FTA Programming Memberships

[Pete.Yo]

I'm new to this FTA thing. Just some history, I've owned and still use my BUD system with a 4DTV receiver. 2 years ago purchased a Pansat 3500SD and piggy backed it off my 4DTV to check out all the birds. I found very little "Free TV" and put it away as it was more trouble than it was worth.
I have renewed my interest and purchased a Merc II receiver, 100 cm Fortec dish, Stabb 100 mover and a Viacom circular/linear LNBF.
I have a couple questions and they may seem stupid but I'm going to ask anyway.

1. Can a FTA reciever pick up circular signals or is that only good for Dish Net, Direct and BEV?
2. Are these FTA membership clubs I found on the internet an illeagal activity? (It reminds me 20 years ago everybody got their VCII boards chipped. That didn't go far, nor do I want to go there if thats how the FTA thing works.)

I'm just waiting on some parts from Sadoun to get this puppy up and running. So I have some time to spare.
The "Rainman" seems pretty knowledgable...I would really appreciate the advise. Thanks in advance.
Pete.Yo

[rainman]

Originally Posted by Pete.Yo

I'm new to this FTA thing. Just some history, I've owned and still use my BUD system with a 4DTV receiver. 2 years ago purchased a Pansat 3500SD and piggy backed it off my 4DTV to check out all the birds. I found very little "Free TV" and put it away as it was more trouble than it was worth.
I have renewed my interest and purchased a Merc II receiver, 100 cm Fortec dish, Stabb 100 mover and a Viacom circular/linear LNBF.
I have a couple questions and they may seem stupid but I'm going to ask anyway.

1. Can a FTA reciever pick up circular signals or is that only good for Dish Net, Direct and BEV?
2. Are these FTA membership clubs I found on the internet an illeagal activity? (It reminds me 20 years ago everybody got their VCII boards chipped. That didn't go far, nor do I want to go there if thats how the FTA thing works.)

I'm just waiting on some parts from Sadoun to get this puppy up and running. So I have some time to spare.
The "Rainman" seems pretty knowledgable...I would really appreciate the advise. Thanks in advance.
Pete.Yo

Thanks Pete for your vote of cnfidence.
answer to your first question yes you can receive circular signals with FTA equipment not much in the clear mostly info channels for Dish and Bev.
most of these FTA mebership clubs are for hackers don't mess with these sites. Sadoun's site and Satellite guys are true FTA sites with a lot of knowlegable people that can help you with true FTA. and welcome to the forums.

[Pete.Yo]

Thanks for the info Rainman

[Powrline]

Speaking of FTA membership clubs, I have a friend whose Father in Law wanted to beat the system, so he bought a D*** N** receiver from one of these neighborhood hack*r Ramboes. The thing cost him $200.-- installed and the hack*r dude sold him a club membership that promised him that if it ever got scr*mbl*d, for $35.--, he would get the softw*re opened back up.

2 months, all Op*n, then every 2 weeks, he's shelling out $35.-- to get the "free" stuff. He went legal after 8 months of calling his Hack*r Dude. Now D***N** gets their monthly payment (As they should!) and my friends Father in Law has a very expensive door stop.

>>True FTA is indeed Free To Air!<<

>>It is also perfectly legal to receive unencrypted satellite signals.<<

The lesson here is "If you are receiving something free that other people are paying for, you're stealing it."

Word!
Bill

[Sadoun]

DTV (starting a $29.99/mon including locals) and DN ( Family plan at $19.99/month) have great offers all the time at all price levels.

Call Sadoun Satellite Sales at 1-888-519-9595 to order DirecTV or Dish Network.