Astra 2A - Sky EPG - Lanzarote

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ebuygum

New Member
My Satellite Setup
Technomate TM-5500 CI Plus, 1.35m dish.
My Location
Lanzarote
What's the general opinion as to the future of Astra 2A? I'm asking specifically because Sky's default transponder, 11778V, is on Astra 2A North, which is currently usually receivable in Lanzarote, and if it moves to a satellite that is not receivable will a Sky Digibox simply stop working? (Occasionally my box doesn't get the default transponder and won't boot up. A temporary change of default transponder, which I assume contains the EPG, will get it going but the box normally reverts back to 11778V after a time but everything is then OK.)
 
If you can't get 11778V then you'll have to keep using another transponder. All the other transponders only have a limited EPG for a few hours rather than the whole 7 days. If the box never gets a sniff from 11778V it shouldn't change back.

Having said all that, I think the new Astra 2F/E/G should have some kind of coverage in Lanzarote so chances are you'll get a stronger signal on 11778V when they finally start using the new satellites.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Think we have spoke on the Gazette.

There's no real way to tell what coverage until the time comes, but in answer to your question, sky boxes will indeed need their default transponder changing but as mentioned you won't get the full 7 day EPG.
 
We don't get 11778V here in Gran Canaria (on small dishes) and so use a different TP that only transmits basic EPG data.

You get the next 12 hours and no series links.

I any case, when 2A disappears, 11778V is likely to be more receivable in the Canaries as all the new pan-European beams cover here within the official foot prints (ASTRA 2F, 2E, 2G and 2C).
 
Thanks for the replies. Satelliteman, yes that's me. I thought I'd join the forum after simply stalking for a long time!

I should have said that the dish size in Lanzarote is 1.35m. We get 11778V most of the time, which I suppose is a bit of a surprise since it's on a north beam but just occasionally have to make a change. I guess, timo_w2s, it switches back when it eventually "gets a sniff" of 11778V.

Interestingly, SES says Astra 2A was launched in August 1998 with a design life of 15 years which my maths says it's already near end-of-life, but it also says it will be relocated. Does anyone know when that might be?
 
Depends if it will be replaced by 2E or 2G.

We know the BBC channels on Astra 1N will be moving to the 2E UK beam in the Autumn once 2E is on station (and presumably the rest of the 1N channels will switch to 2E around the same time

Its not clear at the moment if 2A will have to wait for 2G
 
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