FTA system

[robfwb]

I currently have a SUPERDISH (105*) that's sitting there and would like to have a dual zone (AMC 4/Telstar5) system as there are various things I want to listen to.

here are my questions.

What FTA system is good
What types of LNB's do I need
Will a DISH PRO splitter work for the two satellites?
and how do i check to make sure it's receiving both satellites?

any information would be appreciated
(NOTE: I'm in the florida pan can handle area)
-Rob

 

[Anole]

I'll get you started . . .

So, you want 97º and 101º, eh?

good receiver: depends on what you are looking to do
- Mercury II receiver is very nice, and quite inexpensive
- Visionsat IV-200 receiver is also very nice, and with addition of an external hard drive, will record your shows

LNBs:
- linear LNBs, or maybe the FSS bandstacked LNBs off some DishPro dishes
- for the close-together birds you want, some possibilities include the MINI from SatelliteAV
... or maybe a couple of the Eagle Aspen (Dish) bandstacked LNBs from other SuperDishes (or these P-870's)

DishPro splitter is not on the agenda:
- you'd probably use a diseqc switch to select between your two LNBs
- if you need multiple receivers, then the solution gets more involved
- the good news is, we have a thread in the FAQ section, that will explain many solutions, once you know the problem

How to check reception?
- you'd need to aim the dish, while monitoring the signal Quality on your FTA receiver (more detailed info is available)
- for mounting a second LNB, you'd move around the 2nd LNB, looking for the same peak in Quality

THE BAD NEWS:
I don't think your dish is suitable for getting both birds.
We usually prefer a 36" dish, and for close-together birds maybe mount two LNBs.
I'm sure other members can offer better advice.
What you might do, is hook to the one FSS LNB on that dish, and aim for ONE of the desired satellites and get your feet wet.
THEN, re-aim for the other.
Compare signal levels and see if that small dish gets all the transponders as reliably (in the rain) as you desire.


edit: oh, sorry. You posted in the PC DVB section.
Did you want a receiver card for your computer?
I was answering as though you were looking for a stand alone receiver.
We can help you either way, but getting started with a PC card and no other receiver, does make setup a bit harder.

 

[robfwb]

Well, I've threated myself to purchase the system I found on the one site that sells Christian based satellites (they offer installation)

and, I'm looking for alternative ways to keep up with the news since I live in a hurricane prone area.

(glorystar)

Yes, a PC based system would be nice, too Friends of mine have a Broadlogic card and watch NASA tv on it on their BUD. (beautiful useful dish) in our IRC, I've seen pictures of it too.

I don't know if Satellite Guys does the same thing or not. I'm fairly new to this (I only played with C-Band)

-Rob

 

[Anole]

Right here inside the FTA Department, we have tons of generall FTA info and help.
We also have the DVB PC contingent, for PC-users.
And, there's a BUD section, covering the big dishes, which do both FTA and subscription TV.

Then , in a whole different area all by itself, is the Glorystar Department.
(SatelliteAV, a Gold Sponsor here, is the parent company of Glorystar)
They can help you if you just want to buy it, have it installed, and watch TV.
In Ham radio parlance, we'd call those guys "appliance operators".
But here in the FTA section, we build it, install it, aim it, fix it, eat it, sleep it, and . . .
Well, you get the idea.

So, follow whatever path is best for you.
Any question you ask, there are folks here with the answer.


PS: I spent a few years of my youth, in Titusville, Fla.

 

[robfwb]

Do you offer installation?

I'm looking for a Telstar 5 dish so I can listen to SSRN/AA (see signature)

Thanks,
-Rob

 

[Anole]

I see how I was misinterpreted.
I meant "we", the FTA users and enthusiasts, install and tweak our own.
We can certainly advise you on doing yours.

But, if it's the Glorystar package you seek, then you might want to read what they have to say in their department.
And of course, that company can hook you up with a local installer.

Or, phone up SatelliteAV, one of our gold sponsors.
I've talked to the owner a number of times, and that outfit is very friendly and helpful.
Once you've got a clue what you want (they can help with that), they'll fix you right up!

 

[robfwb]

Thanks, Give the network a listen, too were looking for people to call into the shows and talk about satellite and stuff.

(again, see signature)

Your welcome to join the IRC too. (we have a lot of dish users on it)

-Rob

 

[jbmiller]

Thanks, Give the network a listen, too were looking for people to call into the shows and talk about satellite and stuff.

(again, see signature)

Your welcome to join the IRC too. (we have a lot of dish users on it)

-Rob

hi rob, welcome to the forum
john
(jbmiller)