Satellite

[Rds559]

Satellite dish or internet WiFi for tv in Europe

 

[Figaro]

Streaming, but you'll need lots of data and a VPN for UK TV if you use a local sim card.
My oyster satellite dish works well down to Italian lakes and the Pyrenees but nothing once in Spain.

 

[Neil S]

Streaming, but you'll need lots of data and a VPN for UK TV if you use a local sim card.
My oyster satellite dish works well down to Italian lakes and the Pyrenees but nothing once in Spain.

I get SKY news , CNN , Pick TV , Challenge , Travel Challenge , and a few others even in southern Spain with my 85cm automatic dish
If I want BBC 1, 2 ITV 1 , Channel 4 , 5 or BBC radio station whilst in Spain i just retune to Intelsat 901 and plug in a separate stand alone receiver works for me
also stream occasionally but at a 1 GB an hour your not long gulping up data if your watching 5-6 hours per day

 

[Figaro]

If I want BBC 1, 2 ITV 1 , Channel 4 , 5 or BBC radio station whilst in Spain i just retune to Intelsat 901 and plug in a separate stand alone receiver works

That's good, but I don't think I can do that on mine ?

 

[scotjimland]

I use a Multimo portable Sat dish .. steaming is fine if

1) you have plenty of data and
2) you have a decent signal ...

Sat dish has no extra costs , no data or phone signal required,
you can get most UK stations on Freesat..

not currently available but can be picked up on ebay for as little as £30 or complete with tripod and satellite receiver for £65

Zenhder AX40 Multimo satellite Dish and Tripod | eBay

And a few other bits.

www.ebay.co.uk

My review here ..

Multimo Portable Sat Dish : Review

Just purchased one second hand from @Koppersbeat and an delighted with it .. thank you Helen, and also thanks for taking the time and effort to send by courier. Now down to the review.. It comes with a base that can be used on a table or on the ground, a U bolt for clamping to a tri-pod...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Predicted reception areas

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[Neil S]

That's good, but I don't think I can do that on mine ?

you should be able to with your oyster if its an 85cm vision 3 or later and has Intelsat 901 in its memory , you can also use the ASTRA 28 Pan European which carries channels english speaking both encrypted (SKY TV) and a lesser number of non encrypted

 

[Figaro]

you should be able to with your oyster if its an 85cm vision 3 or later and has Intelsat 901 in its memory ,

No, it's an old vision 1

 

[Neil S]

No, it's an old vision 1

If it’s a vision 1 providing the software is up to date with the relevant transponder frequencies it should still lock onto Astra 28
Pan European beam which has footprint over most of Europe including the Iberian peninsula

 

[Figaro]

It's steam powered, looks for astra 1, then a manual switch to change to Astra 2 on second lnb.
I don't think it'll do much more than that.
I use an Alphatronic TV with built in sat decoder, that has different satellite options but not sure if I can use them as I'm stuck on Astra 2 as far as I know ?

 

[Neil S]

Satellite dish or internet WiFi for tv in Europe

wifi tv is your easiest option and cheaper to install

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[Rds559]

WiFi is fine if you can get unlimited WiFi in Europe on a pay as you go

 

[scotjimland]

WiFi is fine if you can get unlimited WiFi in Europe on a pay as you go

IF....
and IF there is a decent phone signal ..

 

[Just smiffy]

I haven’t watched live tv for a while now at least since march and I used to enjoy certain programs, having no tv licence now I can honestly say I haven’t watched any mainstream tv, I have a firestick that I occasionally watch some series now and agin at home.

Been away in the van for a month now and no tv at all…

I can honestly say I haven’t missed it at all, I really thought I would miss it… I now generally “do” something out and about instead or on a rainy day then I’m on here or I’ll watch a bit of YouTube…

 

[stewartwebr]

I get SKY news , CNN , Pick TV , Challenge , Travel Challenge , and a few others even in southern Spain with my 85cm automatic dish
If I want BBC 1, 2 ITV 1 , Channel 4 , 5 or BBC radio station whilst in Spain i just retune to Intelsat 901 and plug in a separate stand alone receiver works for me
also stream occasionally but at a 1 GB an hour your not long gulping up data if your watching 5-6 hours per day

Neil, not being condescending and correcting for the sake of correcting, but in case the OP starts trying to find the satellite it is actually Intelsat 907 which broadcasts the Freeview back-up UK terrestrial channels.

 

[Anthony OysterTech]

It's steam powered, looks for astra 1, then a manual switch to change to Astra 2 on second lnb.
I don't think it'll do much more than that.
I use an Alphatronic TV with built in sat decoder, that has different satellite options but not sure if I can use them as I'm stuck on Astra 2 as far as I know ?

Figaro it'll do the same as the new ones if set up right. The LNB might be getting on a bit for a start (in Spain an Inverto Black ultra is very good), the arm height or Skew angle could be set slightly off or the dish could have a little warping in certain areas. Obviously the biggest issue is going to be that you're using an offset LNB for Astra 2 which will only see a degraded signal but if you ever want to go through the setup, even when you're down in Spain, just give us a call and we'll see what we can do.

You know we off electronic upgrades for older systems now too?

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[Satandpcguy]

Neil, not being condescending and correcting for the sake of correcting, but in case the OP starts trying to find the satellite it is actually Intelsat 907 which broadcasts the Freeview back-up UK terrestrial channels.

Not being condescending and correcting for the sake of correcting (!), Neil is correct. I907 is not at 27-5w (i think it is at 47e), nor does it carry the satback freeview back up services that you need to hack into to view (dont think it has any active transponders at the moment!)
I907 was replaced a few years (2020 iirc) ago by I901, which had a MEV (mission extension vehicle) attached to it to extend its lifespan by about 5 years. But receivers will still show I907 unless they have been updated to I901!

They are currently considering what to do at 27.5w since the extended lifespan of I901 is close to expiry...new satellite, old satellite with another MEV?

 

[stewartwebr]

Not being condescending and correcting for the sake of correcting (!), Neil is correct. I907 is not at 27-5w (i think it is at 47e), nor does it carry the satback freeview back up services that you need to hack into to view (dont think it has any active transponders at the moment!)
I907 was replaced a few years (2020 iirc) ago by I901, which had a MEV (mission extension vehicle) attached to it to extend its lifespan by about 5 years. But receivers will still show I907 unless they have been updated to I901!

They are currently considering what to do at 27.5w since the extended lifespan of I901 is close to expiry...new satellite, old satellite with another MEV?

Aye okay

 

[andyman]

Not being condescending and correcting for the sake of correcting (!), Neil is correct. I907 is not at 27-5w (i think it is at 47e), nor does it carry the satback freeview back up services that you need to hack into to view (dont think it has any active transponders at the moment!)
I907 was replaced a few years (2020 iirc) ago by I901, which had a MEV (mission extension vehicle) attached to it to extend its lifespan by about 5 years. But receivers will still show I907 unless they have been updated to I901!

They are currently considering what to do at 27.5w since the extended lifespan of I901 is close to expiry...new satellite, old satellite with another MEV?

Have I got this wrong, if my receiver shows 907 and I point my dish at the 901 satellite it will work.

 

[Satandpcguy]

Have I got this wrong, if my receiver shows 907 and I point my dish at the 901 satellite it will work.

Yes it will work.
It makes no difference really what the satellite is named on your receiver (you can name a satellite called Fred in your satellite list on the receiver) , it will only pick up the channels that the dish is aligned to.

 

[andyman]

So I’ve tried to tune in again today. In line signal meter shown a signal but nothing on the tv. Could it be as someone said that the built in tv tuner won’t have the corrrect software or won’t be able to handle the symbol rate.

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[Neil S]

So I’ve tried to tune in again today. In line signal meter shown a signal but nothing on the tv. Could it be as someone said that the built in tv tuner won’t have the corrrect software or won’t be able to handle the symbol rate.

if your TV with the inbuilt decoder has 901 in its memory you would think its ready to use .
have you mailed the manufacturers for a definitive answer .

 

[Rds559]

So I’ve tried to tune in again today. In line signal meter shown a signal but nothing on the tv. Could it be as someone said that the built in tv tuner won’t have the corrrect software or won’t be able to handle the symbol rate.

if your TV with the inbuilt decoder has 901 in its memory you would think its ready to use .
have you mailed the manufacturers for a definitive answer .

To get 901 which was907 I have an icecrypt decoder.

 

[andyman]

if your TV with the inbuilt decoder has 901 in its memory you would think its ready to use .
have you mailed the manufacturers for a definitive answer .

I did and was told 901 isn’t listed, hence my question above re 901 / 907. Hence why I assume it’s a software or symbol rate issue. But I’m clueless on this stuff. We don’t watch much tv to be honest and just wanted something for the odd night. We don’t even have a tv aerial on the van.
I can get an O2 data sim for £15 that will give me 25gb to use in Spain with a fire stick.
I think that will probably take care of what we need.

 

[Satandpcguy]

Many decoders cannot handle the high symbol rate for the UK channels on I901.
And those that can need a firmware patch to be able to input the BISS codes for you to hack into the encrypted feeds.
So probably your tuner inside your TV is not good enough for this symbol rate, as you suggest.

Normally i would say you should be able to find other channels on the satellites, but there is not a lot of stuff left on there, and some are not on the correct beam to you to use, and the others have a very low symbol rate : https://www.lyngsat.com/Intelsat-901.html

Of course your "inline signal meter" may be showing a signal, but that basically means you are on A satellite, not necessarily on the correct satellite.
(2 degrees west out and you are on hispasat, 5 degrees east and you are on SES4) .

25gb is about 25 - 40 hours viewing, depending on what quality you are watching. (iplayer has a low quality setting in its options, saves data, most others do not)

 

[Rds559]

Many decoders cannot handle the high symbol rate for the UK channels on I901.
And those that can need a firmware patch to be able to input the BISS codes for you to hack into the encrypted feeds.
So probably your tuner inside your TV is not good enough for this symbol rate, as you suggest.

Normally i would say you should be able to find other channels on the satellites, but there is not a lot of stuff left on there, and some are not on the correct beam to you to use, and the others have a very low symbol rate : https://www.lyngsat.com/Intelsat-901.html

Of course your "inline signal meter" may be showing a signal, but that basically means you are on A satellite, not necessarily on the correct satellite.
(2 degrees west out and you are on hispasat, 5 degrees east and you are on SES4) .

25gb is about 25 - 40 hours viewing, depending on what quality you are watching. (iplayer has a low quality setting in its options, saves data, most others do not)

Thank you I have gone for a 85cm maxview target automatic with auto- skew and an icecrypt box

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[Neil S]

Thank you I have gone for a 85cm maxview target automatic with auto- skew and an icecrypt box

good choice I have the same setup , just make sure you have latest software update via Maxview which includes 901
its is easy to download to a laptop and transfer to a USB memory stick

 

[Rds559]

good choice I have the same setup , just make sure you have latest software update via Maxview which includes 901
its is easy to download to a laptop and transfer to a USB memory stick

Thank you the fitter is doing all the software and says I will not have problem.
I had a old Maxview with icecrypt box and never had a problem all over Europe.

 

[Vansflyer]

As Satandpcguy says having the satellite name or even its location in the TV does not guarantee it's reception. An in-line meter picks up a signal but unless you spend good money it won't tell you which sat / signal you are aligned onto. Which is why I and any other professionals putting dishes up spent thousands of pounds (no exaggeration) on a spectrum analyser to identify exactly which bird I was looking at and for alignment of fixed and motorised dishes. 27.5 West is a bugger to find to the untrained eye as not a lot of stuff in KU band points towards Europe and the spike on the meter is tiny by comparison to other stuff.
If you are aligning a dish yourself you need a meter and patience, an app on a phone is a guide and nothing else.
Look up the elevation and azimuth angles for hispasat @ 30west and try and align your dish on that bird using a meter, If you think you have it fire up the TV and sat receiver and if it isn't in the memory put in one of the transponders details, frequency, polarity and symbol rate or do an auto search if the sat is pre programmed into the receiver.
If after the scan you get Spanish Tv give your self a biscuit and take five...
Go back to the dish and move it East three degrees and up a little bit, this will put you roughly in the area of 27.5 West, dish alignment is like some foreplay .... best done slowly.. wiggling it around won't work. Slow steady movements up and down (yes still talking about dish alignment) and you are likely to find the bird.
Remove the meter from the feed as these can attenuate the signal and see if your Icecrypt or similar receiver shows anything on 27.5 West.
It will not work on a regular Tv with Sat built in or a "normal" sat receiver! You must have a receiver that can handle the high symbol rate and BISS codes and no the old Sky box up in the loft won't do it either..... bear in mind the Icecrypt unit can sometimes take a second or two to display a picture...
If you are successful and you have a picture you should see around 65% signal quality on the info bar with an 85cm dish. This is a rough figure and just a reference point not an accurate amount... very very slow adjustment of the dish with a patient partner watching the signal strength whilst you do it may improve the signal quality. Once that is at the highest figure you can rotate the LNB to improve it even more.... again very slowly. To start the cable exit of the LNB should be pointing to 6 on a clock, optimal position will vary depending where you are in Europe but expect it to be between 5 & 6 on a clock face.
This is just a guide for people who want to play around with dish alignment, doing it outside your home will be easier than on a pitch for the first time as no pressure from the spectators in the other vans.
If all of this sounds too much like hard work spend the money on a self seeking dish and an Icecrypt box or a Firestick, VPN and loads of roaming data.
I hope this clears a few things up and good luck if you are having a go.

 

[Rds559]

As Satandpcguy says having the satellite name or even its location in the TV does not guarantee it's reception. An in-line meter picks up a signal but unless you spend good money it won't tell you which sat / signal you are aligned onto. Which is why I and any other professionals putting dishes up spent thousands of pounds (no exaggeration) on a spectrum analyser to identify exactly which bird I was looking at and for alignment of fixed and motorised dishes. 27.5 West is a bugger to find to the untrained eye as not a lot of stuff in KU band points towards Europe and the spike on the meter is tiny by comparison to other stuff.
If you are aligning a dish yourself you need a meter and patience, an app on a phone is a guide and nothing else.
Look up the elevation and azimuth angles for hispasat @ 30west and try and align your dish on that bird using a meter, If you think you have it fire up the TV and sat receiver and if it isn't in the memory put in one of the transponders details, frequency, polarity and symbol rate or do an auto search if the sat is pre programmed into the receiver.
If after the scan you get Spanish Tv give your self a biscuit and take five...
Go back to the dish and move it East three degrees and up a little bit, this will put you roughly in the area of 27.5 West, dish alignment is like some foreplay .... best done slowly.. wiggling it around won't work. Slow steady movements up and down (yes still talking about dish alignment) and you are likely to find the bird.
Remove the meter from the feed as these can attenuate the signal and see if your Icecrypt or similar receiver shows anything on 27.5 West.
It will not work on a regular Tv with Sat built in or a "normal" sat receiver! You must have a receiver that can handle the high symbol rate and BISS codes and no the old Sky box up in the loft won't do it either..... bear in mind the Icecrypt unit can sometimes take a second or two to display a picture...
If you are successful and you have a picture you should see around 65% signal quality on the info bar with an 85cm dish. This is a rough figure and just a reference point not an accurate amount... very very slow adjustment of the dish with a patient partner watching the signal strength whilst you do it may improve the signal quality. Once that is at the highest figure you can rotate the LNB to improve it even more.... again very slowly. To start the cable exit of the LNB should be pointing to 6 on a clock, optimal position will vary depending where you are in Europe but expect it to be between 5 & 6 on a clock face.
This is just a guide for people who want to play around with dish alignment, doing it outside your home will be easier than on a pitch for the first time as no pressure from the spectators in the other vans.
If all of this sounds too much like hard work spend the money on a self seeking dish and an Icecrypt box or a Firestick, VPN and loads of roaming data.
I hope this clears a few things up and good luck if you are having a go.

Thank you, As I said above i am having an automatic dish

 

[Vansflyer]

Thank you, As I said above i am having an automatic dish

Sorry I should have been clearer, it wasn't aimed at you directly, more a general info on dish alignment. There seems to have been some confusion on this thread and the other one regarding this topic on what you needed for reception of 27.5 West Satback signals.

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