2nd Dish for more locals worth it?

[jsponzil]

I've had Dish for a couple of months now, and overall, I am pleased. After quite a bit of fiddling with the geometry, convergence, and color settings of my Panasonic 47" RPTV, I even have a fairly decent picture. My question is this: In Chicago, not all of the locals are available with only one dish. Dish Network will apparently install the necessary equipment free of charge to receive these channels, however. As I am not really interested in these other channels, is there any other reason to have this equipment installed? Will the equipment be useful for other purposes? i.e. if I want to hook up a third receiver someday, or if I want to start receiving HD material?

TIA
Jared

[DarrellP]

Since you have a 47" RPTV and, I assume, it is HD capable, then go for it. You can always repoint it to 61.5 for Dish HD if you go that route.

[Geronimo]

Interestingly Chicago locals are at 110, 119 and 61.5. If youa talking about picking up 61.5 that will allow you access to HD and international programming in addition to the locals. no repointing qould be necesary.

[dbronstein]

It's hard to say that something that is free isn't worth it. For the "cost" of spending half a day at home for the installation, there is no down side.

Dennis

[Steve Mehs]

Hey since it's free, why not. Plus you'll be ready for HD :)

[FTA Michael]

You'll also pick up a few more PI channels. You never know what might become available on the sidebird.

And have we mentioned that it's free?

[Steve Mehs]

And have we mentioned that it's free?

But we didn't mention the value
*Prices for hardware came from DishDepot

In most cases you should get a SW64

18" dish w/ dual LNB - $79
SW64 - $150
Professional Installation - $99

or

18" dish w/ dual LNB - $79
Twin LNB - $79
2 SW21s - $60
Professional Installation - $99

In Each case you get over $300 worth of stuff for free. That's IMO worth it :)

[mwgiii]

You could also pick up the Sky Angel channels with the 61.5 dish. TVU is like MTV in the early 80's. It is $9/month

[sorahl]

GO for it. More channel options is always a plus AND like was said above you do get the SW64.....

What is the downside???

Now I have two dishes on my roof that can't be seen from the street! :)

john

[Jacob S]

What all is on 61.5 if someone subs to top 150 ?

[gcutler]

Additional Public Interest channels :D

[Steve Mehs]

PI Channels-
Family Net
Daystar
Educating Everyone
Good Samaritan Network
Safety Net
Panhandle Educational Channel

plus-
International Promo Channel
Mirrors of Shop at Home and iShop
Mirrors of PPV Event channel and 2 PPV Sports Channel
Mirror of a PPV movie channel
TV Japan FTA programming
Occasional free previews of international channels

[Cyclone]

I've gone ahead and ordered the 2nd dish installed. Mostly for the capability for HD channels in the future.

Besides, if that damn must carry law kills the PQ, I might as well see those channels on my tunerl. Besides, I never know when I'll need to check out that local college station, or local spanish language station.