Free to Air Satellite Testing

!Warning! Installing a 3rd party firmware on your FTA receiver will void your warranty and could render the FTA receiver inoperative to the point where you cannot recover the original configuration.

!Warning! You should only install manufacturer approved firmware on your receiver. You may still void the warranty by performing the upgrade yourself. Consider having a professional perform any upgrades or modifications

!Notice! Looking for FTA Hacks? Go somewhere else! This is not a descrambling resource for Satellite pirates!

FTA testers are hobbyists performing upgrades or implementing modifications to satellite equipment for the purpose of experimentation and research. A "tester" is a hobbyist with no illegitimate motive. A tester is not a satellite pirate.

If you are performing modifications to your receiver for the exclusive purpose of descrambling and viewing Dish Network or DirecTV so you don't have to pay to watch subscription programming, then you are a pirate, NOT a tester. A tester has no illegal motive involved in her or his research and experimentation.

A tester will never modify FTA equipment for the exclusive purpose of receiving free programming that is otherwise subscription based. The vast majority of FTA testers are legitimate paying customers of a subscription satellite program provider.

A few bad apples should not be allowed to give the entire hobby and all participants a bad name.

If it's about the money, then consider an alternative to Dish Network or DirecTV such as a satellite programming provider that offers true a la carte options. By reading C-Band Satellite Information you will discover there are alternatives to the small dish digital provider monopoly.

Recommended Receivers

• For a good non-HD low cost receiver: CaptiveWorks CW-600S PREMIUM

• For a good HD low cost receiver:

• Other Popular receivers list

• Sonicview SV-1000
• Sonicview SV-1000PVR
• Sonicview SV-4000
• Sonicview SV-HD8000
• Viewsat Xtreme
• Viewsat Platinum/Lite
• Viewsat Ultra
• Viewsat 9000HD

FTA Receiver First Time Setup

Receiver setup, Basic Steps:

First: Upgrade the receiver’s software Second: Select the satellite Third: Setup the receiver to the selected satellite and Dish antenna’s LNB Fourth: Dish connections and aiming

Note: This post will address the generic setup of FTA receivers, it is meant as a guide and may not completely match your receiver.

First: Upgrade the receiver’s software

Up-grade your receiver to the current software version. You can download the most current version of software and the software loader from this site, under “Files section” – “FTA Receivers – FILES ONLY”, select your receivers Manufacture and model section. These downloads will be in a “Zipped” format and MUST be unzipped before use. Detailed procedure for loading your receiver can be found in the “FTA receiver discussions” section on this site by you receiver’s manufacture/model, look for the “stickys” for the best instructions. Should you have any questions PLEASE post your question with detail under “FTA receiver discussions” section on this site; you will get a prompt answer.

Second: Select the satellite

Selection of Satellite (bird) must be done first, as the receiver settings and other components must match the bird selected. There are 2 different of ku band transmitting satellites, Circular and Linear. You must select the bird, and setup the receiver to receive it. We are going to address the most popular FTA CIRCULAR bird setup only. Currently the most popular FTA circular birds (in order of popularity) are ES 110W & 119W and Nim. 91W & 82W. For this exercise we are going to select 110W ES 8/10 (however you may select any other of the above birds).

Third: Setup the receiver to the selected satellite and Dish antenna’s LNB

Setup of the Receiver (STB) for 110W(ES 8/10) circular bird, with a SINGLE LNB, You will need to go into your STB’s menu and select satellite setup. There you will find a setup menu similar to below (the numbers are for reference);

1. Satellite (name)
2. LNB Power
3. LNB Type
4. LNB Frequency
5. Transponder (TP, frequency)
6. 22kHz
7. DiSEqC (switch)
8. Motor
9. Legacy (Switch, SW)

Instructions for receivers setup:

1. Satellite (name): here you select the satellite that you want to setup (select ES 8/10 at 110W)

2. LNB Power: Set this to “ON” (this selection supplies power to operate the LNB)

3. LNB Type: The LNB is the item on the dish that has the white hockey puck nose; you should have a dish with one LNB on it. Here there can be many selections, you must match the settings to the LNB that you have on the dish. For circular birds there are 2 basic LNB’s, the “Legacy” (most popular) and the “DishPro” (DP). You can tell if you have a “DishPro” as the LNB will be clearly marked on the backside “Dish Pro”. If your LNB is not so marked, you have a “Legacy” LNB. We next set the LNB type; for “LEGACY” the receiver settings should be “Standard” or "Single". For “DishPro” (DP) the receiver settings should be “Dish Pro” or “OCS/DP” or “DP”.

4. LNB frequency; this setting is determined by the bird that we want to receive. All circular birds in our N. hemisphere use a Frequency of 11250. Set receiver to 11250.

5. Transponder (TP, frequency) For ES 8/10 at 110W Select “12326” as this frequency is the providers (Dish) information channels 100 and 500 guide’s transponder frequency. Note: this frequency will change with receiver channel change; it will not stay at the frequency you have set it at.

6. 22kHz = “Off” This setting is used for actuation of dish switches, for multi-satellite installations.

7. DiSEqC (switch) = “Off or None” This setting is used for actuation of Legacy and Dish Pro switches, for multi-satellite installations.

8. Motor = “Off or, None” This setting is for setting up a motorized dish, that can move and aim the dish so you can receive most of the satellites in the Clarke belt.

9. Legacy (Switch, SW) = “Off or, None” This setting is used for actuation of Legacy switches, for multi-satellite installations.

This concludes the Receiver setup.

Fourth: Dish connections and aiming

For dish connection and aiming a dish we must first determine the dish angle settings for our location, as the satellites are HIGHLY DIRECTIONAL, and we MUST be exact to find them. To do this we use a satellite-aiming site, I like this one, however there are many others that work - http://satcalculator.freehostia.com/ . Using RG-6 cable (I suggest using pre-made cables, available in various lengths from sponsoring satellite stores on this site). The Dish must be able to see the satellite without obstructions. The mount must be SOLID, and most IMPORTANT – PLUMB, where the dish slides onto the pole, in all plains (translated - on ALL sides of the dish pole (dish removed), with the bubble level, it’s bubble is between the center lines). The dish must be grounded with a separate ground wire connected from a good ground to the dish mount bracket or Pole. Hook up the cable to LNB, routing the cable through the dish post and LNB arm to the LNB connection, be sure the connection is snug. Mount the LNB onto the dish arm, put in LNB retaining screw. Mount the dish onto the pole, leaving the dish mount pole locking clamp bolts loose. If possible, bring the STB (Receiver) with a TV hooked up to it next to you at the dish location, If not get an assistant and yell or use walkie-talkies or cell phones to commutate. Connect the other end of the RG-6 cable to the satellite in connector on the STB (Receiver). Next set the Elevation angle on the dish by, loosing the 2 nuts on the elevation adjustment and set it for the angle that was specified in the dish-aiming calculator for satellite 110. Snug up the 2 adjusting bolts. Aim the dish for the magnetic azimuth that you have previously calculated for the 110 satellites. Set up the STB for satellite 110 by going into the “Setup menu - Satellite antenna setup” and setting the TP Freq.= 12326, Set the STB (receiver) to indicate on the TV the signal strength. With the dish sweep the sky in the direction of the magnetic azimuth S-L-O-W-L-Y, watching the STB signal strength “S” and then the “Q”. Peak the reading, the STB should indicate Satellite 110, once found using a marking pen mark the pole and dish collar so you can return to that setting. Next loosen the elevation bolts and peak the signal strength readings. You should have Greater than 45 on the “Q”uality signal strength (the higher the better) and the STB should indicate Satellite “110”. Once peaked, tighten the pole and elevation lock nuts to keep the dish from moving. Complete the setup by UNPLUGING the STB from power, disconnecting the Dish Cable from the STB and running the cable to the grounded - grounding block and then another RG-6 Cable from the grounding block to the STB. Hook the STB to the TV set and check for signal on the 110 bird, go into the satellites menu and set the sort for “SID” (Station IDentification), set the “autoroll” to “on”, then blind scan the satellite, save it. Now go to channel 100 or 500, you should be getting a picture and sound, select an other channel and wait (30 min. max.) for autoroll to automatically find the keys.

Testing:

• If receiving Dish ES 8/10 (110) goto SID channel 100 (HOME) (12326,H),
• If receiving Bev Nimiq 1/3 (91) goto SID channel 0994 (TESTN) (12618,H),
• If above works your LNB type is set correctly and your dish is aimed and functioning.

Troubleshooting:

If you are not getting channels 100/500 do the following; Go to receivers signal strength meter, you should have good strength, and quality should be greater than 35 on the meter. If not, check your dish cable(s) and the receivers LNB setup. If both OK, re-load the software and re-aim the dish. If you are getting channel 500 and NOT channel 100, check your receivers setup “LNB type”.

Firmware Update Procedure

CaptiveWorks 600S Premium

Prepare reciever:
Turn off and attach the null-modem cable between the receiver and the computer serial port.Then plug in the power plug.
With the CaptiveWorks Premium receiver off, press the front power button and hold it.
While holding it, turn the rear toggle switch on, while STILL holding front power button.
You will see "boot" on the front display.
At this point, remove your finger from the front power button now your ready to load in some files.

1. Get the current 1.06 loader

2. Download the latest bin

3. Load the latest bin with the current loader as per these instructions:

Open 1.06 loader, select the latest bin in the "File" bar across the top.
For Options, select Download S/W.
For Select a port, choose your COM port (usually 1).Then hit the start/load & wait for the receiver to display "-end".
At this point, turn reciever off at rear switch.
activate patch on remote hit f1-0-0-0 key patch enabled

EchoStar 7 (119W) and EchoStar 6,8 (110W) settings

These are the two main Dish Network birds. There are very few FTA "in the clear" channels on these birds. You can receive the NASA channel, and some Dish Network information channels only. However, for testing purposes, if you wish to lock onto them here is the information:

EchoStar 7 (119W)

LNB Type .......... OSC-DP
LNB Frequency ..... 11250
22KHz ............. OFF
Transponder ....... 12239 *
DiSEqC ............ Port 1

EchoStar 8,10 (110W)

LNB Type .......... OSC-DP
LNB Frequency ..... 11250
22KHz ............. OFF
Transponder ....... 12224 *
DiSEqC ............ Port 2

Two LNB One Cable

The "Dish 500" minidish is equiped with a DP Twin LNB. The typical Dish Network Diseqc's settings are:

 119: port 1   (for dish 500)  Set the Diseqc for EchoStar 7 to Port 1
 110: port 2   (for dish 500)  Set the Diseqc the EchoStar 8,10 to Port 2

Testing the Configuration

There are several Transponders active on a satellite. The nice thing about using 12239 as the default setting for ES7 and 12224 for ES8/10 is that it will help you to ensure you have the LNB settings in the correct order, as well as the antenna pointed correctly. Transponder 12224 will not have any signal quality on ES7. If it does, you probably have them backwards (technically this would be an aiming issue that would result in only achieving signal from 1 of the 2 satellites.)

Miscellaneous

Charlie / DIK

The CEO of Dish Network is a man named Charlie Ergen. Many satellite TV testers have reportedly used the slang term "Charlie" when referring to Dish Network. Another reported slang word for Dish Network is DIK. DISH is also reported to be an acronym for the phrase Digital Information Sky Highway Network, or D.I.S.H. Network.

Beverly / BEV

Beverly is reported to be a common nickname for Bell ExpressVu given by Canadian FTA Satellite testers. Another reported slang term for Bell ExpressVu is BEV.

References

• Bell ExpressVu
• MyTheatre
• ftabins