Free 2 air TV

[diandtom]

Has anyone got a free to air sat. receiver and where do you get down loads for it?

[diandtom]

Has anyone got a free to air sat. receiver and where do you get down loads for it?

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

I've given this notion some thought as well. I did a little surfing on the web and found many suppliers of receivers. The same outfits that sell them, also update the software. Our fiends at the RV park we are staying at has used one for over two years without issue. I'd be real curious as to what you land up buying.

[Bill Adams]

Be aware that there are legal free to air services and then there are folks who have made illegal modifications to Dish Network (mostly) or DirecTV receivers and are providing paid services to these customers at no charge after you pay for the receiver which is usually around $400. THIS IS CONSIDERED THEFT OF SERVICES AND BOTH THE FOLKS SELLING IT AND THE FOLKS USING IT ARE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION.
For those interested in the actual Free-to-air (FTA) services you will need a satellite TV antenna with a different LNB than that used by Dish or Direct and be prepare to point the antenna to multiple satellites as the channels are not all on one satellite.
You can see the FTA channels that are available in English at English FTA Channels
There are FTA channels in many languages it you are interested in this programming as well.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Thanks for clearing that up Bill. Understanding the difference in FTA is important. Seeing so many websites that offer receivers makes me wonder why Dish or DTV are not closing these down to protect their intellectual property.

[FLYTYER]

HEADS UP !!

We will not tolerate any discussion about the illegal side of so-called Free to Air. Do not post any LINK to any site where such information may be found.

As moderator I will delete ANY any post discussing the illegal side of this topic.

[FLYTYER]

Because of member comments and questions I received via PM's, I have opened this topic for continued discussion.

As long as the discussion stays on the legal side of FTA, we will be OK.

For those interested, do a Google search for "Free To Air"

[John Hilley]

This is a reputable company that sells FTA satellite systems. They have been in business as long as I can remember C-Band satellite being available.

http://www.skyvision.com/

[Bill Adams]

I have not looked at the site, but I know that you do not need a big C-band dish to receive FTA programming. MotoSAT makes a dish (20" I believe) that is capable of being pointed to multiple satellites and has the proper LNB.

[Lorna]

There are FTA for both C band and KU. You do need to watch the listings carefully (Skyvision has the listings... great outfit and they also sell programming for KU band dishes ). Many of the channels that you find duplicated on Cable, Direct & Dish are only available as audio... the picture is often scrambled. You should find the programming from the Universities in the clear. I used to have my kids watch some of the university programming on our C-Band dish when I homeschooled them. Great info found there.

[diandtom]

Which LNB is better ? The C or the KU and can I use the dish I have?

[FLYTYER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by diandtom:
Which LNB is better ? The C or the KU and can I use the dish I have? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Click HERE to find a very complete discussion forum on "real" FTA dealing with both C and Ku band equipment and set ups. Clicking on their "Installation" link you will find more information and many "how-to" instructions.

This FTA stuff is fun, but in an RV to me it is just too much of a bother. That is why I carry a Mead telescope instead...much more fun !!

[Bill Adams]

C-band requires a very large antenna, 5 feet more, for the reception of this signal. The KU LNB's used for Dish and DTV are not compatible with most FTA services and requires a different LNB but the dish is about the same size as the standard dish we are all using.

[diandtom]

I got the Coolsat 4000 today. I don't have the right LNB, so all I done is read the manual and hooked it to a TV. It did display a menu on the screen so maybe it will work.
Tom