Newbie Post: Getting Started with FTA

[uemtux]

Hi all,

I have a nice RF coaxial cable that goes from my roof to my office. It was used by the previous tenant for Bell ExpressVU. I'm interested in setting up a motorized dish paired with a receiver card in my PC to start fooling around and see what's out in the FTA universe. I find the subject really interesting though I've only just started reading a little bit about it.

So I have a few questions, I'm sure you've all seen 'em many times before, and for that I apologize, but I hope some kind soul will take the time to hold my hand with the basics. I promise to do some serious research and stop bugging you once I know the bare essentials!

So here are my questions:

1) What type of dish (not larger than 1 meter please, I've gotta lug it up a ladder) should I get to receive the widest array of broadcasts?

1b) What type of receiver card should I get for my PC ?

2) I'm in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.... does my location make a difference in terms of what I can receive ? Is my roof automatically the best place for my dish? (It's the highest spot I have access to)

3) I understand that to get different signals you need to reorient your dish, since I want to locate the dish on my roof, a motorized mount controlled by computer would seem to be the way to go. Montreal's weather can get pretty rough, are these mounts/dishes rain/snow/ice-proof? Are there any reputable brands that would stand up to a Canadian winter?

4) Is one coax cable enough?

Aside from the specific questions, I'd also appreciate any wisdom you might have to share. I'm just starting. What should I read? What sites should I visit? I'm not rushing into anything, I'd like to spend maybe 300-500 bucks on equipment sometime in 2009 and start scanning the sky! :

 

[Mr Tony]

So here are my questions:

1) What type of dish (not larger than 1 meter please, I've gotta lug it up a ladder) should I get to receive the widest array of broadcasts?

minimum dish size for FTA is 76cm (30") but most folks like a 36" (90cm)...bigger the dish the better. I have a 30" here in Minnesota

1b) What type of receiver card should I get for my PC ?

can I ask why you would want to start with a PC card? Reason I ask is they can be tough to aim a dish with. Most folks get a receiver (set top box) then add a PC Card later

2) I'm in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.... does my location make a difference in terms of what I can receive ? Is my roof automatically the best place for my dish? (It's the highest spot I have access to)

If you have a good line of site the lower the dish the better it is. But if you have lots of trees to the south and the only option is the roof then you would have to deal with that. When I first got FTA I thought roof was only option. Now I know and have 3 dishes on my deck

3) I understand that to get different signals you need to reorient your dish, since I want to locate the dish on my roof, a motorized mount controlled by computer would seem to be the way to go. Montreal's weather can get pretty rough, are these mounts/dishes rain/snow/ice-proof? Are there any reputable brands that would stand up to a Canadian winter?

I have a SG2100 motor that I have used since 04 here in Minnesota. The motor keeps a chugging along. When its been -30F out some mornings in January it still keeps moving. I know of some folks here at satguys who are on the praries (Winnipeg, Regina etc) where it gets -40C and it still works fine

4) Is one coax cable enough?

one coax will work with one reciever just fine. If you want to link the PC card into the setup (again if you start with a Set top receiver) you can always use the loop out feature to the PC card.

Aside from the specific questions, I'd also appreciate any wisdom you might have to share. I'm just starting. What should I read? What sites should I visit? I'm not rushing into anything, I'd like to spend maybe 300-500 bucks on equipment sometime in 2009 and start scanning the sky! :

I would just do some reading here. We've got the best group of folks around. Just absord the info and ask questions. We're here to help

 

[uemtux]

Please fill me on on why it would be tougher to use a card than a set-top box? Don't they do the same thing? (i.e translate signal from dish into usable image) I figured I wanted to start with a card because it'll allow me to view anything I pick up on my bench monitor. I have a "bench computer" I use at my workbench for all kinds of things and a monitor mounted above my bench, I figured I could play with FTA while I did other things like fix computers, and if there was anything particularly weird or interesting to be seen, I could record it directly to my hard drive. I suppose I could get a set-top box and just hook it up to my existing tuner card, but is there any advantage to that?

What is a good line of sight? Like, to the horizon? I think no matter what the lay of the land is I'm gonna be putting my dish on my roof. That coax cable is so perfect for the job I just can't help but use it! Also I kind of want to avoid putting a dish on either of my balconies. My girlfriend probably wouldn't like the look of it!

Thanks for your thoughtful answers iceberg! I will be doing a lot of reading here in the coming weeks, count on it!

 

[Mr Tony]

Please fill me on on why it would be tougher to use a card than a set-top box? Don't they do the same thing? (i.e translate signal from dish into usable image) I figured I wanted to start with a card because it'll allow me to view anything I pick up on my bench monitor. I have a "bench computer" I use at my workbench for all kinds of things and a monitor mounted above my bench, I figured I could play with FTA while I did other things like fix computers, and if there was anything particularly weird or interesting to be seen, I could record it directly to my hard drive. I suppose I could get a set-top box and just hook it up to my existing tuner card, but is there any advantage to that?

PC cards seem to be tougher to work with especially if you are trying to aim a dish. They can take a while ot register a signal and in some cases you have to input a lot of info into the screen. Most receivers do blind scan (smart scan, power scan) where it tries and finds what transponders are active no matter where you are. I dont think PC cards can do that yet. So even if you're not on the right satellite the receiver (STB) can let you know where you are

What is a good line of sight? Like, to the horizon? I think no matter what the lay of the land is I'm gonna be putting my dish on my roof. That coax cable is so perfect for the job I just can't help but use it! Also I kind of want to avoid putting a dish on either of my balconies. My girlfriend probably wouldn't like the look of it!

being in Montreal you are farther east than me. I can see from 58W to 148W on my motorized and can see down to 30W with a separate dish. Depending on if you are interested in Spanish language stuff or not most folks would be content with 72W to 129W. check thelist above for channels. 30W & 58W have some spanish channels.

Thanks for your thoughtful answers iceberg! I will be doing a lot of reading here in the coming weeks, count on it!

like I say we're here to help. Just ask