Why shouldn't I get in FTA???

[Unckle_Fun_Knuckles]

Hey folks,
Disgusting newbie here. I've spent a few days combing through the posts and was getting ready to make the jump with the a nice package from Sadoun. I was going to make the jump to the 36" disk and the motorized setup. about $400 total-ish.

Does anyone have ANY reason that they can think of why I shouldn't do this? I'm very tech-comprehensive. I've built my last 4 PCs myself. The wife is cool with the huge disks and I AM looking for a new hobby. So i guess all those things are in my favor.
What isn't??
Any advice is always appreciated.
Thanks 1,000,000

 

[Todd Wiedemann]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys !

Well, you need a decent line of sight to the Clarke belt to "see" the satellites ... basically, what's your southern view like ??

 

[Mr Tony]

Welcome

Only 2 reasons I can see why someone wouldn’t do this

-bad Line of sight (as Todd said) That can kill the fun
-you buy the system expecting to get Dish Network for free…that won’t work and isn’t allowed here

 

[Cascade]

Best name ever.

Welcome to the forum

All I can say is "Do it".
If you have a good clear view of the arc there's no reason you shouldn't jump into it.
Sure, you'll get aggravated when you can't hit the arc the first 500 times but it's all worth it - as long as you always have something to mess with, whether it be your dish, LNB, motor or receiver, it'll never get boring.
If you do get tired of messing round with the hardware there's always a ton of stuff up there to keep you off the streets for hours.

Plus, you may find yourself addicted to one station in particular.

 

[rkrenicki]

Noone here would give you a reason NOT to do it

Patience is definately a requirement, and theres all kinds of good stuff out there for channels.. always a thrill

 

[Unckle_Fun_Knuckles]

Thanks GUys

Hey Folks,
Thanks for the warm welcome. Nice to feel all warm and squishy inside.
I'm totally not into the hacking aspect of the FTA scene. Not fun.

As far as the "arc" goes...How exactly can I assertain my view of the arc? What directions should I face when checking? I was gonna put the dish on a 6foot pole on the peak of the house to increase the view.
Guess I need to find out before I buy anything eh?
A step-by-step- for the drooling moron would be great
Thanks!

 

[Mr Tony]

what part of the US are you located?

as an example, I am in Minnesota, so if straight south is 6:00, a good arc is from 4-8

 

[Unckle_Fun_Knuckles]

Boonies

I'm in North-eastern TN
37847 is the zip if that helps??
Thanx

 

[sikma]

That and make sure you are far enough from trees and other obstructions as you look from SE to SW. My look angles range from 38 degrees at true south, to 27 degrees at the far east and far west of the sat. belt. I found the easiest way to check is set an angle finder on top of a 3' level and start by aiming at true south. True to raise the level to the degree you need to be at (in my case it's 38 degrees). Once you're at the angle look down the level.......if you see no obstructions you have a clear shot at the sky and should be in business.

 

[Cascade]

Nimiq2 and AMC9 seem to be good for a true south satellite.

Before Pete gets in:

Pioneer, TN 37847
Latitude 36° 28.170'N Longitude 84° 17.442'W

Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m) El Skew
-------------------------------------------------------------
EchoStar 3 61.5W 144.7 150.0 41.3 -27.7
Rainbow 1 61.5W 144.7 150.0 41.3 -27.7
Brasilsat A2 (incl. 5.8 deg) 63.0W 146.8 152.0 42.1 -26.2
Brasilsat B2 65.0W 149.5 154.8 43.0 -24.1
Brasilsat B1 70.0W 156.8 162.1 45.1 -18.5
Nahuel 1 71.8W 159.6 164.8 45.7 -16.3
AMC 6 72.0W 159.9 165.1 45.7 -16.1
Galaxy 12 74.0W 163.0 168.3 46.3 -13.6
SBS 6 74.0W 163.0 168.3 46.3 -13.6
GOES 12 75.0W 164.6 169.9 46.6 -12.3
AMC 5 79.0W 171.1 176.4 47.3 -7.1
DirecTV 3 81.8W 175.8 181.1 47.6 -3.4
Nimiq 2 82.0W 176.1 181.4 47.6 -3.1
Brasilsat B3 84.0W 179.5 184.8 47.7 -0.4
XM Roll 85.0W 181.2 186.5 47.7 1.0
AMC 9 85.0W 181.2 186.5 47.7 1.0
AMC 3 87.0W 184.6 189.8 47.6 3.7
Galaxy 9 91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1 9.0
Galaxy 11 91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1 9.0
Nimiq 1 91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1 9.0
Brasilsat B4 92.0W 192.8 198.1 46.9 10.3
Telstar 6 93.0W 194.5 199.7 46.7 11.6
Galaxy 8I (incl. 1.0 deg) 95.0W 197.6 202.9 46.2 14.1
Galaxy 3C 95.0W 197.6 202.9 46.2 14.1
Telstar 5 97.0W 200.8 206.0 45.6 16.6
Inmarsat 2 f2 (incl. 1.7 deg) 98.0W 202.3 207.6 45.3 17.8
Galaxy 4R 99.0W 203.8 209.1 44.9 19.0
DirecTV 2 100.8W 206.5 211.8 44.2 21.0
DirecTV 1R 100.8W 206.5 211.8 44.2 21.0
AMC 4 101.0W 206.8 212.1 44.1 21.3
DirecTV 1 101.0W 206.8 212.1 44.1 21.3
AMSC 1 101.1W 206.9 212.2 44.1 21.4
DirecTV 4S 101.2W 207.1 212.4 44.1 21.5
AMC 1 103.0W 209.7 214.9 43.3 23.5
Solidaridad 1 (incl. 2.8 deg) 103.5W 210.4 215.6 43.1 24.0
AMC 2 105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4 25.6
G-Star 3 (incl. 11.5 deg) 105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4 25.6
G-Star 1 (incl. 6.0 deg) 105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4 25.6
MSAT 1 106.5W 214.5 219.8 41.6 27.1
Anik F1 107.3W 215.5 220.8 41.2 27.9
Anik E1 109.2W 218.0 223.3 40.2 29.7
DirecTV 6 109.8W 218.8 224.0 39.9 30.2
EchoStar 6 110.0W 219.0 224.3 39.8 30.4
EchoStar 8 110.0W 219.0 224.3 39.8 30.4
Anik E2R 111.1W 220.4 225.6 39.1 31.4
Solidaridad 2 113.0W 222.7 227.9 38.0 33.0
Morelos 2 (incl. 4.4 deg) 114.9W 224.9 230.1 36.8 34.6
XM Rock 115.0W 225.0 230.3 36.8 34.6
SatMex 5 116.8W 227.0 232.3 35.6 36.0
Anik E2 118.7W 229.0 234.3 34.4 37.4
DirecTV 5 119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2 37.6
EchoStar 7 119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2 37.6
EchoStar 5 119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2 37.6
EchoStar 9/Telstar 13 121.0W 231.4 236.7 32.8 39.0
Galaxy 10R 123.0W 233.4 238.7 31.5 40.2
Galaxy 5 125.0W 235.4 240.6 30.0 41.4
Galaxy 12 125.0W 235.4 240.6 30.0 41.4
Galaxy 13 127.0W 237.2 242.5 28.6 42.5
Telstar 7 129.0W 239.0 244.3 27.1 43.6
Satcom C3 131.0W 240.8 246.0 25.6 44.6
Galaxy 1R 133.0W 242.4 247.7 24.1 45.5
Satcom C4 135.0W 244.1 249.3 22.6 46.3
GOES 10 135.5W 244.5 249.7 22.2 46.5
AMC 7 137.0W 245.6 250.9 21.0 47.1
AMC 8 139.0W 247.2 252.5 19.5 47.8
Inmarsat 2 f3 (incl. 1.9 deg) 142.0W 249.4 254.7 17.1 48.8
EchoStar 1 148.0W 253.6 258.9 12.4 50.5
EchoStar 2 148.0W 253.6 258.9 12.4 50.5
TDRS 9 (incl. 7.4 deg) 151.0W 255.6 260.9 10.0 51.2
TDRS 10 (incl. 6.2 deg) 151.0W 255.6 260.9 10.0 51.2
EchoStar 4 157.0W 259.5 264.8 5.2 52.3

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

 

[sikma]

If your in TN, you're luckier than me...your look angle will be much higher than mine. In other words your dish will be looking higher in the sky so any obstructions to the south MAY NOT be as critical.....again as long as you can seen the sky while aimed at the proper degree angle for the specific satellite you're trying to pick up.

 

[Mr Tony]

If your in TN, you're luckier than me...your look angle will be much higher than mine. In other words your dish will be looking higher in the sky so any obstructions to the south MAY NOT be as critical.....again as long as you can seen the sky while aimed at the proper degree angle for the specific satellite you're trying to pick up.

thats the problem for us "Up Norters"
Even the true south is only 38

 

[sikma]

That's why I can never buy a motor for my setup.....too many trees spaced most invconvieniently..........thus, I'm going to have to set up (find 1 more first) a total of 2 old P* dishes to pull in all of the sats. I'm getting tired of moving the one dish I've got now cemented in a 5 gal. bucket every time I want to switch from 123 to 101 or 93 or 84 etc.......................

 

[Unckle_Fun_Knuckles]

Wow guys that is a lot of great info but most of it went right over my head. I was "down" with iceburg using six oclock and 4-8 oclock.

I get the angle thing. 90 points stright up at the sky. do I use the Lat or the Lon to figure out the "eyeball" of the angle I need to use? I was going to go outside and fo a quick check for prelims.

I know all this must seem trite but I do appreciate all the help =)

 

[Mr Tony]

most of your angles are 40+ degrees

if you stick your arm striaght our, thats 0
straight above your head is 90

its around 1/2 way between the two

 

[sikma]

For example, if you wanted to pick up G10 which is parked at 123 degrees, you figure out that for your location the elevation angle is 40 degrees. If all you want to do is a quick check for obstructions, look southwest and get a 3' level or a 2x4 and set an angle finder on top. Now look southwest and raise the board until the angle finder reads 40 degrees. Now look down the board, if you don't see trees, buildings etc.. you would be able to pick up G10. Now just repeat the proceedure for other satellites.

 

[rkrenicki]

and now, in code format for easier viewing

                      Pioneer, TN 37847
         Latitude 36° 28.170'N Longitude 84° 17.442'W

                      Sat Name Sat Lng Az(t) Az(m)   El  Skew
-------------------------------------------------------------

*** All Satellites 61W - 160W ***
                              
                    EchoStar 3   61.5W 144.7 150.0 41.3 -27.7
                     Rainbow 1   61.5W 144.7 150.0 41.3 -27.7
  Brasilsat A2 (incl. 5.8 deg)   63.0W 146.8 152.0 42.1 -26.2
                  Brasilsat B2   65.0W 149.5 154.8 43.0 -24.1
                  Brasilsat B1   70.0W 156.8 162.1 45.1 -18.5
                      Nahuel 1   71.8W 159.6 164.8 45.7 -16.3
                         AMC 6   72.0W 159.9 165.1 45.7 -16.1
                     Galaxy 12   74.0W 163.0 168.3 46.3 -13.6
                         SBS 6   74.0W 163.0 168.3 46.3 -13.6
                       GOES 12   75.0W 164.6 169.9 46.6 -12.3
                         AMC 5   79.0W 171.1 176.4 47.3  -7.1
                     DirecTV 3   81.8W 175.8 181.1 47.6  -3.4
                       Nimiq 2   82.0W 176.1 181.4 47.6  -3.1
                  Brasilsat B3   84.0W 179.5 184.8 47.7  -0.4
                       XM Roll   85.0W 181.2 186.5 47.7   1.0
                         AMC 9   85.0W 181.2 186.5 47.7   1.0
                         AMC 3   87.0W 184.6 189.8 47.6   3.7
                      Galaxy 9   91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1   9.0
                     Galaxy 11   91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1   9.0
                       Nimiq 1   91.0W 191.2 196.5 47.1   9.0
                  Brasilsat B4   92.0W 192.8 198.1 46.9  10.3
                     Telstar 6   93.0W 194.5 199.7 46.7  11.6
     Galaxy 8I (incl. 1.0 deg)   95.0W 197.6 202.9 46.2  14.1
                     Galaxy 3C   95.0W 197.6 202.9 46.2  14.1
                     Telstar 5   97.0W 200.8 206.0 45.6  16.6
 Inmarsat 2 f2 (incl. 1.7 deg)   98.0W 202.3 207.6 45.3  17.8
                     Galaxy 4R   99.0W 203.8 209.1 44.9  19.0
                     DirecTV 2  100.8W 206.5 211.8 44.2  21.0
                    DirecTV 1R  100.8W 206.5 211.8 44.2  21.0
                         AMC 4  101.0W 206.8 212.1 44.1  21.3
                     DirecTV 1  101.0W 206.8 212.1 44.1  21.3
                        AMSC 1  101.1W 206.9 212.2 44.1  21.4
                    DirecTV 4S  101.2W 207.1 212.4 44.1  21.5
                         AMC 1  103.0W 209.7 214.9 43.3  23.5
 Solidaridad 1 (incl. 2.8 deg)  103.5W 210.4 215.6 43.1  24.0
                         AMC 2  105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4  25.6
     G-Star 3 (incl. 11.5 deg)  105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4  25.6
      G-Star 1 (incl. 6.0 deg)  105.0W 212.5 217.7 42.4  25.6
                        MSAT 1  106.5W 214.5 219.8 41.6  27.1
                       Anik F1  107.3W 215.5 220.8 41.2  27.9
                       Anik E1  109.2W 218.0 223.3 40.2  29.7
                     DirecTV 6  109.8W 218.8 224.0 39.9  30.2
                    EchoStar 6  110.0W 219.0 224.3 39.8  30.4
                    EchoStar 8  110.0W 219.0 224.3 39.8  30.4
                      Anik E2R  111.1W 220.4 225.6 39.1  31.4
                 Solidaridad 2  113.0W 222.7 227.9 38.0  33.0
     Morelos 2 (incl. 4.4 deg)  114.9W 224.9 230.1 36.8  34.6
                       XM Rock  115.0W 225.0 230.3 36.8  34.6
                      SatMex 5  116.8W 227.0 232.3 35.6  36.0
                       Anik E2  118.7W 229.0 234.3 34.4  37.4
                     DirecTV 5  119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2  37.6
                    EchoStar 7  119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2  37.6
                    EchoStar 5  119.0W 229.4 234.6 34.2  37.6
         EchoStar 9/Telstar 13  121.0W 231.4 236.7 32.8  39.0
                    Galaxy 10R  123.0W 233.4 238.7 31.5  40.2
                      Galaxy 5  125.0W 235.4 240.6 30.0  41.4
                     Galaxy 12  125.0W 235.4 240.6 30.0  41.4
                     Galaxy 13  127.0W 237.2 242.5 28.6  42.5
                     Telstar 7  129.0W 239.0 244.3 27.1  43.6
                     Satcom C3  131.0W 240.8 246.0 25.6  44.6
                     Galaxy 1R  133.0W 242.4 247.7 24.1  45.5
                     Satcom C4  135.0W 244.1 249.3 22.6  46.3
                       GOES 10  135.5W 244.5 249.7 22.2  46.5
                         AMC 7  137.0W 245.6 250.9 21.0  47.1
                         AMC 8  139.0W 247.2 252.5 19.5  47.8
 Inmarsat 2 f3 (incl. 1.9 deg)  142.0W 249.4 254.7 17.1  48.8
                    EchoStar 1  148.0W 253.6 258.9 12.4  50.5
                    EchoStar 2  148.0W 253.6 258.9 12.4  50.5
        TDRS 9 (incl. 7.4 deg)  151.0W 255.6 260.9 10.0  51.2
       TDRS 10 (incl. 6.2 deg)  151.0W 255.6 260.9 10.0  51.2
                    EchoStar 4  157.0W 259.5 264.8  5.2  52.3

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

Your elevation range is 47 to 32..

Looks to me like it would be similar to mine, if 6 o'clock was due south, then you would want 5 to 8:30 or so, and everything at least 32 degrees off the horizon (thats for a perfect world)

Grab a compass, stand where you want the dish, and look from 150 to 240 on the compass gauge.. thats the normal field of view.

 

[Unckle_Fun_Knuckles]

Thanks 1,000,000 guys. Gonna throw on some bugspray and hit the roof.

Quick questions...hope you guys dont think any less of me for asking...are there any "mature" type programs available on the FTA range??

Man...I feel so dirty....

 

[Mr Tony]

Quick questions...hope you guys dont think any less of me for asking...are there any "mature" type programs available on the FTA range??

Man...I feel so dirty....

sorry....unless you consider "Caliente" which is on Univision (scantly clad women dancing to hip Mexican music in hot areas like Miami Beach and Mexico)

 

[rkrenicki]

no, nothing mature.. perhaps a little risque (such as some univision programming on G10R) but thats about it