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I have done my best to make the following facts accurate but
I accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions in this
FREE information page..However, the answers given are based
on the vast experience of some of the TOP installation engineers
in our business.
Please feel free to suggest corrections/additions and to ask
questions by e-mail, at any time.
Q. Why do I have to have a dish, rather than
a simple TV type of aerial?
A: Because you need an aerial capable of receiving and amplifying
a very weak signal. Only a parabolic reflector (dish) will do
this.
Q. Can I have my dish fitting inside the house..preferably
in the loft?
A: Sorry, no chance at all.. The dish cannot receive the required
level of signal through any sort of obstruction (with the possible
exception of some types of clear perspex).
Q. How can I tell where the dish should go
on my house ?
A. For the reception of "normal" satellites, a general rule
is that the dish should basically face South, South East....That's
where the sun shines on your house at about 11.30 a.m. (U.K.Only)
Q. In terms of cable length what is the furthest distance I can go from the house to the dish?
A: This depends on a number of factors such as dish size, LNB type Etc. However, With high quality low loss satellite cable this could be up to 100 metres.
Q. Does having a bigger dish help to improve
the picture ?
A: Big YES..Especially in poor weather conditions and for a
low output satellite source. Just like TV, your equipment is
only as good as the aerial fitted to it or in the old CB Language:
" The Rig is only as good as the Twig".
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. Why do some dishes need to be bigger than
others ?
A. Because some satellite signals are stronger than others
dependent upon the satellite signal "footprint" (distribution
area)
Q. What IS a satellite "footprint" ?
A. Did you ever throw stone into the centre of a pond ? You
made a transmission footprint ! The circular ripples started
off strong at the centre and died out towards the shore..Strong
signals to start off, dropping to weak signals in the extremes..Weaker
the signals - bigger the dish required.
For actual footprints CLICK HERE
Q. Why is the dish design and size SO important
?
A: Because the signal is so faint to start with ! The satellites
generate an output power of less than 100 watts per channel...They
are about 25,000 miles away from us...Imagine what kind of telescope
you would need to see a 100 watt bulb at that distance !
Q. What does that thing on the end of the
dish arm do ?
A: It's called an LNB. Basically this does two jobs at the
same time. Firstly it amplifies that very weak signal so that
it is strong enough to travel down the cable with enough power
left for the receiver to work with. It also selects blocks of
channels from either vertical polarisation or horizontal polarisation.
Both polarisations are used in order to squeeze more channels
into a small band width but they must be separated out. Finally,
the LNB converts the very high frequency microwave transmissions
from around 12 Gigahertz to around 2 Gigahertz or less, otherwise
the signals would not go down the cable.
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. Does the cable coming from the dish have
to be special ?
A: YES, very much so...ordinary television downlead simply
will not do. It is very important to fit a very good quality
"low loss" cable such as CT 100 - especially where digital
reception is concerned.
Q. My dish cable is too short . Can I join
another piece on to it?
A: You will lose a percentage of your signal if you do..Satellite
downleads should be fitted in one continuous length, even through
the outside wall (no sockets) direct to the receiver.
Q. The connector on my dish downlead is mouldy..is
this OK ?
A: Certainly NOT ! This indicates that rainwater is travelling
down inside your dish cable...This will destroy the expensive
tuner inside the receiver. Fault usually caused by fitter not
sealing connection at dish You must re-cable your dish NOW to
prevent further damage to the receiver.
Q. My Sky satellite sometimes gives "broken"
sound and bad pictures.
A: You are not alone ! Big problem with SKY is that the dish
is too small. An increase in size of your dish to 60cm and the
fitting of a good quality downlead (CT 100) will amaze you
with its 35mm photograph quality and CD quality sound.. Worth
every penny!
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. My system has lost about 1/2 of the channels..Can
you help ?
A: Yes..you probably have a faulty LNB on your dish. You are
only getting vertical OR horizontal channels from the satellite..Easy DIY
repair..Just buy a new LNB from us and replace the old one..(after
unplugging your receiver from the mains !) Remember to reseal
the dish connection
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. As all things vary in quality, what is
the best sort of LNB to buy ?
A: Modern LNBs are of the voltage-switching, universal dual-band
type. They are rated by signal to noise ratio of anything from
1.0 down to 0.6 and better..The lower the number, the better
(and more costly) they are.. A good quality 0.2 is better than
average and costs from £17.99 from us.
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. Do I have to install my new dish high up
on my house ?
A. No..the dish may be mounted at ground level if you wish,
provided that you have a clear line of sight to the satellite
source concerned. Remember that the dish "looks" upward at about
26 degrees. This is roughly the same angle as the slope on a
modern house roof.
Q. When buying new, should I go for a fully
motorised system ?
A. Yes you really should. I know that the couple of thousand
channels that you will end up with will be mainly stuff that
you don't want to view, but even if you only watch a few hundred
of them, that's a better choice than you got before ! (and you
don't even need a big dish with digital.. 85cm would do you
fine).
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. I'm trying to install a digital system.
Can't get pictures..why not?
A. Because you need a alignment meter ! Unlike Analogue systems,
you can't just "wave the dish about" until you lock on to the
satellite. You have to be "locked on" before you can get a picture
on digital. Imagine a Bricklayer building a wall with a part
of the picture on each brick. That's roughly how a digital picture
forms. That's also why channel changes take longer on digital
receivers.
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. My dish should go on the front of my house..Can
it go on the back ?
A: Yes...A good installer should be able to accommodate your
wishes by fitting the dish on a pole and brackets so that it
"looks" up the roof from behind the house, as the dish "looks"
up at about 26 degrees. (Which coincidentally is about the slope
of the average roof). Looks a bit "Meccano" from the rear garden
but cannot be seen from the front of the house. Time consuming
job..Expect to pay extra..
.. or buy a satellite a Dish Alignment Kit complete with a compass to find a suitable ground
position further down the rear Garden.
For suitable product CLICK HERE
Q. I am confused about dish sizes allowed
without planning permission.
A. Assuming that you do not live in a Listed Building, a Conservation
Area or Commercial Property and that you OWN the building, you
do not need planning permission at all - IF your dish does not
exceed 90 cm in overall size and is not sited above the roof
line of the house. Planning permission is needed for all commercial
property and dishes on chimney stacks are now against the planning
laws.
Q. Should and can I insure my satellite dish
?
A: This really is a must. Dishes moved or damaged by storms
are NOT covered by the Makers or Installers warranty. Classified
as "act of God"..but covered by most insurance companies quite
happily if you remember to contact them and "specify" that the
Satellite system be included on your cover.. one phone call
is all that it takes and they usually do not charge any extra.
Clarify with them the following. Dish usually covered on Buildings
and Receiver on contents. This small action could save you lots
of money ! DO IT.
Q. Can a single dish supply the signal
for TWO separate homes ?
A. Yes...If you fit a good quality TWIN LNB to a single dish,
you will be able to feed either your next door neighbour, two
Flats or two situations in requiring totally separate control
in your own home such as yours plus "Granny" flat or Childrens
room..You will need to fit a second Downlead from the dish to
feed the second Receiver......Twin LNBs are available from us.
For suitable product CLICK HERE
DISCLAIMER
This information is not approved by SKY TELEVISION or the manufacturers
unless otherwise stated and we accept no responsibility for any
loss, damage or injury which occurs as a result of your use of
this free information. We do our best to ensure that the information
is accurate but bear in mind that information can quickly become
outdated.
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