[jermmd]

I'm buying a new house that has one of those old giant radar dishes on the property. Do these things serve any function anymore? Are they useful for getting OTA signals from far away and can they be used for digital, HD signals? It seems a waste to throw it away but I suspect that's what I'll need to do.

Thanks,

Joe M.

[ebag4]

This web site is filled with guys that can tell you more than you would ever want to know about this stuff:

http://satelliteguys.us/

[jermmd]

This web site is filled with guys that can tell you more than you would ever want to know about this stuff:

http://satelliteguys.us/

Thanks for the link. I just signed up and posted my question there.

[satfrat]

This web site is filled with guys that can tell you more than you would ever want to know about this stuff:

http://satelliteguys.us/

Thanks for the link. I just signed up and posted my question there.

Here's another site for you to check out: www.satforums.com / I still have an active C-band satellite system with a 12' Paraclipse dish, 4DTV receiver w/HD Decoder, free to air Pansat digital receiver and I'm hear to tell you there's a LOT of programing still available and at a much better price than the little dish, especially if you get an annual subscription. I personally made the move to DirecTv last august to take advantage of the 100+ HD channels that are now available. I still maintain an active subscrption to the premium movie channels tho, mainly cuz there's an east/west coast feeds available on C-band where you're only offered your local premium zone channel on the little dish. There's a truckload of used satellite gear usually available on ebay on the cheap. You'll need a positioner if dish doesn't already have one, and you'll need a 4DTV receiver which will not only pick up subscription analog channels but subscription digital ones also. The 4DTV receiver holds a removable analog videocypher descrambler and it has a builtin digicypher descramber. Only problenm with these descrambers is they have lithium batteries that when they die, the unit dies with it. The batteries aren't replaceable unless you can find someone who will either do the mod or show you how to do it yourself. I've had my videocpher for over 10 years now and it's still active but I think the problem comes when a receiver has been inactive for awhile. With the receiver not plugged in, the battery doesn't hold up for very long.

As for programing, you can check www.callnps.com for programing packages, satellite information,,, even online hits to activate your analog & digital subscription channels. www.onsat.com is the place to go for a satellite tV guide, either online or to sunscribe to a monthly guide.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. 

Cheers,
Robin

[jermmd]

Thanks for the info Robin. I guess I'll have to wait until I get into the new house to see what kind of setup I have. I'm not sure it's going to be worth the hassle to figure all this out verse going with standard cable. I'll need cable anyway for internet.

Joe

[ctviggen]

Joe,

Does the new house have space to replicate your home theater?  I wish I could buy a house now, because the prices are probably good, and if you've been in your house a while, you'll still be able to make some money on the sale of your house.

[jermmd]

Bob,

My wife has already made it clear that I can only have a smaller room off the kitchen for my toys. Everything else is hers. 
I'm definitely going to have to cut back a little.

I think you should buy my house! It will be perfect for your growing family. Unfortunateley, the price isn't that good.
Of course, we could avoid realtor fees. And rates are pretty awesome lateley. I locked in a jumbo mortgage at 4.625% and a month ago I could have gotten 4.25%.