Do you get free to air satellite broadcasts in the USA?

Setting up a low powered portable satellite TV reception antenna is pretty easy if the power went out. i.e. a Solar PV/SLA battery supply etc to power everything.

For your Portable Dish, Tripod, LNB and cabling;

http://www.sky4caravans.co.uk/satellite-touring-kit-p-50.html

A cheapo DVB-S USB box is available and can be used in conjuction with a low powered Netbook PC via the USB port, which allows recording of TV channels etc for playback.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15820

It only uses 7.5W so is easily powered by a Solar PV panel.