Satellite TV Systems

[Guest Jack]

We are thinking about going for a sat system probably a automatic one and would appreciate any observations/comments on two makes, Oyster 85cm and Camos 40cm sat dome. Many thanks.

[Guest PeteC]

Hope you are not planning to go to Europe with it They cannot get ant signals We just take a normal terestial set & get the local programs Price is right in Potugese (helps you learn the language especially the number system) News & weather in any language We can pick up CH4 & ITV on the med, and North Spain - when the satelites dont work

[Guest B.J.P]

Any advice on Sat TV in France and Spain would be apreciated.Such as sat positions and angles.

[Guest Bill Ord]

Hi, I currently use a roof mounted Kathrein system with a Pace Javelin Digibox. The dish at 50cm is a bit small for the weaker signals on Astra 2d. on the Med. coast but channels 4=5 plus the other free to air are fine. we're radio users as well as TV and BBC radio 2+4 are available in Spain on the southern transponder. If you are going to fit a self seek system like Oyster fit the 85cm as size relly does matter in fringe areas. I have seen Oyster 85cm receive all channels on northern beam as far south as Valencia. Lots of info. for sattelite TV on David Sullivans site, someone on the forum will know the address or Google it. Hope this helps. Bill Ord

[Guest John P]

David Sullivans comprehensive site on Sat systems for motorcaravans can be found at www.davesull.dabsol.co.uk

[Guest jack]

Thanks for the replys. It looks like the Oyster--85 might win the day!

[Grumpy Old Man]

Hi Bill, I read you comment on satellite systems and noted you have/had in 2005 a Katherein dish, is it a through the roof manual system or an auto as I am thinking of buying the manual system and just wondered how good a reception and easy it is to use? (?)

[Mel E]

David Sullivan's site is indeed superb. Just a couple of other points: 1. Even tho' all our satellite TV in the UK comes from Astra satellites in the same position, different channels use different transponders with different coverage. Specifically, the BBC coverage for a standard oval dish is the UK and a strip of northern France only. Bigger dishes - up to 85cm or more will manage to get a signal further south, but probably will not give coverage in the south of Spain. 2. The Alden dish sold by Roadpro (and fitted by Van Bitz) is similar to the Oyster one, but the dishes are also interchangeable so you can get a bigger dish if needs be. Thus for UK touring, you could use a small dish and fit a bigger one before goinf to southern Spain for the winter. It is also demountable for transfer to your next 'van (don't know about the Oyster?).