Concise 'Frequently Asked Questions' pdf

What is the difference between Dome satellite systems and folding-dish satellite systems?

Dome systems have a satellite dish enclosed in a dome, (e.g. Tracvision R4), while folding dishes or clam-shell systems (e.g. Oyster) are open to the elements. For this reason the dome has an advantage if the wind is high, whereas the clam-shell systems can suffer damage if care is not taken.

Do I need to have a Sky subscription?

You don’t need a Sky subscription. A Sky digibox can be used without a viewing card to watch BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film 4, More 4, E4 along with many more. The only channels you won’t receive are Channel 5, and the Sky channels. There are also Free-to-Air (FTA) satellite digiboxes, which you can use to see all BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film 4, More 4, E4 along with many more. These digiboxes can also decode signals from other satellites from which you can receive BBC World News, and Euronews in English.

Can have BBC Freesat in my vehicle?

Yes, using a BBC Freesat Digibox, costing around £70. The broadcast is from the same satellite as Sky and can use the same dish, including any of the mobile dish systems on the Conrad Anderson Website.

Can I get High Definition (HD) channels in my vehicle?

Yes. You need a HD ready TV and a HD ready digibox connected with a HDMI cable. You can use a Sky HD digibox, or now you can use a HD ready Freesat digibox, costing around £200.

Which channels can I get in my van?

You can watch any channels in your van, the same as from any fixed location i.e. at home. This includes all the free channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film 4, More 4, E4 along with many more) and Sky channels (if you have a Sky viewing card).

Can I watch UK TV in Europe and where?

The bigger the satellite dish, the further from the UK you can watch UK TV channels. From the Astra 2 satellite a 40cm dish will enable UK TV in the UK, a 50cm dish enables France to Bordeaux/Lyon and Holland; 65cm dish South of France and Germany and an 85cm dish to Barcelona/Madrid in Spain and North of Rome in Italy.

If you can’t receive Astra2 Northern beam you can swap to Astra 2 Southern beam however, there are limited channels available.

What is the difference between Freeview and Freesat?

Freeview works from a terrestrial signal, received via an aerial and requires a freeview set-top box; Freesat is a service introduced by BBC and ITV to give a digital satellite TV service without any monthly subscription, received via a satellite dish that requires a Freesat digibox. The freesat channels are from the same satellite as the Sky channels. http://www.freesat.co.uk.

I am receiving signal strength but no quality, how do I put it right?

This is from pointing the satellite dish at the wrong satellite, for most UK channels or if using a Sky or Freesat digibox you need to point at Astra 2 satellite found at 28.2 E. I am receiving mostly foreign channels, I want to receive UK channels, what I am doing wrong? The dish is pointing at one of the many satellites which broadcast around Europe, Astra 1 @ 19.2E – mostly German channels or Hotbird @ 13E – mostly Italian channels. For most UK channels or if using a Sky or Freesat digibox you need to point at Astra 2 satellite found at 28.2 E.

For more details on satellites available see: http://www.lyngsat.com.

How do I know which satellite I am pointing at?

If you have a universal digibox that can decode signals from the satellite you are pointing at, the satellite details will be on the digibox itself once the channels are downloaded. There are sophisticated satellite finders available that can tell you this information however, they are not cheap and usually not necessary as a compass, a satellite signal strength meter and some background reading will do the trick.

Which satellite should I be pointing to for UK channels?

For most UK channels or if using a Sky or Freesat digibox you need to point at Astra 2 satellite found at 28.2 E.

What is the difference between a Sky Digibox, a Freesat Digibox and a Universal Digibox?

Sky digibox – enables you to watch Sky television including any subscription channels (as long as you pay for a subscription). Interactive services and HD broadcasting is available. A sky digibox can be used without a viewing card to watch the free channels however Channel 4, Film 4, more 4, E4 and Channel 5 are not available. You can only watch channels from the Astra 2 satellite.

Freesat digibox – enables viewing of free-to-air satellite channels, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film 4, more 4, E4 (not including the +1 channels) and many others. HD broadcasting is available using the Freesat HD digibox and interactive services can be used e.g. ITV HD (Channel 4 HD is not available on Freesat)

Universal digibox – Enables watching of Free-to-air and subscription satellite channels (card interface slot required) from many satellites in Europe (not Sky Digital) (reception subject to suitable dish size) including UK channels from Astra 2, BBC World News on Hotbird 13E and Astra 19.2E.

I have a manual-search satellite dish, how do I find the satellite?

These instructions are specific to Maxview units, but are similar to other manufacturers.

Does my home Sky digibox work in my van? What about Sky+?

Yes, you will just need 240v electricity in your van to power it. Sky digiboxes will work without a card and will receive all the free channels apart from Channel 4 and Channel 5. If you have any premium channels (Movies and Sports) you can move the digibox with the viewing card and watch the same channels in your van. (For premium channels the Sky digibox and the Sky viewing card are a matched pair, so you can’t use the card in a different Sky digibox unless you re-initialise the card with the new box).

How can I watch British channels in Spain and South of France?

British TV is available all over Europe as long as you have a big enough satellite dish. 65cm dish: will work to South of France to the South and Eastern Germany to the East. 85cm dish: will work to Barcelona, Madrid and Rome to the South and Eastern Poland to the East. (Signal is also available in Gibraltar, but not between Gibraltar and Madrid).

I am out of the Astra 2 footprint, how can I watch British channels?

There are British channels broadcast on almost all satellites around Europe. These are news channels including BBC World News and Euronews broadcast on Astra1, and Hotbird.

Crufts is on and my dog can’t bear to miss it, how can he watch it while I’m driving?

The Tracvision R5 is a dome satellite dish system which automatically tracks the satellite while the van is moving, enabling anyone in the back to watch TV.

I want to watch Eastenders while my husband wants to watch sport, how can I do this?

You need a satellite dish with a double LNB and a second digibox and TV, this will enable different channels on 2 TV’s at the same time. Most of the automatic and manual systems can be upraged to include a double LNB.

Which inverter do I need to run my TV and Digibox in my van?

Most TV and digibox combinations can be run using a 300W inverter, if you want to use it for any other electrical items at the same time a larger one will be necessary.

I have an American motorhome with a satellite TV system already fitted; can I use it in Europe?

If you have an American Tracvision system Conrad Anderson can adapt it to work in the UK. For any other system you will have to contact the manufacturer.

Can I watch Premiership football without subscribing to Sky?

There are other packages available to see premiership football, none of them are free but they can be far cheaper than Sky. Please contact us for details.

Will I be able to fit the systems myself?

Yes provided that you are a reasonably confident and capable DIYer.

Can I Watch Terrestrial TV via Satellite?

All the current UK terrestrial analogue channels are duplicated on digital satellite. Astra 2A, 2B and 2D at 28.2º East jointly provide this digital service which being encrypted can be viewed only with the aid of a Sky DigiBox i.e. integrated Sky digital receiver/decoder and a viewing card which is available at a one off charge of £20 to UK TV license holders on request. This should not be confused with the Sky Subscription card which for a monthly fee allows reception of a chosen Sky channel package plus the duplicated terrestrial channels.

What Can I Receive Without a Viewing Card?

A Sky DigiBox without a card or a free-to-air digital receiver can provide enough entertainment for those just wanting to keep in touch and up to date with news etc. In addition to free to air channels like Sky News and I.T.N. 24hr service there are many radio stations including BBC both National and Regional plus many music stations e.g. Classic FM, Classic Gold and Planet Rock which broadcast in high quality digital stereo.

What About The Future?

There are fundamental changes afoot to move some existing channels from Astra 2A and 2B to the recently launched Astra 2D satellite co-positioned with 2A and 2B at 28.2º East. This new satellite has a smaller footprint covering only the UK and Ireland and whilst this means that existing services in the UK will be unaffected, the channels chosen to be transferred to 2D will no longer be obtainable in mainland Europe (with the possible exception of France). Because the domestic home market will be unaffected it is not possible to speculate on the impact to reception abroad. Indeed because this is seen as illegal and frowned upon by Sky they are unlikely to publish advance data on the exact changes. As  and when changes do occur we will, as always, be heavily reliant on our friends and customers touring abroad to inform us of exactly what is available so that we can compile a list of channels available throughout Europe. We would therefore welcome any information to this effect from all.

What Size of Dish do I Need?

The Astra 28.2° footprint map shows that a 60cm dish is adequate for the South Beam in Spain, ( please note that the software settings may need to be altered on your Digibox ). The footprint map shows the North Beam cutting off approximately two thirds the way down Spain with a 120cm dish. We have however heard of many people using 120cm solid dishes successfully in the far south. The ITV channels are on the Astra 2D satellite which has a footprint that only covers the UK Eire and northern France. Astra do publish the official footprint maps and programme listings on their website www.astra.lu

Can I use my Old Analogue Dish for Digital?

If your existing dish has a standard 40mm L.N.B. fitting, the L.N.B. can be replaced by a Digital universal one. We can supply a high quality Platinum 0.6dB L.N.B. for as little as £35

Please note
If upgrading from Analogue to Digital, the cable between the dish and receiver will also need to be upgraded. We have a 10m cable kit with connectors and weatherproof boot for £15

Do I Need a Specialist Finder to Align My Dish?

It is possible to locate the satellite without a finder, however it is not easy and usually very time consuming. We would always recommend a finder which will enable you to align your dish considerably more quickly, accurately and a lot less stressfully. Whilst finders are available at a modest cost, the inexpensive ones are relatively insensitive, whilst the semi-professional quality T7301 is sensitive enough (when following our supplied instructions and guidelines) to ensure the satellite is accurately located.

Can I Use a Smaller Dish if I Only Want Radio?

Unfortunately not. The size of dish required depends upon your location, not whether you are receiving sound only programmes.

Which Fixed Dish System for My Motorhome?

The pole adjustable systems by their nature need to be sited adjacent to a vertical wall (i.e. Wardrobe). It is therefore important that the vehicle is checked for any possible obstructions when the dish is folded for travelling and whilst raised and rotated for use.

The system uses a crank-up mechanism which is very shallow and projects approx. 2" from the ceiling inside the motorhome. It is much more flexible in its positioning, it does however require sufficient roof space to fold and rotate.

The fully automatic system is bonded onto the roof with no moving parts coming through the roof. It is therefore the most flexible system in relation to positioning, but does require a slightly larger turning circle due to the extra performance available from the larger size.

If you are unsure as to the suitability of a particular system for your motorhome please ask for space requirement details or check the Satellite section of this website

Can I Buy a 12 Volt Digital Receiver?

For the British services there are only 240V A/c receivers made. You can however operate a mains Digibox via an inverter, giving you 12V operation.

Does it Need a Telephone Line to Work?

No it does not need a phone line to work. The sound and picture information, along with the E.P.G. ALL come from the satellite to your dish. There are two reasons for it to be connected to the phone line:

• A contractual obligation for those who have received a subsidy on their Digibox.
• Whilst at home the box can talk directly with Sky's computer for ease of use when booking pay-per-view events.

Please Note
There is no technical reason to have a digital box permanently connected to your phone line. If you have had your box less than 12 months you may have received a subsidy, contractually obliging you not to disconnect it in the first year. Whilst we sell the equipment to use digita l satellite mobile we do not endorse its illegal use or recommend you break any contracts.

How do I know where to point my satellite dish?

The satellite will always be in the same position, this is called geostationary. You will find the Astra 2 (Sky Digital) satellite at 28.2 degrees East of South. To help you quickly and easily locate the satellite signal, Maxview has a specially designed compass.

Can I use my satellite receiver from home?

Yes. Please take note that there is a requirement to keep the "Digibox" connected to a telephone line for the first 12 months with a subsidised box.

Do I have to subscribe to Sky to be able to receive digital satellite television?

No, there are certain channels on the Astra satellite that can be received without the use of a Sky subscription.

Can I obtain a free and comprehensive list of all available channels covering the UK and Europe?

Yes, there are a number of websites where you can obtain this information, please visit the MSTV features page of the site.

Do I have to adjust my satellite dish and satellite receiver to pick up channels being broadcast between the North, South and UK beam?

The satellite dish requires no adjustment. The satellite "footprint" or projected beam is set by your satellite broadcaster and can only be picked up by being physically inside the footprint area. However the satellite receiver's default transponder is set to the North Beam. If you travel to Southern Europe you may need to change the transponder setting of you Sky decoder. For more information please visit the "Guides" section of the site.

Will I receive the same digital clarity with a portable system as I receive at home?

Yes, as long as you have a clear line of sight above trees and buildings, you will be able to receive the same picture quality as at home.

Can I receive my local news channel whilst I am away from home?

Yes. When you receive your Sky viewing card your local news channel will have been determined for you through your postcode. This means that as long as you are inside the Astra 2D footprint, you will receive your local news.

Do I have to use a satellite finder to find the signal?

Not always, however a Satellite Finder can greatly reduce the time it takes to locate the required satellite, and does not have the time delay associated with just using the inbuilt "Digibox" signal meter.

What is the difference between Freeview and Free To Air?

Freeview is a terrestrial digital service that is received via an aerial and then decoded using a "Freeview" box or integrated TV. It provides up to 30 free digital TV channels and over 20 radio digital radio stations. Free To Air is the term used when describing the name for the free channels that can be received using a Sky Digital decoder.

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