Well, if you refuse contracts, you may as well stop right there.
As soon as you activate a recvr your in a commitment.
Yes, you can buy your own equipment, but WHY you would do this is beyond me, D* pays for the correct dish, typically a Slimline with SWM in most cases ....
You may be able to BUY your equipment from D*, I don't know anymore, it's kinda useless with technology changing so fast now.
D* has done the "Lease" thing since '06, they took the idea from DISH who had already been doing it.
Is your intention to jump providers every 6 months ?
If so, go with cable, some of them don't put you in a commitment, but you'll generally pay more monthly for that privilege.
Dish and D* have commitments.
Of course you have been here since '06, so you already know what I've mentioned.