Astra 2E: Western Europe Reports

[Nalleman]

Most of you guys living in UK probably do not see any changes in reception of channels from Astra2E (UK beam). But we, who have to enjoy fringe reception feel that something is going on with satellite. Firstly, the levels of signal are increased, and daily variations as well. I have recorded signal levels from 10714H for 24 hours (each 13 seconds) and from data built this graph. If you compare this graph to the same graphs which I made 2 years ago it is possible to see some similarities and maybe also tendencies.

One thing I have noticed is that 12382 H is much stronger than it used to be. Most of the time it was almost impossible to get it here in southern parts of Sweden but now it comes in at between 9,5 - 10,5 dB 24/7. It is now stronger than 12129 V which is by far the weakest TP here. One can suspect 12382 has moved from 2F to possibly 2E.

 

[ocean04]

One can suspect 12382 has moved from 2F to possibly 2E.

12382H is still 2F, maybe it's little better than before, not much. 12129V 2E is 3 motor clicks east.

Currently signal is about the same, but it always increases 1db or more later in the evening

 

[Nalleman]

12382H is still 2F, maybe it's little better than before, not much. 12129V 2E is 3 motor clicks east.

Currently signal is about the same, but it always increases 1db or more later in the evening

Interesting!
12382 used to be between 5,5 - 6,5 dB here and is now 9,5 - 10,5. 12129 is about the same (slightly better probably related to time of year) 8,2 - 9,5 dB.
However the strength of the European beam of both 2E and 2F is a lot weaker than it used to be. 2E used to be 15 - 15,5 dB and 2F around 14,5 dB. Now both comes in around 13,3 dB. Many times is 2F slightly stronger than 2E. Could it possibly be that the weaker European beams makes 12382 coming in so much stronger?
There is no change in strength on the 2E UK-beam. The UK-beam on 2F and 2G is slightly stronger.

 

[4wd]

Bergen, Norway, confirming a much stronger UK 2F\2G here.
Could easily lose channels for 4-5h or so in the evnings on the 125cm, now been 24\24 for a long time.

 

[ocean04]

However the strength of the European beam of both 2E and 2F is a lot weaker than it used to be. 2E used to be 15 - 15,5 dB and 2F around 14,5 dB.

2E/F Europe beams no change here (outside footprint). 2F Europe is much weaker than 2E, not much better than 2F UK

Do you use motor? Here it's not possible to receive both 2E UK (28.5E) and 2F/2G UK (28.2E) at the same time

 

[Nalleman]

2E/F Europe beams no change here (outside footprint). 2F Europe is much weaker than 2E, not much better than 2F UK

Do you use motor? Here it's not possible to receive both 2E UK (28.5E) and 2F/2G UK (28.2E) at the same time

No I have an 1,8 m fixed antenna aimed at approx. 28,35 degrees which works fine.

 

[RimaNTSS]

I think starting from antenna size 1.2m and up it is clear difference where antenna is pointed at 28,5*E or 28,2*E. I mean, if I point my antenna to 28,2*E I will get "0" reception from Astra 2E (UK beam). If antenna is pointed at 28,5*E then reception from 28,2*E is at lower levels.
There is graph I made from ~18000 data recordings. It is clearly same daily change pattern. Of course, weather can add little changes.

 

[Sleepingwiththefish]

Since mid october I noticed a substantial signal increase here, mostly on 2F but also on 2E
12382H right now is 9.8dB (max is ~10.5), used to be around low 7.~ at same time of year.
Some transponders from 2E are now almost touching 14dB. Gonna take overall measurements and do a graph later.

 

[4wd]

West coast Norway, 125cm, autumn\winter 2G & especially 2F normally lost in the evenings, this time they have been alive for months.
Some approx examples, middle of the 'evening weakness time':

ITV3 12dB (normal)
BBC4 HD 10.5dB (+2-3)
Ch5 11.5dB (+3-4)
Horror Ch 10.5dB (+3-4)
Quest 10.5dB (+3-4)

 

[Nalleman]

West coast Norway, 125cm, autumn\winter 2G & especially 2F normally lost in the evenings, this time they have been alive for months.
Some approx examples, middle of the 'evening weakness time':

ITV3 12dB (normal)
BBC4 HD 10.5dB (+2-3)
Ch5 11.5dB (+3-4)
Horror Ch 10.5dB (+3-4)
Quest 10.5dB (+3-4)

Have you noticed any difference on the european beams on 2E and 2F? Here they are noticeably weaker than they used to be. Now around 13,5 dB on both 2E and 2F.

 

[Sleepingwiththefish]

UK beam overall measurements

 

[RimaNTSS]

Nice graph @TonyilCapo ! Is your 2.4m PFA pointed to Astra2E, Astra 2F/2G or somewhere in between?

 

[Sleepingwiththefish]

Nice graph @TonyilCapo ! Is your 2.4m PFA pointed to Astra2E, Astra 2F/2G or somewhere in between?

Somewhere in between...
Tests that I did some time ago, suggest that I could gain at least 1dB on 2F, specially high band 12129, 12382, but not without losing 'too much' on 2E.
So, I think I found a good spot in between.

 

[4wd]

Have you noticed any difference on the european beams on 2E and 2F? Here they are noticeably weaker than they used to be

Hello, the EU's like always, 100%\17dB on the vu+, maybe they were 133% before, but can't see that :O)

 

[RimaNTSS]

For 3 last days I am monitoring signal changes on 10758V. Last night we had some snow, and it can be seen on the graph. Then snow melted and signal went back to it's normal pattern.

 

[4wd]

Have you noticed any difference on the european beams on 2E and 2F? Here they are noticeably weaker than they used to be. Now around 13,5 dB on both 2E and 2F.

A correction to my previous reply, looking through more of the EU's, some staying at 17 dB, but some others now "only" around 15, 5\16,5 dB, which were surely always at the max 17dB before. So here too, a little down for the EU's here and there.

And the good increase for all UK's continues, f.ex. getting 12382 at 9dB in evening + rain, lock would have been unthinkable from 18 to 24 previous years with the 125.

 

[Harvey2nd]

We are speaking about this lobe View attachment 65688

Hello everyone - new kid on the block here.

Just installed a 120cm Televes with Dur-Line Unicable LNB located 100km SE of Munich. More or less exactly on the green line of the graph above.
Receiver is a a Gigablue UHD 4K with OpenATV image.

Signal on ITV HD drops from SNR 70% around mid day to SNR 50-55% in the evening. Already at SNR 60% pixilation distort the signal heavily. Also lose BBC 1/2 HD to pixilation around 18:00 hrs.

Most SD channels are OK around the clock. Only Food Network tends to pixilate.

Not sure if I have to upgrade to a 150cm or perhaps go for a VU+ receiver. Anyone here who can point me in the right direction?

FYI. Lived around Frankfurt last 20 years and had perfect reception with a Toroidal T-90 and VU+ Duo.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Not sure if I have to upgrade to a 150cm or perhaps go for a VU+ receiver.

Changing receiver will not bring you much. I think you still have at least 2 options: A- better tune existing antenna (including proper placing of the LN. B- go for bigger dish.

 

[Harvey2nd]

Changing receiver will not bring you much. I think you still have at least 2 options: A- better tune existing antenna (including proper placing of the LN. B- go for bigger dish.

Thank you Rima. Will dress up and see if I can fine adjust further.

 

[dmaavrigdo]

Hello everyone - new kid on the block here.

Just installed a 120cm Televes with Dur-Line Unicable LNB located 100km SE of Munich. More or less exactly on the green line of the graph above.
Receiver is a a Gigablue UHD 4K with OpenATV image.

Signal on ITV HD drops from SNR 70% around mid day to SNR 50-55% in the evening. Already at SNR 60% pixilation distort the signal heavily. Also lose BBC 1/2 HD to pixilation around 18:00 hrs.

Most SD channels are OK around the clock. Only Food Network tends to pixilate.

Not sure if I have to upgrade to a 150cm or perhaps go for a VU+ receiver. Anyone here who can point me in the right direction?

FYI. Lived around Frankfurt last 20 years and had perfect reception with a Toroidal T-90 and VU+ Duo.

Stop worrying about UK HD. Takes too much disk space to record anyway.