How do I get BBC2 in Spain

Gibbo

I live in Guardamar, about 30 Kms south of Alicante, Spain. I am getting lots of BBC and ITV channels, all at 100% signal strength all day, but no BBC2. 1.8m dish. I set the dish up myself so I'm not sure, but I think I am pointing towards an Astra satellite but not sure which Astra satellite. How do you tell which satellite you are picking up. Someone said something about I might be on the wrong beam (North or South) - what does that mean? My main question is how do I find BBC2 ? - Why is BBC2 more difficult to get than all the other BBC channels?

Tivù

Can you specifically compare your BBC2 experience with BBC4 and BBC3, as they are all on the same Transponder (Assuming it's BBC2 London you're after) ?

satelliteman

If your getting BBC & ITV, your on the Astra2 satellites.

BBC2 in that region is very weak so dish size to be considered. Received on 2d horizontal and normally only available for several hours in the day.

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woborny

many people in your area with a 1.8m dish do not get good BBC2 - which area, like BBC3 and 4, on Astra 2d Horizontal signals.

In many cases the signal if there only from about 7 or 8 pm..
In some areas you can get it, but breaking up, eariler.
With 2,4s you can get it from mid afternoon.
It also depends where abouts you are.
and perfectly aligned....something you cannot really do with a simple "beeper"

I got a call from one installer down there asking for help as he was getting low or no BBCs at all....but did when he stood at the side of the dish...apparently he determined that a local rebroadcaster mast nearby was affecting the signals...they found some wood boards to put up at the side of the dish and the signals came back...!

Pay no attention to people saying BBCs are on north and south beams - they are just confusing the matter as Astra 2 (where the BBCs sit) does not have a north or south beam!

UK TV comes from 4 satellites, Astra 2a,b,d and Eurobird1 - all located in the same "area" 28.2 to 28.5 degrees east. They are so close together that your dish can get them all at the same time. Astra "a and B have north and south beams....and the north beams are very tricky to get midafternoon - hence why some of the sky movie channels (and Sky3 Eurosport2) go off then.

Huevos

All Astra 2 satellites are located at 28.2E so if you are aligned properly with one you are aligned with all. With regard to BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, Cbeebies, CBBC, Channel 4, and FTA Channel Five (or any other horizontally polarised signal from Astra 2D) they are not possible in your location on a 1.8 metre dish. With a 2.4 metre dish you would be lucky to receive them for a few hours a day if at all. For reliable reception you would need a dish in the region of 4 metres. BTW what have you used to check alignment? If you want help with alignment with a proper meter feel free to send me a PM.

Barometer

Receiving BBC 2 Is very difficult in south-east Spain. Alignment is critical, as is skew.
Choice of LNB is also important. From my experience Invacom Quads are excellent.
By the sound of it you are using a steerable dish. Perhaps it's not as accurate every time you move it?

I use a 1.8 a slightly south of Guadamar, and only loose BBC 2 for a few minutes very early in the morning. I also have friends in that area with similar sized dishes.

I have four receivers fed from the same LNB and the best ones are PACE 2600 C1 (inevitably).

So, a dish correctly aligned, with the right LNB and receiver will very likely receive BBC 2.

Huevos

Where (even 10 km makes a huge difference around there)? Also, I'd recommend a modified Inverto Black Ultra over an Invacom quad anyday for 2D reception.

Barometer

10 kms? 1 mm makes a lot of difference!
I have no experience of the other LNBs as you mention, however I can only talk from my personal experience.

One point I was making is that a steerable dish may well not be as accurate as a permanently mounted, rock-solid 1.8, in a well metered set-up.