Noob's First Steps

[fastglass]

Firstly, 'Hi' all, and what a big forum you guys have here!

Anyway, after reading several threads, I'm going to feel very small and unknowledgeable with this post... but hey, we all have to start somewhere!

***

Okay, to the point....

My grandad has recently purchased a cheap all-in-1 sat/receiver package from a well-known DIY store and has spent the past week attempted to install it all himself, using me as a 2nd pair of eyes. The package was a Commtel UK pack, as shown here: http://www.commteluk.com/catalogue/...cessories-2/digital-satellite-kit-free-to-air

Eventually, we managed to get a really strong signal, and so attempted a 'full-search' on Astra 28.2E and were pleasantly suprised to find well over 800 TV channels. However, the majority were German, with a touch of French, Spanish etc. (after 5 minutes of reading the forums, I'm guessing we've actually got the dish pointing to Astra 19.2E).

Anyway, in the end I suggested I took the receiver and signal meter thingy and try connecting it to an old fixed mesh-type $ky dish which was on the side of my house when I moved in 7 years ago (and has never been used by me).

So... I simply attached it all, without physically touching the dish at all, and went straight in with a search on Astra 28.2E, and got successful search results on the following transponders:

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 12, 14, 50, 51, 63, 64, 75, 85

In English, this has resulted in me being able to view around a dozen different regions of BBC1, Channel 4, and the other terrestrial channels (oh, and $ky Travel!)

I'm thinking now that it might be worth attempting a search of Eurobird 1.


My questions to the board, then, are thus:

With the current setup which I have (without upgrading any of the system, for now),

01. Which satellites should I be able to find?

02. Which position would be a good suggestion for my interests? (English channels are always welcome, although I do like my sport and a general good variety of programmes in any language)


Hopefully somebody can help here, but please don't mention things like disecq-jobbies or quadrupled-LNBs, as I've not reached that level of expertise yet!

I do find it fascinating looking at some of the setups you guys have, and have to think what you do with so many available channels -- do they all get used, or serve any purpose?!


Thanks for your time anyway, Cheers

 

[satelliteman]

Welcome to satsuk.

The old fixed mesh type may be using an older style LNb, something to check. As for the satellites at the 28E slot, both Astra2 and E/Bird are co-located so no realignment required.

Hotbird and Astra1 can also be received on that size dish by realignment but for a wider selection maybe consider a motor system, lots of info on the forum.

 

[Topper]

Welcome to the forum fastglass

well as already mentioned you may need to change the lnb if it is not a universal type in order to maximise what you can receive, but without knowing what you can receive it is not possible to say, I suggest you copy and paste the link velow without the - prefix into you browser and compare with what you actually receive and post back
-http://www.lyngsat.com/28east.html

an offset arm, diseqc switch and 6 deg monobloc lnb would be another way of receving the other satellites you mention.

Again there is loads of information in dish setup which will guide you

 

[mariust5]

Welcome
The answer is simple really , that is the most you can get out of it for english programes , 28 east .
You can get other satellites but they will not be any good for you with odd program here and there .
If the dish is 60cm or bigger best way is to motorise it as mentioned above . Good luck .

 

[mich181189]

I mainly like 19.2E for the german channels... (Bernd das Brot is often the best thing on...)

 

[Channel Hopper]

Simce you have mentioned not to mention 'DiSEqC jobbies', your search for more channels really comes to an end, unless you connect both dishes together with a simple 2 way switch (NOT a cable one as this may take out your tuner), or go for a V Box converter and install a good old 36 volt actuator system.

But the latter is one that requires more than just 'a pair of eyes'.

Have courage though, you are doing well for a beginner to get Astra 1 on the first attempt with a new system.

 

[fastglass]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and with more advice than I expected tbh!

Ok, after getting to grips with the OSD etc of my 'loaned' receiver, and with a good neb through the LyngSat listings, I feel I'm now ready to get the step-ladder out and swing my dish 9 degrees South (I think!) in order to get the Astra 1 package.

My theory is this (please correct me if I'm wrong!)...

I live approx 20 miles South of my grandad
My grandad's first successful search of channels happened to be Astra 1 (19.2E), and has not been altered since
Now, if I manage to pick up 19.2E at my house, should I not pick up the same (or very similar) set of channels as my grandad?
If not, then would this help indicate as to whether my LNB needs swapping?

btw, Topper

Looking at the LyngSat lists for Astra 28.2E, it appears that I can get almost all of 2D, but seem to struggle with the 2A and 2B channels - basically I can get every variation of 'terrestrial' British TV going, but the other 'freeview' channels are missing.

Which leads me to my final query (for now!), and more for my grandad than for myself; with the receiver not having a card slot, would he be limited to just the terrestrial channels, or would his 'modern dish' make a difference with it almost definately having a universal lnb?

Hope I haven't confused anyone, and thanks again for your time and help.


FG


righty, where's those bleedin' ladders...

 

[fastglass]

Update to above....


Managed to find 19.2E with my trusty mesh plate, and am working my way through 355 free-to-air channels, although some seem to have disappeared since a few hours ago (my guess is due to the snowy weather).

Now to search the forums for more beginner-friendly info!


Cheers