FTA advice for South Africa :)

[jerry281272]

Hi everyone,

I need some much needed advice regarding FTA television for South Africa. I am keen on doing everything on my own (setting up dish etc..) as I am seriously interested in the FTA scene as a hobby. In south Africa there isn’t much support let alone specialists stores that can assist with the information I need. There is Spacetv, but the advice was not sufficient and if anything I left the store a short while ago quiet perplexed (when I told the sales person I was interested in FTA channels, he looked at me completely lost and did not know what FTA stood for……this from the only specialist supplier of satellite goodies) Later I was referred to one of the customers in the store who was an installer.

Basically I want to catch the signal from Intelsat 7/10 (previously Pas 7/10) and other satellites like Eutelsat and Astra. My house is east facing and quiet high up a hill with no obstructions to the horizon. I think I am better off scanning the east since the western side has some obstructions. At present I have a DSTV decoder (unsubscribed), a universal Ku band LNB (ranges to 12.75 ghz) and a Elsat 90cm dish. This is pointing to the Intelsat 68.5 E satellite. With this setup I am able to get the Ku band Free channels such as BTV, CNBC, SABC Africa and a host of religious channels. I saw the listings on lyngsat and am also eager to target the C band listed channels on the same satellite (these include Aljazeera and doordhashan etc) Based on this information can I :

Scenario 1 - Use the existing dish and change the LNB to a C band one and connect a FTA receiver like Fortec star. Will I be able to catch the C band channels with these small changes on the 90cm dish. If so what type of C band LNB must I get. Alternatively do they have a single C/Ku band lnb and if so what type do I get? Remember the sales people here are seriously challenged in this field.

Scenario 2 – Stay on KU band - The technician at the store told me that I could stay on the KU band and go for the various satellites and their KU band channels. If that’s so can I setup a separate portable KU band dish (90cm) on the veranda and tweak it accordingly for different satellites since the tv is about 2 meters away and I can check the tv screen for the signal. Would it be advisable to manually scan from satellite to satellite this way. I don’t mind the work and welcome the challenge and experience in locating satellites. (I don’t want to mess with the fixed dish). I also noticed on the DSTV decoder that it has settings for Astra 1, Astra 2, Hotbird, Irdeto lab E, Irdeto lab W, DSTV w4. If I get the channel settings from lyngsat and point my dish to the above satellites would I be in business.

If the above is not advisable, then what C band package do you suggest I get for South Africa (Dish, LNB, receiver) What satellites do I aim for and should I consider a motorized dish.

I appreciate any advice and thank you in advance.
Jerry

[boz]

I don't have any specialized knowledge of the state of FTA in South Africa, but here are some general tips that come to my mind.

First, I'm guessing the population density of your area is relatively low, so its likely that though there may be satellites "visible" in your hemisphere, their beams cover areas north of you, namely Europe, Middle East and Asia, places north of the Equator. Start looking at Lyngsat and Tele-Satellite and see what satellite beams cover your area to see if it is worth your time.

Now if you find satellites and channels you're interested in, you'll start collecting equipment. Unfortunately, that 90cm dish of yours will not be sufficient for C-band reception. Bigger is always better of course. If you can mount a 3 meter dish or better, go for it. (I just looked at Lyngsat, and it seems the 68.5E C-band signal needs a minimum 180cm dish.)

Also, I'm guessing that your best chances for intercepting C-band signals will be from international birds. Here in the US, most non-DBS (direct to home signals) of C and Ku band are horizontally and vertically polarized (linear). International satellites usually use circular polarization, so you may need a C-band circular feed, or in a pinch, a linear feed with a piece of dielectric material placed in the feed with convert it to receive circular, with some small signal loss.

You mentioned your view of the sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, you'll need a clear view of the northern sky. Get your dishes motorized so you can sweep back and forth, from horizon to horizon if at all possible is optimal.

If you go C-band, there are combo-feeds that do C and Ku band. Again make sure the polarization (linear/circular) is taken into account for your needs.

Good luck!

[Muad'Dib]

Originally Posted by jerry281272

Hi everyone,

I need some much needed advice regarding FTA television for South Africa.

I also noticed on the DSTV decoder that it has settings for Astra 1, Astra 2, Hotbird, Irdeto lab E, Irdeto lab W, DSTV w4. If I get the channel settings from lyngsat and point my dish to the above satellites would I be in business.

Tghat is never ever possible.