Utah Free to Air

forlife · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2003, 08:30 PM

There has to be over 200 dish phone numbers to call in the yellow pages here in Utah and 199 of them have not heard of Free to Air or even have an idea what is satellite TV, besides DirectTV or DishNetwork. I'm serious ! The only person I spoke to who use to set up these types of systems hasn't had a call in years except for the above products. He mentioned that people are just too skeptical of free TV programming. What's intresting is that these same companies above are charging $300 + a year to view a few Chinese channels where using Free to Air is free.

bobkat · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2003, 10:34 PM

Yup - its a very underestimated part of the satellite industry - ironically it has been around for decades with the old C-Band systems. Those were the first "free-to-air" systems; until Digicipher came along at least. Most satellite dealers are too hung up with DirecTV and DishNetwork to even dabble in free-to-air. You are right; there is so much available for free out there. I had no idea how great FTA was until I installed a motor on my FTA dish. Now the 1,000 channel memory in my receiver doesn't seem so laughable. :shock:

kat

Admin · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2003, 03:29 AM

Yep, that is true of many installers. Most they know nothing about FTA or the systems that can receive it. We get a lot of calls from customers asking questions for their installers. So we ask to speak with the installer directly to educate them a little about the system they are installing for the customer.

We get some calls like "Oh I have ## years of experience installing dishes and satellite systems (Dishnetwork and DirecTV systems that is), why can't I get the signal??" or they would say " The LNB is BAD, can't get a signal"...

Most of the time the answer is simply that they are using the wrong transponder frequency, or the LNBF setup is not right. A few minutes with them and they are home free.

Almost 95% don't even know the difference between a standard, Universal, or a DSS LNBF. Everthing to them is a DSS LNBF. :lol:

Well, time is changing and we hope with this kind of forums, installers can get a little more education about what is out there.

:wink:

bobkat · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2003, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admin

Well, time is changing and we hope with this kind of forums, installers can get a little more education about what is out there.

:wink:

Absolutely -- like I mentioned to Sadoun in a previous thread; these forums are great and they are an effective way of spreading the knowledge around. We all can share our experiences with others and help each other out. That is in essence the true spirit of a group forum.

:wink: :wink:

kat

Sadoun · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2003, 05:08 PM

You are right Kat. Glad you are on this forum... You add so much value...

stal4 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 02:56 AM

Kat / Sodoun,
I agree with you all also. I am new to this stuff and just found it by surfing the net, and didnt know exactly of FTA, only big dish and more channels or little dish and pay more.
Yet there was a sense of hope in the fact that Hey! I just wasnt going to buy a receiver and dish and ON YOUR OWN BUCKAROO!!, So the forum/ support is what helped me get this system up and running. I Felt like a real customer. And I cant explain how Cool it is too see that signal turn GREEN and that your on the way to reception. So I try to put back what other dont know and vice versa. We all have knowledge that others dont have in different areas.
art