Astra 2E: Iberia & Balearics Reports

[Andy_Madrid]

Hi Everyone

location - Fuente el Saz / Prado Norte (North of Madrid, 20km or so)

i decided to wait a few days before posting my findings -

BBC HD 1, 2 etc (and SD variants), ITV HD (and SD variants), are poor in daytime, but around 7.30pm signal is around 65%, and stable with no pixelation
Channel 5, 5*, 5 USA (and their cluster) are stable throughout the day, 73% SNR with good/fair rain margin.

It seems Madrid have been lucky with the 2E changeover. The last week, we have had bad weather, lots of rain/snow and very high winds. This morning, 7.30am, Cbeebies, CBBC were coming in OK, mid morning to afternoon we seem to loose the 2E signal, and then an evening is back to normal. The signal coming from 2F is FAR superior.

Watched 4Seven last night, not sure if that is 2E or 2F, either way, it was 70% SNR...

Hope this helps.

 

[terryashbyash]

I am guessing if there's heavy rain over the uplink stations in the UK (and there's a LOT of rain here), the signal strength will suffer going up... which equates to a weaker signal everywhere. Right?

I would assume the uplink stations for the signal going up would be powerful enough to cope with any adverse weather but downlink to us on the fringes, or even the uk with current weather could cause problems.

 

[Tururu]

@ terryashbyash..OK

I am guessing if there's heavy rain over the uplink stations in the UK (and there's a LOT of rain here), the signal strength will suffer going up... which equates to a weaker signal everywhere. Right?

The signal does not affect climbing.
Only so low (the signal that sends the satellite) is affected by weather conditions, according to what each has in your area, so will the signal.
-----
La señal que sube no afecta.
Solo lo que baja (la señal que manda el satelite) esta afectado por las condiciones climatologicas, segun lo que tenga cada uno en su zona, asi sera la señal.


@ Andy_Madrid
Distance from Madrid (capital) 32KM.
Distancia a Madrid (capital) 32KM.
Apart jam up the national N1
Aparte del atasco hasta la nacional N1
Neither 15KM of separation between facilities.
Ni 15KM de separacion entre instalaciones.

Astra2E this seems like old Astra2D and the signal is better.
Astra2E parece que esta como el viejo Astra2D y la señal es mejor.

Today/hoy 12/02/2014 Madrid North (40.5458°N, 3.612°W) near Ikea.
98x90cm (100cm) dish.

 

[Huevos]

im not fully convinced there isnt something wrong with my setup.

There's something wrong with your setup.

 

[Huevos]

I am guessing if there's heavy rain over the uplink stations in the UK (and there's a LOT of rain here), the signal strength will suffer going up... which equates to a weaker signal everywhere. Right?

No. Uplink stations monitor the downlink and add power if required.

 

[Huevos]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

 

[buckshee]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

Its moaning that keeps us all happy

 

[Pedro0102]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

Not over here...
Reception in Portugal was quite easy for all the transponders before. Even in the old 2D days it was receivable with dish < 1m...
Now it's impossible for the UK Spot beams (at least in the south of the country)...
So, we lost a lost of channels.

 

[davidcmadrid]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

A lot of those people probably have a 1 meter dish installed by somebody who knew but didnt care a change was coming. I found a few "friendly" installers here in Madrid quite willing to install a 1m for me before an honest put me straight about the imminent launch of 2F.

 

[pipino]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

yep..thats humain greed for you m8..i still remember those dark days ..and appreciate what we have now

 

[Analoguesat]

Hi Everyone

location - Fuente el Saz / Prado Norte (North of Madrid, 20km or so)

i decided to wait a few days before posting my findings -

BBC HD 1, 2 etc (and SD variants), ITV HD (and SD variants), are poor in daytime, but around 7.30pm signal is around 65%, and stable with no pixelation
Channel 5, 5*, 5 USA (and their cluster) are stable throughout the day, 73% SNR with good/fair rain margin.

It seems Madrid have been lucky with the 2E changeover. The last week, we have had bad weather, lots of rain/snow and very high winds. This morning, 7.30am, Cbeebies, CBBC were coming in OK, mid morning to afternoon we seem to loose the 2E signal, and then an evening is back to normal. The signal coming from 2F is FAR superior.

Watched 4Seven last night, not sure if that is 2E or 2F, either way, it was 70% SNR...

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the report Looks like the 2F spot is better for you than the 2E spot.

 

[Salva]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

Yes, my, and I believe yours, option up to two years ago was 2.4m, so now tables have turned and others have to suffer now.

 

[Archive4]

Tried to install 1.35 Galaxy Innovations (Famaval) dish today, no better than 1M prehistoric dish that was there before. When I got home (after a couple of pints!) found my signal had dropped a fair bit too. Anyone else noticed significant signal drop today?

 

[Analoguesat]

I wouldnt take too much notice of todays reception Brian - the weather has been absolutely horrendous here in the UK which may have been causing all sorts of problems with the uplinks. See how things are tomorrow when its calmed down a bit

 

[Archive4]

Thanks Analoguesat, will check signal strength and new dish tomorrow.

P.S. how is the fishing at the top of Ben Nevis at the moment?? According to East Calder local paper Nessy was last seen on Princes Street Edingburgh.

 

[Pride Of Cucamonga]

Upgraded from Inverto premium to Ultra (both twin output) and seen dramatic improvement. 2E BBC HDs were disappearing at certain times the day and/or in cloud cover. Now rock solid 24 hours, but haven't had rain yet. May have improved the skew slightly too even though the LNB holder snapped and the LNB is now loose!

 

[Pride Of Cucamonga]

I wouldnt take too much notice of todays reception Brian - the weather has been absolutely horrendous here in the UK which may have been causing all sorts of problems with the uplinks. See how things are tomorrow when its calmed down a bit

Would imagine the uplinks use dishes large enough to overcome even the strongest rain, but could have other problems i guess.

 

[Tururu]

I can't believe how many people here are moaning when we are receiving more channels using a 1.1m dish than we received on a 1.8m dish 2 years ago.

As you say, much better than 2 years ago.
Some photos then ASTRA2D levels and some days later Astra1N levels.
As time passes, it seems like the other day 23~24-2-2012.
--------------
Como bien dices, mucho mejor que hace 2 años.
Unas fotos de entonces, niveles del Astra2D y unos dias despues niveles del Astra1N.
Como pasa el tiempo, parece que fue el otro dia 23~24-2-2012.

 

[joddle]

Was watching BBC1 (SD) on freesat last night but noticed just for a few seconds some pixelation at around 22:40 local time. However the SS was almost 100% and SQ was 100% on my Humax -Foxsat HD so could this have been caused by bad weather in the UK affectng the upload?

 

[Huevos]

I found a few "friendly" installers here in Madrid quite willing to install a 1m for me before an honest put me straight about the imminent launch of 2F.

Nothing dishonest about fitting a 1m dish. I told all my customers about the change and recommended a 1m dish. Dish price is only 35€ so no big loss when it doesn't work any more. And miles cheaper than paying 20€ a month to a rebroadcaster or broadband service (that doesn't work properly). What would have been worse is recommending a big dish that later didn't work. Anyway I fitted my last one in September 2012 so they've all had their money's worth. And I haven't had a single call saying any dish I've fitted since then doesn't work.