Newbie Question

bluedesert1001 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 12:32 PM

I want to setup a satellite so my non-English speaking parents can view the free Chinese programmings out there. I hear all the talks in this section of the forum, is it all FTA satellite you guys been talking? How many good satellites can one pick up in the New England (PA) area? What kind of equipment do i need to buy to get the programs? Can I use a directtv dish w/ a FTA receiver? What brand should i get? how big of a dish i need to get? does size matter ? motorized or non? one LNB or more? and one last question, is FTA Ku band or C band?

bobkat · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 02:19 PM

Hi Bluedesert1001:

Welcome to the forums.

FTA can be either C-Band or KU-Band; anything that is not encrypted is considered Free-To-Air (FTA).

Many Chinese channels are out there; some on G3, AMC4 and other satellites.

You need a FTA receiver (Fortec is a good choice) and a minimum 30" dish with a linear LNB - universal or standard will work.

Motors are nice to have if you will be tuning in channels from various satellites - the other alternative is putting up more dishes with each one pointing at a particular satellite. You hook them all up through a DiSEqC switch to the receiver.

Here is a link to the free TV channels available. Note that only the channels that are broadcast from a satellite covering North America will be available to us here.

---> http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/China.html

kat

bluedesert1001 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 06:36 PM

thanks kat for your reply. is there an optimal size for dish? what model of Fortec will support the motor? what about those cheapo receivers on ebay? you mentioned linear LNB.. do I have to look for particular power output or anything? the Fortec receiver supports both KU and C?

bobkat · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2004, 08:02 PM

With dishes, the minimum size required is 30" -- bigger will get a stronger signal with less rain fade. Don't go bigger than a 1 meter if you use a motor. Any Fortec model supports a motor, I think. Look for the DiSEqC 1.2 logo -- that I believe is the motor support protocol. Any linear LNB will work; if you buy a package such as Sadoun sells you will get everything you need, the dishes all come with an LNB.

As for ebay -- well, its buyer beware... :shock:

kat