Getting started with FTA

[stvcmty]

I want to get started with FTA. My uncle gave me a Fortec Star FSIR-5400NA. I would like to get PBJ from AMC 9 and LPB 3 (Create) from AMC 3. I am located in Baldwin MD. I have several questions:

1. How is the Fortec Star FSIR-5400NA as a start for getting FTA?
2. What is a good dish? I have been watching craigslist for FTA dishes near me, but all that comes up are dish or direct tv dishes. Shipping on dishes is expensive. Options I have seen
   1. a patriot 85e (30x36 elliptical) from global-cm.net
      1. the product page shows a mount for multiple LNBs
   2. GEOSATpro 90cm / 36" Offset Satellite Dish from satelliteav.com
      1. Satelliteav.com has a 4 degree 2 LNB bracket for their dish, would that let me get AMC9 and AMC3?
   3. It looks like a dish shipped to me is going to be $115 to $160, which is fine.
3. What is a good LNB? In the future, I would like to use multiple receivers, so a dual output LNB would be best so I can use a multiswitch.
   1. Satelliteav.com has LNB’s that go in their 4 degree bracket for their dish.
4. I use windows media center for my OTA TV, so it would be nice if could integrate FTA with WMC in the future. Does that impact how I layout LNB switching?

 

[KE4EST]

1. It is a start but out dated and not recommend. I would go with something like the microHD.
2. Go with the GeoSatPro.
You can get a new dish and LNBF and microHD for 199 from SatAV.
3. If you go with Geosatpro dual bullet get it will work with the 4 deg bracket and is a very good LNBF.
4. No.


Welcome to SatelliteGuys!!!

 

[cyberham]

3. Learn what a universal LNB is compared to a standard LNB. Since you are in MD, you may want to try pointing your dish easterly to see what's over the Atlantic. To do this, you will need a universal LNB. As far as I can see, you lose nothing by getting a universal LNB (if using a good receiver like the microHD), but you gain the possibility of gaining a few more exotic channels.

 

[updatelee]

In the past many universal lnb's had a higher noise floor, I havent a clue about newer ones. Im in Western Canada and there is zero need for a Universal lnb here, and because they rely on a 22khz tone for the 10600 LO it prevents you from using 22khz switch's.

36" is fine, but if you can afford the space then get a 39", it does make a difference. Not all dish's are created equally, there are alot of cheap dish's out there that build quality is in relation to their price. Ive got a wineguard, excellent dish.

A motor will greatly increase the available programming, but can be purchased later.

I use PC tuners exclusively (I dont recommend them for starting out though) so I cant comment on set top box's other then the microHD seems really popular, got to be a reason why people like them so much. Infer what you may out of that.

UDL

 

[stvcmty]

3. Learn what a universal LNB is compared to a standard LNB. Since you are in MD, you may want to try pointing your dish easterly to see what's over the Atlantic. To do this, you will need a universal LNB. As far as I can see, you lose nothing by getting a universal LNB (if using a good receiver like the microHD), but you gain the possibility of gaining a few more exotic channels.

The yards two neighbors from me to the east have tall trees. I used dishpointer.com’s obstacle line of sight checker, and it looks like with the height of the trees, I would be lucky to get 15W or 16W.
At some point I hope to get a motorized dish with a universal LNB and a good receiver to see what I can find, but first I want to get something with a fixed dish. If I can get PBJ I will be very excited about FTA.

 

[KE4EST]

Well just to get your feet wet that receiver you have will work for pbj, but you will soon want something that can get dvb-s2

Sent from my DROID RAZR via Satelliteguys Reader

 

[updatelee]

Whats PBJ?

 

[Magic Static]

Peanut Butter & Jelly Luken kids channel

 

[Mr Tony]

Whats PBJ?

Luken's (the company that runs RTV) cartoon channel

 

[madmadworld]

I want to get started with FTA. My uncle gave me a Fortec Star FSIR-5400NA.
[/LIST]

you seem well informed for a newbie. good for you.
still have my Fortec Star FSIR-5400NA used it for a few years was a sad day putting it away.
great box
does this uncle have any other stuff ?
get a 1 meter dish if at all possible got a hand full of 90's and wish would have paid more for the 1 meters now. duh
good luck