Guest JudgeMental Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Nor again I hear you cry! but I have searched, and could still do with advice... thinking I may have to get a dish after all as totally fed up with lack of decent radio reception while on hol's (world service post) and as laptop broke at start of hol's I was left technologically bereft.*-) As I will only keep this van for a few years before going for a low roof model (when kids stop coming) and as I already have roof air con and concerned regards extra weight on roof. To start with I want a portable system. Not keen on basic suitcase type, I want a 66cm dish for use in southern Europe? on a tripod. Obviously any box I buy can be used in a few years when I get a roof system so as I am not a sky subscriber any recommendations for boxes that take sky free to air card for C4 C5? Idea’s as too where I can get a dish and tripod for a reasonable price gratefully received plus any other advice.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Judge, I think a 65 cm dish would be too small for southern Europe - If you want UK radio, I think that broadcasts on the Astra 2D beam which is aimed at UK and the strength dimishes the further south and east you go. I have not tried further south than the south of France, and was fine with an 85cm dish, but was told it would get a bit iffy further south and east Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsandywhite Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 B-) Just south of Barcelona is the limit with a 65cm dish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 johnsandywhite - 2007-08-28 2:38 PM B-) Just south of Barcelona is the limit with a 65cm dish. blimey, will have to book bigger pitches :-D and be prepared for people laughing at me when they walk past *-) So southern Italy - will that be OK with an 88cm dish? I have a big garage ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/ http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?menuno=13039&MenuName=Satellite%20Dishes&FromMenu=y&worldid=-9&doy=18m8http:// www.maxview.co.uk/acatalog/USEFUL_LINKS.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigal55 Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 JudgeMental - 2007-08-28 2:48 PM johnsandywhite - 2007-08-28 2:38 PM B-) Just south of Barcelona is the limit with a 65cm dish. blimey, will have to book bigger pitches :-D and be prepared for people laughing at me when they walk past *-) So southern Italy - will that be OK with an 88cm dish? I have a big garage ;-)look at the lidl box it has all the free to air channels, except c4, plus radio,the channel sorting is rubbish but you get lots of german channels for when the kids have gone to bed, you will need an 85cm dish south of the french border, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 OK then an 85cm dish "digitalsolutions" on ebay where recommended as a cheap supplier of kit - but I can't find them? like everything else attach the name "motorhome" and the price magically doubles... any one have the pace 12v box or a dreambox? Thanks Syd, satellite for caravans is a very informative site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Judge , We have a pace javelin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 michele - 2007-08-28 10:00 PM Judge , We have a pace javelin I know you are a mysterious and intoxicating women, But your above statement regards a pace javlin means absolutely nothing to me without an explanation:-D will Google it now... ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 JudgeMental - 2007-08-28 9:57 PM any one have the pace 12v box or a dreambox? Thanks Syd, satellite for caravans is a very informative site. who wrote this then :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Ok Den *-) and Michele, how do you find the pace box? lol :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 That and the whole 85cm is fantastic thanks for asking :D :D :D They say its not the size but in this case I believe it is :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 The only box's caperble of taking card for C4 and FIVE are sky box's, you don't have to subcribe to sky, I have 2 Pace DS430N's, one is mains at home other converted to 12v for van, both work ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Colins right you know Oh and you need to talk with Bernie he is a mindfull on this stuff. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Thanks for the recommendation Michele! The Pace Javelin (or sometimes called the Pace 1000) is the only "Sky" box which was made specifically for 12v. use. It is now out of production but there are still quite a few available either new or recon. It is not a bad piece of kit but only has one scart out unlike "normal" boxes. Other "Sky" boxes running on 12v have had an inverter fitted after manufacture. If you are considering buying an automatic sat system in a few years time when you change 'vans, why not consider the Oyster now. It has a plate which is bonded to the roof and then the system is bolted to that. When it comes to a 'van change merely undo the 4 nuts and pull out the plug to the wiring loom and remove it to be fixed to your new 'van. All it costs is £80 for the replacement loom and plate for the new one. When it comes to receiving radio in southern parts on a sat system the folks above are right in that most of the BBC is on the northern (Astra 2D) transponders however radio 2 and 4 are broadcast on the southern transponders and can be received as far away as the Tenerife. Whatever tho' I would still recommend at least an 85cm dish to get the best chance of reception the further south you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Well Bernie you certainly came up trumps for us in the past. Judge told ya the 85cm is the best see size does matter :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Ord Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 I've got an 88cm folding dish complete with LNB that will do what you want. Your for free if you collect, PM me, I'm leaving on Monday Sept. 3 for 2 months so you'll have to move. Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Bill , O/T thanks for PM sorry for delay in replying =Kids ...Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Thanks to Bills generous offer (will try and get up to him at weekend) looks like I am getting there... did a quick search for pace javalin and they are an eye watering £190 *-) will I be better of using an inverter and getting a 230v box? I will need a compass and sat finder and lead as well as I do not have sky, will I be better of with a free to air box. can you use sky £20 card with any of these to get C5 (my favorite cop shows) :-D Well.... cant listen or watch BBC news all the time can I....... I will become one of those eerie blue faced peoples that i have often watched on sites :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 If you want to do it a bit cheaper you could do as I did once. Put an advert in the local paper saying sky box wanted. (some people have 'em stored away from when they went on to Sky plus or digital terestrial). I got one for £20. Once you have a box attach it to a tv and turn it on (even if you havent got it on a dish yet) then press "services on the remote control and select system details from the menu. Make a note of the unit i.d number use and give Sky a ring and ask for a free to view card - they cost £25 - they will ask the box i.d and for payment dets (credit card etc). They will send you a card and you will then be off and running. Get a small inverter to power it in the 'van and a 85 + cm dish with a good LNB and a sat finder. If you want to know more about the best way to use the dish etc send me a pm and I will e.mail you a piece I did for motorhometoday. Normal Free to Air boxes can not take a sky card nor can any other boxes that have a CAM (conditional access management) slot - They can only be used in a sky box. It is worth noting that Ch4 and 5 have contracts to be encrypted with Sky to 2008 after which they may go FTA which will mean that you will be able to get 'em with any FTA box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Syd Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 JudgeMental I have a Maxview Sat-Finder meter complete wih instructions and also with a dish elevation map. I also have two spare cable ends and some Sky cable that you are welcome to FOC. Tell me the length of cable that you will need. Any cheap compass will do This always sounds harder to do than it really is once you have done it. If these are any good o you just PM your details and I will gladly send then down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsandywhite Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Frankkia - 2007-08-30 12:34 AM Normal Free to Air boxes can not take a sky card nor can any other boxes that have a CAM (conditional access management) slot - They can only be used in a sky box. It is worth noting that Ch4 and 5 have contracts to be encrypted with Sky to 2008 after which they may go FTA which will mean that you will be able to get 'em with any FTA box. B-) Except for the Dreambox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Thanks to the kindness of Bill and Syd and advice from Bernie regards sourcing box etc.... ( Box from my sister) I potentially now have a complete system for the princely sum of £10 (for tripod). once I get it set up and play with it in the garden I will undoubtedly be back with more questions *-) astra 1 while in UK astra 2 in europe - is that right? Arab sat has been getting good reviews for decent US programs - how on earth do you go about finding these things :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankkia Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Eddie I have sent you an e.mail with the info on Arabsat and which sats you can receive and where. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 If you are setting up in your garden, then the following link might be of help http://www.uksatellitehelp.co.uk/ That should show a page which will show you which direction to point dish for Astra 2(or any other you might want) using google earth, I pinpointed one of the dishes in my garden and it showed Astra 2 directly in line with one of my chimney's, and thats exactly where my Astra2 dish points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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