Sky satellite TV reception latest - Hurricane?

DavidJ said:
Will do
I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I'm out there.
The biggest technical problem is getting the wife to forego some of her clothes to get the Skybox into her Ryanair spec case. Before you ask mine is already full with a coffee machine.
Click to expand...

Ryanair have made a few changes this year which might help.
I flew in to Gerona last month (I'm still here !!!) and it now seems that you can have an extra small carry on bag.
So, you can play a few more tricks now - other than wearing all the clothes your wife can carry a handbag as well as her special case.
Easyjet on the other hand are still only allowing one bag - SWMBO flew out here last week via Barcelona and she had to cram all her stuff into one bag

Also be aware that Ryanair now have allocated seats.
This means that if you don't want to pay the extra for a pre-allocated seat, you can't check in earlier than one week before departure.

Oh the fun of cheap air travel!!
 
Nick_H said:
Sort of, though I could always pick up the Sky signal in SoF, even with my 37cm dish, but couldn't reliably get BBC/ITV, so really not much has changed for me. The positive coming out of this thread however is that I thought as Sky moved to Astra 2E/F we would completely lose all signal, but it appears we wont (in fact, as you say, it seems it's a bit stronger), which is good news

For long spells on the boat we take the skybox from home, and it seems we'll continue to get all the channels we previously could, as we could never get BBC/ITV anyway, but for shorter stays when its not worth the hassle of taking it, i'll now have an old skybox with a free-to-air card, so I can still get the news without paying for a second subscription.
Click to expand...

Does this mean that you are out in France and tried all this out on the boat, Nick?
If so, have you tried RTL off the Astra 1 slot yet?
 
DavidJ said:
Will do
I'll report back in a couple of weeks when I'm out there.
The biggest technical problem is getting the wife to forego some of her clothes to get the Skybox into her Ryanair spec case. Before you ask mine is already full with a coffee machine.
Click to expand...
Have you considered shipping the "heavy" stuff by courier? We pay about £20 to £25 for 30Kg on a 3 to 4 day service. I assume you could put down the marina office as the delivery address. I also assume you don't want to bring it back with you.
 
PEJ said:
Have you considered shipping the "heavy" stuff by courier? We pay about £20 to £25 for 30Kg on a 3 to 4 day service. I assume you could put down the marina office as the delivery address. I also assume you don't want to bring it back with you.
Click to expand...

Good point! Yes the marina are very happy to receive parcels and no I don't intend to bring it back, so, good plan. thanks
 
You both need to be careful when installing the system outside of the UK/Ireland.
Sky viewing cards need to be "paired" with the box that they are inserted into.
Pairing can only be done by Sky.
They either send a signal over the TV system or over a phone line.
It is reasonably easy to convince them that you don't have a phone line but if you were to say that you are located outside the UK/Ireland, they will simply cut you off.
When talking to them, you have to be economical with the truth.
So, there is a bit of a "Chicken and Egg" situation here
You have to get the Sat dish pointing at the Astra 2 slot first
Then get Sky News working - this should work on the "Free to Air" viewing card (I think even without pairing the card to the box)
Then Call them if you want to upgrade.
I've never used it but I believe you can upgrade yourself over their website.
Click to expand...

I have recently paired a new card with my sky box from my location, land based dish. If calling from overseas use a Brit mobile or they cut you off! as stated above you need to be on the services page, you are asked questions regarding what is displayed on the system details page, thats it. mine updated within half an hour, ch4 needed the card pairing, everything else i use is free to air. the pay to view sky works in the Greek isles (discretely) no probs. Sorry to butt in, I would imagine if the card was paired in the uk then brought out to the sunshine it would work ok.
 
Just a couple of things..

If you have reasonable internet when abroad I'd recommend a Slingbox. cost from around £50 on ebay for older models. Works perfectly. I bought a cheap one and used it whilst in our place in southern Spain and it worked perfectly. http://uk.slingbox.com/go/home

Also..

Channel Five HD and ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD, ITV4 HD, Film Four HD, More4 HD and E4 HD can be viewed as pay channels from Sky if you have the Entertainment Extra + pack.

There is an outside chance of getting ITV back by doing the following

If your ITV One region is London, Granada, Anglia West, Central West, Wales, West, Westcountry South, Border Scotland, Tyne Tees, Meridian South and SE, Central West, Anglia South, Channel, Scottish or Ulster, follow this re-tune:

Go to "Services" then "System Setup" or the "Tools" icon. Choose "Add channels". In the next box enter "10994", then "H", then "22000", then "5/6" in "FEC". Press "Find Channels". In the list that appears, select the channels you want, then press "Save"
You can view them in "Services" then "Other Channels".
Repeat this, only with "11053", then "H", then "22000", then "5/6" in "FEC".
You may be able to see sub-regions of Meridian, Anglia, Yorkshire, Central, Wales, Tyne Tees, Westcountry SW and Ulster on the slightly stronger Astra 2F beam. If you have an HD receiver you may also see Granada ITV One HD. All channels are free-to-air.
Owners of Freesat receivers can try entering an alternate postcode in one of the favoured ITV areas in the Initial Setup procedure, or tuning these frequencies manually in "Setup" then "Manual Tuning". Be warned, however, that this switches the box to "Non-Freesat" mode, though it doesn't delete your normal channels. Go back to Freesat in "Menu" > "Settings" > "STB Mode" > "Freesat."

And maybe channel 4 and e4 if you have standard sky subscription

Channel Four, E4, More4 and 4Music are available in most of mainland Europe to viewers with Sky subscriptions. The encrypted channels are the Irish versions of the channels. The Channel Four group produces a separate version with ROI advertising.
To tune, go to "Services" then "System Setup" or the "Tools" icon. Choose "Add channels". In the next box enter "12480", then "V", then "27500", then "2/3" in "FEC". Press "Find Channels". In the list that appears, select the channels you want, then press "Save"
You can view them in "Services" then "Other Channels".
Only Sky boxes with active subscriptions can view, with Freesat viewers excluded. No BBC or ITV channels are available with this method.

http://www.skyinmadrid.com/pages/news.html
 
KevB said:
Just a couple of things..

If you have reasonable internet when abroad I'd recommend a Slingbox. cost from around £50 on ebay for older models. Works perfectly. I bought a cheap one and used it whilst in our place in southern Spain and it worked perfectly. http://uk.slingbox.com/go/home

Also..

Channel Five HD and ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD, ITV4 HD, Film Four HD, More4 HD and E4 HD can be viewed as pay channels from Sky if you have the Entertainment Extra + pack.

There is an outside chance of getting ITV back by doing the following

If your ITV One region is London, Granada, Anglia West, Central West, Wales, West, Westcountry South, Border Scotland, Tyne Tees, Meridian South and SE, Central West, Anglia South, Channel, Scottish or Ulster, follow this re-tune:

Go to "Services" then "System Setup" or the "Tools" icon. Choose "Add channels". In the next box enter "10994", then "H", then "22000", then "5/6" in "FEC". Press "Find Channels". In the list that appears, select the channels you want, then press "Save"
You can view them in "Services" then "Other Channels".
Repeat this, only with "11053", then "H", then "22000", then "5/6" in "FEC".
You may be able to see sub-regions of Meridian, Anglia, Yorkshire, Central, Wales, Tyne Tees, Westcountry SW and Ulster on the slightly stronger Astra 2F beam. If you have an HD receiver you may also see Granada ITV One HD. All channels are free-to-air.
Owners of Freesat receivers can try entering an alternate postcode in one of the favoured ITV areas in the Initial Setup procedure, or tuning these frequencies manually in "Setup" then "Manual Tuning". Be warned, however, that this switches the box to "Non-Freesat" mode, though it doesn't delete your normal channels. Go back to Freesat in "Menu" > "Settings" > "STB Mode" > "Freesat."

And maybe channel 4 and e4 if you have standard sky subscription

Channel Four, E4, More4 and 4Music are available in most of mainland Europe to viewers with Sky subscriptions. The encrypted channels are the Irish versions of the channels. The Channel Four group produces a separate version with ROI advertising.
To tune, go to "Services" then "System Setup" or the "Tools" icon. Choose "Add channels". In the next box enter "12480", then "V", then "27500", then "2/3" in "FEC". Press "Find Channels". In the list that appears, select the channels you want, then press "Save"
You can view them in "Services" then "Other Channels".
Only Sky boxes with active subscriptions can view, with Freesat viewers excluded. No BBC or ITV channels are available with this method.

http://www.skyinmadrid.com/pages/news.html
Click to expand...

Have you tried using marina WiFi for TV????
Especially in Spain.

However, better than a Slingbox would be to use a VPN - I recommend HMA (Hide My Arse)
For about £7/£8 per month you get a UK IP address and you can then just watch BBC TV through iPlayer.
No point routing through your home system when you can go directly to the source (BBC/ITV)

Our boat is set up so that the on-board PC outputs Video/Audio through the TVs.

All we need now is a good internet connection - maybe 4G will be the answer.
Actually, here in Spain, the marina connects its berth holders internet using WiMax services
I would like a "DIY" WiMax service but there are problems - both technical and other.
 
DavidJ said:
Mike I don't know if you will still be around but 10th to 18th May there is the Gerona Flower show where all the churches are decorated. This sort of stuff doesn't usually excite me but it's spectacular and well worth a visit.
Click to expand...

No, unfortunately, we are going home on Saturday - I've been here for about 6 weeks so I had better go home and feed the cat!!!
Done lots of jobs though - Lumishores etc - just finished A Glazing the Eyebrow (thats what we call the bit over the lower helm)
Even done engine oil change in record time - 2 MTUs oil serviced in 4 hours!!!

We are flying home on the first Ryanair flight this season from Reus to Bristol
As you know, Reus is only about 50 mins from Sant Carles.
 
John_d_Smith said:
Am I right in thinking that we've also lost the uk radio channels which were available last year?
Click to expand...

Yep - (BBC Radio etc) they used to be on a spare wide beam transponder with some of the red button channels when they were short of narrow beam transponders.
But all BBC Radio has moved across to the UK narrow beam
Not available here in Spain.

There are some Sky Radio channels transmitted on the wide beam footprints but not much useful stuff

Sorry if I bring you bad news

The internet seems the only way to go now

Personally, I think that they have all "shot themselves in the foot"
We will find other ways to watch our favorite TV/Radio and in the long term, there will be no need for a satellite broadcast system
Certainly for UK transmissions because the terrestrial transmissions will suffice.

What really makes me mad is that the technology is there - even at sea
It is just the licensing issues that get in the way.
I don't mind paying for it but if I can't receive it legally, I will find other ways - internet etc.
Just like others here in the marina and - expats throughout Europe.
Rant over
 
Thanks for all the useful info on this thread. I'm going to give it a try - so today I've bought a sky box, a freesat card, and I've bought a dish which I've just nailed to the back of the house. If I can get it working tomorrow I'll take the box and card down to the boat at the weekend and buy another dish down there and nail it to the quay, and see what happens.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Thanks for all the useful info on this thread. I'm going to give it a try - so today I've bought a sky box, a freesat card, and I've bought a dish which I've just nailed to the back of the house. If I can get it working tomorrow I'll take the box and card down to the boat at the weekend and buy another dish down there and nail it to the quay, and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Whooooow - Jimmy
You are entering a new phase of your life!!
Tuning a satellite can take a long time - or it can work first time
My first attempt at it was back in the late 80s when my dish was 2m in diameter - it took me three weeks to get it working.

That said, you will need satellite tuning meter - I use a simple one like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Satgear-SAB...98397&sr=8-12&keywords=satellite+tuning+meter
You can probably pick one up in B&Q though
Mine has a switch to select the High/Low band but in the SoF you will only be working in the High Band which should be standard anyway.
Now your problems start
You will need to know where to point it
This is the bit where Nick has it cracked - he just pushes a button.
You are going to have to get the elevation and angles right - and I mean right - within 2 or 3 degrees
This is your starting place
http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/
This guy has been showing us how to tune Sat TV for years - his site makes for a good read anyway.
There is also something called "skew" - Sat signals are transmitted from Astra vertically and horizontally polarised.
So you need to twist the LNB on the end of the dish so that it lines up with the vertical/horizontal signals.
In reality, this "skew" won't be much from the vertical of the dish itself but it has often made a huge difference for me.

So good luck - take your time and have a few euros set aside for the beers you will drink whilst setting it up.
Make sure that you read the site in the above link.
Very satisfying when you get it working though.

BTW - most of us out here in Spain get away with sticking the dish on the boat - of course, I don't any more because I'm just using my domes now.

EDIT:-
There is an Android App that shows a cross on the screen
You then stand behind the dish and line up the cross on the screen with the dish.
There must be something similar for an iPhone
 
Last edited:
So ... for Mallorca what is the guess as to dish size for Sky? If a strong signal now will 45cm work ... or smaller? Jimmy has a wooden pontoon clearly ... sadly ours is concrete but I am sure there is a way!
 
jrudge said:
So ... for Mallorca what is the guess as to dish size for Sky? If a strong signal now will 45cm work ... or smaller? Jimmy has a wooden pontoon clearly ... sadly ours is concrete but I am sure there is a way!
Click to expand...

Nope, mine's a big lump of concrete too. I was speaking figuratively; I'll prob just plug/screw it.
 
Hurricane said:
Whooooow - Jimmy
You are entering a new phase of your life!!
Tuning a satellite can take a long time - or it can work first time
My first attempt at it was back in the late 80s when my dish was 2m in diameter - it took me three weeks to get it working.

That said, you will need satellite tuning meter - I use a simple one like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Satgear-SAB...98397&sr=8-12&keywords=satellite+tuning+meter
You can probably pick one up in B&Q though
Mine has a switch to select the High/Low band but in the SoF you will only be working in the High Band which should be standard anyway.
Now your problems start
You will need to know where to point it
This is the bit where Nick has it cracked - he just pushes a button.
You are going to have to get the elevation and angles right - and I mean right - within 2 or 3 degrees
This is your starting place
http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/
This guy has been showing us how to tune Sat TV for years - his site makes for a good read anyway.
There is also something called "skew" - Sat signals are transmitted from Astra vertically and horizontally polarised.
So you need to twist the LNB on the end of the dish so that it lines up with the vertical/horizontal signals.
In reality, this "skew" won't be much from the vertical of the dish itself but it has often made a huge difference for me.

So good luck - take your time and have a few euros set aside for the beers you will drink whilst setting it up.
Make sure that you read the site in the above link.
Very satisfying when you get it working though.

BTW - most of us out here in Spain get away with sticking the dish on the boat - of course, I don't any more because I'm just using my domes now.

EDIT:-
There is an Android App that shows a cross on the screen
You then stand behind the dish and line up the cross on the screen with the dish.
There must be something similar for an iPhone
Click to expand...

Well, the fun's beginning, kinda. I went and got a satellite meter this morning, hooked it all up, used dishpointer.com to aim the dish roughly right, wiggled it a bit until the meter showed a strong signal - but the sky hd+ box is resolutely refusing to register any signal strength at all. Gah.
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Well, the fun's beginning, kinda. I went and got a satellite meter this morning, hooked it all up, used dishpointer.com to aim the dish roughly right, wiggled it a bit until the meter showed a strong signal - but the sky hd+ box is resolutely refusing to register any signal strength at all. Gah.
Click to expand...

You will be on the wrong sat, keep wiggling till the next one!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top