ASTRA-2F
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The Ariane rocket successfully took the ASTRA-2F satellite into space yesterday. 2F is destined to be moved into position in geostationary orbit over Africa to replace the temporary 1N. Tests are expected to be completed within a fortnight so, by the end of October there will be some differences in the signal levels of programmes which were originally transmitted by Astra-2D. (BBC, ITV, CH4 etc.)
Unfortunately, these signal levels are not likely to increase for Crete and may even decrease. Anyone got a 6 metre dish for sale?
Still, we may get lucky so let’s wait and see. 8-)
Thought you were selling some weird Vauxhaul for a moment !!! ;D
Will this affect Sky Martin? As we can’t get ITV or BBC, not too bothered otherwise but wouldn’t want to lose Sky :(
I don’t think that any Sky channels are currently broadcast from Astra-1N so I wouldn’t expect them to be moved to Astra-2F immediately. However, they might do so at some time. Consequently, all I can say is "time will tell".
While Sky stands to lose money by effectively killing overseas viewing, it is also contactually obliged to minimise it. As long as technology couldn’t provide a solution and a relatively large dish was needed, Sky could simply shrug its corporate shoulders and disclaim responsibility. However, with the possible availability of spare narrow-beam capacity on Astra-2F, it may be unable to say "can’t" any longer.
I know someone who does actually have a 5m dish for sale though I guess the 6m dish comment was probably made in gest!!!
2F is still stationary over the coast of Somalia while tests are carried out.
See http://www.n2yo.com/?s=38778
When that’s complete, it will slowly drift into position at 28.2° East of the meridian.
The latest news is that it should be in position and broadcasting live by the end of November.
It’s moving now. I guess it should reach its final orbit position by about November 28th. Nearly a month later than planned. I doubt that it will make any difference to our (lack of) viewing but we’ll see.
Astra-2F has been in position for a few days. Tests have been successful and the switching of channels from 1N to 2F has begun, with (so far) a reduction of signal in fringe areas in each case. Not looking good. :(
However, I notice that PICK TV and PICK TV+1 have appeared and are showing delights such as "Most Haunted", "Charmed", "Futurama", "Costa del Street Crime", "Road wars", "Psychic Sally", "Brainiac", "Stargate SG-1" and some "Adult" offerings in the early hours.
If this appeals to you, you could look in your Sky EPG, or do a scan of 28.2°E on your FTA receiver. Of course, it could disappear tomorrow if it moves to 2F.
Apart from that, there’s movies4men, mov4men+1, Community Channel and Information TV for your entertainment and delight. Hooray. :P
Free channels have now gone. No more "Pick TV" or men movies. :(
Martin , Still getting PICK TV on Channel 152 and moviesforrmen+1 on channel 186 on my SkyHD Box
Interesting. A scan doesn’t get them back with my 1.2m Channel Master dish.
Still got them too.
Yes, I was mistaken. Well, not mistaken – I definitely couldn’t receive them – but a later scan brought them back! (Not that there’s anything worth watching!)
As my dish hasn’t moved and nothing has changed, I can only guess that there was a darn big storm cloud blocking the weaker signals.
Confirmed. It was clouds blocking my Astra-2 signals. When the sky is clear my reception is perfect.
That could explain why we lost ch5HD over the xmas period, thought it was gone for good, and it reappeared last night!
We have lost Sky News and Pick TV on our Commander Box and Sky News, Pick TV and Channel 5HD on our Sky HD box. Has anyone else have the same problem? We still get Channel Four!!
We have lost Sky News & Pick too. It seems that the 12207 frequency transponder has moved to the weaker 2F beam. Reported here http://robssatellitetv.webs.com/astra2f.htm and here http://www.skyinmadrid.com/pages/news.html
(Look at the news items for 23rd Jan on each).
It’s a hot topic in "another place", and others are reporting that they can still get the channels. The move is probably permanent, you may be able to get the new (weaker) signal with better kit (bigger dish, better LNB, alignment tuning etc).
Paul
No problem here with sky + box. Channel 4 ok 5HD ok sky news and pick ok.
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