WorldSpace Satellite Radio inIreland

SKWei

I use a WorldSpace satellite radio overseas, and was interested in seeing how it worked in Ireland. So, back on my hols, I brought it with me, and I have to say, here in Wexford, the signal strength is low. Very very rarely it will hit three bars on the display, but usually, into a clear sky with unblocked view to the southeast, it is only two bars at best. I usually use it in Beijing, China, which is about 49 degrees North, and it looks like those three degrees make a huge difference: in Beijing it gets three or four bars even through a view partly blocked by tall poplar trees!

maybe the beam is stronger on AsiaStar than AfriStar, being newer. But the overall impression is that the WorldSpace signal strength in southeast Ireland is not enough for mobile reception. Just so you know!

Lennoxschips

http://www.worldspace.com/coveragemaps/index.html

In fairness, Ireland is right at the edge of the coverage area. It appears however that they have a new satellite planned for Europe.

Greenman

I've used my Hitachi WS in Dun Laoire and found the BBC WS perfect and that was through the bedroom window. Digital is there or its not so I wac not worried re signal.
What do you mean by mobile???
For people on the move around the world I think WS is a must!!!

ainiseoir

Good for the FTA people in those countries.
Marvellous technology, but try to rectify a wrong user ID? forget about it!

ainiseoir

By the way, if you invest in anoutdoor aerial and amplifier, you will be in business

SKWei

Greenman, I agree that it is a must for people travelling around! But I found the antenna needs careful pointing here, to get a stable signal. What about other parts of Ireland? Or France, as I see WorldSpace seem to be pushing it a bit there.

When I bought my receiver in Beijing it came with a magnetic mounting plate, to put the aerial horizontal on the roof of a car. Being carless I haven't tried it, but I have been able to use the antenna as normal no problem inside a taxi! Freaky experience hearing RTE R1 on the streets of Beijing!

So coming from an area with the higher signal strengths, it was a bit of a disappointment that you would need an external aerial, a permanent fixture, to get it here.

I know WorldSpace themselves have what they call a "leaky cable", where they run coax fed from an antenna around the ceiling of the office, and any WS receiver inside can use it's own aerial any old way to get a signal. They are also developing smaller versions of the fill-in terrestrial transmitters apparently, for shops etc to use.

Greenman

SKWei what receiver do you have?
I've used my receiver in the car but I've been static at the time!!!
I know I read an artical about a German who WS in the car!! if I find it I'll post it here.
Telecinesk and Irish guy near Austria uses his RX everyday as he travels the east for his business.:)
PS I did a scan on my WS radio and was shocked to find so many ENCODED radio stations. just like $ky :mad: :mad: :mad:

SKWei

Hi Greenman, I use the Tongshi Damb-R, which a small receiver with no built-in speaker. It's for sale on the WorldSpace France website http://www.worldspace.fr/?page=produits/detail&rec_id=21. BTW I got mine for about €100 less than that price in China! It has computer facilities, but I haven't gotten round to using them.
The manufacturer's website has a pdf on the antenna mounting, http://www.tongshi.com/download/tssoft/Magnetic%20Stand%20introduction.pdf. It uses as cassette adaptor and a little sticky plate for mounting the receiver itself in the car, I suppose just on the dashboard somewhere.

It makes sense being able to use it mobile in central Europe I guess, further down in the coverage area. I seem to remember the earliest coverage maps ran out somewhere in Spain, then people started reporting have good reception in Trafalgar Square in London!

Some of the Subscription services over here, like the Hop etc, are still free on AsiaStar's NE beam. The only pay channels there are TalkSport and Fox News, though that may change with regulatory moves in China :mad: They play a lot of promos for Indian subscription services that are on the west beam though, and it seems to be doing well in India.

telecinesk

Hi,
I use it all the time on the move between Hungary,Slov,Cze and Poland.#
Have 3 radios, the hitachi, sanyo but far more useful the Joyear.

But heres the fun,
the Hitachi has the best frontend on the tuner,the antenna is v poor,the sanyo has poor frontend on its tuner but the antenna is a LOT better than the Hitachi. The joyear has as good sensitivity as the hitachi and antenna as bad as the hitachi>

Cutting the speel,,, Use Joyear with Sanyo antenna and your sorted anywhere.
I can pull in Afristar beam 1 and 2 easily. Forget the hitachi antenna its really poor.

I got a magnetic mobile antenna from germany but found LHC afristar beam1 not easy to hold mobile.. We need a european footprint in reality..

Joyear lasts 1 day on 4xAA cells (2100ma) so that goes in the bag.

Hope this helps!

SKWei

Fascinating stuff telecinesk!

The first time I used a WorldSpace radio was with an Hitachi, and it couldn't get a usable signal, while my Tongshi got a huge signal out the very same window a few months later. But I don't know if I was using the Hitachi correctly, I possibly was tuning into the wrong beam!
Can you hear any difference between the different radios? The salesman told me the the Chinese made Tongshi had better audio than the Joyears, bit I suspect that may have been national pride, influenced by how the Tongshi cost more!
I read about people using the supplied antenna from (I think) an Hitachi, on the end of a big satellite dish, and getting reception well outside the footprint (In Australia). But very clumsy compared to your trick with the mix n match, really cool!!!!
Edit: It turns out the receiver I used the first time was a Sanyo, not a Hitachi.

Greenman

I have the Hitachi and am vert happy with it and its receiving ability. As I'm well served with satellite receiving in and out of the house I only use the WS Hitachi when travelling.

telecinesk

Hi again,
Heres another fun observation, about this time last yr I got Afristar3 beam and verified it with the slightly diff content. I reckon that was some dx catch.The footprint is over southern africa but as you well know things go funny during summer months. Worldspace were impressed with my report. I happened to be using the sanyo antenna and sanyo radio. The Hitachi wasnt around so I didnt try it. It lasted for a day which was fun.
No, the Hitachi antenna is 2 signal points worse off than either joyear or sanyo. Another thing to watch, if you dont select Linear/Circular in the serivce menu of joyear the signal will be very bad. Mad important!!

Sound quality on all 3 is the same on phono out. Speaker in Joyear is nasty plastic> Sanyo passable but low volume even on full and Hitachi kicks ass! Beats them all hands down on loudness.

I have the Yagi and amp but dont bother with it. Afristar2 comes in anyway where i live..
Im gonna try to pull in Asiasat beam1 tho its quite south from my position but if I throw the yagi on a dish and "play" I might do it.Worth a shot?

Long reply.... Hope its clear.Happy listening.

SKWei

Fascinating stuff telecinesk! I was thinking about playing around with a dish when I have the time. My own Tongshi set doesn't have a built in speaker, so it's all a matter of what earphones or external speakers are handy. I'm not surprised to learn they all sound the same in terms of sound quality, given how standard the technology is I guess.
Keep us informed if you get anything fun with the yagi on a dish! Might changes in polarity bring difficulties then though?

telecinesk

Hi again!
There is a diff alright with LHC and RHC reception using a Yagi. 3db in loss apparently, however on a 1.3m dish its not quite a problem. I also got an inmarsat-M terminal for 50quid on ebay which I will break into for the antenna bit,the old T adapter for signal and the "terminal" can power the antenna and I can put a capacitor inline with the Hitachi to avoid damaging tuner, its another "experiment" on afristar2 to see if I can get a higher signal with the Hitachi tuner.Granted the freqs are not exactly correct in terms of antenna but its worth a crack.
There is also a webpage written by Paul J Marsh (cant remember link) about Lband reception and making antennas around the freqs we need. I have to make up a few circular polarised yagis and see, Lack of time is the enemy here only!
For me pulling in Afristar3 again is my real challenge in europe!

paul connors

I am located in Georgia (former USSR). I have tried to receive RTE through the English speaking Channel on AfriStar - Channel 627 ( i believe). My receiver does not scan below 700. any hints. Paulo

Greenman

paul connors wrote:

I am located in Georgia (former USSR). I have tried to receive RTE through the English speaking Channel on AfriStar - Channel 627 ( i believe). My receiver does not scan below 700. any hints. Paulo

Hi Paul,
Can't help on the WS question but I suppose you know RTE Radio 1 MW is on Hotbird 6 12597 V 27500 - 3/4 if you have a FTA box. Maybe this of some use!!!!

ainiseoir

Would you please run the Joyear setting Linear/Circular by me again.Which and why?
I live in Tralee and needed to get a Yagi on the chimney to get the same reception that I could out the country. I agree about the Joyear speaker, the trade name is less than descriptive.
I get decent enough sound running it through an amplifier and speakers, therefore the above setting is correct? I just left it as it was, linear, I think.
I have discovered NPR and have become an addict. Maybe its an age thing.
Otherwise still not 100% sure why I went to all the trouble, but it seems a decent radio to take to warmer parts and one needs to tune into a program like the World Service of the BBC.

ainiseoir

WRN 1 (627) would have been your best bet if you have a worldspace type radio.
They broadcast RTE 3 times a day, extended morning and evening news programs.

Greenman

ainiseoir wrote:

.I have discovered NPR and have become an addict. Maybe its an age thing..

Yes I love NPR too, its like a an American Radio 4 if you are leaning a bit to the left. BTW How much do you pay for the subscription? I'm sure you know its FTA on Hotbird!!!

ainiseoir

About $100 US for a year.They take it in 3 stages to ease the pain.
Didn't realise that I was getting mainly pop channels for it.
As you suggested, I suppose that I do lean a little to the left, but only until I win the lotto.
Maybe I thought that I was doing something for the Third World.
Main reason was an American girl who listened to NPR constantly at home, so...
Pains me to think I might be subsidising Fox News!
I suspect that most people who buy such a radio in North Western Europe do so on a whim. Erecting aerials and investing in amplification equipment were unexpected expenses as was the subscription. I am glad to have it however.
Maybe programming may change when they launch their European system, but then the existing radios will probably become obsolete!
Still don't know whether I should be linear or circular or why.

telecinesk

Re Joyear. Yes its some "joy" as regards the int speaker.Id describe it as porn quality so to speak..
Ok, more serious, I found by switching on and holding down the left button you get into a service menu or hidden menu. Select option 6 by using the up down buttons until you get to antenna, then toggle until it says circular or Linear in the display. As ever its easier to show you them write it here.
For me, on LHC channels like Orbitrock and using antenna other than the orig joyear one its important to set the antenna correctly in this menu.
In weak signal areas it does make a diff. I use the Sanyo antenna most of the time, has higher gain than any of the ones I have.

As for NPR, Id rather lose that, I think its the accents rather than content for me.. Fox News, oh no, I wasnt too impressed to see it on the list. Im happy enough with BBC and Orbit rock but its down to personal choice and that you do have on worldspace. I gladly pay the few quid to keep me entertained over here in central europe. Its great to have, better than paying Sky or any tv providers. And it goes in the car, thats useful.

paulConnors, what WS radio do you have, WRN on 627 should be the default on switch-on. Also, are you listening on asiastar1 beam? Try diff beam perhaps??

Zaphod

greenman wrote:

Hi Paul,
Can't help on the WS question but I suppose you know RTE Radio 1 MW is on Hotbird 6 12597 V 27500 - 3/4 if you have a FTA box. Maybe this of some use!!!!

I think Georgia is too far east for the Hotbird6 footprint. A better alternative would the C Band transmissions of WRN radio from Intelsat707 (1W) on the eastern hemisphere beam.
http://www.satcodx-op.com/INT/uke/coverage.cgi?INT707EH

Perhaps some ex-millitary mesh dishes might be knocking around that corner of the world? As it's C band, they wouldn't need to be in perfect condition either.

Eurorunner

This is very interesting. Had only heard the minimum of info on this previously.

So is this subscription only. ie. there is no digital radio available in this format without a sub?

Has there been any indication of when they will start european coverage properly? What would be the best website to keep tabs on this from time to time?

SKWei

There are some available free… but not much in English. Regionalised BBC World Service for West Africa,WRN, weather info, etc. RFI French and Europe 1, also available elsewhere in higher quality, but handy here too. KBC from Nairobi is fun to listen too if you are interested in that part of the world.

There is a listings at the ever-useful Lyngsat.com http://www.lyngsat.com/afristar.html

When I was in Ireland a few weeks ago, I think I saw the SGH religuous station was part of the subscription package… it's free here on AsiaSat Northeast beam… But I don't really listen to it so it doesn't make a huge difference.

andrew3

I was thinking of buying one of these radio's for the car here in Dublin --- has anyone tried it? - what can I expect performance wise?? was looking at the 100E deal on their site - worth a try i suppose....

Greenman

andrew3 wrote:

I was thinking of buying one of these radio's for the car here in Dublin --- has anyone tried it? - what can I expect performance wise?? was looking at the 100E deal on their site - worth a try i suppose....

http://www.worldspace.com/receivers/bundle.html# Didn't see mention of antenna!!!
Were you thinking of a subscription? Looking here
http://www.lyngsat.com/afristar.html there isn't much FTA!!!
Let us know!!!

andrew3

Yea it was the Tongshi Receiver and the special on the subscribtion! I have been on the look out for a satellite radio service like Xfm in the states! - Although I have vast experience with DTH KU band reception I don't have any in this area as regards antenna size -even what it looks like!- There isn't alot of info on the website about the antenna and the footprint maps are useless as regards signal strength- It was searching around for info then I noticed you guys!

I was hopin to install it in the car - the only place of any benefit to me really!

there doesn't seem to be much mention of an antenna on the worldspace site there seems to be a small angle antenna which I guess would be inconspicuous enough on the car - Thats were I hoped you guys could help! - I was hoping I wasn't going to be driving something that looked like an sng truck around! and I was also hoping to get some decent enough coverage around the south Dublin down the N11 area!
Regards Guys,
Andrew.

SKWei

I have the Tongshi receiver: the aerial that comes with it is similar to the one provided with the other radios, it's grey plastic about the size of two or three CD cases on top of each other. It has a hinged base, and a metal magnet frame to mount it on the roof of a car.
But, a few years ago, I tried using it at home – not on a car – in Ireland. The aerial had to be pointed quite accurately, unlike at lower latitudes, so I suspect the satellite is just a bit low, and we are a bit too far out in the footprint, to get reliable reception from the aerial flat on a car roof. But I haven't actually tried!

I've never heard XM or Sirius in person, but I think they use AAC or HE AAC, while WorldSpace uses MP3 – I was disappointed with the digital artefacts on WorldSpace music channels.

Still, it's a pretty good deal! I would advise phoning WorldSpace to see what they say. They might suggest getting a booster, which might work fine.

www.nevada.co.uk seem to provide quite a bit of WorldSpace gear.

watty

I think Hitachi had a WS radio with MW/SW/VHF-FM too.

Reception should be fine and more suitable for "portable" (not mobile really) than the 70 Channels radio on Sky or the 1400 or radio channels on an 80cm motorised dish.

You don't need a booster here.

telecinesk

Nice to see this topic turning up again.
As regards mobile operation in Ireland, very ropey and you will get breakup even on the RHC beam (stronger one) for sure.
I have a flat magnetic antenna and in central europe (Hungary/Austria)its not 100% either but stronger than Czech Rep for example.
Reception of Afristar eastern beam is also doable here but all this on a fixed antenna or stationary.
Anyhow, its all costly now too. Kind of a "luxury" for me.

andrew3

Im gonna give it a shot and see how it goes - a hundred bucks is worth the speculation- ( can't be any worse than the crap Im getting at de moment from terrestrial and looks like its gonna be awhile before any sort of digital terrestrial signal passes over the country)

sure its worth it, if even at best i only get 5 minutes at a time! (and if not it will still be a cool dashboard ornament!) - I'll get in touch with worldspace tomorrow and quiz them a bit more-

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll keep you posted as to how I get on! and if you see a celica with a heap of antenna's hangin out of the roof with a bunch of coat hangers in an attempt to make a make shift antenna goin 100km/hr down the naas road you'll know who it is!!

watty

Well it will work when you are parked. It isn't designed for use while moving really. Eutelsat is working on a mobile syste that will for with roof patch antenna and inclined satellites (Recycle old TV satellites!). A co-pilot/navigator/passenger could aim the aerial I suppose for Worldspace.

telecinesk

Good news, Afristar2 about to be or approved to be launched. Signal strength in Europe will be somewhat stronger..

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-4A1.pdf

Looks like the mobile antenna would be worth taking out in the next year..

westportman

Hi guys
What stations can you get on the sat radio and can you get SWR3 from germany at all on it?
many thanks

Greenman

In reality there is not so much FTA stuff on WS radio as per my link http://www.lyngsat.com/afristar.html

I have the Hitachi and I have AM/FM and SW on it and am happy to have those bands as I would feel very limited with WS alone.

sheikyerbuti

I have a Tongshi DAMB-R and WS in Saudi Arabia, mounted in my car. It comes in loud and clear driving around but sometimes when i stop and turn off the car, and radio, it loses it when i come back and turn it on again. Not sure if i have to rescan for the satellites or what. it'll just suddenly connect again, not sure how i'm getting to pick up the signal, if I'm doing anything at all, usually just pushing buttons randomly while driving along. It'll hava a message 'check antennae' - something like that, when not working. The tech at the place where i bought tuned it to 2 different channels in both asiastar and afristar, total 4, but i'm not sure how to switch from one to the other or if I even need to. the manual doesn't have much detail. Anybody have any idea why it loses connection and what I need to do to get it back?

Ulsterman 1690

Sounds like a simple wiring fault

Most car radios have TWO power connections

One (for the main audio circuits) intended to be fed via the ignition switch (or a relay) so that the radio switches off automatically when you lock the steering wheel

The second one is for keeping the memory/settings and should be connected s that its getting power all the time.

Sounds like your one either has its second cable wired to an ignition switched connection point or that there is only one power connection on your radio and its connected to a ignition switched rather than permanently on connection point