thelinuxlink.net

Is there anyway to use a dipole or yagi antenna to get satellite signals? I can build a dish, but did not want to lay out the bucks for an lnb, unless there is a cheap way to make one. Not looking for perfection, just proof of concept.

An lna or lnb is needed to amplify the relatively weak signals received from satellite and then convert their frequency from gig range to MHz range that a tuner can use.

but lnb's can be had cheap. Just keep an eye on the craigslistings for your area. People are always trying to dump their stuff.

I also wanted to let you know that there is very little left which is unencrypted in some form or fashion these days. But there yet may still be some interesting wild feeds left in c and ku bands.

then there is the adventure of mpeg encoded video floating about.

Do a little searching and you can find what you need really cheap or even free.