TonyT

1inxs

If you have a clear view of the southern sky, you should be able to receive it. Here's a thread with more information on C-Band satellite reception.
C-band satellite help

TonyT

Thanks 1inxs. I'll have a look at it.

Piggie

Free To Air (FTA) Discussion - SatelliteGuys.US
Free TV from United States - LyngSat
LNB's : Transat Electronics

These were links given to me by nobleach over on AVS.

As far as personal knowledge I have very little and no practical experience.

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The more I understand, the less I know.

DTVuser2009

Is there a FTA method that doesn't require me carrying a 3-ton C-band dish and then having it in my yard?

I have heard of buying receivers and such, hacking and getting 'free to air' satellite but it all seems like tons of frustration without really positive outcomes. you can NOT get, say, a Dish receiver from a thrift store and expect to get free signals. sure, you'll get their FYI channel, maybe the 'free' locals or if you're lucky, a still-active smart card, but i highly doubt FTA can really happen without tons of money to buy the right equipment, tons of frustrations in keeping it working for longer than a few minutes before it requires another download, and tons more money with software. in the end, paying for it legally makes more sense and works.

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Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?!

1inxs

It almost sounds like you're confusing, hacking a Videocypher II descrambler, used for stealing signals from the cable companies with FTA. If you're talking about Videocypher II hacks, I'll tell you up front. It ain't right and it ain't worth going there. FTA is in the clear. It isn't scrambled and doesn't require any type of hacking or monthly upgrades. They don't use smart cards. For legal FTA satellite you will need at least a 4 foot dish. The cleanest way to install it is to use on old length of drill pipe and run it up the side of your house above the eves. That will keep it up out of the way and make it less intrusive. It also helps for reception by getting a clear view of the sky, above the tree's. I haven't checked prices lately, but you should be able to get into a decent system for under $900.00 with some smart shopping.

Piggie

Exactly and like other forums we should starting now have a policy of not talking about stealing any signals. No offense meant to anyone what so ever, just a good time to add that. Jay should add it somewhere in the policy if not there.

That said the real meaing like 1inxs says is clear channel like Clear QAM is on a cable system. No tricks, it's free, like OTA.

I have read that you need a 31 inch dish for Ku band. What would a 4 foot dish yield? Stronger Ku or limited C band also?

There is also no point in putting a satellite dish up high unless you are clearing an obstacle.

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The more I understand, the less I know.

1inxs

A 4 foot dish is for maximum C-Band reception, based on the current 2 degree spacing of the satellites.

The two reasons for getting the dish up high is
1- Getting a clear view of the sky (clearing obstacles)
2- Less intrusive - uses no ground or space - out of sight out of mind (it doesn't interfere with landscaping or yard decor)
Of the hundreds of C-Band satellite receiver systems I've installed. Probably 10% of the buyers requested the dish be out of view from their landscape theme. Usually the wife's preference.

Piggie

Glad I have a wife that understands antennas! I can litter a landscape with copper and aluminum.

In my yard I would need a C-Band dish up 20 ft or more to clear the trees if attached to the house. But if I backed it up to the back of the property it would work on the ground.

Different wives, different yards.

I am really out of date on C-Band dishes. Last time I played with them (almost 30 years now) 3 meter was a norm. Good to hear LNA/B are good enough now for a 1 meter dish.

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The more I understand, the less I know.

nobleach

Hey everyone Piggie invited me over here to check out the discussion.

While there is a lot on C-Band still, I actually use a 30inch dish with a linear Ku band LNB. I'm able to find all types of things to watch.

Let me reiterate one thing for you all. Much of what you read out there about "FTA" is really not true FTA. As mentioned above, much of it is geared toward signal theft of dish network. That is not something I want to get involved with.

The main site for true FTA is Satelliteguys. Some of their members are incredibly knowledgeable. ("Iceberg" seems to be a wealth of information - think Piggie but about Satellites and dishes)

For anyone that is interested in a smaller sized dish, I'd recommend looking at what is freely available on w97 and w123. The bulk of english language programming is there.

I'd be happy to answer any questions that I can.