What is FTA (Free to Air) ?
Free To Air satellite is a term used to
describe satellite signals which you can
legally receive without a subscription.
Most free To Air satellite content exists
on C Band or Ku Band.Unlike satellite
television which requires a subscription,
Free To Air satellite channels are not
encrypted.
To receive Free To Air satellite programming,
you will need:
A satellite dish (Either C-Band or Ku-Band)
A Free To Air satellite receiver or PC
card
An LNB
An antenna motor (If you wish to receive
channels from more than one satellite)
LyngSat maintains an excellent list of
Free To Air satellite television channels
reachable from the United States. Free
To Air satellite is often abbreviated
as FTA satellite.
What channels can I get with your receiver?
You will receive channels that are digital
MPEG2 and not scrambled. You can find
a listing of these channels (and others)
on http://www.lyngsat.com or http://www.satcodx.com.
Can I use my DirectTV dish?
You can use the standard 18" round
dish and LNB. This will allow you to receive
many of the popular US and Canadian native
satellites. The oval 3LNB dish is not
capable due to the integrated switch.
Can I use my DishNetwork dish?
You can use the standard 20" Dish
500 and LNB. This will allow you to receive
many of the popular US and Canadian native
satellites.
What size dish do I need?
Normally, within the boundaries of the
continental US, you can use a 75cm (2.5ft)
dish. Fringe areas should use a 90cm (3ft.)
Or larger dish. Southern Canada or Northern
Mexico should use 90cm or larger.
How do I find the satellite?
The satellite you want to use will be
determined by the programming you want
to view. Telstar 5 is a very popular satellite
for ethnic channels, Bloomberg, etc. Locate
your satellite/programming on one of the
web sites listed above and align your
dish to that satellite.
I heard there are channels on C-band
as well. Will your receiver pick up C-band?
Yes, it will receive C-band and Ku-band.
Of course C-band requires a larger dish,
a C-band feed, and LNB.
How do I peak my dish?
Simply purchase an inexpensive signal
meter for this purpose.
I want two receivers. What do I need?
You will need a dual LNB. Normally, this
will be a direct replacement for your
existing LNB. You will need to run a second
coax from the dual LNB to your second
receiver.
I want more than two receivers. Now what
do I need?
You will need the twin LNB(2 outputs)
and a device called a multi-switch which
allows for several receivers. The most
common is a four receiver switch.
I want more than two receivers and more
than one dish or LNB. What do I need?
Each LNB must be a twin LNB(2 outputs).
For each LNB you will require a Multi-switch.
For each receiver you will require a DiSEqC
switch.
Can I use a diplexer to consolidate my
local broadcast channels with my satellite
signal?
Yes, you will need two diplexers; one
to combine the signal on the outside and
another one to separate those signals
on the inside of your home. Our Multi-switches
have a integrated diplexer.
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