gopib, reubensm
Here it goes:
reubensm, I took same way first hand, I tried to get the Free to Air channels with my old T(sky STB, but in vain, All the paid DTH service providers lock, their Set Top Boxes (STB) these days so you can't tune them to other services than their's. Though you can use your dish antenna and LNB.
First of all you need:
1.Dish Antenna
I bought a 60cms dish, but you can think about, going in for a 90 cms one, in case you want to receive signals from more Satellites, though 60cms dish is enough for receiving DD direct + and few more Satellites.
2. KU band LNB
3. Coaxial Cable and connectors to suit your needs
4. Set Top Box
There are huge range of FTA STbs are available in market these days ranging from Rs.600 to 15k+, I bought a Mpeg4 STB, Indian branded, made in China one, in 2.2k.This has features of expensive boxes, and is very popular also. I was surprised to see that it can record and replay TV programs and Radio as well, with insertion of a Pen drive in it. You can also play various media formats through it, don't expect to play AC3 format through it.
Installation
Now you need to install your dish, and align it. Some Links for you which I have used, for aligning my dish antenna
http://www.lyngsat.com/Insat-4B.html]Insat 4B at 93.5
http://www.satsig.net/maps/satellite-dish-pointing-india.htmv
Home - Home
http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Services/DTH/Pages/Default.aspx
http://www.ddindia.gov.in/HomePage/Program Column 2/Pages/BharatKiShaan_new.aspx
1. Installing Dish Antenna
You need to install your dish first of all, this requires some standard tools like spanners, screw drivers, electric drill and drill bits required, if you are have these tools and love playing around with them go ahead, as I did, or take help of installer, they charge Rs.200 to 500, to get the job done for you, I presume, the dealer from where you buy your material would be able to help you in this regard.
2. Aligning Dish Antenna
You need to align you disk now, you need to feed details of Satellite before aligning, take details from links mentioned above,
before you start aligning your dish, one of the link have a Google map in it, will tell you exact alignment of you dish if you go to your geo location on the map. It would be better to take a print of these figures or write them down on a paper, as ready recknor while you are doing your job.
You need to adjust Elevation (up and down movement) of you dish, normally you can see some numbers and markers embossed on clamp from where your dish moves up and down. So by seeing these numbers adjust elevation angel of your Dish.
After Elevation adjust Azimuth (left or right angel) of you dish, you can use a magnetic compass for it or most the phones have a compass these days.
Now Fix you LNB on the dish and rotate it to required angel taking cue from your alignment data from above links. Again there are markers on LNB and clamp, for you to take cue.
After these raw adjustments you now have to check you signal strength and signal quality, you are getting, so either you need to have you STB and TV near your installation place or Do it my way, I called from my mobile, my young assistant sitting in front of TV to check signals. After try adjusting your Azimuth angel and fix you dish where you get max signal, now try adjusting Elevation, at the max Signal strength, and finally rotate you LNB to fine tune signals to the max. I got 70-80% signal strength and about 50-60% of signal Quality, and getting all the channels sharp and clear.
And now it's time to need Transponder details and Frequencies in your STB, to start view channels and listen radio. Again refer to above links for details. Some of the STBs Like mine, search, the Transponders and channels automatically. So just enjoy.
Links and details mentioned are for DD direct plus though you can receive many more satellites, with different alignment and settings
Hope you find my post useful, believe me It's much, much simpler than it sounds, and great fun too. Enjoy and post your queries hear, though I am not an expert, but will try to answer your queries.
All the Best
Akkibo