FREE TV!
Welcome to Tech Talk, Pico Macom's series of technical notes, featuring useful information and equipment tips. This installment of Tech Talk discusses Pico Macom’s SIRD-FTA satellite receiver and accessories.
More programming than ever before
When satellite transmission of television programming first started, there was no need for the signals to be scrambled. There were very few consumer satellite dishes available and the cost was excessive. As the cost associated with putting in a dish system came down, some of the programmers scrambled their signals and required monthly fees for service. Most programmers generated the revenue needed to continue providing service through donations or advertising. What this meant was that the majority of the available programming was free.
The conversion to digital over the satellites has created a much more cost-effective environment. Where before there was a total of 24 analog channels on a C-band satellite, now in the place of one channel you can have 10 digital channels (24 transponders x 10 channels = 240 channels). Since the cost of satellite time has decreased, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of free programming. The Ku-band is heavily used for television programming. Ku-band downlink frequencies are much higher than the C-band; therefore, the dish size required is much smaller and easier to install.
Digital satellite signals free for the taking
Two things make receiving free satellite signals easier than ever.
- First, the FCC got a law passed that lifts many local government antenna restrictions. The Over-The-Air-Reception-Device (OTARD) rule provides with some limitations the authority for the consumer to install and operate an antenna (dish) to receive and transmit media signals. For an informational fact sheet, click on the link: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
- The second is that the size of the equipment is much smaller. This enables a much simpler installation, and the cost is much lower for the equipment. Many consumers can purchase and install the equipment and immediately receive thousands of channels of FREE video and audio information and entertainment services. Pico Macom offers many of the products needed to install and operate a free-to-air satellite reception system.
Our SIRD-FTA is a software upgradeable free-to-air satellite receiver that is as easy to operate as it is cost-effective. We also offer amplifiers, diplexers and switching devices that will provide the flexibility for many different configurations. Our helpful staff can provide system design advice to ensure the maximum value and configuration to meet your unique needs. Pointing the satellite dish is simple by following these step-by-step procedure.
Following these simple steps and the use of Pico Macom equipment will ensure that you are up and running watching FREE satellite programming the same afternoon. Our sales engineers are available to advise you with useful planning support and equipment selection. Please give us a call at 1-800-421-6511 and let Pico Macom help you.