Astra 1N - Canary Islands reception reports

[satelliteman]

Latest reports I've had in are some 1.35s are working on the aforementioned frequencies in Lanzarote South. It appears spot on alignment is absolutely critical.

[satelliteman]

ITV's 11053h, now running with an Inverto Black Ultra twin on a 1.35m Lanzarote.

[cheekymonkey]

Now just about everything has migrated across to 1N I can update on what I am getting
3.7 meter dish with invacom c120 quad is seeing an increase in C/N from daytime maximum of about 9.2 to levels of between 10.8 and 12.2 on the Horizontal lows.
The Vertical lows are coming in about the same levels (could not receive before) and it seems that the higher the frequency the better the c/n readings although that could just be an anomoly.
Once BBC migrate across to 1N I shall be re-tweaking scew etc to try to maximise signal levels (currently dish alignment carried out on 10803H). Had usual effect of lower signal on 10773H so will also see if that improves as was unwatchable from about 6pm.

Had a quick play with a 1.8 Channel master with black ulra lnb and could also lock onto all 1N verticals and horizontals. Dish could possibly be tweaked a little more as the lower frequency channels were showing slight pixellation. Cannot work on dish at moment as the azimuth adjustment bolt is sheared and will have to be replaced (or I will have to string guy wires to fine tune.)

Got a 1.35 (1.35x125 ish) which is common over here and this is picking up 11053H, 10964H and 11126V and holding up 24/7 in clear weather. This set up is using a Vu+solo and Black Ultra LNB but have confirmation of some people getting the above channels with their s*y HD boxes and a reasonable quality lnb (seems to vary a lot so dish has to be exact)

In conclusion, in Fuerteventura to get reliable ITV,C$HD and FIVE you probably need a 1.5 meter dish and this should work with Sky boxes and generic FTA boxes.
To get the rest RELIABLY, I think a 2.4 metre is the order of the day. A few people are trying 1.8 meter P/F´s but would like to see one in use and see if giving 24/7 or near enough reception.

[BLUEPLATINUM]

I received the following report today on a local forum:

"I have a 1.5m dish (I think) and receive 5, 5+1, 5*, 5*+1, 5USA, 5USA+1 and itv1+1 until late afternoon then it goes off. Sticks slightly as the day goes on otherwise it's fine. Using bog standard Sky white box in San Fernando (Maspaolmas). Will ask mate what lnb is being used. "

I asked the following:

"
Which of the following can you get please ? ITV1, 2, 3 & 4 (and their +1's), Channel 4, E4, E4+1, Film4, Film4+1, More4, More4+1 ????
"

and the answer came back "None of those".

[timo_w2s]

I received the following report today on a local forum:

"I have a 1.5m dish (I think) and receive 5, 5+1, 5*, 5*+1, 5USA, 5USA+1 and itv1+1 until late afternoon then it goes off. Sticks slightly as the day goes on otherwise it's fine. Using bog standard Sky white box in San Fernando (Maspaolmas). Will ask mate what lnb is being used. "

I asked the following:

"
Which of the following can you get please ? ITV1, 2, 3 & 4 (and their +1's), Channel 4, E4, E4+1, Film4, Film4+1, More4, More4+1 ????
"

and the answer came back "None of those".

Even in the UK I'm seeing a slightly less signal quality for the 2D replacement channels compared to the ones in the old 2C band so I guess if you are just on the cliff edge for reception of Channel 5 then the old Astra 2D Channel 4/ITV/etc is going to be worse.

[BLUEPLATINUM]

I received the following report today on a local forum:

"I have a 1.5m dish (I think) and receive 5, 5+1, 5*, 5*+1, 5USA, 5USA+1 and itv1+1 until late afternoon then it goes off. Sticks slightly as the day goes on otherwise it's fine. Using bog standard Sky white box in San Fernando (Maspaolmas). Will ask mate what lnb is being used. "

I asked the following:

"
Which of the following can you get please ? ITV1, 2, 3 & 4 (and their +1's), Channel 4, E4, E4+1, Film4, Film4+1, More4, More4+1 ????
"

and the answer came back "None of those".

I have now been told that it is a "Televes Prime focus with a C120 LNB (twin) feeding a Sky box".

Aren't prime focus dishes normally a lot less efficient that a similarly sized offset ?

[cheekymonkey]

I am putting in a 1.5 (FTE brand) in as soon as it is delivered (none available locally) and expect to get 24/7 coverage of ITV on 11053H and FIVE group on 10964H even with a basic cheap FTA receiver. Will post readings when install is done.
Did note though that the actual dish measurement is more like 1.64 x 1.50. Obviously the step up from a 1.5 to a 2.4 (even 1.5 to 1.8) is significant in cost terms especially as it may be all change again in 18 months or less.

[trigger]

Be very careful with the FTE 1.5M had one bend in the wind getting it up on the roof. Bent it back into reasonable shape but still not as good as a correctly shaped one

[cheekymonkey]

Be very careful with the FTE 1.5M had one bend in the wind getting it up on the roof. Bent it back into reasonable shape but still not as good as a correctly shaped one

Thanks for the advice Trigger
Hopefully it will be packaged reasonably (shipping from peninsular - and still cheaper than here!!) so might just take it up to roof in its packaging. Also fitting on rooftop terrace with reasonable height walls so wind protected a bit.

[BLUEPLATINUM]

Which island are you on cheekymonkey ?