BajaNomad - Waht is the best satelite dish and system to use?

Waht is the best satelite dish and system to use?

Howard - 9-16-2008 at 06:02 PM

I am bringing my RV to Loreto where it will spend part of the year there and further south and part of the year in the Southern California area. What is the best satellite dish (size, mfg, etc.) that will work well in both locations? What system will work best? (Dish or ?)

Thanks for your help,
Howard

Pescador - 9-16-2008 at 07:32 PM

I think you are asking about television reception but we also use dishes for internet. Which are you asking about?
If internet, then Hughesnet. is the best and the same sat dish will work in both areas.
If Television, then you get into a whole other ball game. Some of use Free To Air because Dish Network does not actually allow usage in Mexico.
In order to receive the signal you need at least a 1.8 meter dish in Loreto which is very large to have on the top of your motorhome. If you are in a semi-permanent setup, you can mount a dish on a concrete pad and then it works fairly well.
Do a search here for television and satellite and you will get a lot of information that has been covered.

Howard - 9-16-2008 at 08:26 PM

I did suspect that the dish would have to be very large for a TV. I would not entertain the idea of mounting that size dish on the RV and I am about 1 year away from having a semi- perminent location for a pad. I guess thats why they make DVD's to watch instead. A far as the Internet dish, what is the basic inofrmation on that such as costs and contracts to sign?

Really appreciate your help,

Howard

Bajabus - 9-16-2008 at 08:44 PM

Pescador..why is HN the best for internet?

gnukid - 9-16-2008 at 09:39 PM

I guess i many cases its the guide that makes the service best. Do users have TIVO DVR in Baja? Do you like it? Which FTA guide do you like?

Martyman - 9-17-2008 at 08:46 AM

Jeez. TV???
Make your own movie!

vandenberg - 9-17-2008 at 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Martyman
Jeez. TV???
Make your own movie!

Yeah !!!
But how do you get the girls to participate. :?:

Don Alley - 9-17-2008 at 09:18 AM

Tivo will not work in Mexico, except with one participating cable company. The machines come DISABLED out of the box; you must connect them to a phone line and get them activated.

tv

mulege marv - 9-17-2008 at 10:08 AM

starchoice (canadian) is about the most practicle, as the reception is excellent and it doesnt require a huge dish. lots of people in mulege went to it when DTV went south, or should i say north.

losfrailes - 9-17-2008 at 11:55 AM

Only problem with Starchoice is that you must have a Canadian address to be able to pay the subscription. For some thats no problem.

For others, FTA (Free To Air) is a solution. Its DishNetwork and relatively easy to get and for those posting here, with obvious internet connection, real easy to maintain. And the price is right!

losfrailes - 9-17-2008 at 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajabus
Pescador..why is HN the best for internet?

Were you trolling for a comment?

Apparently Hughes Network is the best if guaged by the number of users in Baja as opposed to that of the other system.

Also there are certified installers in Baja to solve the needs of installation and service when and if needed.

CortezBlue - 9-17-2008 at 03:15 PM

I think it depends are where you are??

I am from Phx and have a DirecTV dish in San Felipe without any issues. However a bit of a primer. Dish Network and DirecTV are using spot beaming to deliver "Local" channels. So for me it is not a problem as I get my local Phx channels and I would assume San Diego and LA would get locals ok. However, if you are from, lets say, Salt Lake, you will probably be out of the beam path to get locals.

FTA is a great option for legal free programing. However, if you are modifying the firmware to receive DishNetwork, dont be suprised if it is not around very long. As soon as Dish goes to MPG4 for all programs, FTA will be only useful for Free programing that is available.

I hope this message finds you watching great Sat programing.

larryC - 9-17-2008 at 05:36 PM

In BoLA I use a 30" dish with Directv and a DVR with absolutly no problems. Going farther south would most likely require a larger dish. As far as the locals are concerned CortezBlue is 100% correct.
As for internet use, I like Starband, mainly because if you have a technical problem you don't have to talk to someone in Pakistan, Starbands techs are in Virginia and speak very good english.
Hope this helps,
Larry

[Edited on 9-18-2008 by larryC]

Bajabus - 9-17-2008 at 08:20 PM

you rarely need tech assistance with SB and it's easy enough to install your self. We guide hundreds of customers through self installs.

The beauty is you can then trouble shoot the system and repair it yourself. Baja individualism at it's best. We don't need no pinchie techs if we don't want them....LOL

Plus much better FAP thresholds and management along with a nice FAP free happy hour from midnight to 7 AM EST.

Are you saying I am trolling for comments? been on this board longer than anyone but David k....member #11...i don't do trolling...It's a simple question, just wondering the basis for pescaderos claim.

Quote:

Apparently Hughes Network is the best if guaged by the number of users in Baja as opposed to that of the other system.

If the number of users were the gauge of best then ford focuses must be better cars than BMWs.....I think you see my point.

BCSTech - 9-17-2008 at 11:29 PM

OK, I'll throw in here...

1. Dish Network works in BCS, DirecTV does not.

2. It's not that Dish Network doesn't allow usage in Mexico, it's just that they are prohibited from offering the service to residents outside of the US. Everyone with a legal subscription to Dish Network has an address in the US. Dish Network can and will grant RV waivers, and they have no idea whether the RV drives into Mexico or Canada nor do they really care.

3. You can get ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX in BCS but only from the NY, SF and Atlanta stations.

4. You can definitely get by with something smaller than a 1.8 to receive Dish Network. A 1.2 is the recommended minimum in our area for a permanent setup. Anything smaller might have a few weak channels especially in the morning hours. But that's here at the end of BCS. Your mileage may vary in Loreto.

I use a 1 meter Winegard dish for Dish Network at my house in Todos Santos. But I'm a hacker at heart and can put up with a little tweaking to get it dead on.

5. Patriot, Winegard and Andrew make excellent TV dishes. The Andrews are a little heavy but really solid.

6. You can get a DVR already built into a Dish Network receiver and it WILL work without a phone line.

7. Satellite Internet. Depends on what you're doing. HughesNet can get away with a 3/4 meter dish outside the US whereas StarBand uses a larger 1.2 meter. So if you're traveling, an HN dish is a little easier to stow and setup. But it takes some extra fine adjustment to setup if you're traveling. Otherwise, the system will shut down completely.

Most of the HN satellites can't be used down here. You have to work with an outfit that knows what they're doing so they can get you assigned to the right one.

8. Better tech support at SB, no doubt. But then, the bar is pretty low to be able to offer better support than HN.

9. HN will not officially support Voice Over IP so don't plan on calling them if you have trouble trying to use Vonage or Skype. I suspect the same is true with SB. Some folks can get VOIP to work but don't count on it.

If you need solid Voice Over Internet then "commercial gear" like iDirect is the way to go. Pricey but works because there are fewer users per channel and the technology supports voice.

[Edited on 9-18-2008 by BCSTech]

Hooker33 - 9-18-2008 at 07:36 AM

We are returning to Los Cabos in a couple of weeks. Last year we brought our DirectV box with us and we were able to receive 13 channels. Has this changed? I can get along with limited TV but need to get some news channels. I have time to change to Dishnet if that is a preferred system for Cabo. Would I need another dish, we have a 4' now. Thanks for any help and advice.

BCSTech - 9-18-2008 at 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hooker33
We are returning to Los Cabos in a couple of weeks. Last year we brought our DirectV box with us and we were able to receive 13 channels. Has this changed? I can get along with limited TV but need to get some news channels. I have time to change to Dishnet if that is a preferred system for Cabo. Would I need another dish, we have a 4' now. Thanks for any help and advice.

There may be a couple of channels left on DirecTV. I don't know because we no longer check it. Maybe someone from CSL or SJDC who's still using it can post what's left?

You should be fine with a 4' dish as long as it's well made, and the cables and LNB are good.

I forgot to include a comment about FTA receivers. You'll need some level of computer expertise since these receivers require regular computer downloads and installations of "updates" (AKA "Cracks") to keep them working to receive programming you're not subscribed for. Sometimes these cracks are not immediately available and you'll have to wait until someone figures it out and posts the new crack online.

Bajabus - 9-18-2008 at 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BCSTech

If you need solid Voice Over Internet then "commercial gear" like iDirect is the way to go. Pricey but works because there are fewer users per channel and the technology supports voice.

[Edited on 9-18-2008 by BCSTech]

Spacenet, Starbands parent company also offers carrier grade quality telephone service. In fact the Gilat VSAT equipment they use provides 90% of the worlds satellite delivered telephony services in rural areas.

You are looking at about $1500 in equipment and $399 per month for 512 X 1024 with guaranteed service level agreements for commercial satellite services but it also includes carrier grade telephony with unlimited calling all over the world. Call quality is superb and you can also self install the system after taking a short free online course.

Bajabus - 9-18-2008 at 08:52 AM

I forgot to add that if you are already using gilats new Skyedge modem for your starband service and you are out of contract or close to being out of contract and you already use a 1.2 meter antenna, you can upgrade to Spacenets commercial offerings with no additional hardware costs. Just repoint to AMC-6, reconfigure your modem with the new info we give you and you can get the service. You will need a SIP capable phone like a cisco IP phone or a quintum digital to analog converter box to use legacy telephone equipment ( standard phones you can buy anywhere is what that means).

Thats another nice advantage. The upgrade path from SB consumer level to SN commercial services with SLA's, minimum assured speeds and carrier grade telephony is pretty seamless.

BCSTech - 9-18-2008 at 09:03 AM

Hola Bajabus, check your U2Us.

Bajabus - 9-18-2008 at 11:20 AM

got it thanks...look forward to meeting you next week in TS and working with you.

Pescador - 9-23-2008 at 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue
I think it depends are where you are??

FTA is a great option for legal free programing. However, if you are modifying the firmware to receive DishNetwork, dont be suprised if it is not around very long. As soon as Dish goes to MPG4 for all programs, FTA will be only useful for Free programing that is available.

I hope this message finds you watching great Sat programing.

According to the experts, (which I am not one), this is not really accurate. The MPG4 programming should not really interrupt the reception of FTA. So I guess I will just continue to watch what I get since Dish Network has indicated that I can not watch their stupid signal while in Mexico.

Time Will Tell, BUT....................

MrBillM - 9-23-2008 at 12:59 PM

It may be questioned whether Dish Network has any transmission/encryption schemes in process which will address the FTA receivers since Echostar's latest tactic against the FTA users (after their lawsuits against the manufacturers failed) is filing lawsuits "ATTEMPTING" to gain possession of the vendor's customer purchase lists for those FTA receivers they feel are being used to pirate their transmissions.

We'll see. I'm just an interested spectator.

larryC - 9-23-2008 at 01:14 PM

Directv did the same thing a couple years ago and intimidated alot of people into giving them money under threat of a civil law suit. They demanded $3500 dollars and you had to sign an agreement not to pirate their signal ever again. If Dish tries the same tactic it will be very interesting to see what happens since an FTA receiver is legal to own. They would probably have to prove that you own an FTA receiver and downloaded the files to pirate their signal. Hope it doesn't happen.
Larry

Si, Si

MrBillM - 9-23-2008 at 01:21 PM

That was the speed bump that Echostar ran into with their Viewsat Lawsuit. They were trying to claim that the only reason for easy firmware update by USB was to put in place pirate firmware. Didn't Fly. I can't see how they can claim that the purchase of a legal receiver which has purposes other than receiving Dish can be a crime. I think they're flailing and just trying to intimidate the little guy.

Pescador - 9-24-2008 at 10:13 AM

Most of the websites that provide signal codes have moved offshore and when asked by DN for their weblists, they were informed that the information was private and not available. What pushed me over the line was when they would not allow me to suspend service for the time I live in Mexico and they would not allow me to use the service from my house in Mexico so now I suffer from having 250-300 channels for free.

Now This is Interesting for some.

MrBillM - 9-26-2008 at 11:06 AM

Reading info on a tech site, I came across what purports to be a court order regarding the ongoing Echostar - Viewsat FTA battles, although it shows no reference to the exact court or docket number.

It does simply reinforce the OBVIOUS. If anyone buys an FTA receiver and uploads third-party firmware, it voids their warranty. Until now, there was no danger of sending in that unit for warranty purposes other than being denied.
_____________________________________

Quote:

On September 17, 2008, the Court convened a Settlement Conference in the above entitled action. Appearing were Mark Hamer, Esq., Chad Hagan, Esq., JJ Gee and Rob Frankel, client representatives on behalf of plaintiffs; David R. Clark, Esq., Manny Delacerra, Esq., Jung Kwak and Rob Rhine, client representatives on behalf of defendants.

The Court and counsel followed up on the settlement process discussed at the Early Neutral Evaluation Conference. There was also discussion about the preservation of evidence allegedly supporting the plaintiff’s claims and defendant’s defenses. While counsel work on a formal permanent
preservation plan, the Court imposes the following interim plan:

1. Starting September 22, 2008, defendant will preserve the chip from all of the units returned to defendant for repair or warranty work which are accompanied by a check in the approximate amount of $50.00. Defendant will assign a tracking number to each of these chips and record the unit’s serial number and the date of receipt for later transmission to plaintiffs. Defendant will also record the information associated with the person(s) or other entity that has returned the unit for the subject work.

The production of that information will be dealt with by the Court at some future date;

2. By October 6, 2008, defendants will provide a report to plaintiff’s counsel regarding the
chips collected and plaintiff may proceed to purchase any or all of those at $23.00 per
unit for forensic testing; and

3. The Court and counsel will review of the progress of this interim plan, and counsel’s
efforts to come up with a permanent preservation plan, at a telephonic Case Management
Conference set for October 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Plaintiff’s counsel will initiate the
call.

In the interim, counsel have leave to take a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of defendant’s representative
with regard to repair and warranty return protocols. No later than Monday, September 22, 2008,
plaintiff’s counsel will provide defendants with the Rule30(b)(6) deposition notice describing the
specific areas of inquiry involved. As this deposition is limited in scope and relates to the issue of
preservation of evidence, it is excluded from the limit of ten depositions aside under the Federal Rules.
Counsel are also required to conduct their Rule 26(f) conference and submit their joint discovery
plan by October 24, 2008. At the next conference, the Court will confirm a date for initial disclosures,
and set further dates and deadlines as appropriate.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

[Edited on 9-26-2008 by MrBillM]

BCSTech - 9-26-2008 at 11:38 AM

Caveat Emptor...

Hook - 9-26-2008 at 01:29 PM

So, it appears that should you send in your unit for warranty work from the manufacturer, DN COULD have access to information about whether the owner is viewing their programming illegally? Is that what this is saying, Bill?

Pescador - 9-26-2008 at 02:55 PM

That is exactly what all of the forums are stating now. If you buy a sat receiver, download 3rd party codes, and then send it in, you may be in a legal situation. FTAHQ.com is in the process of developing a factory fresh download that you could use if you have to send in for warranty but it is a little worrisome. At $140 for a good viewsat, I think I would just throw it away and get another.

BCSTech - 9-26-2008 at 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
That was the speed bump that Echostar ran into with their Viewsat Lawsuit. They were trying to claim that the only reason for easy firmware update by USB was to put in place pirate firmware. Didn't Fly.

Looks like it flew with some judge somewhere...

Lawsuits

MrBillM - 9-27-2008 at 10:12 AM

There seem to be lawsuits and counter-lawsuits flying all over.

The lawsuit I had referenced before by Echostar wanted the customer info on ANYONE who purchased a Viewsat FTA receiver from a Viewsat vendor. The premise being that they were purchasing it for illegal activity. Since the Viewsat (or others) are only illegal IF third-party firmware is loaded, that obviously wouldn't fly.

THIS other lawsuit (if the foregoing is authentic) IS aimed at the illegal activity itself since it focuses on firmware chips in merchandise returned for warranty claims which have been modified. A significant difference.

Since authentic warranty failures on quality electronics are rare after an initial period of use, clearly the best policy for a buyer would be to use the receiver for a decent period of time BEFORE considering the installation of ANY third-party programs. After that, write off any failure.

BCSTech - 9-27-2008 at 10:50 AM

And how do we know these are two different lawsuits?

Interesting Question

MrBillM - 9-27-2008 at 10:59 AM

As noted when I posted the info, I think it might be suspect due to the lack of attribution. I make no claims in that respect. IF authentic, it could well be a compromise directed by the judge in the same case or a different one. It SOUNDS reasonable and certainly something that Echostar would pursue, but who knows ?

Although not on the front burner (so to speak), I've been searching other sites looking for additional information. So far, nothing.

Stay Tuned.

Bob and Susan - 9-27-2008 at 01:07 PM

imagine ALL those signals are BOMBARDING us ALL the time...

we should be protected

maybe a foil helmet :lol:

BCSTech - 9-27-2008 at 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan

we should be protected

maybe a foil helmet :lol:

Here you go...

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

cabobaja - 9-27-2008 at 09:38 PM

Hola BCSTech & BajaBus: For whatever it is worth. I have Starband internet/Sat service. Have for the past 8 years here in Elias Calles. Have not had one problem. Without Starband...I would not have a business!

Hook - 9-27-2008 at 09:40 PM

What's this I hear about a hack into "Dave's" latest encryption technique? Is it legit?

Bajabus - 9-28-2008 at 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cabobaja
Hola BCSTech & BajaBus: For whatever it is worth. I have Starband internet/Sat service. Have for the past 8 years here in Elias Calles. Have not had one problem. Without Starband...I would not have a business!

Cabobaja.......glad you are happy with it. How about getting together for a beer while I'm down....PM me

BajaNuts - 9-28-2008 at 09:01 PM

just a little something most may not know...........
most major network shows are available to watch by internet after the show has aired in primetime. Depending on how addicted to any particular show a person may be, being able to watch it the nextCourse, day online may be enough. And there are tons of online news sites. Aside from the movie channels, maybe a person could get by with just internet.

but if you have internet................you can download fta updates...................

gotta have those chick flicks now and again! :biggrin:

Bajabus - 9-28-2008 at 09:31 PM

www.hulu.com

Great site for TV shows

BCSTech - 10-12-2008 at 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajabus
www.hulu.com

Great site for TV shows

BTW, hulu.com is restricted to the US. You ordinarily can't access these videos through the Internet from Mexico. However, there is a way around this.

First, you'll need to download and install this program:

http://hotspotshield.com/

The program creates a "Virtual Private Network" (VPN) that will allow your computer to access sites like Hulu through servers located in the US. In exchange for this, you have to put up with some annoying little ads at the top of each page.

Once installed, launch the program, click on a couple of links to set your general areas of (ad) interest, then enter http://www.hulu.com/ in the HotSpotShield address bar that now appears in your browser. This will allow you to surf in Mexico to sites such as Hulu but they will think you are in the US.

Keep in mind, if you're using satellite Internet systems like HughesNet or Starband, you don't need to do the above because their servrs are in the US. But you will probably hit your account's download limit (the "FAP") pretty quickly if you're trying to watch streaming video over the 'Net...

roadwarior - 10-12-2008 at 01:14 PM

I was down at the tip visiting friends a few months ago, and he, and his neighbors had Sonicview, and Viewsat free to air receivers with aprox. 40" dishes getting dishnetwork for free. Check out some of the free to air web sites, and forums like, ftagateway.com, ftaplaneta.com, ftaforo.net, or ftahq.com.

Buena suerte

Roadwarior

vjfamily - 10-12-2008 at 03:00 PM

Great info. I will try out Hotshield on my Telmex DSL next week, thanks. Joanna

roadwarior - 10-30-2008 at 08:10 PM

If you have to send a free to air box back for warranty repairs make sure to use the option in the menu "reset to factory defaults" also it isn't a bad idea to downlaod, and flash the box with the latest factory file from the manufacturer's website thus overwriting any any thing you have done to the box that might void the warranty.

If you want to **** around on the free to air forums use a separate email with fictitious user info to registrar with. Some of the safer ones are http://www.ftahq.com, and http://www.ftaforo.net

Buena suerte

Roadwarior

roundtuit - 10-30-2008 at 08:46 PM

Have a 1.2 meter dish for Direct TV (east & west coast channels) with a still active receiver till Nov 10th
Pay online maybe a switch over possible. Mulege area.
U2U for info