Hi guys, I was searching the internet for FTA info and found your forum. What is the best way to get started? Should I look for my own system or should I start out with a Direct or Dish low end plan and use it for FTA until I see what it is all about? Thanks ahead of time for all the input you would like to give me!
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You cannot use "Dish or Direct" for FTA..Free-to-Air is completely separate from any DBS service..You need:
1. a dish (of course) at leat 30-31 inch but bigger if possible
2. an LNB specifically for FTA
3. A Receiver, but NOT a DBS receiver
4. A motor-If you want to move the dish over the satellite arc..
Most of the advertisers at the top of the page have any equipment you'll need..
The members here can give you advice on what they use for FTA..Of course, it all depends on what you want to watch
Jbab,
There are many things to consider here. The entire scenario is not as cut and dried as you would like it to be.
You have to consider many things and ponder each to see what fits you the best.
Do you want C band? do you want Ku band?
Do you desire foreign or ethinic programming or do you want classic American TV programming? Are you in America or Canada or Mexico? Are you on the east or west coast or far north or far south or right in the middle of the heartland of America?
Are you on a budget or is price not a concern? Are you technically able to do all of this yourself, or are you totally new to this and don't understand anything regarding satellite technology?
Be totally honest here, as your will screw yourself if you try to fake it.
If you are honest and really want to get into FTA, everyone here will assist you so you can even be a total dummy and many of the people here will jump right in and help you set this up and explain everything to your so that you will understand it all.
One thing that I will suggest or inform you of, and that is that FTA is a one time investment normally. There are no subscription fees and once you have purchased the equipment, you will have quite a few channels that are free to you and you may really enjoy the stuff available.
Then again, you may hate it as it is not the same as DN or DirecTV subscription service. It depends upon how much of a TV watcher you are. If you are really addicted to DN or DirecTV or Bell Express programming and all the great perks of their receivers, you may not like FTA TV or it may be difficult to get used to.
The major sat providers have some really fantastic perks! You will lose these perks if you are planning to drop your subscriptions. Make sure you have satisfied your contract before you drop your service.
If you are like me and never really cared about wathing TV, you won't have any problem with any of this and you will really enjoy FTA TV.
For me, it is more of a hobby that I enjoy during the wintertime when I am stuck in the house with nothing to do that is fun.
Do some reading on these sites: Lyngsat.com and SatcoDX.com. Browse around and se what you can learn.
To give you a start, satellites 97 and 123 are probably the best to tune into to see a bulk of FTA channels from one or two sources.
Think about this a bit, so some research and then start asking specific questions.
You can PM me if you like, I will chat with you on the subject in further detail when I can. Always great to hear from someone who is interested in this subject!
Gordy (AcWxRadar)
Thanks
Thanks for all the help! I figured from reading other questions that the answers would be plentiful. I think I will do some more reading, check out the programing that will be availible, weigh the costs of the equipment with the cost of subscriptions and go from there.
Thanks Again
Thanks for all the help! I figured from reading other questions that the answers would be plentiful. I think I will do some more reading, check out the programing that will be availible, weigh the costs of the equipment with the cost of subscriptions and go from there.
Thanks Again
Good luck to you Jbab..One thing you should realize, if you dont already, is that FTA does not replace DBS or Cable..I use FTA as a supplement to Time Warner Cable..Just my own scenario..I spent over $300.00 for my KU-Band Motorized system, (36 in. dish)shipped from Sadoun in Columbus, Ohio (one of the site sponsors) in February..Used my income tax return and put the dish on a pole in my front yard which had both Dish and Directv before..As I am in an apartment (duplex) situation, I dont expect to be able to do much more than that. You'll find a number of members here have several dishes, both C and Ku-Band, with room to operate..Would love to see some of those setups sometime..
Just in recent days, I got the motor put on with the help of one of the members here..I get from 58 to 129 degrees west Satellite with over 350 channels..Probably around 100 in English..Lots of fascinating stuff out there..
to The Satellite Guys!
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