Need Advise on Configuring Directv with Pansat 3500SD

[prakashivb]

Hi,

I have Directv and bought Pansat 3500SD yesterday. I am not able to figure out a way to get TV Channels with this combination. I think I have a single satellite oval Dish with following config parameters.

Dish Type: Oval, 2 LNBs
Satellite: 101 deg (A), 95 deg()
Azimuth: 234
Elevation: 37
Tilt: 55

Will I be able to make this combination work? if not, what advise can I get to watch some FTA channels.

I know I am dumb not to have researced more before buying Pansat but here I am and I really appreciate your advise on this.

Thanks
Prakash

 

[brentb636]

You will not be able to get Directv without using a Directv receiver and a subscription. When I was starting out, I tried using a DTV series III dish, with 3 lnbs, but found that was not any way to get FTA channels. I shopped at Sadoun, one of our sponsors, and picked up a motorized 80 cm package and have added stuff ever since. I'd recommend a 90cm dish now with a SG-2100 motor, Invacom QPH031 lnbf.

 

[prakashivb]

Hi Brent,

Thanks for replying to me. I do have Directv Subscription and Receiver. In fact 2 receivers in 2 rooms. I am trying to use the existing dish to explore FTA world and get a taste of it before I decide how serious I can get with it.

With the exisitng setup I have, is there anything at all I can do to make a beginning and view some additional channels.

Thanks
Prakash

 

[qwert1515]

With the setup you have you can not pick up any FTA channels from the DirecTV satellites, if you reposition the Dish to DishNetwork's satellites you might be able to pick up a few music channels and NasaTV.

If you decide to buy a 31" or larger dish you can use the FTA receiver.

 

[brentb636]

Nope, not really.
The Direct TV dish has circular lnbf's on it, and the FTA world uses linear polarization. At the very least, you'd have to figure out how to stick a linear lnbf on the arm and align it correctly. Then , since the dish is small, you'd have a terrible time trying to pick up a signal.
The smallest dish generally recommended for FTA is 30" , because the signals are weaker from linear satellites. If you could find a free DN superdish, for example, its greater size might give you a chance to get some FTA channels.

 

[hiker]

I wondered about this before...
With the Invacom QPH031 lnbf can you aim a 90cm dish at 101 and get DirecTV on the circular feed and AMC4 on the linear feed?

 

[Anole]

With the exisitng setup I have, is there anything at all I can do to make a beginning and view some additional channels.

- NO -

Besides being encrypted, the transmission format DirecTV uses is not compatible with DVB receivers.
Dish's format though encrypted, is compatible, and that is why you could get NASA and Angel (and some music) off Dish satellites with your circular LNB and small dish.

I do applaud your choice of the 3500, though. Sounds like one of the few receivers I'd want to take home.

To see what's on different satellites, take a look at TheList as published by our SatGuys.
It's updated quite regularly. If you find something you like, I'd also recommend using a 90cm (36") dish and linear LNB to receive it.

 

[Mr Tony]

you can get a few FTA channels on the 95 satellite

check out thelist for channels

 

[mastermesh]

I wondered about this before...
With the Invacom QPH031 lnbf can you aim a 90cm dish at 101 and get DirecTV on the circular feed and AMC4 on the linear feed?

It might be possible... actually, I think it is possible... but you you'll probably need one line going to fta and one to dtv reciever... no diseqc switch or IF loops since one is linear and one is circular.