Unknown dish, on the roof.

M

Mike +

Member
My Satellite Setup
Samsung-S7800. Sony Bravia 40". iMac (snow leopard)
Sky dish
My Location
East London
I moved into my ground floor flat, about 10 years ago.
I inherited a normal terrestrial antenna, as well as what looks to be an 85cm (at least) dish, attached in an ideal position, at the corner of the building, just below the gutter. I have no idea what this dish was used for.
After recently cancelling my S** contract. I have plumbed for Freesat, and am wondering if this dish might work on my Freesat box (Samsung S-7800)
The only reason I haven't tried it yet is because my son 'borrowed' the plug off it. And anyway, I am still using S** until my contract runs out.
A vague question, I know, but I would love to know if this dish holds more possibilities, than the tiny S** dish I am currently using.
 
If it's pointed at the Astra 2 group of satellites at 28E then yes, it may work with your Freesat box (assuming the LNB and cable are OK). To know what additional possibilities it holds you need to know where it is pointing. The easiest way would be to hook up a receiver and let it scan. You may not get a large list of channels but what you do get may be a good clue when compared to lists that can be found on sites like flysat.com
 
That dish might possibly be aligned to Astra 1 at 19.2E, judging by the size and age.

But you mention you have cancelled your Sky contract, so do we assume you also have a minidish that was dedicated to that? If so, just bung your Freesat box on instead.

One last point - the Sky box etc. remains yours and you will be able to get FreesatfromSky using that box and your ex-subs (to be) Card.
 
I have just taken a picture of it, and it does look a little the worse for wear.
I will just have to wait until I can get out to buy a new plug, so I can try it.

Not sure if this picture will post.
 

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True. But my Sky box doesn't have HD, or a 500gb HDD in it
 
I have taken a picture. Which is waiting to be 'approved'. It does look as if it has seen better days.
 
Your picture would not have been approved because you linked to it on an external host. If you want to post pictures you should upload to the forum directly, using the manage attachments button. Have done it for your post above.


The dish looks like one of the old ones that were used for Sky UK when it transmitted on 19E in analogue.

Yes, it has seen better days, but I've seen dishes that are far far worse than that, at least its still in one piece.

So, it may pick up some channels from 19E as it is, but the LNB looks pretty old, and besides is not universal, so would need changing for a new universal one to get the most out of the dish.
 
It's an original Astra 1 dish, complete with bluecap LNB.

Not much good to you unless you can speak German, or you have a ladder, spanners, replacement LNB, some de-ruster and a scrubbing brush
 
Many thanks. I tried to use the 'Insert Link' button. But obviously, that is not the way.
 
Channel Hopper said:
It's an original Astra 1 dish, complete with bluecap LNB.

Not much good to you unless you can speak German, or you have a ladder, spanners, replacement LNB, some de-ruster and a scrubbing brush
Click to expand...

I shall rush out to Wilkinsons immediately. with the aforementioned shopping list.
 
NO, go advanced, and click the manage attachment button.:)
 

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Robbo said:
NO, go advanced, and click the manage attachment button.:)
Click to expand...


Thanks. I just sussed that.

And I can't stand the suspense! I'm off down to Maplins ( for the 3rd time in as many days.) to get a plug. Back in an hour or so.
 
You might as well pick up an LNB while you're there. Though would be interesting to see if the existing does still function on the band that its capable of.
 
Can't hurt. to give it a go.
If it doesn't, then there might be a bit of work available, for any dish doctors in the forum and in the area.
 
Well! Disappointment! Not a peep out of it. Not a 'sausage'. I guess the lead, or something else, must have corroded.
 
Mike,

the other posters are right. It is a very early LNB a Marconi Switching LNB which was superseded by the Enhanced LNB which itself was superseded by the Universal LNB. You are two generations out of date. Looks like the dish is the one you used to get with the old first Amstrad Analogue Sky receivers. Museum piece.
 
Maybe I can, at least, salvage the wall fixing. :(
But anyway. Many thanks to everyone who tried to help. Much appreciated.
 
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