Satellite TV

[whiteoaks7]

Anyone had any success with portable sat TV? I have in mind a "satellite in a suitcase" from Maplin but this has such a small dish I wonder if it will be useful at all. I have seen boats in marinas with this kind of fit hence the question. I would want to get coverage down through Europe (the Maplin LNB amp seems good in this respect, being German). So - any success stories?

 

[Nickcf]

I tried a Multimo dish (30cm i think) and an old Sky box. Needs a satellite finder device (about £15) but works a treat. Takes less than 5 mins to setup and I was surpised how little it's affected by movement when moored.
The sky box receives most of the freeview stations except channel 5 and E4 without any viewing card.

 

[baggypipes]

we in Frence canals considerd a suitcase but on advice felt the dish too small if moving to far south now got 80cm dish no probs. therefore sugest you consider where in europe you intend going, met a boat who had one was very pleased but v poor reception when going down canals took it back to Scotland and use it from thier house hope this helps best of luck

 

[[3889]]

Look at here for loads of info. We have used an 80cm dish and a standard digibox and got UK in Gibralter.The Maplin product won't take a card so you don't get Ch 4 or 5. For the UK and Northern France a standard mini dish will be fine, actually easier to locate satellite with than a larger dish. My own personal experiences with a satellite finder are negative. I think it easier to use the TV display to show the position (setup, 4 ,6 on handset for signal strength and quality - you need about 50% of each.) Put a waypoint in a handheld GPS at 0.0D N, 28.2D E and wherever you are this will be in the direction of the Astra satellite. Walk toward the horizon and when heading and bearing are the same take a sighting on a feature ahead. Then its just a case of slow adjustment of elevation. Don't rely on the scale on the dish mount unless you know the ground is perfectly flat.

 

[Malcb]

When I lived in France, 40 kms NW of Avignon, I used a Sky mini dish. Lined it up with a Maplins satellite meter with no problems. Used it to line up a neighbours (English) Sat dish as well. As far as I know from obsevations. a Sky mini dish will work right down to the Cote d'Azur, and from word of mouth, in Spain as well

 

[MatthewCoyne]

We use a Panasonic Digibox dsb 36 . Also we use a suction cup mounted portable round dish with a central LNB ( receiver). Absolutely reliable and never lose picture. All bought off ebay for around £140. Secondhand digibox, and new dish . Dish was around £65. Should come with a freeview card also.