Astra 1N footprint published via SES web site

[Analoguesat]

Hi All

I am trying to get up to speed with the replacement of 2D with 1N.

As far as I can ascertain, 1N will be replacing 2D at 28.2E next year. Is that correct?

Will I still be able to receive UK FreeSat in Stockholm with a 1.2m Channel Master after this change over?

Thanks in Advance!

We just dont know at the moment - 1N is more likely to just be filling in the missing Astra 2C frequency block of a dozen or so frequencies - as well as acting for backup in case any of the older satellite have technical problems.

 

[cia.kelly]

pls Gawd - don't force me to use a slingbox!

 

[Huevos]

The only thing we can say is it almost certainly won't be better for fringe reception.

It couldn't be much worse than it is now. And, irrespective of footprint shape, one thing we do know for sure is power output of each transponder is around 3x more than those carried on Astra 2D (150w instead of 39w).

 

[Analoguesat]

It couldn't be much worse than it is now. And, irrespective of footprint shape, one thing we do know for sure is power output of each transponder is around 3x more than those carried on Astra 2D.

Thats only one footprint though - we know Astra 1N is a similar design to Astra 1KR - which has a second spotbeam footprint which was fired up for a few tests for Poland

 

[cia.kelly]

Prior to getting the Satellite system installed, I was using a PC with a VPN to get UK TV. The quality was OK but it was a pain starting the PC and switching channels with KB and mouse , etc.

I'm hoping that if and when FreeSat becomes unobtainable from Sweden then the IP based receivers have advanced to more user friendly standard.

 

[Huevos]

second spotbeam footprint which was fired up for a few tests for Poland

I can't really comment on that because I can't receive that beam. Here I'm 1.6º off beam centre for Astra 2D and 3.1º off the Polish spot. That alone would account for an easy 20dB difference even if the beams were identical. Where you are is about 2.2º of centre. How big a dish do you need there?

 

[Analoguesat]

I can't really comment on that because I can't receive that beam. Here I'm 1.6º off beam centre for Astra 2D and 3.1º off the Polish spot. That alone would account for an easy 20dB difference even if the beams were identical. Where you are is about 2.2º of centre. How big a dish do you need there?

No idea - it was turned off a while back and the channels reverted to widebeam.

No sign of any signal on the receivers I have available here with an 80cm dish.

We had reports of good signals in Poland & the Baltic nations and poor in western Germany, so 2m plus probably here. The reports are on the forum somewhere - I saw them yesterday when I was looking fore something else.

 

[dvdfilm]

Apparently the Astra 1N footprint has been taken off from that website

 

[Finnsat]

Spotbeams? Hopefully it explodes to Atlantic ocean :-worship

 

[Analoguesat]

All the new Astra birds have spots. 1N 2E 2F & 2G.

The new series 2 birds have at least 3 that we know of. plus some widebeam capacity.

 

[Huevos]

Spotbeams? Hopefully it explodes to Atlantic ocean :-worship

The spot beams are odds-on to be an easier catch than 2D.

 

[BLUEPLATINUM]

The problem with spot beams is that they interfere with each other on the fringe (a bit like the current problems with BADR). I doubt they will be easier to catch but I guess it depends where the various spots are targeted.

 

[Huevos]

the current problems with BADR

I'm sure the Badr5 problem is a hoax. The only dishes I've seen affected by this are those that have been badly assembled (which seems to be about 50% of 2.4m dishes here), but with half an hour to spare, some fishing line and shims for the backring they can be made to perform with identical MER on frequencies where Badr5 is present and frequencies where it is not, which for me is the acid test of whether Badr5 is introducing any significant interference to Astra 2D reception.

 

[BLUEPLATINUM]

I'm sure the Badr5 problem is a hoax. The only dishes I've seen affected by this are those that have been badly assembled (which seems to be about 50% of 2.4m dishes here), but with half an hour to spare, some fishing line and shims for the backring they can be made to perform with identical MER on frequencies where Badr5 is present and frequencies where it is not, which for me is the acid test of whether Badr5 is introducing any significant interference to Astra 2D reception.

That is really good news. I think there was an expectation here that be might be affected soon.

What is your theory on the spot beams then?

 

[PaulR]

I'm sure the Badr5 problem is a hoax. The only dishes I've seen affected by this are those that have been badly assembled

That may be the case for you in the west of the Med but I would think that in the east, where Badr 5's beams are pointed, it's a real problem.

 

[Analoguesat]

The spot beams are odds-on to be an easier catch than 2D.

Oh yes?? Beam shaping technology has moved on a lot since 2D was launched a decade ago.

And once the Middle East spot beams fire up the eastern med expats can wave goodbye to anything on the UK beam thats on the same or similar frequencies.