Astra 2D Reception Survey

[Expat]

There seems to be some confusion about the footprint of the Astra 2D Satellite. From lettters on this Forum, it is obvious that the official footprint is unreliable. I am trying to plot a more accurate map. If you could send your location, dish size and the equipment you are using, it would be a great help. If you loose any channels, please state which and when. Thanks!

 

[methos_de]

Hi, I'm in north germany half an hour away from the danish border(haselund if anybodies ever heard of it) I'm using an 80 cm dish and a pace sky+ box. I get about 90% signal and have all of the channels. Methos.

 

[BarMoo]

Dear Expat,

You'll find two surveys answering a lot of your points already on this site.

One by me (a few responses) and another for M. Pickering http://www.satcure.co.uk/ (via Zansi) which is much more comprehensive.

It might have helped if you had stated your own location, dish size, missing channels :-)

I live in Berlin (cannot presently receive any 2D chanels) with my 85cm dish and panasonic receiving device (v. annoying).

However, the Astra footprint 'map' is not as unreliable as you might think; especially, if you live beyond its stated limitations - like east Berlin. I have been trying to find out for over a year, if I need to purchase a dish the size of a swimming-pool in order to get anything !!**

Anyway, delve the threads on this site and perhaps you might find the answer(s) you are looking for; else, add you details to the other survey from Zansi; else, tell us on this, your own thread, what you have or, more importantly, what you don't have :-0

Have Fun,

Mark.

 

[Expat]

Well sorry for not stating my system details: I am in Copenhagen, Denmark and have a Pace 2500s and can receive all but Astra 2D on a small digidish.No channel lose! I have also tried a 1 metre dish and still no luck. As to the Astra 2D footprint, well so far 2D is being received in many places that are well outside the footprint. I have mailed with 2 people here in Denmark, one in Aarhus with an 85cm dish and one with a 1 metre dish. Both can receive 2D, so I must be doing something wrong! In Milan Astra 2D has been pulled in on an 85cm, though some 2D lose. In Southern Portugal on a 1.2 metre and ón Mallorca with a 1.8 metre. So there is hope, let's not give up yet, I'll check the link out, thanks!

 

[Expat]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 29-Nov-01 AT 12:40 PM (GMT)]Well so far I have managed to compile a pretty good picture of Astra 2D reception. Reception is possible, well outside the footprint!

DENMARK
Aarhus (Jutland) 85 cm
Hillerød (Noth Sealand) 1.2 Prime Focus

GERMANY
Haselund (about an hour from Denmark) 80cm
Brunsbüttel (Western Schlesvig Holstein) 80 cm
Frankfurt am Main 90cm

ITALY
Milan 85 cm (Some 2D channel lose (Anglia's transponder)

SWEDEN
Börlange (WNW of Stockholm) 1.0 m (lose in bad weather)

SWITZERLAND
No location given though good on an Arcon Sweety! (Good weather)

SPAIN
West of Mabella 1.3 m
Ibiza 1.3 m (lose from 7pm til morning)
Mallorca (Eastside of island) 1.8 m

PORTUGAL
Albufeira, Algarve 1.3 m

 

[BarMoo]

Dear Expat,

Your homework has been commended.

However, if Astra 2D can be received in Portugal and Milan - then something is really, very, very, odd.

I can pull 90%/85% readings on my SKY digibox in Berlin, but, as far as 2D goes - it doesn't even register. Even my Nokia (on a good day) will only pull a 3% reading on signal strength.

So, I must be doing something wrong too :-)

Danmark is globally similar to Berlin in longitude, so, it comes as no surprise that you haven't received anything - only because I haven't too.

I am pleased you up't your dish for testing and did not get the result you wished, only because I was going to do the same - but, by buying one !!!

More tests, more homework.

We'll get there.

Have Fun,

Mark.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Im not sure if anyone remembers the saga of the old analogue Astra satellite and the sudden loss of channels in the South of Spain three years ago

All the Astra footprints are planned in advance ofthe launch and this is probably what you see on the printouts from SES. However the antennas / TWTA systems on the satellite are steerable from the ground and if deemed necessary to bring some change to the footprint, this can be done in about a day from Luxembourg.

If Sky puts enough pressure onto SES to remove a territory that it knows is receiving the signal on a standard size antennathen the beam will be moved and the signal compensated for in the other regions

Additionally the fall off of signal from the higher frequency satellites is much sharper than the older analogue frequencies so a small change in direction could make a lot of difference to the marginal areas listed

 

[Expat]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 29-Nov-01 AT 12:31 PM (GMT)]Well there seems to be quite a lot of people that can receive 2D outside the main footprint. So I have not given up! I know it has been picked up in Denmark, In Aarhus on a 85 cm and north of Copenhagen on a 1.2 m prime focus (same as 1.0 offset?).
Next step is to change the LNB, I have a Digistar 0.6db and have decided to go for a Syntec 0.3DB. If that don't do it I'm gonna have a serious talk with my digibox! Oh yer. "I HATE 2D!"

 

[rolfw]

As a matter of interest Expat, have you checked the 2D transponder signal strengths with the manual tuning option in the installers menu? This would at least show whether you have a fighting chance of pulling in reception with a very expensive LNB.

Rolf

 

[Expat]

Yes I have tried and get no reading! This is not the best method as the software takes time to react. Too late for the LNB, I've already ordered it! So we shall see or not as the case maybe!

 

[puffin]

Hi Expat
I've just gone through your old messages. You say you have a Pace 2500? If I'm not wrong this model have the open style tuner that will not work with big differences in signal strength. What you need in theese conditions is a Panasonic TU-DSB 30 (the later models of 31 is said to work as well though not the first), Grundig 310/2.
Do you know a friend with one of theese models so you can try it in Copenhagen?
Cheers
Puffin

 

[Channel Hopper]

Dear Puffin

You are quite right

A lot of the problems with fringe reception is not down to anything except the tuner design (and hence the name of receiver)

There is a lot to commend the Panasonic above the others (however we are talking about receiving SKY which brings us back down to earth)

If I finally want to be sure of a dose of 20 mins per hour of advertising and Sky promos I would chose the Panasonic.

 

[Expat]

LAST EDITED ON 29-Nov-01 AT 12:40 PM (GMT)

Well so far I have managed to compile a pretty good picture of Astra 2D reception. Reception is possible, well outside the footprint!
DENMARK
Aarhus (Jutland) 85 cm
Hillerød (Noth Sealand) 1.2 Prime Focus

GERMANY
Haselund (about an hour from Denmark) 80cm
Brunsbüttel (Western Schlesvig Holstein) 80 cm
Frankfurt am Main 90cm

ITALY
Milan 85 cm (Some 2D channel lose (Anglia's transponder)

SWEDEN
Börlange (WNW of Stockholm) 1.0 m (lose in bad weather)
Lund 99 cm Panasonic receiver (NO ASTRA 2D)

SWITZERLAND
No location given though good on an Arcon Sweety! (Good weather)
Basel 45 cm

SPAIN
West of Mabella 1.3 m (LNB 0.7db)
Ibiza 1.3 m (lose from 7pm til morning)
Mallorca (Eastside of island) 1.8 m

PORTUGAL
Albufeira, Algarve 1.3 m

 

[Expat]

If only I had known all this before I dished out for a Pace, no don't know anyone with another receiver. Well if I can't get 2D I may have to make do with the other channels. What a pain all the others are perfect on a small digidish!

 

[Deleted]

Yesterday I tried to receive 2D in Berlin by re-aligning my 100cm Triax multifocus dish so as to put 28.2 in the prime focus, rather than on the side, but not a flicker of a signal did I get. I have no trees etc. in the way, and it was ideal weather (although very cold).

Might be worth trying with a 1.2m dish and a really good LNB, but I can't afford to buy them just to see if it will work....

Qwerty

 

[puffin]

>Yesterday I tried to receive 2D in Berlin by re-aligning my
>100cm Triax multifocus dish

>Might be worth trying with a 1.2m dish and a really good
>LNB, but I can't afford to buy them just to see if it will
>work....
>
>Qwerty

I saw yesterday a report from Berlin where a guy was getting 2D with 30% quality reading with a 120cm dish and a 0,6dB LNB.

Cheers
Puffin

 

[Expat]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Dec-01 AT 07:33 PM (GMT) by zansi (moderator)]ASTRA 2D RECEPTION 03-12-01
---------------------------
WELL, NORTHERN ITALY SEEMS TO BE THE BIG SUPRISE,
RECEPTION SHOULD ENTAIL A MUCH LARGER DISH!

SEEMS LIKE SWEDEN COULD ALSO BE AN EXCEPTION 85 CM IN STOCKHOLM!
There is a 3dB difference in strength between Horizontal and Vertical (Vertical weaker) (From Puffin in Börlange, Sweden)Thanks!


DENMARK
Aarhus 85 cm
Hillerød 1.2 Offset, LNB Genesis 0.4db (No ITV 2 or Disney)

GERMANY
Haselund (about an hour from Denmark) 80cm
Berlin 120cm, LNB 0.6dB (30% quality reading)
Brunsbüttel (Western Schleswig Holstein) 80 cm
Dortmund & Cologne (Köln) 85 cm Panasonic 30, LNB 0.6db
Frankfurt am Main 90cm

ITALY
Milan 85 cm (Some 2D Lose, Anglia transponder)
Parma Area 80 cm Panasonic 20 (2D in good weather)
Dish Sizes:-
Northern Italy, down as far as Parma: 90Cm Dish ( 1.0CM) best
Central Italy down as far as Rome: 1.2Cm Dish ( 1.5Cm) best
Southern Italy, down as far as R / Calabria: 1.8Cm (2.0Cm) best

NORWAY
Oslo 1.2 m

SWEDEN
Börlange (WNW of Stockholm) 1.0 m (lose in bad weather, no V transponders)
Lund 99 cm Panasonic receiver (NO ASTRA 2D)
Stockholm 85cm dish.

SWITZERLAND
Basle 47 cm Digidish
Zürich 53cm Arcon Sweeties, in good weather

SPAIN
Alicante 1.2 m Panasonic 30, 0.7db (NO ASTRA 2D)
Ibiza 1.3 m (lose from 7pm til morning)
West of Mabella 1.3 m, silver Panasonic LNB 0.7db
Mallorca (Eastside of island) 1.8 m

PORTUGAL
Albufeira, Algarve. Panasonic 30,1.3 m, 0.7db

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE INFORMATION, KEEP IT COMING!
---------------------------------------------

 

[Expat]

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 07-Dec-01 AT 00:38 AM (GMT)]----------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTRA 2D RECEPTION 07-12-01
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ITALY
WELL, NORTHERN ITALY SEEMS TO BE THE BIG SUPRISE,
RECEPTION SHOULD ENTAIL A MUCH LARGER DISH!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SIDELOBE IN SWEDEN?
There is a 3dB difference in strength between Horizontal and Vertical (Vertical weaker).
There seems to be a sidelobes in Sweden. PUFFIN WRITES, "I remember on Astra 1 there
was a sidelobe in Southamerica somewhwere so it was actually possible
to watch Sky in Argentina when Sky was analouge.
I seem also to remember another guy in the south of Sweden not
being able to pick up anything from 2D with a 1,8m dish.
On the other hand almost all the peoble I have heard
about in Stockholm get ITV with 85cm-1m dishes."
(From Puffin in Börlange, Sweden)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

RECEIVERS FOR FRINGE RECEPTION
Panasonic TUD 20 or 30 (NOT 31!)
Amstrad DRX 20 (newer model, same tuner as the Panasonic)
Grundig 310/2
*Pace 2500s (NO GOOD IN FRINGE AREAS!)*
KNOW OF ANY OTHERS?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

DENMARK
Aarhus 85 cm
Copenhagen 1 m LNB Digistar 0.6db Pace 2500s (NO ASTRA 2D)
Hillerød 1.2 Offset, LNB Genesis 0.4db (No ITV 2 or Disney)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

GERMANY
Aachen 80 cm, signal strength 50/60 (10.891), 80/90 on for 10.832 & 10906
Haselund (about an hour from Denmark) 80cm
Berlin 120cm, LNB 0.6dB (30% quality reading)
Brunsbüttel (Western Schleswig Holstein) 80 cm
Dortmund & Cologne (Köln) 85 cm Panasonic 30, LNB 0.6db
Frankfurt am Main 90cm
Munich, just north of, 1 m, Genesis 0.4db (All 2D)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ITALY
Milan 85 cm (Some 2D Lose, Anglia transponder)
Parma Area 80 cm Panasonic 20 (2D in good weather)
Dish Sizes:-
Northern Italy, down as far as Parma: 90Cm Dish ( 1.0CM) best
Central Italy down as far as Rome: 1.2Cm Dish ( 1.5Cm) best
Southern Italy, down as far as R / Calabria: 1.8Cm (2.0Cm) best
----------------------------------------------------------------------

NORWAY
Oslo 1.2 m
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SWEDEN
Börlange (WNW of Stockholm) 1.0 m (lose in bad weather, no V transponders)
Lund 99 cm Panasonic receiver (NO ASTRA 2D)
Stockholm 85cm dish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SWITZERLAND
Basle 45 cm Digidish
Zürich 53cm Arcon Sweetey, in good weather
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SPAIN
Alicante 1.2 m Panasonic 30, 0.7db (NO ASTRA 2D)
Ibiza 1.3 m (lose from 7pm til morning)
West of Mabella 1.3 m, silver Panasonic LNB 0.7db
Mallorca (Eastside of island) 1.8 m
----------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTUGAL
Albufeira, Algarve 1.3 m
----------------------------------------------------------------------


THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE INFORMATION, KEEP IT COMING!
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Expat]

----------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTRA 2D RECEPTION 21/12/2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT!
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EXACT LOCATION, DISH SIZE, LNB TYPE
& RECEIVER MODEL. THIS INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT, IF WE ARE
WE TO HELP OTHERS WITH THEIR RECEPTION PROBLEMS!
IF YOU POST INFORMATION ABOUT RECEPTION OF THE OTHER ASTRA BIRDS,
PLEASE STATE IF ASTRA 2D IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCATION!

I WILL BE OFF-LINE FROM 21-12-01 - 30-12-01
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Expat
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ASTRA 2D RECEPTION BROCHURE

An "e-brochure" is available for free download on the Satcure books
website (www.satcure-focus.com), and apparantly is the most
populat book they have at the moment, with around 150 downloads
a day.
(From YorkshireLad)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RECEPTION PATTERN?

Valb in Denmark writes,
"After fitting my new 0,4 LNB (Genesis) there hasn't been a clear sky -
cloudy and misty every day - which makes it hard to compare
the result of the new LNB compared to the old one when the weather was better,
but I have started to notice a pattern as to when 2D is available.
It seems to go in a four hour cycle 'though I haven't got up in the
middle of the night to measure the results.

OK from 2pm to 6pm
OK from soon after 10pm
OK at 6am
All times GMT

A report I read recently about tests done in Spain with different dish sizes
also mentioned fixed time slots where the signal from 2A and B north beams got weaker.
It would be interesting to hear the "scientific" explanation for this.
Although I know that the satellites move around a bit I don't think they have
a fixed path that they follow each day.
Are there any scientists out there who can explain what is going on?"
(from Valb in Denmark)
--------------------------------------------------------------------


ITALIAN SIDESLOBE?

From posts, it would seem that Astra 2 D's footprint seems to like
the boot of Italy! Suprisingly small dish sizes for the north, 85cm!
No positive reports from Rome or further south....yet!
---------------------------------------------------------------------

SIDELOBE IN SWEDEN?

There is a 3dB difference in strength between Horizontal
and Vertical (Vertical weaker).
There seems to be a sidelobe in Sweden. PUFFIN WRITES,
"I remember on Astra 1 there was a sidelobe in South America somewhwere,
so it was actually possible to watch Sky in Argentina when Sky was analouge.
I seem also to remember another guy in the south of Sweden not
being able to pick up anything from 2D with a 1,8m dish.
On the other hand almost all the people I have heard
about in Stockholm get ITV with 85cm-1m dishes."
(From Puffin in Börlange, Sweden)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

RECEIVERS FOR GOOD FRINGE RECEPTION
Panasonic TUD 20 or 30 (NOT 31!)
Amstrad DRX 200 (newer model, same tuner as the Panasonic 30)
Grundig 310/2
Pace 2200 (anyone using this model?)

NO GOOD IN FRINGE AREAS
Pace 2500s
Panasonic TUD 31
Sony Receivers
KNOW OF ANY OTHERS?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DENMARK
Aarhus 85 cm.
Copenhagen 1 m LNB Digistar 0.6db Pace 2500s (NO ASTRA 2D).
Hillerød 1.2 Offset, LNB Genesis 0.4db (No ITV 2 or Disney).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FRANCE
Montpellier 60cm, Pace 2500b.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GERMANY
Aachen 80 cm, signal strength 50/60 (10.891), 80/90 for 10.832 & 10906.
Haselund (about an hour from Denmark) 80cm.
Berlin 120cm, LNB 0.6dB (30% quality reading).
Brunsbüttel (Western Schleswig Holstein) 80 cm.
Dortmund & Cologne (Köln) 85 cm Panasonic 30, LNB 0.6db.
Frankfurt am Main 60cm.
Frankfurt am Main 90cm.
Lower Rhine 60cm, no recpetion during rain or snow.
With 75cm dish even with heavy rain/snow perfect reception.
Munich, just north of, 1 m, Genesis 0.4db (All 2D).
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ITALY
Bologna 85 cm, Amstrad 100, LNB Syntec 2000 0.3db (NO ASTRA 2D).
Cassino (Lazio region) 120 cm, Pace receiver (NO ASTRA 2D).
Milan 85 cm (Some 2D Lose, Anglia transponder).
Parma Area 80 cm Panasonic 20 (2D in good weather).
Rome 1.2m, (NO ASTRA 2D).
Sondrio (70miles N.E.of Milan) 60cm, LNB 0.7db.
Vasto (Chieti, 50km south of Pescara) 2.4m Panasonic 30, LNB MTI 0.6db,
also problems with 2A (NO ASTRA 2D).
Verona 90cm .

Dish Sizes:-
Northern Italy, down as far as Parma: 90cm Dish ( 1.0CM) best.

NO VARIFICATION FOR ASTRA 2D SIGNALS, MAY HAVE TO BE LARGER!
Central Italy down as far as Rome: 1.2cm Dish ( 1.5Cm) best.
Southern Italy, down as far as R / Calabria: 1.8cm (2.0Cm) best.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

NORWAY
Oslo 1.2 m.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SWEDEN
Börlange (WNW of Stockholm) 1.0 m Lenson Heath, LNB 0.5 dB LNB,
Panasonic TU-DSB 30 (lose in bad weather, no V transponders).
Lund 99 cm Panasonic 30 (NO ASTRA 2D).
Stockholm 85cm 1.0m dish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SWITZERLAND
Basle 45 cm Digidish.
Zürich 53cm Arcon Sweetey, 2D lose in really bad weather.
Zürich 60cm Panasonic receiver, signal strength and quality 90%
----------------------------------------------------------------------

SPAIN
Alicante 1.2 m Panasonic 30, LNB 0.7db (NO ASTRA 2D).
Ibiza 1.3m (lose from 7pm til morning).
West of Mabella 1.3m, silver Panasonic LNB 0.7db.
Mallorca (Eastside of island) 1.8m.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

PORTUGAL
Albufeira, Algarve 1.3m, Panasonic 30 & Grundig 310, LNB 0.7db.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE INCLUDE LOCATION & THE EQUIPMENT BEING USED!
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE INFORMATION, KEEP IT COMING!
YOU CAN MAIL ME AT: oblighty@yahoo.dk
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I WILL BE OFF-LINE FROM 21-12-01 - 30-12-01
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Expat

 

[Robbiewright]

Cairo with a 3.1 meter home made mess jobbie. No chance of getting 2D but then again, I don't know what I am doing. 2a south, 2b south work fine and some times 2a north.