What to buy???

[tomesmalls]

I am knew to the FTA community and I was wondering what would be the best reciever to buy for under 200$ I have an old dish network 500 dish on my house, and will be using that.(they never asked for it back) And where would be a good place to order it??? Any useful advice would be greatly appreciated.


Thank You


Smallz

 

[rv1pop]

FIRST --- Welcome to Satellite Guys.

Advice --- READ, READ, READ!

1 item to keep you from getting discouraged down the road: http://www.satelliteguys.us/fta-mpeg2-faqs/34131-what-can-i-get-18-dish-dish-500-a.html


the next question is what do you want to watch - What do you expect? If you can not answer that, yet, then read some more.

I think the people on this site can get anyone up and running with FTA. I personally have been most happy with the Fortec Mercury II receiver, which has been rereleased as Fortec Dynamic if I remember correctly.

 

[Anole]

I'll agree with RV1pop, above.
And add that three of this forum's Gold Sponsors sell FTA hardware to the end user.
They are: Sadoun, SatelliteAV, and GOsatellite.
They're listed at the top of each page.

However, before you pick any hardware or a package, run it buy us here, and we can add anything you are missing.
...or discourage you if you've chosen incompatible equipment.

For programming on FTA, here's a quick overview.

 

[tomesmalls]

What do you think of the viewstat ultra vs 2000?

 

[Claude Greiner]

If all you have is a Dish500, don't expect to pick up anything unless you plan on stealing.

 

[tomesmalls]

Then what other equiptment do i need?

 

[Anole]

I do not recommend any Viewsat products.
They made a name supplying hacker-friendly receivers, not FTA-friendly.
Some models don't have blind scan, some have bad reputations for motor or switch control
I've not kept up on their current models, as none have been made attractive to the FTA community.

You should look for a 36" dish, with a Standard (or Universal) LNB, not a Circular LNB.

See the link I gave above for programming.
If that's not what you want, then FTA might not be for you.

 

[andyb2]

I have 2 Ultra's and they both work fine.1 runs a 33" dish with a sg2100 motor.No problems with blind scan and editing sats and tp's is simple.

Good setup would be at least 33" dish,motor and a QPH-031 plus reciever of your choice

 

[Cadsulfide]

The Traxis 3500 is another popular TRUE FTA reciever.

 

[rv1pop]

Then what other equiptment do i need?

Welcome again. I am glad to see you are still here and asking questions. I would look around the neighborhood and see if you can see any used dishes in the 3 foot range that do not appear to be in use. NOTE: I did not say "that look like they have been abandoned"!

Then ask if they are in use, and if not if they want them removed! If they are in use, they may be - probably are - hobbyests who will be glad to help you get set up. They also might be someone who is trying to set up their system and does not know about SatGuys.

If you can not find a used setup or at least a good dish or two, then check with Gold Sponsors above for the best deal -- particularly on shipping -- you can get. Sadoun is closest to you so his shipping prices on the dish will likely be better. I like SatelliteAV for several reasons, one because he is a whole lot closer to me on the west coast. Others have had good luck with GoSatellite, buit for me, for both commercial and personnal orders, I have had zero for three on fullfillment. I will not try again. I can not afford to order and give a fullfillment date to my customers and then not be able to deliver.

Look over the LISTS and see what programing you want, then make your major buying decisions. If you want Christian programing, check out the Glorystar forum and specials.

What to buy depends on what you want to use....
In one of my classes, I gave the illustration, if you want to drill a series of holes in studs to run cable, you really do not want to buy a utility company power line truck to do the job. But, if you need to string 5 miles of overhead line with a power pole every 440 feet, it might not be too bad an idea.
POP