Atsuko Natsume wrote in a message to All:
 AN> Hey guys, I really appreciate you explaining all that to me.  It
 AN> does clear up a lot of things.
NoProb...  Glad to be of SOME help :)
 AN> Somewhere along the line, I guess a lot of people started figuring
 AN> that you have to subscribe to someone's sattellite service to pick
 AN> up any stations.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but certain companies
 AN> (the International Channel for one) pump out their signals to
 AN> anyone who cares to watch for free.
There ARE a large number of subscription networks that you can get access to 
by paying their rates, many have "packages" that offer the most popular fare, 
or you can (most of the time) subscribe to 'al-a-carte' programming and pay 
ONLY for a small number you are interested in (ie I'd like to eventually get 
a sub' to SpeedVision - so I can see the auto races without having to search 
for the random wildfeeds - but I need to replace/repair my VideoCypher Module 
first :(.
There are many networks that use the birds ITC (In The Clear) to send the 
daily programming to their network affiliate stations, and the signal can be 
received by anyone that knows which satellite to point at, and which 
transponder (aka channel) to select.  And of course, knowing WHEN to do the 
above is also helpful.
 AN> Do you know of any others that do this sort of thing?
 AN> Is it just a matter of pointing the dish at the right part of the
 AN> sky, dialing in a frequency and watching it?
There are some networks (like C-Span) that cover public govt meetings that 
are active 24/7, and there are quite a few radio (only) networks that use the 
C-Band sats to disperse their programming to their 'ground stations' as well, 
so you can get pretty much whatever kind of music you like at any time.
If you have internet browser access, pay a visit to the OnSat (Magazine) 
WebPage (http://www.TripleD.com/), and look for the link to the "FEEDS" 
schedule.  There you will find many of the regular 'WildFeeds' listed and be 
given a chance to download the latest list available (or just print it from 
your screen).
If you don't have i-net access, let me know and I'll send you the latest 
schedule that I have here.  I'm a Sci-Fi fan, so I keep my eyes open for the 
Voyager, Babylon-5, ST:DS-9, and others.  There are also other favs, like; 
Psi-Factor, Outer Limits, Walker Texas Ranger, Buffy the Vamp Slayer (that 
Miss Gellar is phat!), and others.  Once one gets used to where things 
happen, you can even catch the occasional Indy or NHRA (and other sporting 
events - lots of College B-Ball right now) Racing, etc...
 AN> Where might I get a dish and receiver?
Good question...  If you're going to go the C-Band route, many times you can 
find systems (Dish w/horn, Cable, Receiver, Remote) for a VERY reasonable 
price from those that have upgraded (so they call it ;) to DSS/DBS (small 
dish, digital) systems.  You might also check with some of your local 
SatTechs and Installers, many of whom advert in the yellow pages under 
"satellite" or "television/stereo".  Sometimes they have some older systems 
laying around that they've taken in trade, and are willing to make a deal 
just to get it gone and recover a few more $ from it.  I've seen a couple 
systems go for about $300 (complete) here locally, but I ended up trading an 
older 286 laptop for a Winegard Quad-10 mesh dish (10 ft dia), feedhorn/LNB, 
Adjuster (steering jack), 100' cable, and a Sierra-III receiver w/remote.  If 
you're going 'C-Band' you'll want to be SURE that what you get either has the 
steering circuits built into it (like my Chaparral), or comes with an 
external unit that handles the aiming of the dish.
You might also want to make sure you get a receiver that is compatable with 
the GI (General Instruments) VC-2 or VCRS DeCryption module, so you can have 
access to any subscription nets you might be interested in.  These VC modules 
cost about $250 -NEW-, but if you have a receiver with one installed (but not 
working), GI will usually take that in trade for a reconditioned unit and 
your cost is ~$125.  That's what I may have to do if I don't find someone 
willing to share the info I need in order to repair the one I have.
 AN> Thank you so much for your patience with a beginner,
Been There - Done That... :)  Have fun!
Sincerely,
           Bruce - kb6lwn@juno.com - http://www.qsl.net/kb6lwn
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