Free DBS Network

[Don_M]

There's a group trying to establish the Free Direct Broadcast Satellite Network, which would be free of charge (with the exception of pay-per-view selections, of course) to most of those who already use FTA receivers. At this point, they've lined up content providers for about dozen and a half channels, all unique to the service; details here.

They're still negotiating for satellite space, so information about which satellite(s) Free DBS Network would use and when it will launch remain pretty sketchy. They seem to suggest that an FTA viewer will be best off using a 33-inch dish to get the service, though.

The next big question, obviously, is whether they can make an ongoing concern out of advertiser-supported satellite TV. (The founders are organizing this as a non-profit entity.) If they do, this could be the thing that pushes FTA service out of the dark shadows...

 

[Aaron62]

I always thought some of FTA was free anyway. Shows what I know about it.

 

[SWHouston]

Don,

A 33" Dish !?, for who. They talking about someone at my Lat, or someone in N. Dakota ?

I couldn't find any statement that said which Sat they may Xmit on, did you ?

Aaron,

I think what they meant is, that ALL of their programming save for PPV would be free. Or, as free as OTA is.

Have a good Day !
S.W.

 

[Don_M]

A 33" Dish !?, for who. They talking about someone at my Lat, or someone in N. Dakota ?

I couldn't find any statement that said which Sat they may Xmit on, did you?

I only repeated what the site said, which was that while a 22-inch dish will be required, a 33-incher is recommended. There was no further explanation. As far as their bird assignment(s) (which might have some bearing on dish size, no?), they've only said "negotiations are ongoing." Most frequent translation: "We don't want to destroy our chances of getting the best price by negotiating in public."

 

[SWHouston]

Don,

"which might have some bearing on dish size, no?"
Absolutely it would !
I'm surprised that they even mentioned it !
In FTA we're dealing with thousands of miles, as opposed to OTA in tens.

You may already know this but...
You see the small (18") dishes for Direct and Dish.
That (aprox) size is because they are pointing to a Sat which is generally directly overhead for that location.
With a Rotator, and in turning it to the left/right 20-45°, causes a VAST difference in the distance to the Sat.

Bigger is better in FTA, as opposed to OTA where one can overdrive tuners.
One should (when a Rotator is involved) select the largest Dish he can get away with, and able to keep attached to the house, depending on weather conditions.

32"/81.5 Cm is not that large. Probably an ok Dish for my Lat which is about 29.0, which would put me at about 25,500 mi from my most South. A Dish for that same Sat for Jim in Seattle (for instance) would have to be about 5'. There are charts, much like in OTA (TVFool types), which give you the parameters for that.

It's been so long since I actually got involved in FTA, that I have forgotten where that info is on the internet. I need to check my notes.

Have a good Day !
S.W.