| Broadcasting FTA (Free To Air) satellite | | | | understand. |
| services throughout Australia, Optus Aurora | | | | |
| has been a god send to people in rural and | | | | It should be noted that many of the available |
| outback areas as well as the caravan and | | | | services from the satellites are encrypted to |
| motorhome community. | | | | prevent theft. These services will generally |
| | | | require a monthly or annual subscription for |
| The purchase and activation of an Optus | | | | their reception. If you are intending to |
| Aurora Smart Card gives the owner access to | | | | view these ensure your satellite receiver has |
| many ABC and SBS services from around | | | | an imbedded card reader or Cam Slot and can |
| Australia. Imparja, Seven Central, GWN and | | | | decrypt the services you are interested in. |
| WIN services are also available in their | | | | (you should also check your providers terms |
| respective license areas. | | | | and conditions or service agreement to ensure |
| | | | that what you are hoping to achieve would not |
| Wondering what equipment you'll need to | | | | violate them) |
| receive FTA Satellite TV Services to either a | | | | |
| rural residence or a caravan / motorhome ? | | | | The satellite finder and charts are only used |
| The basic elements that make up a satellite | | | | during the initial installation until you |
| TV system are:- | | | | have a picture. The finder can then be |
| | | | removed. Your local satellite parts dealer |
| 1- Satellite Dish | | | | will be best able to advise on the correct |
| | | | equipment and alignment procedures for your |
| 2- Satellite Dish Mount (portable or fixed is | | | | area. For people installing to the roof |
| fine) | | | | ensure you take all the necessary safety |
| | | | precautions. (You are competent right?) |
| 3- LNB (low noise block amplifier * Goes on | | | | |
| the arm of the dish) | | | | Satellite television is an extremely popular |
| | | | way to watch an array of hundreds of |
| 4- Satellite Receiver (many brands and | | | | stations. The one downside to satellite is |
| versions available * Shop around for a | | | | that it can be pricey depending on the |
| suitable well priced model) | | | | program that you set up. What if there was a |
| | | | way to receive all of the satellite stations |
| 5- Satellite Finder (analogue and digital | | | | without having to pay an expensive bill? To |
| varieties * Analogue though generally | | | | your benefit, with ongoing technological |
| cheaper) | | | | development you can now receive Satellite TV |
| | | | from your PC for a small price to pay. |
| 6- Satellite Charts | | | | |
| | | | There now is a way for you to have Satellite |
| Choosing the right satellite dish for your | | | | TV from your computer without paying a penny |
| site is the most important factor. Dishes | | | | for the stations themselves. The only fee to |
| come in various sizes ranging from very small | | | | have access to hundreds of channels is the |
| (in the centimeters) to many meters. In | | | | price of software that is required to get |
| recent times with the increase in satellite | | | | them working on your computer. You may think |
| transmission power people are able to get | | | | that the software is going to jack the prices |
| away with a much smaller dish then they did | | | | up to around the range of Satellite TV, but |
| in the past. | | | | that is where you are wrong. |
| | | | |
| Typical size for coverage in many areas is 78 | | | | For less than the cost of a monthly cable or |
| to 88 cm s. (for the KU band * If you are a | | | | Satellite TV bill, you can watch Satellite TV |
| beginner to satellite I recommend KU | | | | on your computer. There are a number of |
| reception if it is available in your area. | | | | different kinds of software to choose from |
| For those that have an interest in C band | | | | that work for your computer. The difference |
| reception you will generally need a much | | | | between the software is how much range you |
| larger dish. eg Greater then 1.5m for many | | | | get and how many stations you have access to. |
| areas) | | | | The best Satellite TV software on the market |
| | | | will give you access to over 3000 worldwide |
| The LNB is the part on the end of the arm. | | | | channels without a monthly fee. |
| It amplifies the very weak signals that are | | | | |
| collected and reflected into it by the dish. | | | | Ditch your television antenna today and make |
| This signal once amplified, is carried down | | | | the investment in a quality portable |
| the satellite cable to the satellite | | | | satellite tv system package or build your |
| receiver. Here it is converted into a signal | | | | own. You won't be disappointed. |
| that your conventional television can | | | | |