226.3 30.7  36.8
                AMC 10  135.0W 232.4 228.3 29.4  38.0
                 AMC 7  137.0W 234.3 230.2 28.1  39.1
                 AMC 8  139.0W 236.2 232.1 26.7  40.2
             Galaxy 14  146.0W 242.4 238.3 21.7  43.5
            EchoStar 1  148.0W 244.0 239.9 20.2  44.3
            EchoStar 2  148.0W 244.0 239.9 20.2  44.3
            EchoStar 4  157.0W 250.9 246.8 13.5  47.3
                      

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

IMO, buying a system without a motor is like buying a car without wheels!

 

[Krutoymuzhik]

Thanks for the quick reply PSB. Yah I figured the Dish wouldn't work for FTA but thought I would ask Had to pay for the system $149 so I guess I gotta forget about it now if im not gonna utilize it for DISH programming any longer. What is the difficulty level of installing a FTA dish for the first time? I have heard horror stories all the way to simple no problem at all, I guess it all depends on the installer/user I can get the satellite mounted correctly and pointing in the rough direction for azimoth and elevation, but I dont know about reciever programming and all that fun stuff. I guess I will find out. I might take advantage of that deal on the front page for the satellite guys special $199 for complete system. Anyways thanks again for the help, much appreciated.

 

[PSB]

FTA KU Band satellite Installation is not that much harder than installing a DirecTV/DishNotwork system (If I can do it....) I cheat and use a positive satellite identification meter but if you can get a TV next to the dish during the installation its just as good!

You simply enter the Frequency Polarity and Symbol Rate of a LIVE channel on the satellite you are looking for. Then point the dish by slowly moving the dish while watching the signal QUALITY on the TV, peaking the level by fine adjustments of the dish left and right and possibly up and down in the elevation.

If you do have to get a professional installer in ask them if they have ever done a FTA KU system install and what kind of satellite meter they use, if they say they use a small TV do it yourself...........we can help!

 

[Krutoymuzhik]

Thanks again PSB. With the TV by the dish, what do you mean enter the frequency Polarity and Symbol Rate of LIVE channel on satellite. Where would i enter this, on the FTA reciever box or what? And if i had a tv next to me what would i look for as for finding the satellite, i would have to have my reciever and everythign out there with me also correct?
Is there anything I can utilize my DISH network reciever and satellite for? Can't i at least pick up radio stations or something ?


Thanks

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

You might want to take a look at my walkthrough-could answer some of your questions.

http://www.pbase.com/wtracyparnell/coolsat_4000_prosg2100

 

[PSB]

Thanks again PSB. With the TV by the dish, what do you mean enter the frequency Polarity and Symbol Rate of LIVE channel on satellite. Where would i enter this, on the FTA reciever box or what? And if i had a tv next to me what would i look for as for finding the satellite, i would have to have my reciever and everythign out there with me also correct?
Is there anything I can utilize my DISH network reciever and satellite for? Can't i at least pick up radio stations or something ?


Thanks

Yes you could use the 18" dish for a few FTA channels but the receiver is no good for FTA.

I mean you enter the details of a LIVE channel into the receiver and watch the TV for Signal QUALITY. the Receiver can be in the house or next to the dish depending on the cable length you have. You enter the above in the antenna setup or TP. edit screen. GOOD LUCK!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?p=730910#post730910

 

[WyrTwister]

Just wanted to say first, this is a great site, I have been scrolling through it for about a month now trying to learn as much from you all as can, but I still have questions to ask.

I have Dish Network now, I recieve the International Russian programs on the 61.5 satellite. I have recently found out that I can recieve some descent Russian programming through FTA, so I am figuring to change over and do FTA. I am mostly looking at the Intelsat 5 satellite for programming. I am located in Topeka, KS 66614. I do believe i have a line of site to this satellite, but I am wondering if its possible to use my Dish Network satellite to recieve anything if I point it toward this satellite. If not can anyone recommend a fairly simple and cheap starter FTA complete system to me so I can get started with this all. Wondering if I should even invest in a motor if there is anything else out there worth the while to install one.

I would appreciate any information anyone can give me on these matters. I am sorry if this is a repeat post, I know how many forum users dont like users not using the "Search" tool

Thanks again.

Check question at
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=107792

Installing the dish is more difficult than a DTV or DN dish . A cheap & simple $15 - $25 signal meater really helps . Check ebay .

There are a LOT of foreign channels on the FTA sats .

Your DN stuff will be of only a little use to you , but hang on to it .

Your mounting pole needs to be absolutely plumb , straight up and down .

Once you buy the equipment , holler back at us for more info . Feel free to PM me if I can help futher .

Wyr