Robbie Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Astra 2E will enter service on 1st February. The satellite has been testing for the past few weeks and programmes from BSB, Channel4, ITV and BBC will be transferred in the coming weeks. The satellite will have a more tightly focussed UK beam that will give better viewing for Scotland and Ireland, but viewing in France, Spain and other ex-pat areas will be more challenging. Quote 2013 Honda CR-V EX iDTEC; 2014 Swift Challenger Sport 514 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Occasionally use sat for reception if the aerial reception not so good. Does the freesat box need any adjustment, update or will it operate as normal. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KontikiKid Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 There will be no effect on using your equipment in the UK It's overseas users that might struggle to get a signal without a large dish. What we need is accurate reception reports stating location, dish size and channels available Russell Quote Online blog and travels, although sometimes there is a lack of travel due to work! It's an uncharted sea, it's an unopened door but you've got to reach out and you've got to explore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Note although todays press release says 2e will be operational from 1st February, that does not necessarily mean any or all channels will suddenly move overnight to 2E. A previous statement said it would take a few weeks over February to move channels over, and going by what happened with 2F,it was several days before any channel movements, after a few "test" frequencies were fired u, and even then channels moved over in batches. And in the past the BBC have posted on their blogs about dates and changes - so far, nothing. And actually there should be some effect in the UK - stronger signals. Edited January 31, 2014 by satandpcguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I have family in S. Spain (Alemeria) and they have been worried for a while as they knew that Spain may end up with a weaker signal. At present they have a 1. 2m dish and are waiting to see whether they need a bigger one and how much bigger. At present they cannot get certain channels - Eurosport 2 is an example. It's wait and see time but could take a few weeks before they know. Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I would have thought that as Eurosport 2 is on the 1N European beam, and really they should have no problems with a 1. 2m dish in Almeria. There are in fact reception reports that you can get this channel on an 80cm dish in Malaga. In fact Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 are on the same satellite and same beam - only difference being one is on a vertical frequency the other is a horizontal frequency. That should not really make a difference on that beam - and it would suggest perhaps an issue with their system somewhere. Knowing more missing channels may help. .. I have heard that 2F reception in Almeria changes quite dramatically. Northern / eastern gets 2F on a 1. 8m dish, but southern / western and reception drops like a stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 It is certainly very variable in Almeria and the Sky PNG is very rarely available. Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 "PNG"?? You mean the EPG - Programme Guide. The Sky Guide data is on frequency 11778 - an Astra 2a north beam. Many areas of Spain require a 1. 8 or 2. 4m dish to receive that frequency 24/7. If you cannot receive it, then you will only be able to access limited EPG data, and not the usual 7 day data. A handfulof Sky pay channels are also on those north beams - some Sky HD channels, Sky Movies. ...but not Eurosport 1or 2. ..but Eurosport 1 HD and Eurosport 2 HD are. So if they cannot receive these HD Eurosports, that's the reason, their dish is too small, but they should be able to receive the SD versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LenV Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Thanks satandpcguy. That seems pretty compressive. The only question I need to ask is will my 85cm dish work in Southern Spain? It appears not. Will any available caravan dish work in that area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Yes it will work in that area. ... But what channels it will get is a different question altogether! It is doubtful it will get any of the main UK channels (bbc itv c4 fives) in that area - and perhaps in most of Spain it will be touch and go - until 2e is up we will not kwow for sure - . but it should get the free and sky channels on the European beams of the satellites. ..maybe. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispMan Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 "PNG"?? You mean the EPG - Programme Guide. The Sky Guide data is on frequency 11778 - an Astra 2a north beam. Many areas of Spain require a 1. 8 or 2. 4m dish to receive that frequency 24/7. If you cannot receive it, then you will only be able to access limited EPG data, and not the usual 7 day data. A handfulof Sky pay channels are also on those north beams - some Sky HD channels, Sky Movies. ...but not Eurosport 1or 2. ..but Eurosport 1 HD and Eurosport 2 HD are. So if they cannot receive these HD Eurosports, that's the reason, their dish is too small, but they should be able to receive the SD versions. Thanks for the info. Yes I did mean EPG. PNG is Papua New Guinea! Quote Graham Unless otherwise stated all posts are my personal opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percysybil Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) It is doubtful it will get any of the main UK channels (bbc itv c4 fives)......but it should get the free and sky channels. ... Satandpcguy - sorry for the stupid question but could itv,bbc etc still be viewed via the Sky platform ? Hope that makes sense. . Cheers Edited February 3, 2014 by percysybil Quote 2004 Land Rover Discovery & 2011 Bailey Pegasus Bologna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizz Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) Satandpcguy - sorry for the stupid question but could itv,bbc etc still be viewed via the Sky platform ? Hope that makes sense. . Cheers . Free-sat & Sky use the same signals from the same satellites, so channels will work on both or neither. However not all channels available to Sky subscribers are accessible on freesat. What is available with what size dish should become clearer within February, though the final position meat take longer to settle. . David Edited February 3, 2014 by Swizz Quote Swizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Some changes overnight, with some sky pay channels moving from 2a to 2e. And with some improvements here in Spain, as the previously tricky to receive 2a north beam channels, coming in nice and clear now they are on the 2e European beam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percysybil Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 . Free-sat & Sky use the same signals from the same satellites, so channels will work on both or neither. However not all channels available to Sky subscribers are accessible on freesat. What is available with what size dish should become clearer within February, though the final position meat take longer to settle. . David Thanks David - all clear now. Quote 2004 Land Rover Discovery & 2011 Bailey Pegasus Bologna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 And on Thursday morning we will know about reception of BBC channel and 2Es UK beam. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaw Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 News from BBC http://www. bbc. co. uk/reception/news/news_item25. html macaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KontikiKid Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Roll on Thursday then and those reception reports. Russell Quote Online blog and travels, although sometimes there is a lack of travel due to work! It's an uncharted sea, it's an unopened door but you've got to reach out and you've got to explore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizz Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 There will be no effect on using your equipment in the UK It's overseas users that might struggle to get a signal without a large dish. What we need is accurate reception reports stating location, dish size and channels available Russell . Please remember folks that it is the WIDTH that counts. Please measure only the parabolic bit not the bent rim. The height of an offset dish is usually 5 to 20 % bigger but the bigger the height is the more offset it is! without gaining extra collection area. . David Quote Swizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Early indications are that along Spains costas (Blanca, Valencia) a 1m dish is no longer the minimum. It looks like a 125x140 is the new minimum. These are still to be tested and confirmed. Reception reports for Spain from you mobilechaps would be appreciated so we can map out 2Es reception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KontikiKid Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 What channels have you lost down there? Russell Quote Online blog and travels, although sometimes there is a lack of travel due to work! It's an uncharted sea, it's an unopened door but you've got to reach out and you've got to explore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulyka Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 We are 20 kms north of Castallon with a 1 meter dish and freesat box. Before waking up this morning we could receive all BBC TV channels along with BBC Radio except radio 2, all ITV's, Ch 4 but not 5. This morning we have no BBC radio, and BBC 1 and 2 are both blocking, only just about watchable if you are desperate! All ITV still perfect. Sun shining and hoping for a repeat of yesterday's 20 degrees!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thombo Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I am in Roquetas de Mar on Costa Almeria using 1. 2m dish and have no BBC channels ITV and channel 4 ok. Quote Honda CRV Series 4 with Elddis Affinity 574 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satandpcguy Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 The signal HAS improved over the last hour or so - well where I Am (Gandia) At7am the 80cm dish got no BBC channels. Now at 9am, they are all coming in fine. So maybe an late night early morning drop in signal. ..or they are still tweaking power levels. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastline Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Last night the satilllite moved over to 2e, so far we have lost all BBC & BBC Radio channels. We are base at Mojacar, looking at the map it looks like you can pick BBC easy half way down Spain & Portugal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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