The newest thing in satellite television is called Mpeg 2 FTA. FTA stands for Free To Air. This is stuff that isn't scrambled. There's quite a bit of this stuff up there, but a LOT of it is foreign language.
I have a Satcruiser DSR 101 receiver. It has no dish positioner, so I use my regular analog dish receivers to choose the right satellite and polarity. The DSR is attached to the dishes with splitters and a switch which allow me to choose different satellite dishes.
To be honest, I usually watch programs on only two satellites. The first is Pas 9 which is situated over the Atlantic Ocean. I use my 10 foot satellite dish for this satellite.
The other is Telstar 5, which is just a few degrees west of my location. I use an old Primestar dish for this satellite. The stations I watch are on the ku band.
Between these 2 satellites I can see about 60 channels. Most are foreign language. I get channels from India, China, Japan, Korea, Palestine, Turkey, Iran,etc.
I don't understand these of course. Sometimes they broadcast shows with subtitles and sometimes English language programs air with foreign subtitles. I usually have them showing on a small tv next to my usual tv with the sound turned off.
dishhead@insightbb.com