Getting Started with FTA: Overview.

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Getting Started with FTA: Overview.
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So you want True FTA now then do this
It was a matter of time before people started asking me about True FTA

1.Default your IRD to Factory bin
2.Point dish to bird
3.scan
4.watch TV

Items required for KU Band:
1. 33" Dish or bigger (Motorized Dish is Best)
2. LO 10750 LNB

Items required for C-band:

1. 6-8ft Prime Focus Dish
2. Eagle Aspen pro Band LNB or DMS International #BSC321-2 (Cband Only)
3. DMS International C/KU Band LNB #BSC621-2

Notes:
18" dish will not do anything for you includes DP500


Getting Started with FTA: Overview

What you absolutely need:
A clear view of the southern sky
A dish, 30 inches or wider
A Ku-band LNBF
A Free-to-air DVB receiver
To hit multiple satellites from one dish, add:
A dish-moving motor
Really helpful stuff for installation:
A compass with degree marks
A level
True RG6 coax cable
A 7/16-inch wrench
A portable TV
The four simple steps

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FTA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Why should I get a FTA system?
FTA provides free programming you can't get anywhere else. Whether it's foreign language programming from faraway countries or TV stations from another state, there's always something on watch on FTA, but there's never a subscription fee.
Should I drop cable/Dish/DirecTV and switch to FTA?
Probably not. FTA is a great supplement to an existing programming package, but it struggles as a sole provider. Some of the big four broadcast networks aren't available on Ku-band FTA, and there aren't any HBO-style movie or sports channels. And channels come and go without notice, which is why you need a site like this.
If you watch your local broadcasters with an over-the-air antenna, FTA can add a lot of channels to your $0-per-month system. But if you're used to easy access to dozens of movie channels and sports any hour of the day, you won't get it with FTA.
How can I use FTA equipment to pick up ESPN or HBO?
Short answer: You can't.
Long answer: Some channels are meant for subscribers only. Those channels are sent encrypted; only authorized recipients may unscramble them. Once in a great while, a channel like this will be available in the clear for a few hours, but that's about it. Just as you occasionally find money on the sidewalk, it's nice when it happens, but you don't plan on it.
Cautionary answer: Some scofflaws spend a lot of time working to break the encryption on these channels. Sometimes they succeed, at least until the encryption changes. Their methods are typically illegal and can damage legitimate FTA equipment. The possible reward isn't worth the risk.
Can I use a Dish Network or DirecTV dish and LNBF to pick up FTA channels?
Yes, but not many. There are only a few Dish Network and Bell ExpressVu TV channels, mostly system promos, that a FTA receiver can pick up with Dish/DirecTV equipment. There are a fair number of audio channels in the clear. In general, a Dish/DirecTV setup and a switch can be a cheap way to add this small set of channels, but by itself, it won't give you much reason to buy a FTA receiver.
What do I need for a FTA system?
This is covered in more detail in the Getting Started section. In short, you need a clear view of the southern sky, a 30-inch or larger dish, a Ku-band LNBF, a Free-to-air DVB receiver, and RG-6 cable to connect the receiver to the LNBF.
When I look at LyngSat, I see a lot more channels. Why don't you list them here?
Three main reasons:
1) They're not visible from North America. LyngSat has some interesting lists that include all channels that originate from a given country, such as the US. That's not a bad thing, but it's not so helpful when you want to see what you can receive here in North America. Or ...
2) They're not free-to-air. Channels with notes such as PowerVu or Digicipher are scrambled. LyngSat lists them, but you can't watch them with FTA equipment. Or ...
3) They're C-band channels. Any channel that LyngSat lists with a four-digit frequency is C-band.
What's a C-band channel?
It's a channel using the frequencies that used to be the only game in town for satellites. C-band signals are weaker, so you need the huge (6-foot or larger) dishes to receive them. There's nothing wrong with big dishes, but they're more complicated to set up and they're restricted from more areas. To simplify our charts, we only list Ku-band FTA channels.
What are feeds?
Feeds are signals beamed from a remote location to a studio for editing (sometimes) and rebroadcast. Common examples are local news correspondents sending reports, and sporting events fed back to a studio without graphics or commericals. Because there's usually no good way to know when they'll be on, feeds are not listed with the standard channels here. If you want to find feeds, an FTA receiver with blind scanning can help.
Which FTA receiver should I buy?
FTA receivers are like cars. There are lots of different models, most of which perform basic functions the same way. There are lots of opinions about which one is best, but very few people have significant experience with more than one or two models.
If you're just getting started, I'd suggest that you make sure your first receiver has blind scanning to help you find channels. Even if you don't have a motor, you might feel like adding one later, so it's generally a good idea to make sure your receiver can drive one. After that, it's a question of which cool features you want and how much you want to spend. Shop around!
Why don't you include the satellites that are east of AMC 6 or west of Intelsat Americas 7?
The lists here are designed to represent the channels that can be seen by all of the contiguous United States and southern Canada. For simplicity, especially for those new to the hobby, I have left out those satellites that can be seen on one coast but not the other. That may change in future versions of FTAList.
Why don't you include the FTA channels that you can only get with a circular LNBF?