Using Canadian Satellite Dishes in the USA (Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota).

General:
Miss Canadian TV? Well you can watch it in most northern USA states by using either ExpressVu or Starchoice satellite dishes and receivers. CRTC regulations do not allow either of these Canadian companies to sell you their signals, but trust me - you can join the hundreds of other Canadians living in the northern parts of the USA and watch Canadian TV! This includes local news, lots of hockey, and for you curling buffs - more curling than you can handle!  If you live in Florida, click here.

STAR CHOICE offers a 24 inch dish across Canada for reception of Anik F-1. Recommended antenna size for same satellite in U.S. border areas is 75 cm (30 inches), increasing to 90 cm (36 inches) for the rest of the Lower 48. Same 90 cm recommendation applies throughout Mexico, with slightly larger sizing in Guatemala and Honduras (1.2 meter). A 90 cm antenna is advised for Hawaii. Signal levels drop off rapidly east of the middle of Cuba, resulting in little or no reception in the Caribbean without considering monstrous antennas. Alaskan locations should check by location;  populated areas connected to the main highway system can generally use a 90 cm to 1.2 meter antennas. Areas to the West and Southwest may find reception requiring 1.2 meter and larger antennas.  Reports from users all over the continental USA show more than adequate reception using the standard 24 inch dish.

The 1-800 number for activation and customer service works from Canada and USA.

BELL EXPRESSVU offers an 18 inch dish across Canada for reception of the NIMIQ 1 satellite. This size may be adequate for those in motor-homes and traveling around the U.S. Lower 48, but a 24 inch model is recommended for most of the United States Lower 48 mainland, increasing to 75 to 90 cm in South Texas near the Rio Grande Valley, and possibly 75 cm in extreme southern Florida. 90 cm to 120 cm antennas can extend the ability to receive this signal several hundred miles into Mexico. Same sizes allow reception into the north and western Caribbean. South and East of Puerto Rico, requirements start at 120 cm are larger.  Please check locally beyond that point to see what is successfully being used. Hawaii does not get the Bell ExpressVu signal, and reception in Alaska can often be done on 90 cm antennas, in the few areas able to see above the horizon (Anchorage has a 5 degree elevation angle).  Again, reports from users as far south as Florida report perfect reception using the standard 18 inch dish.

ExpressVu Direct Phone Number (their 1-800 doesn't work in the USA): 416-383-6688

Global Communications offers this comparison from a US point of view, and throws in their 2 cents on the legalities.

How?
Starchoice uses the brand new Anik F1 satellite, with a footprint that enables signal reception as far south now as Mexico.  ExpressVu uses the  Nimiq satellite to provide signals for Canada.  As you can see, both companies now cover virtually all of North America.  Gone are the days of marginal US reception.  

Note:  If you are interested in French or bilingual programming from Starchoice, be aware that they will be broadcasting the French channels on the older Anik E2 satellite as of late August 2001- which has a marginal footprint for Twin Cities reception.  Starchoice will be using the newer elliptical dish to receive signals from both the Anik F1 and Anik E2 satellites concurrently with their dual LNB system.  If your interests are to simply receive English programming, the Anik F1 footprint will provide a strong enough signal for reception as far south as Mexico and you will not need to upgrade your existing regular dish platter.  All new systems are shipped with the newer elliptical dish platter. 

So, how do you do this? Easy!

• Go to Canada, and purchase the hardware.  You are either going to buy a ExpressVu or Starchoice dish and receiver combination.  Also be sure to buy the $90 "do it yourself" installation kit.  This kit has all the required special cable-like wire, bolts, and grounding hardware needed.  OR, you can purchase the required hardware in a Twin Cities satellite store.  Provide a CANADIAN address (such as your parent's or close friend's) for the Programming Activation Form.  This form gets filled out right in the retail store.  You do NOT have to activate it at the time of purchase though!
• On your way back, may sure to pick up a GST rebate form at the Canadian Duty Free.   In fact, they will rebate your GST right away.
• Physically install your dish.  Send me an e-mail if you want some help.
• For the StarChoice system, aim it the Anik F1 Satellite - settings are Azimuth 199.6 and Elevation 36.3. You won't get these numbers from the booklet that comes with the dish, nor will StarChoice tell you these numbers.  StarChoice currently uses both the Anik F1 satellite (English programming), and as of August 2001, the older Anik E2 satellite for French Programming.  Both satellites will be at virtually the same Azimuth and Elevations.
• If you are using ExpressVu in the Minneapolis area, the settings are Azimuth 177.0 and Elevation 38.1 for the Nimiq satellite.
• Phone StarChoice or ExpressVu and activate your dish. Both supply 1-800 numbers that work from the USA! Remember, you must supply a Canadian mailing address for activation. For billing, I just provide them with my credit card number.
• Enjoy!

Don't want to import your dish and receiver?  Yup, even the Americans recognize quality.  Global Communications out of Wisconsin will sell you the complete Canadian solution - and ship it to you too!.  They also list all  the pointing angles on their web site as follows:

Canada
United States, alphabetically from A to H
United States, alphabetically from I to M
United States, alphabetically from N to R
United States, alphabetically from S to Z
Mexico and Central America 
Caribbean Region

Please feel free to contact