Introduction
This site started life as an aid for the newbie SAT hobbyist. Over time, the site has evolved as one might expect. So by now, much of what is presented on these pages, goes far beyond newbie knowledge. I Therefore decided to write this guidance regarding the use of this website, especially for those not yet familiar with all terms and phrases.

5 steps on how to use these pages if you are new to the satellite hobby:
1. Start by reading this entire chapter "Basic Information".
2. Read the introduction page in the chapter CI's/CAM's
3. Browse through the chapter "Smart Cards" if you don't know what card(s) you have.
4. Use the chapter "Tables/Navigation" to determine what programming software you need for your card/programmer combination.
5. Read the Software page about Picbined (and try it out for yourself).

Once you have mastered the above mentioned basics, you will notice that you are easily capable to determine which software and/or technique is suitable for you, and what you are not up to yet. The biggest problem allways is, that people want to start at top level. That never works. You need to know the basics first.

Searching for keys on this web site will be in vain. I will not offer keys on these pages. The sole purpose of this web site is to provide basic information about the satellite hobby. If you are willing to study these pages and learn from them, you have come to the right address. If you just want an easy explanation on how to watch satellite TV for free, you better start searching other sites.

I will try to guide you through the jungle of equipment and unfamiliar terminology as best I can. Most satellite forums bulge with all the questions of newbies desperately trying to get their grips on this fascinating matter. But as with all things new; unfamiliarity is a big obstacle for many of those newbies. So what you get is a lot of questions put in places where they don't belong, thus annoying all the advanced members.

From my own experience I can assure you that it makes a hell of a difference what question you ask and how you ask them. I think everyone will agree that there is no joy in trying to explain something to somebody if you are pretty sure that the other person probably isn't going to understand your explanation. So if your question really shouts out that you haven't even begun to understand the basics of this hobby, you're not likely to get a proper answer. If any at all.

Recognize this?? Never get the answers you would like?? Well then I suggest you start reading this web site from begin to end and back again until you understand most of it. And I urge you to start playing with all the software which is described here. Nothing is more instructive than playing, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. All the software is downloadable from the download section.

I have really tried hard to keep this explanation simple. For more technically advanced information I suggest you download the specialist information from the download section. And if you have any suggestions as to more information I should put on this site, please email me.

Undoubtedly, reading all the info contained on this site and playing with all the software will raise new questions. That's no problem. But I hope that after having studied these pages you are well equipped to ask the proper questions in your favorite forum. Having picked up some basic knowledge and having a bit of experience in programming and editing will surely help there.

If you have any suggestions/additions/corrections, please send me a mail. I can't do it all on my own :-))

I would like to end this introduction with some hints on finding the desired info in a forum:
1. If you browse a forum, look at the topics that have many replies. Those seem to be the interesting (challenging) topics.

2. Always browse back several weeks in the message history because many questions are answered in the past.

3. If you decide to post a new question, do choose your words carefully. Questions like "My card stopped functioning, what is wrong??" are not likely to get answered seriously (if answered at all).

Good luck with your hobby and have fun.

Click here for the next page!!!