I have european beam but not UK beam ?

[a33]

Is there anything that describes the relative positions of the 28.2E satellites, all I can find seem to just say 28.2, eg. something that says move slightly east for 2F or higher elevation or opposite etc ?

I use this website: Astra 2E / Astra 2F / Astra 2G (28.2°E) - Alle uitzendingen - Frequenties - KingOfSat

It gives the 3 satellites longitudes,
The programms on each of the 3 satellites,
and the difference UK/Europe beam.

Greetz,
A33

 

[jeallen01]

I use this website: Astra 2E / Astra 2F / Astra 2G (28.2°E) - Alle uitzendingen - Frequenties - KingOfSat

It gives the 3 satellites longitudes,
The programms on each of the 3 satellites,
and the difference UK/Europe beam.

Greetz,
A33

From that, because the longitude is the same but the declination differs slightly, then I guess that they are "stacked" with each one slightly above the "one below" - i.e. thus their orbital latitudes vary very slightly.

 

[dmaavrigdo]

Yes I am experiencing that - I now have a much better signal thanks to you all, however I seem to have 2E really well but poor 2F, at present not too much of an issue because I have ITV4 with great picture which I want (ironically for tour de France in English) but will need to re-balance at some point.

Is there anything that describes the relative positions of the 28.2E satellites, all I can find seem to just say 28.2, eg. something that says move slightly east for 2F or higher elevation or opposite etc ?

Set your own location.

Satellite motion charts for ASTRA 2E,ASTRA 2F,ASTRA 2G based on TLE data - Jens T. Sætre - http://www.satellite-calculations.com

Generate 26 hours short term and 171 hours long term satellite motion charts for ASTRA 2E,ASTRA 2F,ASTRA 2G (based on TLE data)

www.satellite-calculations.com

 

[dmaavrigdo]

Using an online calculator it tells me that 2F and 2G skew is a "special case" and should be "-.74" but 2E it gives "-7.9 " no mention of "special case". Should I be fitting a skew motor?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Using an online calculator it tells me that 2F and 2G skew is a "special case" and should be "-.74" but 2E it gives "-7.9 " no mention of "special case". Should I be fitting a skew motor?

With a 1.2m it will assist fine tuning across the arc in general, but not for distinguishing the best setting for individual Astra satellites.

 

[a33]

From that, because the longitude is the same but the declination differs slightly, ...

I don't call 'about 28.5' and 'about 28.2' the same longitude. That's the whole point of finding the best compromise between 28.2E and 28.5E, that is mentioned above, while doing the dish's fine-alignment.

Using an online calculator it tells me that 2F and 2G skew is a "special case" and should be "-.74" but 2E it gives "-7.9 " no mention of "special case". Should I be fitting a skew motor?

Indeed the Astra satellites have a "special case" pre-skew of 7.5 degrees.
I've never seen tested (and have never done the testing myself) if the 28.5E satellite has or has not the same pre-skew.
This could indeed be an issue, when you just barely can receive a spot beam transponder.....

(BTW. The Eutelsat satellites usually have a pre-skew of 3.535 degrees, it seems.)


Greetz,
A33

 

[4wd]

Yes I am experiencing that - I now have a much better signal thanks to you all, however I seem to have 2E really well but poor 2F, at present not too much of an issue because I have ITV4 with great picture which I want (ironically for tour de France in English) but will need to re-balance at some point.

Good work. And confirmed that the UK's are well present in the region. Now see how the current setup tackles the normal level variations (day\night\weather etc). If some fine tuning does not result in having satisfactory reception over time, next step looks like the larger dish. Not knowing the dish size, 110 (110x120) or 120 (120x130) ? Then a 130x140 alt. 140x150 will give a welcome boost in reliability, especially for rain, HD's & 2G \ 2F.

 

[jhalliday45]

Good work. And confirmed that the UK's are well present in the region. Now see how the current setup tackles the normal level variations (day\night\weather etc). If some fine tuning does not result in having satisfactory reception over time, next step looks like the larger dish. Not knowing the dish size, 110 (110x120) or 120 (120x130) ? Then a 130x140 alt. 140x150 will give a welcome boost in reliability, especially for rain, HD's & 2G \ 2F.

OK so one year on, and with a new satellite mount pole I have managed to get more accuracy, and hence better signal strength and quality.
I get HD from time to time depending upon conditions and channel

But no matter what I do I have never been able to get any of this set of FTA channels on 2E, even on SD etc


I can get other channels on 2E fine for example just now; 5 USA , BLaze, DMAX etc all fine.

Any ideas why I cannot get the above channels ? is it just signal strength on these particular ones ?

I have not been able to get 4-seven either ;



Which I note is also Vertical Polarity - could that be the issue ?

However I can received other 2E Vertical signals fine such as E4+1 Film 4 + 1 etc they all work


Any help appreciated I am at the limits of my understanding on what I can do other than constantly tinker with direction/skew but with everything else working well enough including many/most 2E channels I am loathe to mess it up.

Thank you

 

[Channel Hopper]

As per

I have european beam but not UK beam ?

am in south west France 50 mils to Pyrenees) so 120cm dish , I have previously had Freesat but dish has moved slightly . I have it I think well aligned again, I am receiving ~90% signal strength on Astra 28.2E european beam channels - but not getting UK beam, I assume it is just a case of...

www.satellites.co.uk

Rodscha has the same size dish and confirmed he also loses signal at certain times, so really you need something else.

 

[dmaavrigdo]

OK so one year on, and with a new satellite mount pole I have managed to get more accuracy, and hence better signal strength and quality.
I get HD from time to time depending upon conditions and channel

But no matter what I do I have never been able to get any of this set of FTA channels on 2E, even on SD etc

View attachment 143188
I can get other channels on 2E fine for example just now; 5 USA , BLaze, DMAX etc all fine.

Any ideas why I cannot get the above channels ? is it just signal strength on these particular ones ?

I have not been able to get 4-seven either ;

View attachment 143189

Which I note is also Vertical Polarity - could that be the issue ?

However I can received other 2E Vertical signals fine such as E4+1 Film 4 + 1 etc they all work
View attachment 143190

Any help appreciated I am at the limits of my understanding on what I can do other than constantly tinker with direction/skew but with everything else working well enough including many/most 2E channels I am loathe to mess it up.

Thank you

I have the same here in Sweden today (cloudy). I've had Dave etc. in the past. I used to to tweak my dish but now just leave it in the mid position. Rarely anything on 12129 that we desperately want to watch. Will check my elevation next clear day.

 

[Burnham Beech]

Will check next week when I am back in the northern French Alps. Long way from you in the French south west, but also well off from the published UK beams.

 

[dmaavrigdo]

Just noticed 12129V is on 2F not 2E. So try a bit to the right .

 

[dmaavrigdo]

Clear today so after a slight tweak.

 

[jhalliday45]

As per

I have european beam but not UK beam ?

am in south west France 50 mils to Pyrenees) so 120cm dish , I have previously had Freesat but dish has moved slightly . I have it I think well aligned again, I am receiving ~90% signal strength on Astra 28.2E european beam channels - but not getting UK beam, I assume it is just a case of...

www.satellites.co.uk

Rodscha has the same size dish and confirmed he also loses signal at certain times, so really you need something else.

Yes just as I can receive other channels fine plus some in HD, wondering if there is a technical reason why this set of channels are proving illusive - are they weaker signal or something

 

[Channel Hopper]

Many reasons. Some will be local (the sensitivity of your receive equipment at specific frequencies and polarities), some remote (the type of transmission beam, and the symbole rate used)/

Your location and dish size are however the main problems, which one do you wish to change ?

 

[Burnham Beech]

Will check next week when I am back in the northern French Alps. Long way from you in the French south west, but also well off from the published UK beams.

Was able to test today, and I can get this transponder in the nothern French Alps. But it is definitely lower power than other lower power transponders on 28°e - shows 8.3dB vs 10.1dB on the the other lower power transponders (enigma2 box). Getting relatively stable video with only a few glitches, but easily watchable. Weather conditions perfect today, so could be marginal in heavy cloud cover and rain.

This is with my ancient 60mm Sky mesh dish, but with a modern LNB.

It just might be that the beam is slightly stronger this side (ie the far east) of the French south. And you are probably a few degrees further south that I am at 45.5°N.

 

[Burnham Beech]

Will check next week when I am back in the northern French Alps. Long way from you in the French south west, but also well off from the published UK beams.

OK here 45.5° north. Old 60cm cm mesh dish

 

[Nalleman]

OK so one year on, and with a new satellite mount pole I have managed to get more accuracy, and hence better signal strength and quality.
I get HD from time to time depending upon conditions and channel

But no matter what I do I have never been able to get any of this set of FTA channels on 2E, even on SD etc

View attachment 143188
I can get other channels on 2E fine for example just now; 5 USA , BLaze, DMAX etc all fine.

Any ideas why I cannot get the above channels ? is it just signal strength on these particular ones ?

I have not been able to get 4-seven either ;

View attachment 143189

Which I note is also Vertical Polarity - could that be the issue ?

However I can received other 2E Vertical signals fine such as E4+1 Film 4 + 1 etc they all work
View attachment 143190

Any help appreciated I am at the limits of my understanding on what I can do other than constantly tinker with direction/skew but with everything else working well enough including many/most 2E channels I am loathe to mess it up.

Thank you

I remember 4Seven beeing very sensitive regarding the skew. Turning the LNB the slightest could mean the difference between no picture and a good signal. After a lot of work I get around 11,5 dB on 11126 V.
My weakest TP:s are:
12129 V: 9,5 dB
12168 V: 9,0 dB
12226 H: 9,0 dB
12363 V: 9,5 dB
12382 H: 9,5 dB

Generally 2F is the weakest of the three birds here. 2E is the strongest.
The European beams comes in very strong from all three birds. 2G is almost incredebly strong.

This is with an 1,8 m Channel Master antenna in the southern parts of Sweden.

 

[Manikm909]

slightly off topic, but i noticed in Lanzarote all dishes had skew set about 45 degrees - was quite telling.

took a pic...

 

[Satspot]

slightly off topic, but i noticed in Lanzarote all dishes had skew set about 45 degrees - was quite telling.

took a pic...

Are ya sure it wasn’t the skew from the local beer or the local gangsters using them for target practice. Much of the island is gone fibre optic and less and less dishes are now in use. Good time to seek out the big dishes for sale now.