RTE Announce FTA Saorsat service

Mallusk should be fine unless they are lying about the Spot. Better than Ballymena, which should still be in main service area.

So I agree with Apogee. Either you are doing it wrong or the LNB doesn't work. Or else they turn it off every time you go out to look at it!

Just to show that even an analogue meter will work, you can see if I push/pull the LNB arm or push/pull on the edge of the dish, the meter reacts.

Which LNB, and which way up horizontal?

Must be an alignment issue as the transmission is Left Circular polarisation.

Congratulations

Yes, certainly on my Triax bar, it needs to be flat or one port is too low and the other two high. Strangely on the Hughes LNB I have both ports (H and V) seem active at same time on 13V or 18V. Also attempting to block either with a metal plate increases the output level. Very odd. Anyway I still have been unable to go and look at it since 5th or 6th of June 2011.

Nothing. In overlap of different "colours" you have a choice. Likely the "blue" and "green" N.I. and Welsh spots can be got on a bigger dish as far as Portliose or Athlone. Maybe even the Orange beam with a big dish in Dublin. It's spots of SAME colour with similar level signal that's an issue (which is worst half way between two identical colour spots).

Saorsat is just a bonus.

Actually even the Analogue Switch off isn't law, and the "real" EU recommendation is by 2015.

Technically there is nothing legally stopping Ireland having NTSC colour 405 line TV on 185MHz and Secam 625 line on Ch 40 forever. Comreg regularly does "their own thing".

MMDS (it's LTE or WiMax elsewhere)
Deflector Licences
10.45GHz Traffic Sensors
Old GSM tetra re-purposed separate from GSM-R or E-GSM.

Congratulations to user dbcool on tracking down the Saorsat signal!

I live in a "marginal" RTÉ reception point of south Belfast. I have been advised that my location is just too far away (36 miles) from the nearest transmitter at Clermont Carn in Louth, to receive its digital signal output (both now and after switchover.)

I was hoping with dbcool's good news, that one of you chaps might perhaps like to lend a generous helping hand to me? I am no techie by any means; however I do hope to be getting set-up assistance from an experienced contact in the TV trade. (So clear and simple instructions for me to relay would be greatly appreciated!)

I am very interested in getting a multi-feed satellite dish set-up, with LNBs aligned to the following:

• Astra @ 28.2°East
• Astra @ 19.2°East
• Hotbird @ 13.0° East
• **Ka-Sat @ 9.0° East**

I envisage the following equipment set-up:

• 90cm Solid Dish (Fortec or Triax brand.)
• Technisat HDFS HD Receiver (or another recommended brand anyone knows?)
• Multi-switch unit (to enable a feed to x2 receivers).

I've been monitoring the vast number of technical forums and websites out there which have been covering this subject; since the launch of Eutelsat's Ka-Sat antenna last December. I understand that the sticking point for enthusiasts (like ourselves), is the lack of Ka-Band equipment (i.e. LNB's more specifically).


I’ve read in a previous board post here, that a successful temporary work-around to this problem has been achieved with an “adjusted” Ka LNB purchased from eBay. I've also read that removing a Ku band LNB feedhorn can work too (although it leaves the unit very susceptible to rain and bad weather) – is this all correct?

I know I’ve gone in to a lot of detail here chaps; however I thought it was best to give you a full run-down on where I am (or not as the case may be) at this. If anyone fancies taking on this project with me, or can offer any help, guidance or instruction, I would be very grateful!



I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Warmest Regards,
Allan

I want to just mention that Clermont Carn will be receivable with an appropriate outdoors aerial in most of south Belfast when DSO takes place. Assuming there's no large apartment block or suchlike to the south across the road from you! If the RTE signal is good enough for some sort of Aertel (teletext) then I would expect it to work. Certainly, Freeview is already receivable in Dundalk with a good aerial and that's with even longer distance and crucially far lower power than Saorview will be next year.

Very good work going on up there,Glad it beared fruit,keep it up,hope proper lnb will appear soon.

In a word, yes. Ka-band for DTH transmission is a novelty in Europe. However, the basic, underlying technology is not new, and Ka-band circular polarised LNBFs are widely used in the US. But the LNBFs they use are very complex and designed for reception of satellites from multiple orbital locations and therefore are impractical for use in Ireland.

Won't the LNB be the same for tooway broadband, just it's sending a signal to a sat box rather than a modem?

If they are expensive, this might be where a subsidy for switching over those in area's where RTE aren't upgrading masts will come in...

Wouldn't it be fair to say that if RTE are supplying you with analogue tv, then as a licence payer you would assume they should provide you with digital... hence the need for a satellite(!)

the big bonus for saorsat is NI!

Pangea wrote: »

So they have started testing saorsat have they? What channels could you pick up?

Since mid May - start at post #1148 and here

Nice to see some activity, thanks for the links, it's hard to keep up with the thread.

ka lnb be quick!
http://cgi.ebay.com/hughes-net-9000-radio-/320718256027?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aac4c379b

watty wrote: »

That would be the "soon to be released" domestic ones for Saorsat. Not ill-suited hacked LNBs from ODUs bought off eBay, from Hylas Hughes, Hughes Net, Wildblue or Tooway gear,

Sure if you are very fond of microwave plumbing and experimenting buy something less than suitable from eBay. It will not work as well as the "proper" domestic LNBFs. "Coming soon"

I'd be fairly sure I.O.M. will be fine for reception. Unless you are in a hole in ground on North West of Snafell.

Fortunately I'm not in a hole in the ground on the side of Snaefell, but have a good clear view of the skies from here. We waited what felt like an eternity for the launch of SV so I won't hold my breath waiting for RTENL to announce the launch of SS and the availability of certified / suitable equipment to receive it. Only hope I live long enough to witness it!