Newbie Q: Is this sat tv equipment worth experimenting with?

Archived from groups: alt.video.satellite.mpeg-dvb (More info?)

Himanshu wrote:

> My friend and I were discussing sat tv reception and he said, "Oh, I've
> got this stuff my wife wants me to get rid of..." And then he gave
> me the following:
>
> * "Atlanta DTH" Model 3600 Single Output Digital Ku-LNBF
> (http://www.adth.com)
> * Prosat P-2000 receiver w/ViaAccess card
> * A dish & a pole to mount the dish on
>
> The LNBF looks worn, but not broken (was used in the Florida heat), and
> the receiver seems old from what I found on the net. The dish is
> unimpressive but again, not broken or anything.
>
> Question - is this equipment too old to be useful? Can I receive FTA
> feeds with this equipment?

No, it's not too old. Should be fine for FTA.

> I'm not experienced with installing a dish, so I was thinking of asking
> the DISH Network installer (yes, I'm getting service next week) to
> install this setup for me if you think it might be worth the cost. I
> guess I could ask the installer to point it at one particular bird? If
> so, which one would you pick (most FTA channels in English).

Telstar 5, aka IA5, at 97 degrees W longitude is the most popular sat.
See: http://www.lyngsat.com/ia5.html
(Ignore transponders where the Freq. is below 10,000. Those are C-band.)

> PS: I'm located in the North-Eastern US.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Himanshu