Frequently Ask Questions

Q:  What is FTA?
A:  FTA stands for Free To Air.  It means channels that are free of charge.  You can find lots of them on almost every satellite available in North America.
Q:  How do I know which satellite I want to watch?
A:  There is a well know web site that list the satellites and the channels on them.  This site is a good place to start.  You can find it at www.lyngsat.com.  Take a look at Galaxy 19 (97W) and AMC4 (101W).  They are very popular.
Q:  Does your Easy Signal Finder System receive all available channels?
A:  Our Easy Signal Finder System receives all the FTA (Free To Air) channels on Ku satellites.  Easy Signal Finder System does not receive channels that are encrypted, scrambled or in a format other than MPEG2.
Q:  How do I know which channels are available for viewing?
A:  First you need to be able to read the charts on www.lyngsat.com.  You will find a very good guide to reading the charts at http://dmsiusa.com/charts.html.
Q:  Which satellites are popular?
A:  It really depends on what you want to watch.  Some of the popular satellites are Galaxy 19 (was Galaxy 25 and earlier Telestar 5), AMC 4 and others.
Q:  Can I use any replacement LNBF with the Easy Signal Finder System?
A:  NO, you must use the Easy Signal Finder LNBF only or the alignment system will stop working.  Should you need to re-align or re-install your system you would need to use original Easy Signal Finder equipment only.
Q:  Can I use any receiver with the Easy Signal Finder System?
A:  NO, you must use the Easy Signal Finder Receiver made exclusively for the Easy Signal Finder System.  
Q:  Can I use any dish with the Easy Signal Finder System?
A:  Yes, you can use any suitable dish for your area.  Normally, within the boundaries of the continental US, you can use a 75cm dish.  Fringe areas should use a 90cm or larger dish.  Southern Canada or Northern Mexico should use 90cm or larger. 
Q:  How long can the coax run be?
A:  We have tested it up to 150 feet using good quality coax and found no problem at all.  The average coax length used in most installs is 60 to 75 feet.  A 150 foot run would be unusual however if you have a coax run that exceeds 150 feet we recommend that you do some testing before installing the Easy Signal Finder System.
Do you guarantee that these channels will remain free?
No, no one can guarantee "free channels".  You will receive these channels as long as they remain free and in the clear (not scrambled).   We provide hardware (receiver, LNBF, dish) and not programming.  We make no guarantees or claims about programming. 
What are the rules for installing a dish in my sub-division or apartment?
You can review the FCC rulings and get more information at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.