The best I can hope for in University Accommodation

[Adam792]

I've been suffering satellite withdrawal syptoms since I've moved into University Accommodation this year. I bought one of the Aldi portable satellite kits a couple of weeks back in the hope that the window would allow enough signal through (it faces ESE), I had no luck with the digital box supplied, so I brought down my Metronic Original Box (Analogue) and tried it out this evening; I can just about get the German channels on 19.2°E - loads of sparklies but better than nothing I guess.

The dish is 45cm, and I'm using a Technomate 0.2dB LNB - the one Aldi supplied with the kit was broken. (Well, I think I may have broken it).

The TV gets very confused as it understands PAL+ for analogue widescreen (the German channels use it) but the signal is slightly too weak so it rapidly flicks between 16:9 and 4:3 LB.

 

[Lazarus]

Enterprising - I bet you'll find a way of getting 28E eventually!

At least you can watch Eurosport (with sparklies).

 

[fergyc]

At least you can open the window when it's not too cold

 

[Adam792]

Yes I can, but that knocks Astra 1 out totally! The metal frame at the right hand side of the pane moves to the left and blocks the signal completely.

 

[fergyc]

Ah right, could you get Astra 2 with the window open?

 

[Analoguesat]

You *might* get a better result with a digital receiver on the stronger digital transponders if theres enough error connection...

If not then theres plenty of iptv sites to play with.

 

[Adam792]

I've tried - not had any luck as yet - the left window doesn't open wide (has a safety catch) which is a hindrance as that could be useful (my open window at home can perfectly wedge a small dish aligned on 5°W ).

Ideally I want 5°W - analogue would be fine with the 6 national terrestrial channels on a temporary basis, but this is basically parallel with the wall so not possible from the sill.

And yeah I will probably have a look into IPTV. I've subscribed to a VPN (quite cheaply) that can get me NRK Norway and DR Denmark livestreams amongst various other things. (The DR ones are very good quality.) Unfortunately the France Télévisions version of BBC iPlayer charges per programme other than the news.

 

[monsieurm]

Sometimes it pays off when your university is nearby and you can still live at your parents' place. So satellite reception is at least one advantage of my current situtation.

I would probably also have to find ways to fight my withdrawal symptoms. But as I can see you're handling it quite well.

 

[andyxxxx]

Similar to the setup I had in halls, had a zone 2 dish inside the window pointed at 28.2 for freesat. My girlfriend wasn't happy at losing her bedside table for a dish stand though lol

Keep at it, you'll find something interesting.

 

[Adam792]

Bingo! Got the sweet(est) spot! Not perfect but I'm getting some digital from Astra 1. (Only horizontal TPs, but I don't want to move it again for the moment.)

 

[Analoguesat]

Nice one.

You might find the V's are being reflected more than the H's by the window .

 

[Adam792]

I hope that's the case and not the LNB - I can't get a sniff of anything vertical on analogue either - just noise (although I think I can hear sound faintly sometimes). I hope it's not the LNB - if it is my track record with them in the past couple of weeks leaves a lot to be desired...

 

[timo_w2s]

I can't get any decent Vertical signals through the glass panes on my balcony. Horizontal stuff comes in fine though.

 

[fergyc]

Is it possible to set a dish up so it's hanging down under the window sill? I'm sure you can in theory but can't seem the figure out how you could do it

 

[andyxxxx]

Is it possible to set a dish up so it's hanging down under the window sill? I'm sure you can in theory but can't seem the figure out how you could do it

There's always _http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Multimo-suction-mount-satellite-dish-/290493527230?pt=UK_ConEle_SatCableFreeview_RL&hash=item43a2c374be#ht_500wt_1156

Not sure how the university would feel about it though...

 

[fergyc]

Yeah that could work

 

[dasteelman]

_http://www.satellitesuperstore.com/sky.htm#selfsat

 

[sonnetpete]

For something that doesn't look like a dish, yes that would work. However buying from here,

_http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/en/antennen-diverse/

you could have a selfsat and motor for about the same price.

 

[Adam792]

Well, I've been playing about a bit more and I can get the RTL Digital transponder, ORF, and the ARD MDR/NDR transponder with nearly no break-up (a little bit of picture break up from time to time and the quality is around 40% on the Tevion box).

Unfortunately outside the window isn't an option.

I haven't tried for 28.2°E or 13°E yet (I think the angle for the latter through the window would be pushing it a little anyway, 28.2°E is probably possible judging roughly by angles as it's further away from the wall and still clears the 4 story building a stones throw across from my window.) The whole alignment process is extremely fiddly as the signals are so weak - the only reason I've been so successful with Astra 1 is due to the fact I can use analogue first to get it on target by trying to get rid of the sparklies as much as possible. Obviously can't use this for 28/13!

 

[mike1]

Well i dont blame you i would rather have 19e analogue in my uni room anyday then putting up with the trash on terrestrial