Anything of interest to English speakers?

[Tyralak]

I've toyed with the idea of getting into the FTA hobby, but want to know if I should bother. It looks like there's a huge amount of foreign programming and religious programming. I'm not too interested in either of those, as I only speak English, and am not interested in religious programming. Is there anything of interest to the typical mono-linguistic American?

 

[voomvoom]

Of course there is!

Al

 

[Tyralak]

Of course there is!

Al

Excellent! Anyone have a list, and what type of equipment would be necessary?

 

[voomvoom]

Near the top of the page, where it says "Homepage", to the right of that you will find the "List". Click on it and pick a Satellite and click on it. You will find some of what's on. Then try them all. G10 is a favorite for many, the RTN channels.

Al

 

[voomvoom]

If you find enough channels to interest you, then ask what equipment you need?

Al

 

[Wescopc]

Check this out:
FTA Sports and Movie Highlights - FTAList.com
also AMC 3 has the PBS channels - worth it for me.
Bob

 

[Anole]

The adverts at the top of this page are our patrons, but I think only three sell FTA equipment retail.
Those would be SatelliteAV, Sadoun, and GoSatellite. *

Any of their web sites would have complete systems available, with receiver, dish, LNB, ... and motor if you like.
Some include coax, cabling, and other accessories.

If you have particular preferences in equipment, features, or performance, post that, and we can help you focus on particular hardware.
If you've looked at some (eBay, local, or other) offers, describe them, give a link, and we'll critique them for you.
That way, you'll make an informed decision and purchase, and wind up with a nice system.

hints: a dish of 30 to 36" for starters, linear LNB (not circular), a receiver with blind scan is a wise investment.


* Fortec and Invacom make the stuff, but don't sell retail.
DishStore sells equipment if you want to subscribe to Dish Network.

 

[Sadoun]

There are several English language programming on FTA. Check FTAList.com - The easy list of North American free-to-air TV channels

The channels are available on KU band and C Band satellites. for C-Band you will need a minimum of 6' dish. If this is out of the question for you, then KU band channels what you should be looking at.

Minimum dish size is 30" but I would recommend a bigger dish like 36" plus, if you decide to go with a motorized system (recommended).

Good luck and welcome to the FTA forum.

 

[Mr Tony]

check out thelist which is a little more up to date

 

[Woofle]

I've toyed with the idea of getting into the FTA hobby, but want to know if I should bother. It looks like there's a huge amount of foreign programming and religious programming. I'm not too interested in either of those, as I only speak English, and am not interested in religious programming. Is there anything of interest to the typical mono-linguistic American?

Others have posted TheList and the fta list, so I won't repeat the URLs here.

Russia Today is an English language program that I personally find very interesting.

I'm currently enjoying various affiliates of the RTN network (kind of like a TV-Land, but IMHO done better) on G10R. Though I suspect RTN is going to be a runaway success at getting their programming into all the major markets with their brilliant strategy of packaging their channel to help OTA TV stations fill their subchannels with the move to digital TV now well underway....

I am going pretty far out on a limb as a relative newcomer to the FTA hobby (but have decades of technical experience in radio/TV stuff apart from FTA) to make any broad statements like this.. but.... I thinK FTA is a somewhat technical and "learning-oriented" *hobby* moreso than a way to get free TV channels, though obviously it's both.

That doesn't mean you have to be technically inclined to enjoy it (you can always pay an installer to do it all and operate it all like any other home appliance).

BUT, a lot of the enjoyment, IMHO, comes from the DIY and learning aspects, and playing with relatively sophisticated technology (which is constantly improving) to "fish" the satellites for stuff to watch, including the feeds that come and go. I think there may be an element of "sport" and "hobby" in it that appeals to an FTA head, but might not be all that important to someone who just wants more TV channels.

If the idea of rotating your dish and surfing the Clarke belt for stuff to watch sounds fun in and of itself, I suspect you'll have a LOT of fun. If you want lots of new movie channels for free, it will be less rewarding. IMHO

 

[jayelem]

If you want lots of new movie channels for free, it will be less rewarding. IMHO

If you only knew.

Those Foreign Channels some people are not too crazy about would suprise them.

Anyone remember last year when that Persian Carpet Channel looped New DVD movies for several Days .

Heck I know of several current Channels that have a Starz like format of showing different types of movies , I don't care to elaborate hoping that they stay ITC for a very long time, Woofie unfortunately you live to far west to get the bird I speak of.

FTA may not be for everybody and if they don't want to embrace it then there's no need to push the benefits.

My biggest and only Luxury expense month to month is my High Speed Internet $58 dollars which includes analog Cable in the package , I have OTA and FTA so between all my choices I have a pretty well rounded choice of channels and no need to subscribe to Dish.

I'm frugal by nature and can live on OTA and FTA alone.

 

[Woofle]

Yeah, if you fish, you'll catch something

Yeah, I think I know of the Sat I-wish-was-visible of which you speak.

At any rate, I'm having tons of fun between Galaxy 25 (ne Telstar 5) and Galaxy 10R (anyone know what the "R" is for?

And you're right. It didn't take long to discover a lot of wonderful (sometimes wacky) content. "Law and Order" episodes with Arabic subtitles, anyone?

So far, I can heartily recommend "Russia Today" (11966 on G25) as worth a look. Also, RNW 2 (English) and WRN (English) feeds for radio, also on G25. These would be something like you'd get from shortwave listening, except with a picture and clear sound.

 

[voomvoom]

Galaxy 10R (anyone know what the "R" is for?

Yes, it's for "Replacement". Now if you ask me what the C is for on G3, I would be .....??????? You got me??

Al

I think there was a G3R before G3C...?
Maybe the C means Cee pete..? or is that threepete?

 

[dot_null]

My personal favorites are Al Jazeera English, MHz Worldview and Russia Today on G25. I also like NYN on AMC 5, and of course the English programming on G10R. Oh, and the PBS programming on AMC 3.

 

[ghia]

FTV on G25 is entertaining as well, though not a good news source as Russia Today!

 

[bloomdog]

To me, 99% of the fun of this hobby is the challenge of setting up your dish (get a motor!!!!) and overcoming all of the techincal/design/engineering issues and finally receiving the signals. It is the essence of the human spirit to see a challenge, take it on, work it out and master it. This is what got us to the moon. Take a look at some of the older postings here which show the ingenuity of our membership in building better mousetraps!. Personally, I am more interested in the accomplishment of bringing in a signal (like catching a fish). Watching TV, per se, can be very boring.

 

[Mr Tony]

Yes, it's for "Replacement". Now if you ask me what the C is for on G3, I would be .....??????? You got me??

Al

I think there was a G3R before G3C...?
Maybe the C means Cee pete..? or is that threepete?

I think you're right Al. There was a G3R a while back and now its G3C

 

[lionanimal]

Midnight hot on Fashion TV is worth a long look.

Midnight hot on Fashion TV is worth a long look. It is in the clear on G25 (telestar 5).