Why do you have FTA?

[iafirebuff]

I LOVE out of market stations. RTN is what sold me. I had been toying with getting a system for about a year, then I found out about RTN and here I is

 

[GaryPen]

FTA...It's not for everyone

by the way...you don't have to tinker with it to make it work. We tinker with it to make it better (kind of like when people who have Dish or Direct spend hours tweaking a dish to get another point out of the meter)

Yeah. That what I did with my XJS too. It was "better" when the brakesd and steering worked.

 

[Keith Brannen]

While I voted for getting stuff for free, that's definitely not the only reason!

I have Star Choice, so have a fair selection of channels to view, but found I wanted more, and different, programming. FTA looked like a great hobby (now an addiction), as well as getting extras.

It was RTN that finally made me take the plunge, though even without it I would have eventually gotten into FTA. Weekday nights find me watching two old favourites, My Three Sons and Hogan's Heroes.

From there it branched out (extremely quickly) to getting White Springs for the old movies, and into international programming for variety (there are a lot of international programs with English subtitles). Of course, it would be great if there were a few more English language channels FTA, especially from Australia or New Zealand!

I especially like to blind scan for new channels/wild feeds, etc. It reminds me of the old days when I would "scan" for OTA channels due to atmospheric conditions extending channel ranges. As well, I use to enjoy Short Wave radio "scanning" for international programming and amateur radio.

I also enjoy the technology side, and the satisfaction of tinkering to get something extra (such as the experimenting and addition of extra LNBs).

 

[Das Hammer]

FOR KOJAK, BABY!!! You're from NY, I think you'd like it!

Other than that, I like it cause its flexible. You see, you can use it to watch baseball games, shows, whatever like normal; but, you can also go exploring which a lot of us like to do. It's rather exciting doing a blind scan on a sat, finding a new TP, and wondering what the scan will bring. Could be sports, could be a live news report, could be many things. Some just like the thrill of "hunting".

 

[dwingel]

White Springs TV is good. Lots of good TV on C-band. You might want to rethink your opposition to it.
Dale

 

[john green]

So far the poll indicates most of you are geeks...like me.

 

[motorcycle_rider]

Me personally I like to tinker and see what I can pull in. Also if it has to do with technology I am into it. I voted technology. Now when I want reliable tv to watch I just use my cable subcribtion. FTA is a hobby and so far very interesting.

The constantly tweaking and adjusting is what really drew me to it.

 

[digiblur]

Thanks for answering, everyone. It helps me understand fta a little better. It seems like a fun hobby for most of you guys. But, there doesn't seem to be anything to get me involved right now. For me, the reasons above stack up l;ike this:

• 
  
  Religious Programming - I couldn't be less interested

• Int'l Programming - Without Japanese, there is nothing of interest to me

• Out of Market Stations - I get enough IN market stations. I don't need anymore. (I can receive about 20 OTA digital channels here.)

• Public Interest/Educational - Not interested in PI. Otherwise, I've generally been happy with TLC, Disc, Animal, and PBS for my educational experience.

• News Feeds - THIS seems like a valid reason for me. I may go for it in the future just for this.

• Technology - I love technology. I've got a pretty decent home theater setup. I was a touring concert soundman for 20 years, and currently am an IT and AV specialist. But, I don't care to constantly tinker with something, just to get it to work. (I sold my XJS for that very reason.) I enjoy setting stuff up. But, once up, I should never have to touch it again, other than to enjoy its use.

• Free Stuff - It's only worth it to me if the stuff is worth watching. While there may be indeed some occasional prgramming of interest, for me, I don't see anything worth the money, time, and effort of an FTA system. Perhaps if I was home more? (Retired, Unemployed, or work from home) But, I only have so much time at home. And that means limited time for TV watching. So, we usually fill it with DVD movies on the home theater.

But, it sounds like a lot of fun for you guys. If more programming gets added, or if I have more time at home, I might join you. Some od the equipment looks pretty cool too.

I detect someone trying to talk themselves out of it...

You can't solely base your decision on what is listed on Lyngsat or other sites. There's lots of stuff up there that isn't listed. Even if I had the biggest package E* or D* sold I can guarantee I'd still have my FTA system and watch it a good bit. No one else has the programming that I can get with my FTA box and FTA PCI card.

 

[iafirebuff]

Rtn! Rtn! Rtn!

 

[johnml]

How does somebody even get started in this ? I would like to but dont even know where to start.
I have Directv now, but would love to get other stuff, especially for free...

 

[PSB]

How does somebody even get started in this ? I would like to but dont even know where to start.
I have Directv now, but would love to get other stuff, especially for free...

Read as much as you can here! That would be the best way to start in the hobby!

 

[GaryPen]

I detect someone trying to talk themselves out of it...

You can't solely base your decision on what is listed on Lyngsat or other sites. There's lots of stuff up there that isn't listed. Even if I had the biggest package E* or D* sold I can guarantee I'd still have my FTA system and watch it a good bit. No one else has the programming that I can get with my FTA box and FTA PCI card.

Quite the opposite. I have no valid reason to talk myself into it. That's what I was wondering why you guys did it. Maybe there was something there to do it. But, so far, not.

It sounds great for you guys though.

 

[Wescopc]

I have found FTA to be a hobby that can be addressed in my spare time, it takes my mind off of my work-a-day thoughts. While at times it can be frustrating, I find great joy in working my way through a problem to a solution. I enjoy watching programing without the advertising, I love the challenge of finding a hidden program. It is a kind of like mining with a nugget or jewel as a reward.

If you are looking for easy & cheap TV, my wife would tell you to forget FTA. Too many remotes and invoices for more equipment! But she really enjoys PBS programming without all of the begging for money.

 

[Das Hammer]

I also like to throw around big time technical terms like Local Oscillator Frequency, Audio PID, Symbol Rates, etc. when I'm around my wife. She gets so impressed that she does special things for me like bake cookies.

In reality though, I actually get a little more exercise now. Many trips out to the dishes carrying a bucket full of wrenches, meters, coax paraphenalia, and mosquito spray have got me out of the house more now than ever. Not to mention all of the manual labor associated with digging holes, pouring concrete, cutting pipes, etc.

I still like finding the news feeds most of all. Best one was a car chase in LA - Live feed from the news station with one of their helicopters chasing a couple guys in a truck. Recorded the whole thing.

 

[Dishpointer]

I voted for the technology of it partly because I just like to see what is up there that you wouldn't normally see. I love watching news and other odd feeds.

 

[voomvoom]

Backhauls, Backhauls in HD, and more Backhauls!!!!

I voted for getting stuff for free, but any/all of them could have applied. The one not listed is the one which would have been applied the most "Backhauls"!!!

Al

Edit: meaning sports, but news would also apply.... not to mention syndicated programming.

 

[iafirebuff]

I used to listen to shortwave radio all the time, and I also see FTA as an extension to that.

 

[sidekick]

For me, I got tired of paying money to providers with basically nothing to show of lasting value besides memories. I am now strictly OTA & FTA and I get more than enough in programming to satisfy my viewing needs. My wife and I have more than enough money to pay for the best that D or DT can offer. I simply tired of spending the money for a signal. Now, I'm reading more and "doing" more than when I was playing Mr. Couch Potato. Instead of being a spectator, I'm a participator. My wife and I are diving, I'm learning to kayak, and I'm expanding on my photography hobby. Given the fact that we have limited time on this planet, I've decided to make the most of it. OTA and FTA are perfect for me and my family.

 

[W_Tracy_Parnell]

Very well said Sidekick! :up

 

[john green]

I used to listen to shortwave radio all the time, and I also see FTA as an extension to that.

Yea I think a few of us are into shortwave.I am also into scanning local police & fire and provide the feed for a website in my area.