Reception - not; it's driving us mad ?!

[DJM]

I have been thinking about going down the route of putting satellite t.v. in the van especially for longer trips to France and Spain. I have read the information in David Sullivan's very informative website http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk/

Amongst the information there are comments regarding the size of dish needed to receive the satellite signals. A minimum size of 44cm appears to be required for the south of England, increasing to 60cm for up here in Scotland. The same increase in size applies when going to France and Spain with 80cm and upwards being advised.

I see that the kits from Maplins etc included a smaller 39cm dish, can anyone who has purchased one tell me how they perform in areas deemed to require a larger dish.

Thanks

Robert

Hi Robert,

Can't comment on the signal received by a small diameter dish used in Spain or the South of France.

However, I have always used a 88cm diameter dish and have always received a good signal as far down as Valencia in Spain and Cannes in France.

 

[JohnI.Stephen]

The Digital Mini Satellite Kit arrived from Maplin's yesterday (the good news)! However, the user manual for the digital sat receiver (box) is in German !!! I have called Maplins protest !

The dish is steel but is still light and folds flat. The receiver is both 230V and 12V DC and has a car style 'cigar' lighter (how quaint!) included, so that's useful.

I have to say, there is no 'satellite finder' with this kit so I have no idea where to point it and at what angle !! Perhaps an English user manual would help in that respect !!

Getting there .......

John

 

[Steve L]

We have a Lidl sat system and it works very well even using the manual compass set up that came with it.

As our van is older than most, it has nice large chrome grab handles on each corner. So I made a plywood plynth for the base plate to clamp on. This gives us a stable set up and one that is at a safe working height. Also most times we can conceal the dish out of sight which is an added security advantage, as putting a dish up clearly states what electronic goodies are in the van!.

Our sky reciever works with the system and we just take our home sky card with us.

Much better than Status any day of the week and only

 

[Robtel]

Hi Robert,

Can't comment on the signal received by a small diameter dish used in Spain or the South of France.

However, I have always used a 88cm diameter dish and have always received a good signal as far down as Valencia in Spain and Cannes in France.

Dave,

Thanks for info