Astra 2F - change over from 1N - Initial transponder list

Really? I would have thought that a 1.5 metre dish would work oK being up towards the top of spain. It all seems a bit random what with people much further down than me receiving things ok.

BTW to save getting ripped off by the local guy, do you you know what size dish would be the best now  for here?

Thanks.

 It's to do with the shape of the footprint - where we are 1.10 metre dish o,k, further North, 85-90cm, further south 1.4, further still following the coast  2 metres and over. There are also a few blackspots appearing. 

Hello again, are you saying within your last post that 2 metres will be fine? I need to investigate finding one now so any any help will be greatfully received.

BTW thinking back it could only be a 1.2 metre dish because I remember thinking at the time that it was a bit small after reading loads of things on here about the sizes needed. However for 3 years it has been fine.

tamaraessex: it was not tvt - it was me.

my post was based on the fact you said you had a freesat box - which are designed for the uk, and konw what satellite they require, and only ask you for a post code.

I also said that if you mean "free to air" box - which is different to a "freesat box" then those ask you for which satellite you want to use.

No matter which box you have, you should not have to change anything on the box. IF you cannot receiev the signals, it will be down to very poor dish alignment, or the fact your dish is now too small to receive these chanenls on the new satellite.

k5ive: inthe last few days i have had a number of calls from people between barcalona and castillion that are having problems with these channels now they have moved satellites.

in barcalona, channels that were available on 80cm dishes are now not available. In castilion, a 1.25m dish is no longer receiving these channels. but just north of valencia, a 1m dish gets them fine. So as TVT says, there are some severe signal variations, and it looks like that are is some sort of blackspot. At the moment, I have seen no reports of what sized dish is required in these areas for a stanble signal. ANd then it may all change again when the bbc itv and c4s move - whenever that may be!

It may also be useful to know the exact dish size - dishes have been sold using all sorts of measurements - a 1.25m dish being sold as a 1.4m dish. Propper dish measurements are done horizontally across the face of the dish, not including the outer rim.

So satandpcguy, are you saying it's best to wait and how long is it best to wait for? They could have done it sooner what with Xmas TV schedules coming up lol. I don't often watch 5 etc but I don't want to lose them altogehter. I will get up on the roof and measure the dish for sure.

Thanks.

So satandpcguy, are you saying it's best to wait and how long is it best to wait for?

Perhaps best to wait to see what reception and what sized dish you require for when the BBC and ITV move - if they are the channels you most want to receive. It may need the same sized dish as for C5, or you may need larger - who knows...

 BBC1 HD 2F test transmission on 11024H may be more representative than initially realised as this is broadcast in 8psk which requires a stronger signal to receive than DVB-s. This may prove to be a better reference testing point than the 5's or other unchanged frequencies. Probability is that as 8psk is DVBs-2 (HD) and the 8psk carrier allows greater bandwidth compression - more channels for the broadcasters, that this may be what the new satellite channels will be using (certainly more so if not completely). Also the FEC (Forward error correction) setting 2/3 - 5/6 etc can also make a difference to reception.

As for change overs - into the realms of speculation.


Presently there are no further releases regarding the frequency changes. Astras last facebook statement, ended with 'concludes migration from 1N to 2F' ? What does that mean? 

It is generally accepted that 2-3 weeks before xmas they lock down any major changes, this has been stated on a few forums and seems to be the 'usual' way. Still no guarantee.

If the above is true, then it would point to after new year, if so when? However it has also been mentioned that they could wait until scheduled Q2 - 2013 for the other new satellite Astra 2E. Again purely conjecture. Or even after 2G in Q1 - 2014.  It is quite probable that as these are same generation satellites, that footprints will be similar, which could be good or bad - depending on your current reception / dish situation.

Channel 4 is a UK Broadcaster and as such, we only have the rights to broadcast our channels in the UK and some of our digital channels in the Republic of Ireland. If you have been receiving our channels outside of these areas, then you have been receiving what is called 'gratuitous reception'. As we purchase the rights to show programmes within this geographic area only, it has been necessary to tighten our broadcast footprint which would be why you can no longer receive our channels.

Regards,

Sandra Carter
Channel 4 Viewer Enquiries