That dreaded rumour again!

daisyanne

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
77
My Satellite Setup
cytanet 1 meg b'band. sky + yet to be plugged in
My Location
Cyprus, Paralimni (east side)
Having an apartment built in Famagusta, Cyprus and developer told me this morning that 2 satellite companies have stated categorically that Sky will be totally gone 1st May. I know this rumour does the rounds, but is it true this time?

Anyone throw any light on this?

Thanks

Daisyanne
 

geoffreys

ASBO Club Member - Persona non grata
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
306
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
80
Website
Visit site
My Satellite Setup
Famaval 2.4m dish, Invacom 0.2dB LNB (single), Pace 430N
My Location
Famagusta District, Cyprus
daisyanne said:
Having an apartment built in Famagusta, Cyprus and developer told me this morning that 2 satellite companies have stated categorically that Sky will be totally gone 1st May. I know this rumour does the rounds, but is it true this time?

Anyone throw any light on this?

Thanks

Daisyanne

As you say we have had these rumours before, but this time it does seem to
be perhaps more serious. This time my own satellite installer, based in Paralimni, was telling me only last week that his (usually reliable source) information was that the 2A and 2B satellites were from 1st May switching over to spot beams (beamed onto the UK as 2D does) in order to conserve the life of the batteries and so extend the service life of those 2 satellites.
I suppose we shall have to wait and see, however if true we will still be able to receive them, but would require a larger dish just as we do now for 2D.

Geoff
Cyprus
 

daisyanne

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
77
My Satellite Setup
cytanet 1 meg b'band. sky + yet to be plugged in
My Location
Cyprus, Paralimni (east side)
Thanks Geoffrey. Did u mean larger than the 4.2m dish which the developer is planning to use anyway?

Just to clarify, if they do change to spot beams if i have a 4.2m dish, there shouldnt be any change?

Thanks
P.S. I will be based in Paralimni
Daisyanne
 

PoloMint

Super Minty Mod
Joined
Dec 31, 1999
Messages
1,588
Reaction score
1
Points
0
My Satellite Setup
1200cc with 100,000,000,000 neurons and 100,000,000,000,000 connections
My Location
Fife, Scotland
But if that's the case wouldn't they need to have had spot beams since they were launched? So why wait till now to switch? Do they even have spot beam capability?

Maybe Analoguesat will be able to advise...
 

dxsat

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2005
Messages
745
Reaction score
70
Points
28
Age
69
Website
skyinmadrid.com
My Satellite Setup
Snap's setup: (In Spain) Humax HDR, Prodelin 1.8m dish + Invacom QDF-031 + CM feed, (In UK) CallFlow VDSL + EE 4G, Sky Q, YouView HD, Mac OSX, iOS
My Location
UK: Tonbridge, Kent. Spain: Madrid.
As far as I know, of these two satellites, only Astra 2B has spot beam capability and it is currently pointing at West Africa.
Sky would lose millions of pounds in revenue from expats.
Not very likely.
 

Leee

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
515
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
54
My Satellite Setup
Sky+ v2 (120Gb); DM7020Si*motorised; PC/S2-3200
My Location
47°N/8°E/490m
and so many expats are in the 2d beam that they would not notice ;)
 

geoffreys

ASBO Club Member - Persona non grata
Joined
Jun 6, 2003
Messages
306
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
80
Website
Visit site
My Satellite Setup
Famaval 2.4m dish, Invacom 0.2dB LNB (single), Pace 430N
My Location
Famagusta District, Cyprus
daisyanne said:
Thanks Geoffrey. Did u mean larger than the 4.2m dish which the developer is planning to use anyway?

Just to clarify, if they do change to spot beams if i have a 4.2m dish, there shouldnt be any change?

Thanks
P.S. I will be based in Paralimni
Daisyanne

Yes, that is correct - assuming that the footprints were similar to the 2D satellite's spot beam footprint.
I notice from other replies that there is doubt whether 2A and/or 2B have
spot beam capability anyway!
Like I said, we will just have to wait and see. Regards loss of revenue from
expats etc (mentioned in another reply) most would be able to just buy a larger dish. In Spain for example you'd be talking about a modest cost to do that (e.g. from 1m dish to a 2m dish). But at the fringes, like here in Cyprus, it means going to a 4.2m dish from a 2.4m dish - costly! So the loss of revenue would be small in practice - and miniscule compared to the savings to SKY/Astra by being able to defer the huge investment in replacement satellites.
Geoff
Cyprus
 

rage99

ASBO Club Member - Persona non grata
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Messages
61
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
54
My Satellite Setup
Echostar AD-3000IP
Infinity USB Phoenix
T-Rex Supermodule 4.6
50" Pioneer Plasma HD
My Location
West Midlands
What are you guys saying, that SKY UK is shutting down?
 

dxsat

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2005
Messages
745
Reaction score
70
Points
28
Age
69
Website
skyinmadrid.com
My Satellite Setup
Snap's setup: (In Spain) Humax HDR, Prodelin 1.8m dish + Invacom QDF-031 + CM feed, (In UK) CallFlow VDSL + EE 4G, Sky Q, YouView HD, Mac OSX, iOS
My Location
UK: Tonbridge, Kent. Spain: Madrid.
The rumour is that all Astra 2 beams will be focussed on the UK.
Don't forget it was April 1st recently.
If Sky were to put all movie channels on 2D on 1st. May, they would have to be testing already, and they aren't.
 

Topper

Amo Amas Amant Admin
Staff member
Joined
Nov 18, 2004
Messages
23,991
Reaction score
4,014
Points
113
Age
69
My Satellite Setup
Has gone to a good home elsewhere
My Location
Blackburn, Lancashire
rage99 said:
What are you guys saying, that SKY UK is shutting down?
Dear me that is guilding the lily somewhat isn't it?
I have just completely re-read this thread and I cannot even imagine how your thought processes have got you from, re-aligning a transmission footprint (from a wide beam to a spot beam), to somebody switching the lights out on one of the biggest companies in the world I'm interested to know which bits brought you to that conclusion. I deliberately went back to re-read since I thought perhaps I had missed something, talk about creating rumours:-Nooo shame on you ;)
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
UK 80cm fixed on Hotbird / ART sports package.
4.2 Mtr Prime focus Dish at Astra 2D + Hotbird & Arabsat Fixed.
My Location
South Essex UK. Kapparis Famagusta Cyprus
Lets hope the Paralimni installers I used last year to install my hotbird dish arnt the ones putting this info around.
The workmanship was poor and I had to do it myself when I got back out to CY.
This is the guy that told me TPS would be no problem and would never be a problem re-installing the patch.
First trip back he said my reciever was not upgradable and I needed to pay £80CY for a better model?
If we opted for SKY they would then in theory not get any further work???
I have since taken a TM1000D+ out from UK and it works a treat.
Have also hooked up to SKY from a friends 4.2 prime focus dish and so far all is working fine. (Usual C4 Loss at certain times and the odd ITV flicker).
I guess the 1st May we will know for sure.
But if I was a betting man I would say its a wind up, Strange how its only the Paralimni araea???
Cheers
Essex Boy
 

Analoguesat

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 26, 2003
Messages
50,739
Reaction score
11,220
Points
113
Location
Scottish Borders
My Satellite Setup
TM 5402HD
Sky+ UK.
My Location
Scottish Borders
Just back on the forum after 2 weeks in Derbyshire......

Astra 2B does in fact have a spot beam - but as far as Im aware its pointing at West Africa and I have never seen any reports thats its ever been activated.

This rumour comes round at least twice a year, and its never been proved right yet. :D
 

bignick

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Feb 13, 2005
Messages
336
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
56
My Satellite Setup
Back in the UK and missing Cyprus!!!
My Location
Aylesbury
Essex Boy in Cyprus said:
(Usual C4 Loss at certain times and the odd ITV flicker)
Essex Boy

If your have the ITV flicker without BBC being affected then you may be tuned into the wrong one. ITV Anglia S works best (10.714 H 22.0 5/6) which one are youe tuned to? On a 4.2 I'd be surprised (even with the problems at the moment) if you have difficulty with C4.

Cheers

Nick
 

iceman

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
744
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
3.0m Motorised Channel Master + 4 fixed dish Amstrad_DRX890C
DM7020s,DM800se
UNOHM EP314 PROMAX TV Explorer
My Location
Kyrenia - NORTH CYPRUS
bignick said:
If your have the ITV flicker without BBC being affected then you may be tuned into the wrong one. ITV Anglia S works best (10.714 H 22.0 5/6) which one are youe tuned to? On a 4.2 I'd be surprised (even with the problems at the moment) if you have difficulty with C4.

ITV Anglia (10714H) is stronger than other ITV transponder (10832H) but a properly installed 4.2m dish shouldnt have any problems on any of the 2D horizontals or C4.....If any one of the 2D channels is "flickering" then the signal is not healthy at all...
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
UK 80cm fixed on Hotbird / ART sports package.
4.2 Mtr Prime focus Dish at Astra 2D + Hotbird & Arabsat Fixed.
My Location
South Essex UK. Kapparis Famagusta Cyprus
Chaps thanks for your comments on the flicker issues.
The issue I have is that I do not own the dish but was offered a feed as the LNB is a four port so its not really easy for me to comment on the dish or any other problems.
I know the owner would dealy love to have an optimal signal 24/7 but finding an installer who can actually do this is not easy.
I know Iceman can do this but I am not sure how easy it is for you to come to Kapparis from the North?
I am back out in Cyprus around 5th May. Could it be possible to meet and see what can be done?
The other option would be for me to arrange with the dish owner to contact you direct. Would this be OK ?
I think the strongest signal on ITV was Central??? but your both saying it should be Anglia?.
Can I just ask another silly question. Why is ITV london never available ?
Thanks for your input, It would be nice if we could get 24/7 hassle free viewing.
Regards
Essex Boy.
 

iceman

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
744
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
3.0m Motorised Channel Master + 4 fixed dish Amstrad_DRX890C
DM7020s,DM800se
UNOHM EP314 PROMAX TV Explorer
My Location
Kyrenia - NORTH CYPRUS
Essex Boy
As you might have noticed the 4.2m dish is a multi-panel dish consisting of ten panels...The nut/bolt holes on these panels are not correct out of the box,so if you try to construct the dish using these existing holes the panels do not line up correctly and you end up with huge steps between the panels..
This is the mistake ALL the installers do in the South and they get away with it in strong signal areas but when it comes to areas like Famagusta where the signal is lower the dish starts playing up..
The only way to correct a dish constructed this way is to disassemble it altogether and assemble it the correct way!!!

ITV London is not available for us in Cyprus because it is on a Vertical transponder....We can only receive Horizontal transponders in Cyprus...no Verticals..

http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/skyuk.html
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
UK 80cm fixed on Hotbird / ART sports package.
4.2 Mtr Prime focus Dish at Astra 2D + Hotbird & Arabsat Fixed.
My Location
South Essex UK. Kapparis Famagusta Cyprus
Iceman.
Thanks for your superior knowledge.
I guess the next question is can you do this rebuild if needed?
Im sure if you saw this install you would know straight away what was needed.
Would it be possible to arrange a vist at a time convienient to you ?
I dont want to put you on the spot so if it is a problem please say so and I will not ask again.
But its clear to me you know your stuff and could definately assist us in getting an optimal siognal.
Appreciate anything you can do.
Kind Regards
Essex Boy
 

bignick

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Feb 13, 2005
Messages
336
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
56
My Satellite Setup
Back in the UK and missing Cyprus!!!
My Location
Aylesbury
Another issue that maybe causing issue, but is usually woefully underestimated is the Make/model of Digibox that you are using. If you let us know this information then we can let you know if this is a problem as well. There is a thread dedicated to this subject which can be of help to you.

Cheers

Nick
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
UK 80cm fixed on Hotbird / ART sports package.
4.2 Mtr Prime focus Dish at Astra 2D + Hotbird & Arabsat Fixed.
My Location
South Essex UK. Kapparis Famagusta Cyprus
Hi Nick / Iceman.
As I am currently back in the UK (Or should I say sweltering UK lol!!!) I am not totally sure of the model number of my Digi box.
I know its a PACE and is Silver and quite small compared to other boxes.
I asked my cleaner to have a look and she said it was a pace DV9 ???
Although I am not totally convinced she has this correct. It may be confused with DVB??? Not sure how good her eyes are (Bless her)
I have attached a picture to see if this will help?.

If the dish or digiboxes needs adjusting will either of you be able to offer your services ?
Looking to be out for a few days in early May 5th or 6th? Is this a possibility?
Thanks in advance.
Henry. (Essex Boy)
 

iceman

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
744
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Age
63
My Satellite Setup
3.0m Motorised Channel Master + 4 fixed dish Amstrad_DRX890C
DM7020s,DM800se
UNOHM EP314 PROMAX TV Explorer
My Location
Kyrenia - NORTH CYPRUS
Essex Boy in Cyprus said:
If the dish or digiboxes needs adjusting will either of you be able to offer your services ?
Looking to be out for a few days in early May 5th or 6th? Is this a possibility?
(Essex Boy)

Your box look like a DS430N...It is a good receiver for use in Cyprus..(i don't think your problem is with the receiver tho)
If you send me a mail week before you come out,i can let you know if i can come or not...
 
Top