Whether you intend touring the continent or just the U. K. or alternatively want to spend the winter months in Spain or Portugal, digital satellite T. V. will keep you ‘in touch’ with programs both T. V. and Radio at a very modest cost.
Equipment Needed
If you already own a Sky Digibox which has been installed in your home for 12 months or more, you may disconnect it and use it mobile with its own card. All you will need is a Dish (43 to 110cm depending on where you intend to use it), a length of digital quality coax cable with connectors, a digital satellite finder to locate the satellite and if you intend to use your DigiBox on 12 volts DC, a small inverter.
If you don’t own a DigiBox we can supply a fully paid-up box which doesn’t require a signed contract and for which you can obtain a free BBC card.
Should you opt for a Sky subscription it’s important to note the Sky premium channels i. e. sports and movies don’t broadcast on the south beam and cannot, therefore, be received in Southern Spain without a 1. 5 to 2-meter dish.
The Sky package which gives the optimum number of channels available in the south of Europe is the ‘Family’ package and at the time of writing is £16. 00 per month (more details are available on request).
Please Note
There is no technical reason to have a digital box permanently connected to your phone line. If you have had your box less than 12 months you may have received a subsidy, contractually obliging you not to disconnect it in the first year. Whilst we sell the equipment to use digital satellite mobile we do not endorse its illegal use or recommend you break any contracts.
Questions & Answers
CAN I WATCH TERRESTRIAL CHANNELS VIA SATELLITE?
I. T. V. Do NOT currently transmit on any satellite.
The B. B. C. (T. V. & Radio) transmit on Astra 28. 2 SOUTH beam, (available in Spain and Portugal).
Channel Four and Channel Five transmit on Astra 28. 2 NORTH beam, (NOT available in Southern Spain and Portugal unless a very large dish is used).
The terrestrial channels use the Sky encryption system. You, therefore, need a Sky Digibox (Receiver / Decoder), to watch them. A viewing card is required and is available without a monthly charge for those license payers not wishing to subscribe to Sky. For those who do subscribe to Sky, because the channels are spread across the two beams please be aware that the expensive Sports and Movie channels are on the North beam. The majority of the”Entertainment Package” channels are available on the South beam.
There are some truly Free To Air channels that can be received without a Sky Digibox and smart card. They include many Radio stations inc. BBC and some T. V. like the new I. T. N. 24hr service. These boxes are more specialized and we would be pleased to discuss your requirements.
WHAT SIZE OF DISH DO I NEED?
The Astra 28. 2 footprint map shows that a 60cm dish is adequate for the South Beam in Spain and Portugal, (please note that the software settings may need to be altered on your Digibox).
The footprint map shows the North Beam cutting off approximately two thirds the way down Spain with a 120cm dish. We have however heard of many people using 120cm solid dishes successfully in the far south. Astra does publish the official footprint maps on its website: www. astra. lu
DO I NEED A SPECIALIST FINDER TO ALIGN MY DISH?
It is possible to locate the satellite without a finder, however, it is not easy and usually very time-consuming. We would always recommend a finder which will enable you to align your dish considerably quicker, more
accurately and a lot less stressfully.
CAN I USE A SMALLER DISH IF I ONLY WANT RADIO?
Unfortunately not. The size of the dish required depends upon your location, not whether you’re receiving sound only programmes.
WHICH FIXED DISH SYSTEM FOR MY MOTORHOME?
The pole type systems by their nature need to be sited adjacent to a vertical wall (i. e. Wardrobe). It is therefore important that the vehicle is checked for any possible obstructions when the dish is folded for traveling and whilst raised and rotated for use.
The American Winegard system uses a geared linkage which is very shallow
and projects approx. 2″ from the ceiling inside the motorhome. It is much more flexible in its positioning, it does, however, require sufficient roof space to fold and rotate.
The fully automatic system is bonded onto the roof with no moving parts coming through the roof. It is, therefore, the most flexible system in relation to positioning, but does require a slightly larger turning circle due to the extra performance available from the larger size.
If you are unsure as to the suitability of a particular system for your motorhome please ask for space requirement details or see the Satellite section for Maxview Semitronic and Mobile-Sat requirements.
CAN I BUY A 12volt DIGITAL RECEIVER?
For the British services, there are only 240V A/c receivers made. You can, however, operate a mains Digibox via an inverter, giving you 12V operation.
DOES IT NEED A TELEPHONE LINE TO WORK?
No, it does not need a ‘phone line to work. The sound and picture information, along with the E. P. G. ALL come from the satellite to your dish.