Satellite TV

You will need the following cables to get the signal from the dish to your receiver setup:

Coax for LNA or LNB - Should be RG-6 Power for Downconvertor and LNA if you have an older 70 MHz system Power to actuator Arm (Two conductors) Return position readout from actuator (Two conductors) Power to polarotor (Two conductors)

While "All-in-one" cables are pretty cheap, I chose to make up my own cables since I have a few miles of various wires and cables here, which I obtained free when an electronics business closed up shop. My installation is not pretty. I meant to tie and bundle all the cables, I really did. But I was just in such a hurry to see if the system worked, that I just strung the cables in semi random fashion. It worked so well I did not want to disturb it once it all started playing. If you don't have access to such a stash of cables, I would bite the bullet and get the new stuff. You will definately want to use the absolute newest and best co-ax for the signal feed. Of course you will also need the proper fittings and connectors.

RECEIVERS

As stated earlier, the older 70 MHz first generation receivers are basic giveaway units. $35 is the top price you should expect to pay for one of these. Some of them are pretty crude. My first receiver was a SAT TECH R-5000, the most simple satellite receiver ever made. It had analogue tuning, and you really did not know what transponder you were on. But it DID tune the C band, and had baseband output (you will want this jack for receiving additional audio channels). I got the receiver in trade for a microphone. The microphone had a value of around $5, but I had gotten IT for nothing several years before.

You can have a LOT of fun with an old 70 MHz system. Indeed, with the proper add ons, it can provide very servicable stereo audio reception and decent viewing of all the major C band satellites. The best part is that this equipment is available virtually free if you know where to look. (Sat dealers, sat hobby folk, hamfests, etc.)

If you can, though, you will eventually want to get a receiver that uses the current state of the art LNB 950-1450 technology (there are some older receivers that use weird block frequencies, stay away from these as they are not upgradable, stick with the standard block if possible, as it is easier to upgrade). My first 950-1450 block receiver (and still my current one) cost $100 used from my favorite used satellite equipment dealer...

ADD-ON GIZMOS

The first thing you will want to add to an older system is a STEREO PROCESSOR. This device is actually two FM receivers in one box that tunes from 5 to 8 mhz, and has dual bandwidths. These are available from a variety of sources (The sat dealers, and hobby traders) but the best deal we knew of is at SHOP AT HOME, though they are no longer available from this dealer. It is possible you might find one on the used market, or through another dealer. The Janeil SP-2000 is a digital readout audio processor that connects to the BASEBAND output of your satellite receiver and will give you full stereo reception of not only TV feeds, but also a wide variety of stereo audio services, as well as mono ones. These include the BBC world service radio, and other international broadcasters, background music, major radio stations from all over the country, network radio stations, talk shows, and even reading services for the blind. While the Janiels are apparently just about all gone, there were similar units made by Drake and others, and you do run into them at swap meets. This device makes possible reception of wide and narrow audio subcarriers with even the most primitive satellite receiver.

SCPC

Another low priced add on that will give you hours of fun is a receiver for SCPC (Single Channel Per Carrier). This will provide you with over 100 additional audio services of music, talk, radio networks and regional stations, as well as a TON of sports audio. The cheapest SCPC scrounge we know is to take a Radio Shack or similar TV AUDIO BAND RADIO (The Portavision 40 works great) and connect it to the 70mhz loop if your receiver has one, or tie it into the 70 mhz line of an older 70 mhz system. Tune TV BAND #1 for the SCPC audio which is found on G6, Channels 1-4 and F2, channels 1-3 among other places. Total investment: $40.

KU BAND

While most new satellite receivers now receive the KU band (11-12 GH) the older ones do not. HOWEVER, there IS a KU band convertor that does a servicable job of adding this band to ANY C-BAND system that uses the 950 to 1450 block band. It is the UNIDEN UST-55, which is a matching component to their older receivers, but will work with all C band units using the standard block. You will need to add a KU band feed and a KU LNB. There are a few used dual band feeds, but they are pretty scarce, so when it comes time to convert to KU band, you might have to buy your first piece of new equipment, namely the KU feed and KU LNB. These will run you just over $200 from a reputable dealer. KU band is still not widely used, and is more for those who enjoy wild feeds, educational programming, news, or NBC programming. However, KU is growing, so the UST-55 would be a nice investment if you can find one.

SOURCES OF USED EQUIPMENT: Use the local penny shopper paper

Our local shopper paper has satellite systems just about every week, complete systems, dish, receiver and all, for between $200 and $500. But here, make sure you know what you are buying. If it is an older first generation, 70 mHz LNA type system, the only component of real value is the dish itself. If you don't see ads for used systems, try to place an ad of your own looking for used satellite equipment. You might be surprised at the response you will get. Many people got discouraged when scrambling began, and signed up for cable rather than buy descramblers. Their satellite systems thus just sit unused, waiting for someone to take them away. Such a system can be had pretty cheaply.

Satellite Dealers in your area

Try and befriend a technician, and get into the SHOP. While the scrounger will enjoy looking at all the shiny new stuff in the showroom, the real treasures are in the back where the techie types hang out. Here you will find the stuff that has been traded in, or salvaged, and can usually be had very very cheaply.

Friends or relatives who have gone cable

You could very well have a relative or friend, or friend of a friend who used to have a satellite system and then got cable when scrambling started, or when cable finally came to their rural location. Here you can sometimes get the system just for the taking, or for a couple hundred dollars at the most. This is a good way to get a complete working system at a very low price. Tell ALL your friends you are looking for a used system. And tell them to ask THEIR friends for you. This method is surprisingly effective. Hamfests

Lots of satellite hobby folk are also ham radio operators, and hams trade used equipment like kids swap baseball cards. DAYTON has dozens of people selling used satellite stuff every year. Even my local ham swap meet had a fellow selling sat receivers as low as $15 each! This is a real opportunity IF you know what you are looking for. Here though it is Caveat Emptor. What you get may not work, so don't spend the grocery money. However you can also luck out and come home with a real treasure.

Over the air ham swap nets

Same deal as the hamfests, many local and regional ham radio nets trade for equipment over the air, and occaisionally satellite gear is offered. And if you have a ham license, it would not hurt to get into the group and let them know you are looking for used satellite equipment.

Bank reposessions

Call the banks in your area and talk to a loan officer and find out if there are any reposessed systems in their inventory. Here you will probably spend more than our $500 target price, but you might also get a modern state of the art system at a rock bottom price.

Morgan Engineering

Dan Morgan refurbishes receivers and other gear, and has used equipment at reasonable prices, These are current technology receivers, and range from $100 to $300. Dan also has other components to round out your scrounged system, and loves to chat. He is one person I know who does not put down the scrounger, but actively encourages them to pursue the hobby.

Morgan Engineering 517-685-3970 119 W. Main Street Rose City, MI 48654

Fred DeFerbrache

Fred is a satellite dealer and does a satellite audio talk show every sunday night on LTRN on Spacenet 3, channel 21, 5.8 wideband audio. At 10:15PM as part of his show, they have the SWAPFEST of the air. I have heard some very good deals on this part of the program. You can reach Fred at his business by calling: (219) 293-9664

There are likely many other sources of used equipment, certainly within your own region. The secret is to keep looking, and let all your friends and relatives also know you are looking. Eventually someone, a friend of a friend will know someone who has old satellite stuff laying around, and you will be rewarded. I know of many folks who have built systems for next to nothing, and so can you. It takes a bit of effort, but the results will be worth it.

HOW-TO BOOK

I recommend the Ken Reitz book: SATELLITE TV SOURCEBOOK which is an ideal book for the beginner. It is written in plain English, and gives a good background on the hobby, including how to install your dish system.

A bit of warning: The satellite hobby is an addictive one. With all the programming you will find even with the cheapest scrounged system, you will find there are not enough hours in a day to enjoy it all. And if you get bitten by the Satellite DX bug, always looking for the new and the strange, you could find virtually all your spare time spent at the controls of your satellite system.

But that's the fun of it....

If you have any comments or additions to this article, or want to report your own scrounged system, write me at the SIGNALS address or send EMAIL to flash@lopez.marquette.mi.us and let me know YOUR scrounger story. Keep Watching The Skies................. --

/ Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan USA \ ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! S3/21 5.8 Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-]) \ tvro@lopez.marquette.mi.us or flash@lopez.marquette.MI.US OR: / (GENIE: BIRDWATCHER)*(MCIMAIL: STUDIOB)*(FAX: [906] 228-7477)*(BBS: 228-4399)

Satellite television Satellite television is television delivered by way of orbiting communications satellites located 37,000 km (22,300 miles) above the earth's surface. The first satellite television signal was relayed from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America in 1962. The first domestic North American satellite to carry television was Canada's Anik 1, which was launched in 1973. Satellite television, like other communications relayed by satellite, starts with a transmitting antenna located at an uplink facility. Uplink satellite dishes are directed toward the satellite that its signals will be transmitted to, and are very large, as much as 9 to 12 meters (30 to 40 feet) in diameter. The increased diameter results in more accurate positioning and improved signal reception at the satellite. The signal is transmitted to devices located on-board the satellite called transponders, which retransmit the satellite signal back towards the Earth at a different frequency.

The satellite signal, quite weak after travelling through space, is collected by a parabolic receiving dish, which reflects the weak signal to the dish's focal point and is received, down-converted to a lower frequency band and amplified by a device called a low-noise block downconverter, or LNB (Direct broadcast satellite dishes use an LNBF, which integrates the feedhorn with the LNB).

The signal, now amplified, travels to a satellite receiver box through coaxial cable (RG-6 or RG-10; cannot be standard RG-59) and is converted by a local oscillator to the L-Band range of frequencies (approximately). Special on-board electronics in the receiver box help tune the signal and then convert it to a frequency that a standard television can use.

There are two primary types of satellite television distribution: direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and television receive-only (TVRO).

Direct broadcast satellite Direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, is a relatively recent development in the world of television distribution. "Direct broadcast satellite" can either refer to the communications satellites themselves that deliver DBS service or the actual television service. DBS systems are commonly referred to as "minidish" systems. DBS uses the upper portion of Ku-Band.

DBS systems rely upon proprietary reception equipment, most often in the form of a television set-top signal descrambling box. This measure assures satellite television providers that only authorised, paying subscribers have access to the content.

History of satellite television The first commercial DBS service, Sky Television, was launched in 1989 and served customers in the United Kingdom. Hughes's DirecTV, the first high-powered DBS system, went online in 1994 and was the first North American DBS service. In 1996, Echostar's DISH Network went online in the United States and has gone on to similar success as DirecTV's primary competitor. Commercial DBS services are the primary competition to cable television service.

In Canada, the two DBS services available are Bell Canada's ExpressVu and StarChoice.

Satellite television in Australia has proven to be a far more feasible option than Cable television, due to the vast distances between population centres. The first service to come online in Australia was Galaxy Television, which was later taken over by Cable Television giant Foxtel, which now operates both Cable and Satellite services to all State capital cities and the Southwest. Its main metropolitan rival is Optus Television, while rural areas of the Eastern States are served by Austar.

Europe's satellite is Astra and does not cover the entire continent.

Japan's main satellite system is SkyPerfect. Latin America satellite system is DirecTV Latin America offers

Multichoice is the satellite for both South Africa and Southern Africa.

Television receive-only Television receive-only, or TVRO, refers to satellite television reception equipment that is based primarily on open standards equipment. This contrasts sharply with direct broadcast satellite, which is a completely closed system that uses proprietary reception equipment. TVRO is often referred to as "big dish" satellite television.

TVRO systems are designed to receive analog satellite signals from both C-Band and Ku-Band satellite television or audio signals. TVRO systems tend to use larger rather than smaller satellite dish antennas, since it is more likely that the owner of a TVRO system would have a C-Band only setup rather than a Ku-Band only setup. Additional receiver boxes allow for different types of digital satellite signal reception, such as DVB/MPEG-2 and 4DTV.

Direct broadcasting satellites which can be received by what are known in Chinese as little ears have had a major role in breaking the government monopoly of information on Mainland China. Although met with frequent and generally unsuccessful efforts to regulate them, satellite dishes are fairly common in urban Chinese cities. Satellite television has also played an important role in broadcasting to expatriate communities such as Arabs, and overseas Chinese.

See also: satellite dish, microwave antenna

Introduction Across America, more than one of every 20 homes has a satellite dish. Several states now boast satellite television penetration figures exceeding 10 percent of all TV households, with one state, Montana, having dishes in more than one out of every six homes. This explosion in the popularity of direct-to-home (DTH) satellite technology may surprise many casual observers; since many Americans (and most of the media) have only learned about satellite TV in the last two years. The satellite dish emerged as a common feature in the American household with the launch of "small dish" digital satellite TV via the PrimeStar and DIRECTV/USSB ventures of 1994. In the 24 months since those companies began service - now joined by EchoStar and AlphaStar, nearly three million new consumer satellite installations have occurred, and when added to the 2.3 million C-band subscribers, the industry truly seems to have come of age. Of this impressive number, the 18-inch Digital Satellite System (DSS) has racked up sales of better than 1.6 million units. Indeed, DSS represents the most successful consumer product introduction in history, easily outperforming CE stalwarts like the color TV, VCR and CD player. When these numbers are added to the widespread acceptance of the PrimeStar system and the strong market interest in both EchoStar's DISH system and the AlphaStar product, America is clearly turning its eyes to the sky for new options in entertainment, information and education. While Today's hot DTH marketplace makes for an exciting story, this is an industry's history - which was never supposed to exist - remains unknown to most. DTH is an industry born out of the genius of a Stanford University college professor and publicized by ham radio conversations. An industry that defied all odds to grow from the backyards of "techies" and "early adapters" to today's multi-billion dollar first-line competitor to America's cable monopoly. Ultimately, it is the story of an industry comprised of thousands of entrepreneurs who "kept the dream alive" during long periods of traumatic political upheaval.

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