Where can I buy a free to air satellite system in Donegal/Derry?

irish_dew

Hi there.
I am living in North Inishowen (between Malin and Malin Head) and receive a horrible terrestial signal. Not even sure where I am receiving my British channels from, so I have decided I need a free to air satellite sysytem, just to receive a decent picture on BBC and ITV channels.

First of all, can anyone confirm that free to air sat is the best way out?

Secondly, does anyone know where I can find a decent shop in the Derry/Donegal area where I can buy such a system?

Thanks for the help,
John

satworld

Hi John not sure if there is a shop in derry/donegal theres lots in dublin though.

Tony

A free to air system will get you BBC/ITV and some others and will give you perfect reception. Sorry i do not know of any shops in that area.

irish_dew wrote:

Hi there.
I am living in North Inishowen (between Malin and Malin Head) and receive a horrible terrestial signal. Not even sure where I am receiving my British channels from, so I have decided I need a free to air satellite sysytem, just to receive a decent picture on BBC and ITV channels.

First of all, can anyone confirm that free to air sat is the best way out?

Secondly, does anyone know where I can find a decent shop in the Derry/Donegal area where I can buy such a system?

Thanks for the help,
John

BrianD

I bought the Maplins kit (€130) before Christmas. Do they have a branch in Derry? Peats (€249)have them in Dublin and I'm sure Tony will point you in the direction of online shops.

I hope I can install mine otherwise I'll have to ring Tony.

Tony

BrianD wrote:

I hope I can install mine otherwise I'll have to ring Tony.

I'd be happy to help

muffler

irish_dew wrote:

Hi there.
I am living in North Inishowen (between Malin and Malin Head) and receive a horrible terrestial signal. Not even sure where I am receiving my British channels from, so I have decided I need a free to air satellite sysytem, just to receive a decent picture on BBC and ITV channels.

First of all, can anyone confirm that free to air sat is the best way out?

Secondly, does anyone know where I can find a decent shop in the Derry/Donegal area where I can buy such a system?

Thanks for the help,
John

Try posting this in the Northwest forum also.

Theres one guy there (byte) who should know

For what its worth you can buy the FTA boxes in ASDA for around £25 - £30 or in Currys, Derry.

Do an online check for signal quality in that area

byte

Hmm, try your nearest electrical retailer perhaps, if you don't fancy buying online.

Looking at the Golden Pages, I come across
Liam Hirrell Diamond, Carndonagh 074 9374257
McEwens, Sweeneys, and Griers all in Letterkenny.

Then there is a company called Cable & Accessories Ltd, on Port Road, Letterkenny (074 9126788), whom I'm told also sell this sort of gear at good prices, though I've not dealt with them so unsure.

Muffler: that box you refer to is probably a Freeview box, which is only suitable for Digital Terrestrial (via aerial) signals, not satellite. As the OP says his terrestrial is poor, Freeview is a no-go.
http://www.goldenpages.ie/results.asp?origin=HOME&what=electrical&where=donegal

Hope this helps.

muffler

byte wrote:

Muffler: that box you refer to is probably a Freeview box, which is only suitable for Digital Terrestrial (via aerial) signals, not satellite. As the OP says his terrestrial is poor, Freeview is a no-go.
http://www.goldenpages.ie/results.asp?origin=HOME&what=electrical&where=donegal

Hope this helps.

byte you are indeed correct. I'm not too well up on these matters and I noticed from other posts that you would have a good knowledge of these things

lasno

Hi

There is a company called Antenna Electronics in Killybegs Co. Donegal

www.antenna-electronics.com

I dont know anything about them so cannot comment on their service.

irish_dew

Many thanks everyone.

Will try some of those people soon. Thanks again.

John

Sponge Bob

and as the inisowen is (very) hilly can you see the sun in the sky at 11am from your house ?????

watty

Maplin do regular mailorder as well as online.

watty

Sponge Bob wrote:

and as the inisowen is (very) hilly can you see the sun in the sky at 11am from your house ?????

The sun is lower than normal. Only at Autumn and spring Equinox is the Sun "inline" with Satellite positions (Weaker ones for a day or two can vanish in the noise for a few minutes as the sun "passes" behind.) Summer the Sun is higher in Sky.

ROFL..
Well I've been to a lot of Donegal. I think unless there is a big tree close or his house is in a hole in the ground he'll get a signal!

ethernet

BrianD wrote:

I bought the Maplins kit (€130) before Christmas. Do they have a branch in Derry? Peats (€249)have them in Dublin and I'm sure Tony will point you in the direction of online shops.

I hope I can install mine otherwise I'll have to ring Tony.

Now that you mention it, I see they have yet another package in store now [saw it in a small leaflet instore] -- a Fortec Star dish with a Fortec Star receiver. Looks dirt cheap but will do the job. That other system seemed to be flying out the door lately.

Paddy20

LIDL in Buncrana, and ALDI in Letterkenny regularly offer DIY Satellite & Receiver kits at very good prices, which should give you excellent reception of the Tv channels + Radio that you need.

I agree with muffler about posting on the North West forum, if you are looking for a supplier/installer, but get a quote .

P.:cool:

Richard

irish_dew wrote:

Hi there.
Not even sure where I am receiving my British channels from, so I have decided I need a free to air satellite sysytem, just to receive a decent picture on BBC and ITV channels.

If you're getting your signal from Limivady then Freeview might be an option, though if your picture isn't good on analogue then you might need an aerial upgrade. I would have though Inishowen would have been good for UK terrestrial TV, however.

irish_dew

It's actually my aunt who is after this, and she is surrounded by hills. I also think someone has a deflector set up, bouncing signals from the Malin transmitter, and that is messing up her own signal. (That is just conjecture on my part though - don't know a lot about such things).
Certainly while her BBC is adequate, her Channel 4 is awful - and I do realise that Channel 4 won't be carried into the republic on satelite.
The freeview thing seems a non-runner though. People on the eastern side of Inishowen, eg Moville, Quigley's Point get freeview perfectly, but from Carndonagh north its much more erratic.
And I have posted the original question on the north west forum now as well. Once again, thanks to everyone. Why are the people who sell satellite systems for a living never half as helpful?
John

Tony

irish_dew wrote:

I Why are the people who sell satellite systems for a living never half as helpful?
John

Thought I was helpful

DMC

Yer just not local enough

irish_dew

to whom it concerns:

Tony is VERY helpful.:)

Tony

irish_dew wrote:

to whom it concerns:

Tony is VERY helpful.:)

Thanks HNY

Sponge Bob

irish_dew wrote:

Tony is VERY helpful.:)

He sold my oul fella this sky rig , oul fella delighted may i add