What is Free To Air? Frequently Asked Questions     Welcome to the world of FTA   MPEG-2 is a worldwide satellite transmission standard for digital broadcasting. It is the wave of the future, because of the simple economics that can allow 8 or even 10 video signals to occupy the same space as one channel of analog transmission. Just as some analog signals can be scrambled for subscription use, digital channels can be transmitted either scrambled or in-the-clear. In-The-Clear is known in the digital TV world as FTA or Free-To-Air.  There are literally hundreds of Free Channels Available to North Americans for Viewing. National public broadcasters have adopted MPEG-2 as a cost-effective way to distribute their signals on limited budgets.     Q1.    Are FTA Receiver legal? Q2.    Where can I find out what channels are available free to air? Q3.    What size dish do I need? Q4.    Do you guarantee that these channels will remain free? Q5.    I heard there are channels on C-band as well. Will your Receivers pick up C-band? Q6.    Can I add your Receivers to my existing C-band system? Q7.    How do I find the satellite? Q8.    How do I peak my dish? Q9.    What are Free To Air (FTA) channels? Q10.  How do I become a dealer for your products? Q11.  Are there any Dish Network or DirecTV channels that are FTA? Q12.  Can I use a FTA satellite Receivers with a dish that has a LNB switch? Q13.  The Cost of FTA Q14.  I want two Receiver. What do I need? Q15.  I want more than two Receiver. Now what do I need? Q16.  Can I use a diplexer to consolidate my local broadcast channels with my satellite signal? Q17.  How do I know the magnetic declination for North America?       Q1. Are FTA Receiver legal?   A. Yes. We do not modify the unit in anyway where it could be considered illegal. Please read our TERMS page.   Q2. Where can I find out what channels are available free to air? A. There are many free to air channels available in North America on satellites such as Galaxy 10R, AMC4, Telstar 5, AMC3, etc. There are from the USA and from around the world. Q3. What size dish do I need? A. 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. For the C-Band signal channels you will need a 10 ft dish. For KU-band channels you will need a 30 inch (76 cm) dish or larger. Q4. Do you guarantee that these channels will remain free? A. No, no one can guarantee "free channels." You will Receiver these channels as long as they remain free and in the clear (not scrambled). We provide hardware (Receivers, LNBF, dish) and not software (programming). We make no guarantees or claims about programming. Q5. I heard there are channels on C-band as well. Will your Receivers pick up C-band? A. Yes, it will Receiver C-band and Ku-band. Of course C-band requires a larger dish, a C-band feed, and LNB. Q6. Can I add your Receivers to my existing C-band system? A. Yes, you can. If you want to Receiver Ku-band signals on your C-band dish, you must have a Ku LNB on you feed system. This will usually require a C to C/Ku upgrade kit. Q7. How do I find the satellite? A. The satellite you want to use will be determined by the programming you want to view. Telstar 5 is a very popular satellite for ethnic channels, Bloomberg, etc. Locate your satellite/programming on one of the web sites listed above and align your dish to that satellite. Q8. How do I peak my dish? A. I suggest that you purchase a inexpensive signal meter for this purpose. Our high end system comes with a signal meter. Of course the signal meter can be purchased separately.  Ask for the SF-95c meter. Q9. What are Free To Air (FTA) channels? A. Free to Air channels are digital MPEG2 channels that are not scrambled and require no subscription or monthly payment. They are provided free of charge and are perfectly legal to Receiver with an FTA Receivers. Q10. How do I become a dealer for your products? A. Email or call us:866-PANSAT-PRO. Q11. Are there any Dish Network or DirecTV channels that are FTA? A. Almost all of the channels provided by these companies are not FTA. The channels are encrypted and require an authorized Receivers and monthly subscription. A few FTA channels are available on Dish Network such as the music channels on. Q12. Can I use a FTA satellite Receivers with a dish that has a LNB switch? A. You have to find out if that dish has a built in switch in the LNB, if it does, it will not work with any free to air Receivers. Otherwise you can use that dish with any Receivers we sell. Q13. The Cost of FTA A. While FTA is not encrypted signals, this does not necessarily mean they are free. Depending on the geographic area and the medium delivered, some FTA programming is paid for by viewers. Q14. I want two Receiver. What do I need? A. You will need a dual LNBF. Normally, this will be a direct replacement for your existing LNBF. You will need to run a second coax from the dual LNBF to your second Receivers. See Diagram. Q15. I want more than two Receiver. Now what do I need? A. You will need the dual LNBF and a device called a multi-switch which allows for several Receiver. The most common is a four Receivers switch. Q16. Can I use a diplexer to consolidate my local broadcast channels with my satellite signal? A. Yes, you will need two diplexers; one to combine the signal on the outside and another one to separate those signals on the inside of your home. Q17. How do I know the magnetic declination for North America? A. Click here