On 17 Jan 2006 16:56:29 -0800, "Pops"
wrote:

Here's the deal. I've been reading up on and learning about FTA (free
to air) satellite. I am very interested in buying one of these systems,
but I don't have the disposable cash needed to do so. I do have an Icom
R75, and if I sold it for about $450, I'd have the money for the FTA
with just a little left over.
I have never actually seen one of these FTA systems in operation, so I
have no way of knowing if the trade-off would be worth it. I do own
several other shortwave radios, including two Sony 2010s and a Icom
R71A, so its not like I would be left without the means to enjoy the
SWL hobby.
If anyone of you have experience with FTA, perhaps you can offer some
pertinent advice.
Thank you.
Doug

FTA just means that there's no conditional access. Same as ''in the
clear'' on a big ugly dish.

http://skyvision.com/pages/informati.../mpeg_faq.html