Are you one of the majority of people who think they have to PAY
in order to watch satellite TV? It's true that platforms like DirecTV
and Sky have a large chunk of the market. However, there is FREE
satellite TV available to watch without subscription. Are you a
serious news junkie or a vivid sports fan? Or maybe you are an
"alien" foreign national who wants TV in his/her own language? Have
you purchased a brand new television set, striving to get the
sharpest picture possible? Are you tired of commercials? Are you
frustrated because DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) and cable
networks broadcast the Olympic Games at primetime as opposed to the
real time of the event? If any of the above are true or if you simply
have a curious personality, read on! This article looks at what's out
there and what you need to do to get satellite TV legally for
free.

Your own satellite system provides you with the freedom, both
mental and monetary, to explore the sky. With satellite TV you may
scan for everything and anything being transmitted via the satellites
in the orbit. See live uncensored news and events around the world as
they are happening, a 24-hour feed from NASA, PBS channels, sports
games, a large number of radio channels, and court trials - just to
mention a few that you can get your hands on. You can tap into the
international television or watch your favorite talk shows several
times during the same day as they are being aired in different time
zones. At the same time you do not have to worry about monthly lease
payments for DBS receivers or monthly service charges for DBS
subscription packages. Of course, you will incur the initial costs to
get your system set up. But it's a free ride after that.

The actual programmes that you can watch are dependent on where
you live. In North America you'll be able to receive Canadian
broadcasts. On the East coast you should be able to pick up some
European satellite channels. In the southern states you'll get
Hispanic programmes. In the UK you can watch TV from all over Europe.
There are several satellite TV guides that will provide you with
satellite channel information.

So what does it take? You'll need a dish assembly, a digital "Free
To Air" satellite TV receiver, some cable and connectors and, of
course, a TV set. You can usually buy all this stuff from the larger
DIY stores or from specialist suppliers. The dish can be mounted on a
pole at ground level, provided it has a clear view of the sky where
the desired satellite is in orbit. If the view is obstructed, you may
need to mount the pole on a wall or roof. There are professionals who
will do this job if you don't like heights.

The cost depends on the dish size and type of receiver. Receivers
start at around US$100 and an 18 inch dish assembly at around US$40.
However, for a four foot dish you could spend several hundred
dollars. It will also be easier to align the dish if you buy a
compass and a signal meter, which start at about US$10. The cost
isn't too important because you'll probably use it once then sell it
on eBay - unless you get "bitten by the bug" and start installing
systems for your friends. Heck, you might even start up your own
installation business!

When you have your own Free To Air satellite TV system, the sky
really is the limit. Go do your research and find out what you've
been missing.