FTA questions and advice on dedicated or slave to cband

[rcdue]

Hello,

After 4 years of Direct TV, I have decided to go back to my old c-band system. I still had the receiver and bought a used 10 ft. dish from my neighbor. Until I decided to do this, I had never even heard of FTA mpeg satellite. After finding out about it, I know that I want to be able to receive FTA channels. Now, I'm wondering if it would be better to add a receiver to my c-band dish or just get a dedicated motorized mpeg system? I will install it myself, either way. Is either installation more difficult than installing a regular cband system? If I slave to my cband, I will need to buy a dual feedhorn and a ku band LNB. Comparing the price of this to just buying a dedicated mpeg system is about the same, but if I understand correctly the dedicated system will be strictly ku whereas if I slave a receiver to my cband dish, then the mpeg will be able to receive c band as well as ku FTA channels. Is this correct or are all of the FTA channels on ku band and none on cband? I live in the USA and mainly am interested in English speaking channels such as news, movies, childrens programs and network feeds. And another question I have is about the mpeg receivers. Some have blind search and I was wondering if this is really needed or if it's worth the extra money? Also, I have read that some large mesh dishes have too large of mesh and will not receive ku well. What is the size of the holes, if they are too large? Okay, sorry for so many questions. Thanks.

Randy

[etlam34]

Some mesh dishes don't have their mesh tight enough to receive ku band. So first, check if you can receive ku signals on your dish. Then if it is possible, slave the fta receiver to your big dish. If not, buy a dedicated ku system.

[69BEEPER]

Is either installation more difficult than installing a regular cband system?

No.

Is this correct or are all of the FTA channels on ku band and none on cband?

That is not correct. There are actually quite a few digital channels via C band. www.lyngsat.com will show you most of whats available on C band.

Some have blind search and I was wondering if this is really needed or if it's worth the extra money?

It depends on what you concider needed... If you want to rely Lyngsats website for channel info, then no. But if you want total control of all available freqs, and you want it now, then yes its really needed! ...and yes its worth the extra $$ Can't wait to get one myself.

Also, I have read that some large mesh dishes have too large of mesh and will not receive ku well. What is the size of the holes, if they are too large?

This is true. Although not sure how bad it will be until you try. I receive Ku pretty good on my old dish and there is no mesh bigger than whats on the "Classic" 12' Paraclipse. It must be a 1/4" or better. there are few channels on T5 that I think I'm not receiving. If I was located in the CONUS I think I would receive EVERYTHING!! LOL

Now, I'm wondering if it would be better to add a receiver to my c-band dish or just get a dedicated motorized mpeg system?

Personally I want both! Lots of hassles fine tuning pos/pol for FTA when slaved to a BUD. Wife can't work it either, too many settings (and remotes) to remember. I am located far north and use 1.0m and 1.2m meter antennas just to receive dish500., so the 1.2 FTA setup is out of the question for me. Now, if only one of those HHmotors would turn a 1.8m offset dish.......

69beeper

[rcdue]

Thanks! Very helpful information. I measured the mesh on my dish and the holes are approx. 1/16 x 1/8" so I will assume that will work. Sounds like blind search is worth the money and I will buy a receiver with it.

<Personally I want both! Lots of hassles fine tuning pos/pol for FTA when slaved to a BUD. Wife can't work it either, too many settings (and remotes) to remember. >

Now that part has me a little worried. My wife is not going to be able to work it either, if it's a hassle. So, if I understand what you're saying, a dedicated ku band fta system would be easier to operate, but I would miss out on quite a few c-band fta feeds? If I decide to slave a receiver to the big dish, then would skew adjustment be required every time I go to a fta channel or only on the first time viewed? I am in Texas, so I think a 3ft. dish would work, as far as that part goes. Thanks for answering my questions. I do appreciate it.

Randy